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Re: [Wlug] Test needed on declared-ill Modem. Who has a lab? -- + update from ISP

by E Johnson

Thanks, Karl. This makes sense. Why didn't I think of that! We have inadequate elex here which dips & dims lights frequently. Had sudden power outages a few times, including one very recently. I am not piping the modem logs anywhere; only check this if I notice an obvious problem. Results: Non available. Case (Motorola SB 6120) has only 2 screws, hex, 2 different sizes. No problem. Backplate then comes off & that's it. Nothing else to undo except whet seem to be clips, but we have no prybar tiny & thin enough to pry up these clip things. Case appears uncrackable, execpt maybe by dropping it from an airplane onto solid concrete. However. If it's only the power supply, I could test this by simply replacing the wall wart with an equivalent one from anywhere. Then I'd have to get the ISP to reprovision it, then watch to see if it worked any better after that. I do have an update from Ch4rter business office, which is relevant to my original beef with this ISP. Yesterday afternoon, I followed up by calling the business office, to ask why they changed their policy on what networking components their customers can or cannot own and administer themselves. The last person I spoke with said I am "grandfathered-in" to be allowed to own & run my own modem, since my account was opened before July, 2012 when the new poilcy was instituted (I'm a customer since there was something other than dial-up). Biz office says these techs who came to see me Thursday simply had "inadequate training" or "incorrect information" from their own supervisors. Both techs did look not older than about 3 days over 19. For the trouble call, I was promised a sup-tech & maybe one of these was, but only sup-ing the second guy how to open cardboard boxes of modems, smile at geekly grannies, & maybe how to drive the van. This modem is not in warranty & no longer manufactured (mine 2+ years old). But Motorola tech support confirmed that any old power supply 12V, 0.76A would run it. I'll borrow a power supply from somewhere, then try this thing one more time here before Responsibly Disposing of it by donating to a worthy friend's parts bin. Thanks very much, Liz J On 21 September 2012 21:52, Karl Lind <electrolind(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Sounds more like the power supply is taking it's time to die. As the power > level dips thats where your errors/reboots are popping up. Easiest thing to > verify is 1.) Turn off the modem and unplug. 2.) Remove case and inspect > the board. 3.) If the board's solder connections look like there are not > good connections ANYWHERE on the board then you probably have a bad solder > issue, if the solder looks good, it's probably a power supply on the board > problem which is a chip. 4.) Post results > > Karl Lind > > On Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 12:00 PM, <wlug-request(a)mail.wlug.org> wrote: > >> Send Wlug mailing list submissions to >> wlug(a)mail.wlug.org >> >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit >> http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to >> wlug-request(a)mail.wlug.org >> >> You can reach the person managing the list at >> wlug-owner(a)mail.wlug.org >> >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific >> than "Re: Contents of Wlug digest..." >> >> >> Today's Topics: >> >> 1. Test needed on declared-ill Modem. Who has a lab? (E Johnson) >> 2. Re: Test needed on declared-ill Modem. Who has a lab? (E Johnson) >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:11:17 -0400 >> From: E Johnson <iris.gates(a)gmail.com> >> Subject: [Wlug] Test needed on declared-ill Modem. Who has a lab? >> To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> >> Message-ID: >> < >> CABmZTj0aYBHVUR83fPcMBxxpu6-YhfoPDo5G9wB1pdBAAQWwHA(a)mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" >> >> Umm. Non-happy camper. ISP things have changed here, without me being >> informed. Recently (2 days ago) my modem started rebooting every little >> while. Zillions of T3 & T4 timouts in the modem log, Signal lavels were >> perfect when it was online. I own this thing, a Motorola SB6120 purchased >> late June 2010. It has not been abused. >> >> I am in Woosta & we all know the ISP available here. 2 techs showed up >> mid-morning, to diagnose and fix this issue. One guy stood there watching; >> the other guy "did stuff." They checked the signal levels on incoming line >> from the box connected to the pole our back, and declared my moden Dying. >> They talked to each other (not me) & seemed to think I was >> Granny-in-a-Box, >> until they let me say more than one sentence. >> >> These guys also confessed that since July 202, Ch4rter does not "allow" >> customers to own/run their own modems. Their consolation prize is that >> they >> don't charge modem rental fees any more. (it's not on the bill, anyway, >> FWIW). They mumbled some other mumbo jumbo and fled 5 seconds after they >> learned I have my own router too, & didn't care if the modem and router >> were yet in communication. They just said "better reboot" and they "no >> longer" service "wireless" --which I am not running except when certain >> visitors appear. I think they meant they don't diagnose routers, which has >> always been the policy, and which is fine. Internal LAN issues aren't >> their >> problem. >> >> So now I have a modem which may or may not be sick, but no way to test it >> to make sure. Is there anyone here who can take a look at this thing & >> test >> to see if it's Really Dying, or if Ch4rter deaded it with their latest >> firmware revision of their firmware & policy change in July 2012? >> >> An interesting meeting theme sometime might be how to get the Verizon FIOS >> in Worcester. Several years ago I watched