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Well, my father whom I affectionately call “Old Pop” wants me to remote control his computer and figure out how to install his new printer.  It’s been awhile since I’ve done a remote control session outside of work.  I know that I use to use a program called VNC.  But today I’m sure there has to be something more along the lines of the Web-X the software we use at work.  Of course Microsoft’s net meeting and instant message live stuff would work however these programs are painful to install and are hard to understand.  Old Pop, does not need a lot of hassles just something plain old simple.

So I searched around and decided on the TeamViewer software.  I understand this software has a way to freely install it to do just what I’m attempting here.   A few questions during the set-up make the difference  between a paying-for version and a free version.   I’ll cover this in a second.  But so that my father does not get confused there is another version of the software that does not ask any questions and just allows you to control the user. 

I’ll want Old Pop to Download and RUN the Quick Support version:

Once the download is completed all I need to do is have Old Pop give me a call and tell me the ID and Password.

This is the instant customer or Quick Support version.

Now the version Old Pop’s son (ME) is going to install is at the main TeamViewer site.   This one asks a couple of questions.

I decided to install the  Software..

Here is the tricky paid for version question:

Obviously  I  selected  the non-commercial use.

A couple more simple questions and the installation is completed and ready to go without a reboot.   Now I can remote control my own computer or I can await for that support call from my father.

Now all I need to do is lookup his printer manual and understand how to install his wireless printer.  I think this remote software part is going to be the simple part.  Wish me luck.

Guess what I got for Christmas, yes you guessed it a dead XBOX 360 killed by my new HALO ODST game!    Obviously, these supercharged graphics games put more heat and stress on the video parts hence killing the console. 

Well this little blog entry will update you on my own person experience with our XBOX 360 warranty.    Almost exactly one year to the day our XBOX 360 died with the E74 code.  Yes the XBOX was a Christmas present in 2008 and it is now broke on Christmas 2009, Oh Joy.  The death is indicated by both a screen in several languages with the error code “74” and the right most  bottom red LED blinking.  

We did our home work and discovered that Microsoft was going to fix our console and get this FOR FREE! Even if it was currently out of warranty just as long as the error was E74 and the screen still displays okay.  Microsoft even provides a pre-paid shipping label if you have a printer to print it on (how nice).  The part that really gets me is the “FOR FREE EVEN WITH YOUR STANDARD WARRANTY EXPIRED” part. 

My Standard warranty HAS expired: However a three-year warranty applies to Xbox 360 conditions indicated by three flashing red lights or the E74 error condition.  <<—Microsoft’s own words!

Yes, apparently Microsoft must not want you and I just tearing the 360 apart and Fixing/MODDING it ourselves in frustration.  Microsoft wants us to continue to pay for the DVDs and not turn these millions of dead XBOXes into pirate 360’s and sell them on ebay (darn).  Okay I’ll play by the rules and NOT void the warranty this time!  However heed my warning, it better be a free repair Microsoft!  I still have not gotten my 360 back yet.

Well Shipping was done on December 29th 2009.  I decided to take my shipping label to my local UPS Store.  I wanted them to box it up and everything.  The UPS guy saw me strolling in with a 360 in-hand and smiles as if to say I know what your going thru then he exclaims “ring of death EH?”.  I paid UPS 6.35 for what guy there calls the 360 boxing special.  I also have to ask him, “How many of these dead 360’s do you get a day”?  He replies at least one a day sometimes four or five but almost always one.   This begs the question that there must be millions of dead and dying console out there.  Good Job Microsoft, Good Job.

So below my status thus far is it got delivered.  That took six days.  I’m just waiting for what will actually happen with Microsoft fixing there mistake.   Yes, Microsoft’s mistake, this thing was properly ventilated and working without any problems in the same location for approximately a year.  I just purchased a new 3-D graphics intensive game and started playing it when the 360 decided it was time for a “E74 error”.  Don’t be fooled this will eventually happen your XBOX 360 too.  Microsoft obviously provided inadequate heat sinks and fans in the original design of the 360.  That’s okay at least in this version of the XBOX they left the power supply outside the box.  The original XBOX suffered a 14 million units power cord recall.  So at least Microsoft is not burring your house down this time.   I suppose a blown console is better than having the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) melting thorough your home’s floor or something. 

• Shipping Method:GROUND
• Shipping To:MESQUITE, TX 75149
• Current Status:DELIVERED

Date
Status
Location

1/5/2010 6:17:00 PM
DELIVERED

1/5/2010 4:12:00 AM
OUT FOR DELIVERY
MESQUITE TX

1/5/2010 12:12:00 AM
LOCATION SCAN
DALLAS TX

1/5/2010 12:03:00 AM
UNLOAD SCAN
DALLAS TX

1/4/2010 10:54:00 PM
ARRIVAL SCAN
DALLAS TX

12/30/2009 1:47:00 PM
DEPARTURE SCAN
HODGKINS IN

12/30/2009 12:47:00 PM
ARRIVAL SCAN
HODGKINS IN

12/30/2009 6:05:00 AM
DEPARTURE SCAN
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS OH

12/30/2009 2:24:00 AM
LOCATION SCAN
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS OH

12/29/2009 11:17:00 PM
ARRIVAL SCAN
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS OH

12/29/2009 9:00:00 PM
DEPARTURE SCAN
AKRON OH

12/29/2009 7:11:00 PM
LOCATION SCAN
AKRON OH

12/30/2008 8:07:00 PM
DELIVERED

12/27/2009 1:04:14 PM
BILLING INFORMATION RECEIVED