Last Week my Brother was trying to recover files from a windows laptop that wouldn't boot. He suspected a virus.

I suggested using UBUNTU.

He asked if he was that nice gentleman from Nigeria that kept sending business opportunities by Email.

After a hearty laugh I told him about the Linux variant that was very popular for it's friendly GUI and live CD.

I downloaded and burned a CD and left it in his door.

When I checked back with him apparently i worked well.

Without any addition instruction from me, he was able to navigate Ubuntu find the files and transfer them to a USB disk.

Then he was able to get the laptop working again somewhat.

Good work Doug !

Category: Computers, Windows, Servers, HP


System: Compaq DL360 G1 (P21)


I am exploring methodologies for Installing Windows on servers using images.

I was struggling with an old Compaq DL360 Generation 1 machine we have several of.

I needed to upgrade disk firmware to get rid of an error due to mismatched firmware on the 2 SCSI hard disks connected to the internal Smart Array 5302 raid controller.

I know Hewlett Packard Provides upgrade CD's for these old systems but they have changed their website sometime breaking several old links in the process.

I finally found a link for the "Firmware Maintenance CD" which is provided for several models.

HP support had at one time sent me a link to version 7.50 which was supposed to support the DL360 G1 server but after downloading, burning, booting the CD you only get " Unsupported hardware"

According to the release notes DL360 G1 should be supported on 7.50 but is not!

Finally I found someone else who had the problem:

http://www.mcnabbs.org/andrew/linux/proliant/

After much rooting aroung on HP site So i downloaded version 7.40b of the CD and it worked fine. Thanks Andrew.

You can find older firmware maintenance CD links here. Make sure you scroll down and get the 7.40b version:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=254886&swItem=MTX-73e7147c53964e85850764aaf7&prodNameId=261261&swEnvOID=181&swLang=8&taskId=135&mode=5

( If HP dosen,t break it)

Here's what made me want to create a blog.
I was googling arount trying to find some simple info on extending heat duct work when finishing a basement.
What I wanted was to extend the original basement heat ducts which stop at the ceiling towards the floor.
I'm told this will help created a warmer finished basement.
I couldn't find anything very helpful.
So after scracthing my head I went to my local Home Depot and found a few pieces I could put together.
I put the results into a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wrehS9bqvk&feature=channel_page
I still want to add a better before and after shot when I can.

Hello World.
This blog is a place I will share useful things I discover.
I am a computer IT professional. In addition to my family I enjoy home improvement and video editing.
These are things i plan to blog about when I find something useful.