Verizon trucks & Verizon moles >> installing their fiber optics in manholes all over town. Ch4rter is >> running >> on Verizon's infrastructure. Ch4rter internet has been working better >> since >> then, but we're still locked out of the option to use verizon. Is this a >> topic of interest to anyone? If so, I'll lead the discussion and even buy >> the Pizz4. To me, this is a Large Pizza problem. >> >> Another interesting but probably futile discussion might center around why >> we have suddenly been deprived of the ability to watch the behavior and >> effectiveness of our modems, which serve internet coming from our ISP.. I >> was not informed of this -- was anyone who is just a 'regular' customer? >> >> Meanwhile, if anyone has a test lab or whatever, where they can test my >> declared-dead modem, please let me know. Otherwise it's probably a >> giveaway, or another piece of Landfill Fodder. I can bring to a meeting & >> can wait for results. >> >> Thanks & happy pizzaz, >> Liz J >> -------------- next part -------------- >> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... >> URL: >> http://mail.wlug.org/pipermail/wlug/attachments/20120920/8789bb41/attachmen… >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> Message: 2 >> Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:31:59 -0400 >> From: E Johnson <iris.gates(a)gmail.com> >> Subject: Re: [Wlug] Test needed on declared-ill Modem. Who has a lab? >> To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> >> Message-ID: >> < >> CABmZTj3Ghp2GHUiWHtGtbBN5NVo0HQKzkrWcvxNngP5_q2hcGQ(a)mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" >> >> PS: This evening, Ch4rter Billing has deleted the upcoming service charge >> for this morning's tech call. Amazing how it took 2 guys to check line >> levels, then hang one moden where my other modem was, + plug in one coax & >> one wall wart , then make 30-sec call to the office to get their >> repacement >> modem provisioned & watch for blinking green lights. 2 guys. >> If this happens to you (they discontinued your router & required you to >> use >> theirs), don't eat the bill. >> it does work fine, FWIW, but not impressed. >> --EJ >> >> On 20 September 2012 19:11, E Johnson <iris.gates(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> > Umm. Non-happy camper. ISP things have changed here, without me being >> > informed. Recently (2 days ago) my modem started rebooting every little >> > while. Zillions of T3 & T4 timouts in the modem log, Signal lavels were >> > perfect when it was online. I own this thing, a Motorola SB6120 >> purchased >> > late June 2010. It has not been abused. >> > >> > I am in Woosta & we all know the ISP available here. 2 techs showed up >> > mid-morning, to diagnose and fix this issue. One guy stood there >> watching; >> > the other guy "did stuff." They checked the signal levels on incoming >> line >> > from the box connected to the pole our back, and declared my moden >> Dying. >> > They talked to each other (not me) & seemed to think I was >> Granny-in-a-Box, >> > until they let me say more than one sentence. >> > >> > These guys also confessed that since July 202, Ch4rter does not "allow" >> > customers to own/run their own modems. Their consolation prize is that >> they >> > don't charge modem rental fees any more. (it's not on the bill, anyway, >> > FWIW). They mumbled some other mumbo jumbo and fled 5 seconds after they >> > learned I have my own router too, & didn't care if the modem and router >> > were yet in communication. They just said "better reboot" and they "no >> > longer" service "wireless" --which I am not running except when certain >> > visitors appear. I think they meant they don't diagnose routers, which >> has >> > always been the policy, and which is fine. Internal LAN issues aren't >> their >> > problem. >> > >> > So now I have a modem which may or may not be sick, but no way to test >> it >> > to make sure. Is there anyone here who can take a look at this thing & >> test >> > to see if it's Really Dying, or if Ch4rter deaded it with their latest >> > firmware revision of their firmware & policy change in July 2012? >> > >> > An interesting meeting theme sometime might be how to get the Verizon >> FIOS >> > in Worcester. Several years ago I watched Verizon trucks & Verizon moles >> > installing their fiber optics in manholes all over town. Ch4rter is >> running >> > on Verizon's infrastructure. Ch4rter internet has been working better >> since >> > then, but we're still locked out of the option to use verizon. Is this a >> > topic of interest to anyone? If so, I'll lead the discussion and even >> buy >> > the Pizz4. To me, this is a Large Pizza problem. >> > >> > Another interesting but probably futile discussion might center around >> why >> > we have suddenly been deprived of the ability to watch the behavior and >> > effectiveness of our modems, which serve internet coming from our ISP.. >> I >> > was not informed of this -- was anyone who is just a 'regular' customer? >> > >> > Meanwhile, if anyone has a test lab or whatever, where they can test my >> > declared-dead modem, please let me know. Otherwise it's probably a >> > giveaway, or another piece of Landfill Fodder. I can bring to a meeting >> & >> > can wait for results. >> > >> > Thanks & happy pizzaz, >> > Liz J >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> -------------- next part -------------- >> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... >> URL: >> http://mail.wlug.org/pipermail/wlug/attachments/20120920/8a927db4/attachmen… >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wlug mailing list >> Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org >> http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >> >> >> End of Wlug Digest, Vol 107, Issue 5 >> ************************************ >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > >

