Techsupport

Arch Linux Installation

· Reading time: ~6 minute(s) (1171 words) techsupport notes linux macbookair

First of all, create a bootable USB (or CD) based on the ISO downloaded from the main Arch Linux website and boot it up.

The Arch Linux wiki is probably one of the best I’ve ever used, so the latest basic installation steps can be found here.

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HP DM1-4027 Netbook locks up in Linux due to Thermal Event

· Reading time: ~1 minute(s) (168 words) techsupport dm1 notes

Sometimes in Linux I’ve noticed that the laptop will lock up, often in high CPU situations. This appears to be caused by some sort of thermal support (or lack of) and after some research, you can disable the thermal support within the OS and allow the BIOS to take over instead.

This is done by editing the grub entry to add thermal.off=1 at the end of the linux boot line which would result in the following (replacing {uuid} with your own UUID):

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PrimeFilm 1800u Film Scanner

· Reading time: ~2 minute(s) (282 words) techsupport scanners notes

The drivers on the enclosed CD don’t work in Windows 10.

I had a nosey around online and found this post on the Microsoft Forum where Jack Moorhouse gave some excellent advice (copied below for safety):

  • Google “How to install unsigned drivers on Windows 10 - By TotallydubbedHD” and follow instructions
  • Download & run the installer for the slide viewer (SF_ENG_1.3.exe) which is for windows up to 7. I ran it in vista sp2 compatibility mode.AT THIS POINT IT STILL DOESN’T WORK
  • Go to control panel -> device manager ->imaging devices and update the driver for the slide viewer from the folder c:\windows\Twain_32\cyberviewX_SF

I’ll tweak the above to what worked for me:

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Some reference bits for Git source control

· Reading time: ~2 minute(s) (328 words) techsupport git notes

Retaining chmod permissions for scripts in git repositories

git update-index --chmod=+x your_bash_script.sh

The git documentation provides more information on the update-index command here: https://www.git-scm.com/docs/git-update-index

Clone repository including all submodules

Get the latest commit in the parent repository:

git clone {repository_url}
cd {repository_dir}
# -- OR --
git pull

And then update the submodule:

git submodule update --init --recursive

This should pull the relevant commit for the submodule, but it will be in detached HEAD mode based on the commit of the submodule reference in the parent repository.

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iPad appears in Windows 10, but not showing in iTunes

· Reading time: ~1 minute(s) (183 words) techsupport hardware

I have an aging iPad2 which is getting on a bit but still works fine, but often won’t appear in iTunes, but is showing in Windows 10 as a device in ‘This PC’.

I find it usually happens after an iTunes update when the iPad was plugged in already, and it seems Windows throws in a generic driver when the Apple drivers are removed as part of the upgrade process. To solve the problem, I do the following:

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Windows 8/10 computer not connecting to your network?

· Reading time: ~2 minute(s) (389 words) techsupport windowsupdate windows

I have had a fair few people lately telling me that their Windows computers are struggling to connect to the Internet. After doing some digging into the problem, it turns out that it could be related to a failed Windows Update that Microsoft initially issued in December 2016, but some computers are slow in picking up the update (or the owners are similar to me, and don’t reboot very often to let updates take effect!)

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Intel Graphics Driver Crashes on XPS15

· Reading time: ~1 minute(s) (190 words) techsupport xps hardware

On my XPS15, I’ve noticed recently that the Intel graphics driver crashes a quite a bit (mainly when using Google Chrome). Although it recovers successfully, it’s still pretty annoying. A couple of days ago, I finally reached the end of my tether and started seriously looking for a solution (as compared to a quick Google search and then get distracted).

I came across a thread on Dell’s community forum: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3519/t/19658452 which discussed this problem. Bas66 commented on here and provided instructions to obtain Beta version Intel drivers which should resolve the problem, and also how to install them (via a tutorial intended for MS Surface - http://www.windowscentral.com/how-install-intel-beta-graphics-drivers-surface, but it still applies albeit for a different graphic adapter model).

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Dell Vostro 3350 Laptop with Windows 10

· Reading time: ~3 minute(s) (493 words) techsupport windows

So this week I’ve bought an ex-corporate Dell Vostro 3350 with the intention of it replacing Di’s aged Pentium D desktop which is struggling since the Windows 10 upgrade. The laptop came pre-installed with Windows 10 Professional (a digital entitlement upgrade from the Windows 7 Pro that came on the laptop), and seemed quick enough. However, I’m not one to use a laptop as it comes, especially when it’s not brand new. Plus I noticed some of the devices weren’t installed correctly, so I took the opportunity to reinstall on the mechanical disk to ensure I have the right drivers before reinstalling onto the SSD that’ll come out of the desktop.

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Windows Update Error 8007000E

· Reading time: ~1 minute(s) (170 words) techsupport windows

Twice recently I’ve reinstalled Windows 7 on a machine, only for Windows Update to fail when checking for updates. On both machines it gave an error 8007000E.

The first machine (belonging to my nephew), I couldn’t fix, so left it with him with automatic updates enabled in the hope it’ll fix itself.

The second machine is this Samsung netbook. As it’s already had me over a barrel, it won’t do me over again! So onto the Internets I went… I’m not alone here, as there’s no shortage of machines in a similar situation. But luckily, Henk Hoogendoorn has blogged about it over at http://henkhoogendoorn.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/some-clients-not-updating-reporting.html and suggested that it needs a further Windows Update and a cheeky config change to get it to work.

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Reinstalling a Samsung NC10+ Netbook = Painful

· Reading time: ~2 minute(s) (249 words) techsupport hardware family

I’ve had to do a restore on a Samsung NC10+ which is an Atom N450 based netbook from a few years back. But for some reason, the recovery stuff just won’t work and I’ve had to do a clean install of Windows. And the Samsung support website… well, it’s not much support at all. In fact, I don’t think they even remember releasing the NC10+. Only the original NC10.

Luckily, Windows 7 installs drivers for most things, but missing the two important ones… Video and Wireless. So after a long hunt, I’ve found the needed drivers to be:

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