March 27, 2009 by onetechsys
I have always been a PC guy. Everything that I have learned about computers has all been Windows based and I am fairly efficient in installing and troubleshooting Windows. However, I was ready for a change. After the release of the “unibody” MacBooks I decided to replace my aging Windows notebook with a MacBook Pro. I have to admit that it is probably the best computer that I have purchased.
One of the problems I had with the switch to Mac OS was sort of unlearning the way things are done in Windows. Mac OS is different but it is different in a good way. Everything is a simplified and it did not take me long to find where certain settings are located. I especially love the Dock because I hate having icons or files spread all across the desktop. The Dock keeps the desktop looking neat and I really like a clean desktop. I also love how well all of the iLife programs seem to work together. I let a friend borrow my MacBook Pro to put together a picture slide show using iMovie. It was so easy to import pictures and music and then burn the video to a DVD.
So far I have been very pleased with my Mac. However, I still use Windows on a daily basis. My job in IT does not allow me to totally abandon Windows. I do think that my knowledge in Mac OS can also come in handy and I plan on focusing on networking (Cisco) rather than servers and desktops. The networking specialty seems to be a little more platform independent.
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February 18, 2009 by onetechsys
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February 11, 2009 by onetechsys
A couple of months ago I decided to purchas a new TV for use in my bedroom and decided to wait until after Christmas. I initially wanted a 26″ TV and I did not really expect to buy a 1080P TV. However, when I went to Best Buy the day after Christmas I found a 32″ 1080P LG TV for $699 and could not pass that up. The model number was 32LG70 and at the time the normal retail price was $999. I was excited to be getting this new TV and I felt that I had found a good deal. This is where all the drama started.
The day that I set the TV up I had no problems. I did notice that the cabinet seemed to be made out of a cheap plastic and the whole TV seemed a little wobbly. I set the TV up with just a standard DirecTV reciever and a Playstation 3. After a couple of days the TV started to flicker (kind of snow effect look) and the sound would go out when I would play a game or watch a Blu-ray on my Playstation 3. I initially thought that it was the cheap HDMI cable that I purchased with the TV and I bought a higher grade cable. The problem did not go away. The next thing to do was to call LG as the Playstation 3 had no problem on a Samsung 40″ TV that I also own.
I called LG and they were fairly helpful at first. They sent a technician out to my house to see what the problem was. When the technician was there he tried three different HDMI cables, a different Playstation 3 (owned by a friend of mine) and replaced a part. The TV flickered even more than it did before. The technician ordered another part and came back about a week later. Again he replaced a part and the problem seemed to go away. However the next day the problem returned. The same flickering as before. I did some digging and found a couple other people that had the same problem, however I never saw any solution to the problem. I called LG again and this time they were no help at all. The rep suggested switching the HDMI cable around and when I told him that I had already tried a few different cable he pretty much ignored what I was saying. After turning the cable around the problem remained. At this point I was getting frustrated. The rep offerend no other help so I decided to look around a little more.
After seraching for a few hours I ran across some more forum posts about this issue. The posts mentioned changing the resolution settings on the Playstation. I removed the 1080P settings and the flickering stopped. I also tried removing all of the resolutions except for 1080P but when 1080P was enabled the TV would flicker. I again contacted LG. This time was worse than the second time. I explained what all I had done and what I had found out and the answer this rep gave was to use the component cable and not worry about HDMI. Ok, am I missing something. One of the reaosns I chose this TV was because it had 3 HDMI ports on it and it was 1080P. There was no way I wanted to stick with 1080i or under. I asked the rep if there was a way for me to return the TV for a replacement or a refund and she said that I would have to contact the dealer for exchange or replacement. Hold on!! I have to call Best Buy because this TV obviously has some kind of HDMI issue. After rudly ending that conversation I decided to call Best Buy.
I turns out that since I am a Reward Zone member, items that I purchase and give Reward Zone info for have a 45 day return policy. However, I was 2 DAYS past the return period. The lady I spoke to was really helpful and even spoke to the manager of my local Best Buy store and got him to make an exception. Just a few hours ago I went to Best Buy and exchanged my 32LG70 for Samsung LN32A550 and so far so good. I am happy with this TV so far and the picture quality is superior to the LG 32LG70. I have to give it to Best Buy for being so helpful with this issue. However, I will think twice before EVER buying an LG TV again.