Sept. 22, 2012

Re: [Wlug] Wlug Digest, Vol 107, Issue 5

by Karl Lind

Sounds more like the power supply is taking it's time to die. As the power level dips thats where your errors/reboots are popping up. Easiest thing to verify is 1.) Turn off the modem and unplug. 2.) Remove case and inspect the board. 3.) If the board's solder connections look like there are not good connections ANYWHERE on the board then you probably have a bad solder issue, if the solder looks good, it's probably a power supply on the board problem which is a chip. 4.) Post results Karl Lind On Fri, Sep 21, 2012 at 12:00 PM, <wlug-request(a)mail.wlug.org> wrote: > Send Wlug mailing list submissions to > wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > wlug-request(a)mail.wlug.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > wlug-owner(a)mail.wlug.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Wlug digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Test needed on declared-ill Modem. Who has a lab? (E Johnson) > 2. Re: Test needed on declared-ill Modem. Who has a lab? (E Johnson) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:11:17 -0400 > From: E Johnson <iris.gates(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [Wlug] Test needed on declared-ill Modem. Who has a lab? > To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> > Message-ID: > < > CABmZTj0aYBHVUR83fPcMBxxpu6-YhfoPDo5G9wB1pdBAAQWwHA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Umm. Non-happy camper. ISP things have changed here, without me being > informed. Recently (2 days ago) my modem started rebooting every little > while. Zillions of T3 & T4 timouts in the modem log, Signal lavels were > perfect when it was online. I own this thing, a Motorola SB6120 purchased > late June 2010. It has not been abused. > > I am in Woosta & we all know the ISP available here. 2 techs showed up > mid-morning, to diagnose and fix this issue. One guy stood there watching; > the other guy "did stuff." They checked the signal levels on incoming line > from the box connected to the pole our back, and declared my moden Dying. > They talked to each other (not me) & seemed to think I was Granny-in-a-Box, > until they let me say more than one sentence. > > These guys also confessed that since July 202, Ch4rter does not "allow" > customers to own/run their own modems. Their consolation prize is that they > don't charge modem rental fees any more. (it's not on the bill, anyway, > FWIW). They mumbled some other mumbo jumbo and fled 5 seconds after they > learned I have my own router too, & didn't care if the modem and router > were yet in communication. They just said "better reboot" and they "no > longer" service "wireless" --which I am not running except when certain > visitors appear. I think they meant they don't diagnose routers, which has > always been the policy, and which is fine. Internal LAN issues aren't their > problem. > > So now I have a modem which may or may not be sick, but no way to test it > to make sure. Is there anyone here who can take a look at this thing & test > to see if it's Really Dying, or if Ch4rter deaded it with their latest > firmware revision of their firmware & policy change in July 2012? > > An interesting meeting theme sometime might be how to get the Verizon FIOS > in Worcester. Several years ago I watched Verizon trucks & Verizon moles > installing their fiber optics in manholes all over town. Ch4rter is running > on Verizon's infrastructure. Ch4rter internet has been working better since > then, but we're still locked out of the option to use verizon. Is this a > topic of interest to anyone? If so, I'll lead the discussion and even buy > the Pizz4. To me, this is a Large Pizza problem. > > Another interesting but probably futile discussion might center around why > we have suddenly been deprived of the ability to watch the behavior and > effectiveness of our modems, which serve internet coming from our ISP.. I > was not informed of this -- was anyone who is just a 'regular' customer? > > Meanwhile, if anyone has a test lab or whatever, where they can test my > declared-dead modem, please let me know. Otherwise it's probably a > giveaway, or another piece of Landfill Fodder. I can bring to a meeting & > can wait for results. > > Thanks & happy pizzaz, > Liz J > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://mail.wlug.org/pipermail/wlug/attachments/20120920/8789bb41/attachmen… > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:31:59 -0400 > From: E Johnson <iris.gates(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [Wlug] Test needed on declared-ill Modem. Who has a lab? > To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> > Message-ID: > < > CABmZTj3Ghp2GHUiWHtGtbBN5NVo0HQKzkrWcvxNngP5_q2hcGQ(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > PS: This evening, Ch4rter Billing has deleted the upcoming service charge > for this morning's tech call. Amazing how it took 2 guys to check line > levels, then hang one moden where my other modem was, + plug in one coax & > one wall wart , then make 30-sec call to the office to get their repacement > modem provisioned & watch for blinking green lights. 2 guys. > If this happens to you (they discontinued your router & required you to use > theirs), don't eat the bill. > it does work fine, FWIW, but not impressed. > --EJ > > On 20 September 2012 19:11, E Johnson <iris.gates(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > Umm. Non-happy camper. ISP things have changed here, without me being > > informed. Recently (2 days ago) my modem started rebooting every little > > while. Zillions of T3 & T4 timouts in the modem log, Signal lavels were > > perfect when it was online. I own this thing, a Motorola SB6120 > purchased > > late June 2010. It has not been abused. > > > > I am in Woosta & we all know the ISP available here. 2 techs showed up > > mid-morning, to diagnose and fix this issue. One guy stood there > watching; > > the other guy "did stuff." They checked the signal levels on incoming > line > > from the box connected to the pole our back, and declared my moden Dying. > > They talked to each other (not me) & seemed to think I was > Granny-in-a-Box, > > until they let me say more than one sentence. > > > > These guys also confessed that since July 202, Ch4rter does not "allow" > > customers to own/run their own modems. Their consolation prize is that > they > > don't charge modem rental fees any more. (it's not on the bill, anyway, > > FWIW). They mumbled some other mumbo jumbo and fled 5 seconds after they > > learned I have my own router too, & didn't care if the modem and router > > were yet in communication. They just said "better reboot" and they "no > > longer" service "wireless" --which I am not running except when certain > > visitors appear. I think they meant they don't diagnose routers, which > has > > always been the policy, and which is fine. Internal LAN issues aren't > their > > problem. > > > > So now I have a modem which may or may not be sick, but no way to test it > > to make sure. Is there anyone here who can take a look at this thing & > test > > to see if it's Really Dying, or if Ch4rter deaded it with their latest > > firmware revision of their firmware & policy change in July 2012? > > > > An interesting meeting theme sometime might be how to get the Verizon > FIOS > > in Worcester. Several years ago I watched Verizon trucks & Verizon moles > > installing their fiber optics in manholes all over town. Ch4rter is > running > > on Verizon's infrastructure. Ch4rter internet has been working better > since > > then, but we're still locked out of the option to use verizon. Is this a > > topic of interest to anyone? If so, I'll lead the discussion and even buy > > the Pizz4. To me, this is a Large Pizza problem. > > > > Another interesting but probably futile discussion might center around > why > > we have suddenly been deprived of the ability to watch the behavior and > > effectiveness of our modems, which serve internet coming from our ISP.. I > > was not informed of this -- was anyone who is just a 'regular' customer? > > > > Meanwhile, if anyone has a test lab or whatever, where they can test my > > declared-dead modem, please let me know. Otherwise it's probably a > > giveaway, or another piece of Landfill Fodder. I can bring to a meeting & > > can wait for results. > > > > Thanks & happy pizzaz, > > Liz J > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://mail.wlug.org/pipermail/wlug/attachments/20120920/8a927db4/attachmen… > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > End of Wlug Digest, Vol 107, Issue 5 > ************************************ >

