Audio CD playback problem on Sony DVD RW drives

My Dell Optiplex 620 has two oem installed Sony DVD RW drives. Everything works fine with the exception of playing audio CDs. One of the drives plays music very choppy so I set out to fix the issue. Here is the setup:
IDE 0 is a SONY DVD RW DRU-180A (plays OK... "good drive")
IDE 1 is a SONY DVD RW DRU-835A (problem drive)

These are the only IDE devices in the machine. The hard drives are SATA. In the original factory configuration, both drives were set to cable select and only the IDE 0 drive would play audio properly, but IDE 1 would be choppy. So I tried a number of configurations as follows:

1. I tried setting the jumper to force IDE 0 as master and IDE 1 as secondary... no change.
2. I tried swapping the jumpers to reverse the order (DRU-835A now IDE 0 master) and now the "good drive, bad drive" problem is reversed... the DRU-835A plays ok.
3. Only connect one drive at a time with jumper on cable select and at the end cable connector. In this config, either drive would play properly (as IDE 0).

So, I sumized that these drives do not like to be secodary drives, at least not for audio playback purposes. I have done disk copies and many burns without issue on either drive.


Notes:

1. I checked firmware versions on both drives and the DRU-180A is on the most recent firmware, and the DRU-835A is assumed to be on the latest firmware as Sony has not post a firware update on their site for this drive.
2. Audio playback was tried with both Windows Media 11 and Nero Media Player 1.4.0.22

I don't have a solution here except to simply always playback on the IDE 0 drive.

Helpful comments always welcome :)

Remote Desktop Connection has Expired (Pre-Release Version)

MICRO$OFT STRIKES AGAIN...
Today, many Remote Desktop users were struck with the following message:

"The Pre-Release Version of Remote Desktop Connection has expired. To download the full version of Remote Desktop Connection, Go to Windows update or contact your system administrator"

This is a result of installing the recently released XP SP3 RC2 from Microsoft. Apparently they packaged the new Remote Desktop Connection in SP3 with an expiration date (assuming 4/7/2008). Thanks so much for the warning Microsoft! This came on as a big Monday morning surprise to many IT pros as well as home server users (WHS).

The fix?
I have seen many posts where people are uninstalling SP3, which works however rather extreme.

As a temporary workaround, you can simply copy the previous version of the following two files into your windows System32 folder. You can copy these files from another pre-SP3 XP machine or simply search your local hard drive and use a previous version which will be in a previous $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder or in the DLLCACHE folder:
mstscax.dll
mstsc.exe

Then execute the mstsc.exe (which is the same exe name as the expired version). This effectively rolls back your Remote Desktop version to the previous version.

Firefox 2.0.0.9 - Have they Tamed the Animal?

I have written a couple of times about Firefox 2.0+ issues mostly regarding memory usage and memory leaks. Recently Mozilla released 2.0.0.9 which is intended to primarily be a stability (not security this time) release. Well, I am pleased to say that after about a week of use, the memory leak problem seems to have been resolved.
Thank You Mozilla!

In addition, I have determined that one of the extentions I was using was a big memory hog. The extension was ANSWERS 2.2.27
It would use nearly 100mb of ram upon Firefox startup. I expect that they were using some sort of memory resident database of common words. Well, it was not worth the 100mb to me, so goodby Answers 2.2.27.

Now without Answers and with the resolved Firefox memory leaks, I am happy to report that Firefox is back to the "lean mean browsing machine" that I once loved.

Microsoft Forces Stealth Updates Even without Automatic Updates On

Here is another one from the "Microsoft is smarter than you are" file.

Microsoft was recently exposed for pushing out updates to your computer even if you don't have Automatic Updates turned on. Their position is that they need to continue to update the Windows Update Service components in order to notify you of updates and "maintain the quality of the service".

This presents a huge trust issue for many, especially IT support personnel, myself included. The reasons that Microsoft has announced on this issue are somewhat valid, but still cause a trust issue. If they are doing this unilaterally with some components, what keeps them from updating other components that they choose to update at will? The fact that Microsoft tried to do this behind the scenes is quite alarming.

Partnering with BIG BROTHER

There are many that are totally outraged by this Microsoft trust issue. My take on it is that you knew what you were getting into when purchasing and choosing to run Microsoft products, so deal with it. If you don't trust Microsoft to write your OS and write patches for your OS, then go play with someone else's OS. Granted, there are not many choices that most corporate average desktop users can deal with and with that, many IT support personnel are stuck with Microsoft desktops. If Microsoft screws this up and some compromised code gets pushed out to your desktops, yes, it will hurt and screw you up for a few days, but think about the pain you would endure to attempt to convert those desktop users to Ubuntu, or any other Unix like environment. Ultimately, Microsoft would be at fault for leaving the back door open.

For more detail on the MS stealth updates:

http://blogs.technet.com/mu/archive/2007/09/13/how-windows-update-keeps-itself-up-to-date.aspx

http://windowssecrets.com/comp/070913/#story1

Does Qwest still do Cold-Potato Routing?

This is somewhat of a rhetorical question, but I do question it. Qwest has always (AFAIK) advertised and bragged about this feature with their DIA services.

First, some may be wondering, what the heck is Cold-Potato Routing? The best explanation may be that it is the opposite of Hot-Potato routing in which an ISP will hand off it packets to a peer or downstream ISP as soon as possible to get it off of their system. So, in Cold-Potato routing, the well intentioned ISP will hold onto the traffic and haul it across a geographic region as far as possible before handing it over to the downstream provider. This provides a best end-to-end quality of service for the ISP customers, assuming the ISP has the backbone to handle it.

