The last half dozen Windows 7 clean installs I have done have had issues with updates. It appears to come about when automatic updates download and install an update to the Windows Update Agent. Following this update, updates no longer work, usually hanging for ever. I found the solution a while ago, and promptly lost…
Category: Computer Stuff
Arduino – multi cell battery voltmeter progress
As reported in the last post on this topic, I soldered headers onto the two 16 channel MUX and started testing. Since then I have spent a bit more time trying to get it all to work. The major change was simplifying the code not to use Port manipulation on the arduino. It all looked…
Arduino – voltage drop
I started working again on the multicell voltmeter, I soldered some header pins onto the two 16 channel multiplexers, and plugged them into a breadboard with arduino. Some basic testing proved that my optimism was completely unfounded. So using best testing practices, I peeled off layers until I got to the bit that worked, and…
SMS on the PC
I find myself getting more and more jobs where the only contact I get is a cell phone number, and while I will call the number if necessary, a 10 second call to tell someone their PC is ready costs at least a minute’s worth of call time, and usually extends to a few minutes…
Windows 10 self installing
I have had a few customers come in telling me that Windows 10 installed itself, and no disrespect to the customers, I took what they said with a grain of salt. However, the latest customer who rang and asked for my advice was someone I know reasonably well, and have great respect for his powers…
Windows 10 update issues, March 2016
I have had a spate of issues with Windows 10 computers recently, with symptoms such as not shutting down, not restarting, black screen on restarting, very, very slow running and a few others. The common thread in them all seems to be the download and install of the Windows 10 1511 upgrade, or the Windows…
Electric Bikes – high current connectors
Electric bikes don’t use excessively high ampages, or at least they shouldn’t in theory. A 300w motor on a 36v battery, should use just 300/36 amps, or 8.333 amps. Of course this is not how smart motors work, nor how electronic controllers work. What happens is (as described by someone with the simplest of knowledge)…
Multi Cell Voltmeter
The big order of Arduino related products has started to arrive, the key components, the Arduino mega 2560 clone and the TFT LCD screen arrived two days ago, along with some of the voltage sensors, and most of the jumper leads I ordered. Still to come are the protoboard for the Mega, a breadboard, some…
New Project – Electric Bikes, Arduino and Programming
Exciting times – a new project, bringing together Electric Bikes, Computers and Programming! During my troubles with batteries (which are pretty much sorted now) I realised I needed a way of looking at the voltage of all the 12 cells, not only while charging, but also while traveling on the bike. I have some 6…
Windows 10 issues
Despite it being wonderful, some issues are starting to be noticed. I have seen two so far. The first affects Outlook 2010 in Windows 10, in particular sending new emails. Sending replies and forwards is no issue, just new emails. An error Ox800ccc13 is generated, along with a message about not being able to reach…