Sept. 22, 2012

Re: [Wlug] Test needed on declared-ill Modem. Who has a lab?

by E Johnson

PS: This evening, Ch4rter Billing has deleted the upcoming service charge for this morning's tech call. Amazing how it took 2 guys to check line levels, then hang one moden where my other modem was, + plug in one coax & one wall wart , then make 30-sec call to the office to get their repacement modem provisioned & watch for blinking green lights. 2 guys. If this happens to you (they discontinued your router & required you to use theirs), don't eat the bill. it does work fine, FWIW, but not impressed. --EJ On 20 September 2012 19:11, E Johnson <iris.gates(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Umm. Non-happy camper. ISP things have changed here, without me being > informed. Recently (2 days ago) my modem started rebooting every little > while. Zillions of T3 & T4 timouts in the modem log, Signal lavels were > perfect when it was online. I own this thing, a Motorola SB6120 purchased > late June 2010. It has not been abused. > > I am in Woosta & we all know the ISP available here. 2 techs showed up > mid-morning, to diagnose and fix this issue. One guy stood there watching; > the other guy "did stuff." They checked the signal levels on incoming line > from the box connected to the pole our back, and declared my moden Dying. > They talked to each other (not me) & seemed to think I was Granny-in-a-Box, > until they let me say more than one sentence. > > These guys also confessed that since July 202, Ch4rter does not "allow" > customers to own/run their own modems. Their consolation prize is that they > don't charge modem rental fees any more. (it's not on the bill, anyway, > FWIW). They mumbled some other mumbo jumbo and fled 5 seconds after they > learned I have my own router too, & didn't care if the modem and router > were yet in communication. They just said "better reboot" and they "no > longer" service "wireless" --which I am not running except when certain > visitors appear. I think they meant they don't diagnose routers, which has > always been the policy, and which is fine. Internal LAN issues aren't their > problem. > > So now I have a modem which may or may not be sick, but no way to test it > to make sure. Is there anyone here who can take a look at this thing & test > to see if it's Really Dying, or if Ch4rter deaded it with their latest > firmware revision of their firmware & policy change in July 2012? > > An interesting meeting theme sometime might be how to get the Verizon FIOS > in Worcester. Several years ago I watched Verizon trucks & Verizon moles > installing their fiber optics in manholes all over town. Ch4rter is running > on Verizon's infrastructure. Ch4rter internet has been working better since > then, but we're still locked out of the option to use verizon. Is this a > topic of interest to anyone? If so, I'll lead the discussion and even buy > the Pizz4. To me, this is a Large Pizza problem. > > Another interesting but probably futile discussion might center around why > we have suddenly been deprived of the ability to watch the behavior and > effectiveness of our modems, which serve internet coming from our ISP.. I > was not informed of this -- was anyone who is just a 'regular' customer? > > Meanwhile, if anyone has a test lab or whatever, where they can test my > declared-dead modem, please let me know. Otherwise it's probably a > giveaway, or another piece of Landfill Fodder. I can bring to a meeting & > can wait for results. > > Thanks & happy pizzaz, > Liz J > > > > > > >

Sept. 20, 2012

Test needed on declared-ill Modem. Who has a lab?