The reason I question weather Qwest is still providing Cold-potato routing is that if I trace routes from my Los Angeles based POP (Qwest provided) to my co-lo in Chicago, IL the traffic gets handed off in Los Angeles to Level 3. net. Level3 then hauls it across the country to it's Chicago facility. Now, I know that Qwest has a big OC-192 backbone direct from their Burbank, CA TeraPOP direct to Chicago, IL TeraPOP. So, what the heck? Can anyone shine some light on this issue?

Firefox memory leak revisited

I recently wrote about Firefox 2 becoming a pig, meaning that it consumes huge amounts of memory and slows down. This of course is a memory leak as expected. During the course of research of the problem I have discovered a couple of things that are short term work arounds.

1. Restart Firefox every day. It consumes memory over time (NSS!) so by restarting it, the memory will be released
2. uninstall any add-ons (extensions) that you don't use.
   
3. Uninstall extra themes
   
4. Run Firefox in Safe Mode
5. Keep unused browser tabs closed
   

I found this list of known problematic extensions that you should check out to make sure you are not running them:
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Problematic_extensions

There are claims that the extensions (especially the problematic ones) are causing the memory leaks. However, I only run about 4 lightweight extensions that I keep updated and only the default Firefox theme and I still have the memory leak problem. In fact, today Firefox on my desktop is comsuming over 163mb after restarting it about 18 hours ago. Guess it's about time for another restart.

Come On Mozilla Foundation! Get this fixed or I fear that many will resort back to IE. Oh the guilt...

Check Your Network Switch Speed Negotiation

In dealing with a recent bandwidth issue, we discovered that it was a speed negotiation issue between a Cisco 3845 router and a Cisco PIX Firewall. You would think that these two interfaces would do a better job of speed negotiation. There were no errors recorded on either side but we experienced horrible throughput... like 500kpbs. The issue was resolved by setting both sides to AUTO and reset the interfaces.

I have had many issues in the past with Cisco interfaces to other manufacturer interfaces (Netgear and Linksys to name a couple). They don't do auto negotiate well, so I have learned to fix the Cisco interface to the max speed of the other side. But, in the case of Cisco to Cisco, it seems that AUTO is the best choice... at least in this case.

The moral to the story is that when troubleshooting bandwidth issues, alway check your speed setting settings on interfaces... even when no errors are recorded.

Rotate Your Spare UPS Batteries

If you keep spare UPS batteries on the shelf, make sure you rotate them into your running UPS unit every month or so to keep them fresh and charged.
I am mostly speaking of data center level user replaceable UPS batteries like a APC Symmetra or similar. Keeping spare batteries is a good idea for replacement of a failed battery and for extra runtime when the lights do go out. In the case of extra runtime needed, you can keep extra batteries on the shelf and swap them in if your runtime gets low due to a power outage and you don't have a generator on standby. Just make sure you rotate them into the unit every month or so. The approximate shelf life of a Symmetra battery is 6 months. After that, they are considered dead or at least reduced efficiency.

Another UPS battery tip is to date stamp the battery when you buy it. This will help control the shelf life as well as overall life as the life expectancy of one of these is usually about 2 years.

TrendMicro OfficeScan Upgrade

Kudos to Trend Micro for providing a very seamless upgrade from OfficeScan/ServerProtect 7.3 to 8.0. To my surprise, it was as simple as validating the new license key, downloading version 8, and install on our central TrendMicro AV server. Our AV server then seamlessly and quickly pushed out the client updates without user interruption. In addition, there are some nice features in the new version that we can take advantage of.

I was anticipating a nightmare of uninstalling clients and re-installing (similar to the nightmare Symantec caused us a couple of years ago... arrrggg, curse you Symantec!), but it was actually very pleasant.

Thanks to Trend Micro!

Beware of Black Market Network Hardware

Black Market Network Equipment? Oh yes, and something to watch out for.
It only recently came to my attention that this even existed. There is a growing problem of counterfeit, imitation, fake and the like of Cisco and other high end network equipment. When recently shopping around for a couple of Cisco boxes is when I was made aware of this problem through a couple of trusted used network hardware resellers.

There is an organization called UNEDA that has taken the lead on bringing attention to the problem using an alliance of more than 300 of the top used network equipment dealers worldwide. Check them out and be aware!

Working in IT Hazardous to your Health?

Most would say no, and for the most part, IT work is a pretty safe profession. But, what about the IT guy or girl that sits in one place with their hands on the keyboard most of the day? Or, the IT person that lifts servers or desktop computers often? Are you plagued with shoulder pain, headaches and backaches? Here are a few tips to keep your body pain free (or at least, less pain):

• Keep your chair adjusted properly. In time most chairs will move out of adjustment through daily use. Check it on a regular basis.
• Get up and Move! Walk to lunch, walk around the building or up a few flights of stairs during your break time.
• Use a phone headset. If you spend a reasonable amount of time on the phone, get a headset instead of straining your shoulder and neck.
• Use the buddy system for lifting and moving equipment. Don't try to be the hero by racking up equipment by yourself. You also run the risk of dropping a very expensive piece of equipment... that would not be good!
• Don't strain your eyes. Adjust your monitors and wear the proper eye correction.

For me, I suffer from frequent neck strain and headaches when I don't pay attention to these details.

Take Care.