Frequent readers already know, that I've been working on re-installing,
all (HamsterTracker™-) and System- Software for quite a while now.
Having done this exercise a couple of times these last few years,
I finally started documenting the process!,
as well as copying all essential setups to a DVD...
I am (slowly) re-gaining trust in my system, as it seems right now,
the ol' harddisk, on which I got Windows-warnings about,
was the bad fruit in the basket.
After installing a new disk and fully restoring all data,
the system is quicker as well as fewer USB-troubles...
(and I do need to run quite a lot of USB-devices, to run HamsterTracker.com).
Who could ever expect that an internal-on-disk-interface could cause so much troubles?
And you thought I was just enjoying a holiday :-)
Fortunately Lucy isn't to afraid to ask for her attention:
"How's the HamsterTracker™-Server doin', Dude? " - Lucy
I started explaining about installing a new video card, as well as a new harddisk,
reinstalling all software ... Bla Bla Bla ...
"Sounds like a lot of work Dude...
Have you got time to HamsterTracker™-Serve me a Pine-Seed? " - Lucy
"Sure, my lady! " - Mathijs
"Hmmmm, I can smell there is another one... open up, Dude! " - Lucy
"Ahhh, there it is! " - Lucy
"That's the last one, right Dude? " - Lucy
" For now it is, Lucy " - Mathijs
"Ok, I need to get out! Get the Explorer Ball!
Sorry Dude, I forgot: PLEEEAAASSSEEE! " - Lucy
She did get out (to fully entertain me while helping me to take my mind of the installation process)!!!
We're a Team, you know!
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This last week has been challenging for HamsterTracker.com:
The 'Dream-Machine' (HamsterTracker™ Data Collecter) turned into a Nighmare-Machine... overnight ... ;-)
I've done EVERYTHING; restoring backups,
upgrading BIOS and after many hours;
downgrading BIOS to a more stable version ...
Re-installing Windows (7 Ultimate)...
Replacing newly obtained Graphics card (on warrenty),
as well as replacing the 750 GB hard-drive...
After Windows 7 complained about a Hardware issue on that drive ...
Currently we're in the process of restoring all 700 GB of raw data
(20.000+ digital photographs, which are mostly of Lucy (current and past)
as well as a little bit of other digital stuff),
which does take a while...
Therefore, while this process is still running,
here's a recap of all 'troubles and fixes':
"I first tried a boot-disk restore after one horrible blue-screen-crash,
after which the system had trouble to boot... " - Mathijs
"That's what I did a LOT...
this can be very lengthy processes, as you may possibly know ... " - Mathijs
"After finally rebooting ...
IT DIDN'T FIX IT ... unfortunatly " - Mathijs
"There was something about drives and paths, that was incorrect,
therefore I tried to make the right changes... which took hours...
without positive results... " - Mathijs
Having aged three years in a weekend,
I (finally) opted on a full re-installation of Windows 7,
on my ultrafast SSD (=Solid State Drive)!
It installed in 20 minutes,
a couple of reboots, updates and (what felt like) hours later,
it's fully up and running:
"It's even faster now!
I don't know if that's the new SSD or the BIOS upgrade or the new Graphics card.
It could be the total combination of it :) " - Mathijs
Then I got A Disk-Drive-Error-Warning!
Reminding me to backup the (750 GB!) hard-drive (Checked and done!),
as well as contact the manufacturer...
I still have to do the last part (contacting etc.),
although I HAVE just replaced it with a new (1 GB!) harddrive:
"I needed to make sure that the SATA interface on the motherboard
isn't broken, therefore I want to temprorarely place this new drive in the 'box',
without removing the old (broken?) drive...
This needed a little re-wiring ...
starting with the (new) bootdisk: a 32 GB(!) SSD... " - Mathijs
"Now the power-cable can service a drive on the bottom of the box... " - Mathijs
"Power & SATA II, cables hooked up and ready ... " - Mathijs
"All ready for tests and restore operations... " - Mathijs
Update:
It's running smooth right now...
the ol' 750 GB(!) hard-drive might have been the cause of all my troubles!
I am gaining confidence on the 'Dream-Machine' correctly and stable running...
Unfortunately Lucy's HamsterTracker™-Treadmill Server has been OUT-OF-SERVICE for a while!
Right now the basics are running!
Although I am still working on the HamsterTracker™-Webcam-Server software ...
It (still) needs a few more software tweaks and tuning ...
"Dude... you mean to tell me... I've been runnin' for nothin' " - Lucy
Try explaining: "It's good for your health" to your hamster ...
:-)
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After many years of practice,
I do feel that I've finally got the hang of it...
Here's the 'Money Shot' of Lucy after which it's all done:
"Phhheerrry nice, Dude!!! " - Lucy
Here's what went on before this above photograph:
"All clean new bedroom ... " - Mathijs
"Fresh new bedding as well as nice clean toilet... " - Mathijs
"New Kräcker & food ... " - Mathijs
"As well as some new cardboard for Lucy to shred.
Which she ignored on first instance... " - Mathijs
"Peanut is more important! " - Lucy
After safely putting her peanut in her bedroom,
Lucy started to shred the (half) cardboard box...
(That's good for your hamster's teeth!)
That's when I photographed the first picture (above) of today's blog!
Cutie!, isn't she?
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As it seems, we are totally back online etc...
These last few days (week) where a bit of a 'horror'-like experience here at HamsterTracker™...
System crashed after installing some software/USB-hardware...
"Even the Windows repair didn't do it's stuff ... " - Mathijs
Half Empty / Full Experience! It was...
Although it was challenging to attempt to repair,
it was also a scary experience!