by E Johnson

Umm. Non-happy camper. ISP things have changed here, without me being informed. Recently (2 days ago) my modem started rebooting every little while. Zillions of T3 & T4 timouts in the modem log, Signal lavels were perfect when it was online. I own this thing, a Motorola SB6120 purchased late June 2010. It has not been abused. I am in Woosta & we all know the ISP available here. 2 techs showed up mid-morning, to diagnose and fix this issue. One guy stood there watching; the other guy "did stuff." They checked the signal levels on incoming line from the box connected to the pole our back, and declared my moden Dying. They talked to each other (not me) & seemed to think I was Granny-in-a-Box, until they let me say more than one sentence. These guys also confessed that since July 202, Ch4rter does not "allow" customers to own/run their own modems. Their consolation prize is that they don't charge modem rental fees any more. (it's not on the bill, anyway, FWIW). They mumbled some other mumbo jumbo and fled 5 seconds after they learned I have my own router too, & didn't care if the modem and router were yet in communication. They just said "better reboot" and they "no longer" service "wireless" --which I am not running except when certain visitors appear. I think they meant they don't diagnose routers, which has always been the policy, and which is fine. Internal LAN issues aren't their problem. So now I have a modem which may or may not be sick, but no way to test it to make sure. Is there anyone here who can take a look at this thing & test to see if it's Really Dying, or if Ch4rter deaded it with their latest firmware revision of their firmware & policy change in July 2012? An interesting meeting theme sometime might be how to get the Verizon FIOS in Worcester. Several years ago I watched Verizon trucks & Verizon moles installing their fiber optics in manholes all over town. Ch4rter is running on Verizon's infrastructure. Ch4rter internet has been working better since then, but we're still locked out of the option to use verizon. Is this a topic of interest to anyone? If so, I'll lead the discussion and even buy the Pizz4. To me, this is a Large Pizza problem. Another interesting but probably futile discussion might center around why we have suddenly been deprived of the ability to watch the behavior and effectiveness of our modems, which serve internet coming from our ISP.. I was not informed of this -- was anyone who is just a 'regular' customer? Meanwhile, if anyone has a test lab or whatever, where they can test my declared-dead modem, please let me know. Otherwise it's probably a giveaway, or another piece of Landfill Fodder. I can bring to a meeting & can wait for results. Thanks & happy pizzaz, Liz J

Sept. 20, 2012

Cleaning out the basement

by Eric Martin

It's time to clean out the basement again. I have a few older computers, along with a 2U custom case and a UPS for a VoIP telephone system with a Ring / Tip style connector (o). First come first serve. Let me know offline if you want anything and I'll bring it along to the meeting tonight. -- Eric Martin

Sept. 12, 2012

Reminder: WLUG Meeting Wed 9/12 7PM: Raspberry Pi

by Chuck Anderson

Join us tomorrow evening at 7:00PM in Higgins Labs 230 for what should be an interesting meeting about Raspberry Pi. ----- Forwarded message from Chuck Anderson <cra(a)WPI.EDU> ----- Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:19:04 -0400 From: Chuck Anderson <cra(a)WPI.EDU> To: wlug(a)wlug.org Subject: [Wlug] Announce: WLUG Meeting Wed 9/12 7PM: Raspberry Pi Precedence: list Reply-To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> Hi folks, The next Worcester Linux Users' Group (WLUG) monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 12, at 7PM. The location will be WPI Higgns Labs, room 230 (computer lab). Wednesday, September 12, 7:00 - 9:00 PM WPI Higgins Labs, room 230 (computer lab) WLUG member Karl Lind will be giving a presentation and demonstration of two Raspberry Pi "credit-card sized" computers that run on the ARM processor architecture. Others are welcome to bring their own Raspberry Pi or other similar devices to join in the fun. Afterwards, we will go out for pizza and continue our discussions. See you there, Chuck President, Worcester Linux Users' Group http://www.wlug.org/ _______________________________________________ Wlug mailing list Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug ----- End forwarded message -----

Sept. 11, 2012

Network Engineer position open at WPI

by Frank Sweetser

Hi all, just wanted to share that we're hiring again in Network Operations here at WPI. We're looking for someone with a good networking background, but linux administration and perl/SQL programming are big pluses as well. Anyone interested can find the full job details and how to apply here: http://wpi.peopleadmin.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=51618 -- Frank Sweetser fs at wpi.edu | For every problem, there is a solution that Manager of Network Operations | is simple, elegant, and wrong. Worcester Polytechnic Institute | - HL Mencken

Sept. 10, 2012

Announce: WLUG Meeting Wed 9/12 7PM: Raspberry Pi

by Chuck Anderson

Hi folks, The next Worcester Linux Users' Group (WLUG) monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 12, at 7PM. The location will be WPI Higgns Labs, room 230 (computer lab). Wednesday, September 12, 7:00 - 9:00 PM WPI Higgins Labs, room 230 (computer lab) WLUG member Karl Lind will be giving a presentation and demonstration of two Raspberry Pi "credit-card sized" computers that run on the ARM processor architecture. Others are welcome to bring their own Raspberry Pi or other similar devices to join in the fun. Afterwards, we will go out for pizza and continue our discussions. See you there, Chuck President, Worcester Linux Users' Group http://www.wlug.org/