Links to forum posts:
http://www.fixya.com/support/t1097233-playstation_3_flickers_when_set_1080p
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&thread.id=3616208
Tags: 1080p issues, 32LG70, Entertainment, HDMI, HDMI Issues, HDMI Problems, LG TV, Playstation 3 and HDMI, Televisions
Posted in Television/Entertainment | Leave a Comment »
January 11, 2009 by onetechsys
I have recently run across a very cool business called Support Space. It’s an online tech support web site that anyone can use. The experts on Support Space have to go throuhg an extensive process to become certified. I decided to try this process out and see how estensive it really is. I was impressed that they do background checks and even check into the qualifications of all the experts. So if you have a computer problem (mostly software based) then you should really check out SupportSpace.com. Below is a link to my profile.
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December 4, 2008 by onetechsys
No doubt everyone has heard of the transition to digital television, or DTV, coming up in February. What many don’t know is that you do NOT have to rush out and buy a brand new HDTV and you do NOT have to call DirecTV, Dish Network, or your cable company to ad HD to your package. The digital transition has to do with over the air broadcasts only. Which means that TV stations cannot broadcast an analog signal after February 17th. If you already have a TV with a digital tuner and you use an over the air antenna you do not have to worry. Also, if you have cable or satellite TV you are fine! All of the ads for this are confusing. Which is largely the fault of your local TV stations, TV networks, oh and of course…………..your cable or Satellite company!
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November 21, 2008 by onetechsys
I ran across a news article on Zdnet about a couple of trojans designed for Mac OS X making their way across the internet. You can hread the article at http://news.zdnet.com/2424-9595_22-251586.html . This sort of supports what I have been telling the people I know. Macs, as with any computer connected to the internet, are vulnerable to viruses. There have been other instances of Mac viruses. In fact, it is believed that this new one is the same as one discovered last year.
“In other respects the Trojan is similar to previous versions of RSPlug, which first surfaced in October 2007, Intego said. It installs a piece of malicious code known as DNSChanger, which routes the user’s internet traffic through a malicious DNS server, leading users to phishing websites or pages displaying advertisements.”
(Matthew Broersma, ZDNet.co.uk, article linked above)
I will admit, however, that Macs do not get as many viruses as Windows based PCs. The reason is that there just aren’t as many Macs out there as PCs and a Mac virus would have minimal impact. But expect to see more viruses as macs become more popular. My experience working with WIndows based PCs has caused me to form a habit of installing and maintaining antivirus software. So, I will be installing antivirus software, if I can find some for Mac, as soon as possible. (Better safe than sorry.)
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October 8, 2008 by onetechsys
The first touch screen BlackBerry is finally here. The Storm is will be available on through Verizon wireless some time later this fall. So far no pricing information has been released. The Storm is supposed to offer a full touch screen with gestures and tactile feedback making it easier to use for typing, etc. More information to come…..
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September 22, 2008 by onetechsys
So I thought I would post something since I have not done so in a while. I am planning on getting OneTechSys.com up and running sometime within the next two months. After that there will be regular blog posts and updates to the site. There may not be much happening on here for a while but keep checking back. Thanks for reading.
-Robert
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September 3, 2008 by onetechsys
Apple has sent out invitations for an event that will be held next Tuesday (September 9th) at 10 AM PDT. The invitation has an iPod type picture on it and the title “Let’s Rock”. What Apple is going to announce or debut at this event is still up for speculation but it will most likely focus on a refresh of the iPod line and possibly the end of hard drive based iPods. Of course, all of that is just speculation. We will have to wait until September 9th to find out what Apple has in store.
Apple announcement sent to media today!
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August 27, 2008 by onetechsys
Psystar has filed a countersuit stating that Apple’s “tying” of hardware to Mac OS X is anti-competitive. It will be interesting to see what happens with this.
Here is an article with more information: http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=9807&tag=nl.e539
What do you think?
Posted in Apple, Hardware, Mac, Sofware/Operating Systems | Leave a Comment »
