Thursday, 3 April 2014

EMC Retrospect Scanning incomplete, error -645 ( chunk file damaged during save) error

If like me you use EMC's Retrospect backup solution for backing up all of your companies windows and Linux servers then you know how frustrating it can be when you get an error crop up that no-one else seems to have yet resolved.

After an upgrade to the latest version 9 of the Retrospect server backup software I ran in to an issue on a couple of servers where the backup would scan for files and then error with the following error

Scanning incomplete, error -645 ( chunk file damaged during save)

After a lot of searching and trial and error I finally worked out that I could resolve this by removing the corresponding servers file from this directory and re-running the backup.

 C:\ProgramData\Retrospect\RtrSec.dir

This worked on two backups that had this issue (the reset had no issues anyway)

I hope this helps someone in the future.

Monday, 31 March 2014

Adsense alternatives for website publishers.

I have been testing several alternatives to Adsense over the past month or two and have come across some rubbish but also some really good advertising networks.

One in particular stood out for me which you have probably never heard of.
It may not have been the largest but it certainly paid a reasonable amount for clicks on my website and I even managed to earn enough in the first couple of weeks to get a payout direct to my PayPal account. The minimum payout is set at $10 which is quite easy to get to for most people.

Go take a look at the site and signup to see how you do. If you have had your Google Adsense account banned then this could well be the network for you.

www.AdvertBox.Net

Friday, 28 March 2014

Set a Linux server to automatically reboot after a kernel panic

If like me you get a kernel panic on your linux server once a year during the time you are away from internet access then this quick config edit could save you a lot of time and money.

Why not set your server to automatically reboot after a number of seconds after a kernel panic?

It really is easy to do.

Open this file using your favourite editor (nano / vi)

/etc/sysctl.conf
Then add the following line to the end of the file and save.

kernel.panic = 10
I would reboot your server after just to ensure all config changes are loaded.


You now have your server set to reboot 10 seconds after a kernel panic.
 

Thursday, 27 March 2014

IFTTT update: Introducing the NowVia Channel. Plus, new SmartThings Recipes


NowVia lets you collect and curate everything you find interesting, and organize them into topic-specific channels.


The NowVia Channel on IFTTT makes sharing posts and updating your profiles a breeze.


IFTTT Recipe: Share my SoundCloud favorites to NowVia connects soundcloud to nowvia



IFTTT Recipe: If I add a post to NowVia then share it on Twitter connects nowvia to twitter



IFTTT Recipe: If I add a photo to an album then make it my profile cover art on NowVia connects ios-photos to nowvia



Visit NowVia’s profile for more Recipe inspiration.



There’s a whole lot more you can do with the SmartThings Channel. Use Recipes to track temperature, humidity, and moisture. You can even turn on/off a siren or strobe!


IFTTT Recipe: Strobe my SmartThings siren if category 1 hurricane winds are nearby connects weather to smartthings



IFTTT Recipe: Call my phone if moisture is detected nearby connects smartthings to phone-call


RAC Car Warranty - Review

When I purchased my Citreon C4 Grand Picasso the dealer was good enough to throw in a free RAC Warranty which looked like a great deal considering it cost be nothing.

A week later a fault developed in the central locking system so I took it to the garage for a "diagnostic check" which confirmed that the motor inside the boot was not getting the signal from the central locking system to release the boot lock.

Armed with this information I rang up the RAC and told them what the garage had confirmed (it is a known fault apparently). After much messing around and checking of details I was told that the warranty did not cover handles. Like I said to the operator it was not the handle, it was the electronic mechanise inside the boot at fault but that didn't wash.

I paid for the repair myself which took under an hour and cost just under £150 (roughly the excess on the Warranty policy anyway) but I am still annoyed at the RAC warranty cover and the massive list of "vague exclusions" that they include in their terms and conditions that they can use to wriggle out of almost any repair imaginable.

My advice is save your money and don't take this car warranty out. A new vehicle would be covered under the manufactures warrant most times anyway and a vehicle over 10 years probably isn't going to get covered anyway.
Like all insurance, it is like purchasing a lottery ticket on the basis that something may happen in the future.

Thursday, 20 March 2014

IFTTT update: Introducing the Pushbullet Channel


The Pushbullet Channel makes it easy to push notes, links, files, and addresses to your Android and iOS devices.


IFTTT Recipe: If a friend checks-in nearby, then send me the venue's address connects foursquare to pushbullet



IFTTT Recipe: If Lifehacker posts a new Download Roundup then send me the link connects feed to pushbullet



IFTTT Recipe: If my package's shipping status changes, then send me a note connects boxoh-package-tracking to pushbullet



IFTTT Recipe: Get a picture notification when someone specific posts to Instagram! connects instagram to pushbullet



Connect Pushbullet to over 80 other Channels and create your own inbox!


Monday, 17 March 2014

IFTTT update: Introducing the OneNote Channel


Microsoft OneNote is a digital notebook for everything you need to remember and manage in your life at home, at work, or at school.


The OneNote Channel lets you create new pages, archive images, and save links for reading later.


IFTTT Recipe: Send your favorite tweets to OneNote connects twitter to onenote



IFTTT Recipe: Follow new Craigslist postings from OneNote connects craigslist to onenote



IFTTT Recipe: Create pages in OneNote from a text message connects sms to onenote



IFTTT Recipe: Send articles from the NYT to OneNote connects the-new-york-times to onenote



For more OneNote Recipes, follow what’s trending on IFTTT.