Aug. 31, 2012

Re: [Wlug] Help with water level problems

by Eric Martin

A few corrections: 1) s/overflow/pressure relief/g (Apparently I typed overflow valve, meant pressure relief valve, it's been a long week.) 2) Furnace tech already looked at it and replaced one part, the Air vent valve. He also re-calibrated the heater for the correct quantity (apparently mine needs that) and the temp was turned up too high. I haven't touched it in 5 years so I'm not sure why it was a problem now, but I saw him do those things as well as replace the air vent valve on the furnace and so far, so good. I impetus for the project isn't to delay fixing the problem, I already (hope) I have. This is to address the edge case that the pressure relief valve opens again either due to it leaking, or pressure building up. I wrote this email right after a long day that was ended by vacuuming up my basement so I apparently was scant on the details, sorry! On Mon, Aug 20, 2012 at 9:06 AM, Jeff Moyer <jmoyer(a)redhat.com> wrote: > Eric Martin <eric.joshua.martin(a)gmail.com> writes: > > > Hey all, > > Hi, Eric. > > > I had a close call with my hot water heater this afternoon. I heard on > odd > > noise in the pipes and it turned out that my hot water heater was dumping > > water out of the overflow valve. Luckily, I found it quick enough, and > I'm > > pretty sure I got it handled for < $150. There's a 1 Gal bucket under > the > > overflow valve, and if I had a water level detector emailing me that > water > > is in the bucket, I could have caught this earlier. > > You don't sound too sure that you have the problem licked. If that's > the case, I would definitely have a plumber look at it. It's well worth > the money (IMHO). > > > I was looking at buying an Arduino and setting up a simple circuit. I > know > > a few people have played with Arduinos, any suggestions on which one to > get > > and how to go about it? I don't need to know how much water is in the > > bucket, I was thinking about a float type device or even two wires that > > trip a relay. I just want a heads up that water is in the bucket so I > can > > stop before my basement floods. > > If you want to be paged or emailed, then I'd suggest something that can > actually talk over the internet. You can get ethernet shields and even > wifi shields for the arduino. However, the wifi shields are notoriously > buggy. If I were to do this, I would likely just run ethernet and hook > it up to a raspberry pi (it's overkill, but it will be cheaper than > buying the arduino + ethernet shield). The raspi has GPIO pins that you > can tap into for reading the sensor. Once you get your sensor and your > embedded platform of choice, folks on the list will be better able to > give you specific advice on wiring things up (if you need it). > > Good luck! > > -Jeff > Jeff, the raspberry pi advice is exactly what I'm looking for. I was indeed thinking of using an arduino with an ethernet / wifi shield, but I'm open for ideas. Obviously low tech is a light / buzzer hooked up to a sensor, but I want to be notified as well if I'm not home. I haven't played with arduino or raspberry pi yet so I guess I'm a blank slate. I'll poke around a bit more, I honestly hadn't even considered raspberry pi. I'll look a few pages to see what I like and what the pricing is and get back to you, thanks! -- Eric Martin

Aug. 20, 2012

Re: [Wlug] Help with water level problems

by Jeff Moyer

Eric Martin <eric.joshua.martin(a)gmail.com> writes: > Hey all, Hi, Eric. > I had a close call with my hot water heater this afternoon. I heard on odd > noise in the pipes and it turned out that my hot water heater was dumping > water out of the overflow valve. Luckily, I found it quick enough, and I'm > pretty sure I got it handled for < $150. There's a 1 Gal bucket under the > overflow valve, and if I had a water level detector emailing me that water > is in the bucket, I could have caught this earlier. You don't sound too sure that you have the problem licked. If that's the case, I would definitely have a plumber look at it. It's well worth the money (IMHO). > I was looking at buying an Arduino and setting up a simple circuit. I know > a few people have played with Arduinos, any suggestions on which one to get > and how to go about it? I don't need to know how much water is in the > bucket, I was thinking about a float type device or even two wires that > trip a relay. I just want a heads up that water is in the bucket so I can > stop before my basement floods. If you want to be paged or emailed, then I'd suggest something that can actually talk over the internet. You can get ethernet shields and even wifi shields for the arduino. However, the wifi shields are notoriously buggy. If I were to do this, I would likely just run ethernet and hook it up to a raspberry pi (it's overkill, but it will be cheaper than buying the arduino + ethernet shield). The raspi has GPIO pins that you can tap into for reading the sensor. Once you get your sensor and your embedded platform of choice, folks on the list will be better able to give you specific advice on wiring things up (if you need it). Good luck! -Jeff

Aug. 20, 2012