Fortunately this gave me plenty of time to observe these few days of blossoming:
"Depending on weather they last only days... or hours ... " - Mathijs
Reboot ... restart ... update ... it's a lenghty process:
"It gave me the opportunity to make this (better) compositioned photograph ... " - Mathijs
Fortunatly, after many hours..
Restoring the most recent backup. The system finally is like it's ol'self!
The HamsterTracker™-server did it's unexpected too,
fortunately these issues are all resolved now!
We're so glad to be up and fully running again!
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In the Netherlands we are fortunate enough to celebrate Easter (as well as Christmas),
for two days! Here's our second day:
"Hard boil an egg.
Decorate it (optionally).
Peel off top.
And cut out a slice for your hamster... " - Mathijs
"What's 'EGG' ??? Dude ...
And what's Easter ??? " - Lucy
I explained that I went into the HamsterTracker™-Gardens
to try to find an Easter Egg...
Which after many many hours I did...
Therefore I needed to share this with you Lucy!
"Thanks Dude! ... * Wink * ... " - Lucy
"Did you really spent HOURS in the gardens, Dude ? " - Lucy
" I didn't try to explain that I actually met the Easter Bunny... " - Mathijs
Thinking that it might just make Lucy unnecessarily jealous ... ;-)
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We where talking about sports
when I got this treat for Lucy to enjoy:
"Would you enjoy a game of bowling, Lucy? " - Mathijs
"That doesn't come close to a 'Morich 'Ntense LevRG'-like bowling ball, DOES IT? " - Lucy
" I don't know where Lucy gets this knowledge from ! " - Mathijs
"I CAN work with that, you know ... " - Lucy
"I'll show you ... " - Lucy
"Getting ready to bowl ... " - Lucy
A split second later:
"Strike! ... Dude! ... " - Lucy
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Lucy and I share this moment every morning...
At a time that I don't have my camera ready, so here's how it goes:
"Mornin' Dude ... What's up ??? " - Lucy
" Remember: For Lucy it's late night ... being nocturnal " - HamsterTracker™-Timezone Dept.
"Yaaaaaaaaaaawn ... (!) ... " - Lucy
"Dude ... Please don't yawn at me ...
That makes me need to yawn too ! " - Lucy
"Sorry Lucy ... " - Mathijs
"Thats OK! ...
Phhhhude! ...
*knibble* ... " - Lucy
"I just LOVE reenacting, Dude !
Have you got some more?
Let's reenact DINNER-Time now ... (!) " - Lucy
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After experiencing some wonderfull spring days,
with temperatures way above our last cold winter,
we need this warm second part on Kim & Bruce's Mexico adventure:
" I LOVE this Peacock!
(In Dutch my last name 'Paauw' translates to 'Pauw' meaning 'Peacock'.
Hence the 'Peacoque Labs.' name !) " - Mathijs
" It is towl art they put on the bed in when they clean the room.
Lucy made friends with them! " - Kim
Isn't that beautiful?
I wish I'd poses some of those Towel-powers ... :-)
" This photo (and the next) is from in and around the hotel. " - Kim
" We stayed at the The Grand Coco Bay. In Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. " - Kim
" Lucy had to see the table with all of the things on it.
They sat it up for Halloween.
They go to the graves and have food and drink there. " - Kim
" That sounds a bit scary ('graves' etc.), but fun! " - HamsterTracker™-Party Dept.
Exreme HamsterTracker™-Shouts to Kim ( & Bruce ) !!!
Another report Excellently excecuted!
More EXtreme HamsterTrackin' info:
Experience Global Extreme HamsterTrackin'.
Download your FREE Do It Yourself Extreme HamsterTrackin' kit and submit your entry, TODAY!
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I know that whenever I check the treadmill sensor, Lucy wakes up,
and gets up to do a on the spot inspection:
I was prepared; so I put some fresh dried grass in her living room,
for Lucy to enjoy:
"Inspection by Lucy... " - HamsterTracker™-Observation Dept.
"Dude ... We need to talk, someone is dumping garden waste ... " - Lucy
Fortunately I was pre-prepared:
"That's not waste Lucy ... it's good for you ... I explained ... " - Mathijs
"Very Nice Dude !!! " - Lucy
"Now, what were we discussing ... knibble ... Dude ... ? " - Lucy
Fortunately the sensor is working fine!
After some troubles these last couple of days,
it seems that Lucy (simply) didn't seem to feel like running.
This is normal for a hamster and does happen occasionally.
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When going out for groceries, I didn't forget Lucy:
" Lucy's TREAT-JAR is now filled with three flavors of Vitakraft 'Drops'. " - Mathijs
Meanwhile we were experiencing some software difficulties:
I restored my Windows 7 SSD (Solid State Drive) to a previous backup.
In this process I must have mis-checked a checkbox...
It resulted in a following scary error, which popped up EVERY time:
NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl Alt Del to restart
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"Restarting, lead me back to this screen again,
like a continues loop...
I had to boot from the original Windows install disk, to run a repair...
That fortunately DID the TRICK and fixed it!!! " - Mathijs
I am not quite sure, what NTLDR stands for.
I think it's "New Technology LoaDeR",
because of that being what failed... loading the Operating System...
After the repair, done by my genuine 'Windows 7 Ultimate' install-disk,
the system gave me a following (next) scare:
" It somehow needed to check the current bootdrive,
which fortunately completed without ANY errors... " - Mathijs
Then the system rebooted again,
without problems...
Pfffffffffeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew !
Fortunately Lucy had her own treat ready
While I was fixing all this ...
" It's a good thing I hoarded some of my treats, right Dude? " - Lucy
" I can't wait to give Lucy a 'new' flavored 'Drop'...
as well as tell her about all this ..." - Mathijs
Just waiting on Lucy to wake up...
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,
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ing. Mathijs A. van der Paauw
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