Blood drawn to check for Hep B and C (both will come back negative) HIV (also will come back negative), throat and nasal swabs (not fun) to test for MRSA, and one other liquid test in a little jar (I shall leave that to your imagination).
A few days off, then off for EKG, and Xrays.
Arthroplasty (knee replacement) is a go.
Discussion with Dr S, informed consent form filled out, pre-op XRays and tests scheduled. Meeting with 'joint specialist' on Friday to discuss what pre-op exercises I need to be doing.
Because of asthma, and weight, I will be in ICU after surgery for one day, as a precaution. Then into my room, and rehab commences almost immediately.
After uninstalling, reinstalling, reactivating over and over again, I ended up getting error that I had exceeded the allotted number of activations, so I had to open a different support ticket, giving them the information regarding the above mentioned 'over and over' section.
Just shits and giggles, with version 3.1.2 installed, I decided to try to compatibility modes. I started at the top with Vista, V SP1, V SP2. No joy
Server 2008 and 2003. No joy
XP, XP SP1, XP SP2. No joy
Windows 2000. Nope
NT 4 with SP5. Nope.
I was ready to give up, but just for laughs, I tried Windows 95 compatibility mode. And holy crow, the UI opened! I was able to navigate all the menus, no problems. I tried Win 98/ME compatibility. It also worked. However I noticed that although the system tray icon says that Ransomware protection is on, the UI will say it's unavailable. Some online searches showed that it will do that because according to posts on the forums, there was no ransomware with Windows 95/98/ME or XP.
I thank my foresight for deciding to upgrade Windows 7 to Pro version, as the Home and Premium would have only had compatibility to XP and above only. 95/98/ME weren't included in Home or Premium.
So, I ended up figuring out how to get it to work, not their in house techs.
So, it's working now.. and Alan said "If it ain't broken, don't fix it!"
We had some nasty storms a few weeks ago, with strong winds, and driving rain. It overloaded the gutters, shorted out two lights, fried a fuse on the electrical panel, and caused some gyp-board damage. We have never made a claim before.
We have to pay the $200 excess, but are getting more than 1k of cost of the electrical repairs back. AND we won't have our rates raised.
Waiting to hear about repairs to where the gutters overflowed and damaged the gyp-boards.
This morning I saw sparkling water drops on some pretty purple blossoms, and I noticed both my small Geraldton Wax seedlings (still called seedlings until they reach 1" across the base) were in danger of being swamped by weeds.
I pushed the camera out of the way, pulled the weeds out about 2ft diameter around them both, making sure to not shake off the morning water droplets. I then proceeded to take macro photos of the blossoms. I stood up from my squat, and it was all I could do to hobble back into the house.
I know, I know... we are supposed to suffer for our art, but dayam, my knee was killing me! Nope, no doubt now.
Geraldton Wax Blossom
I have been doing a lot of reading about my knee. It's not going to get any better. It might be a bit better than it was 4 weeks ago, but it's not going to get any better. If anything, it will degenerate and get worse. My knee hurts, I'm less active because it hurts. I'm less active, my weight goes up. Weight goes up, knee hurts worse, then I'm less active...round and round. Discussed things with Wing, bouncing the good, the bad and the ugly of knee replacement surgery. The risks, the benefits. My expectations aren't to be a marathon runner, just to be pain free.
Called the Nurse Practitioner from Dr S office , and she called me back today. I told her about how I read everything I could get my hands on, understood the risk/benefit. I go in for paperwork, blood tests and a few other test to make sure I am in reasonably good health. X-Rays to make sure which prosthetic will be put in.
I even have a tentative date for the surgery.
I told the NP that I was scared... she said that she would be worried if I wasn't.
I have been instructed to run MBCleaner... again. And do another clean install.. again.
My response is as follows.
My eyelid just started twitching.. I have to ask, please don't take it personally, what is uninstalling MWBs with MWCleaner for the (checks) 21st time going to fix, that the first 20 times didn't?
After Malwarebytes completed the scan, and I quarantined what I didn't really want or need running, I apprehensively shut it down.
Seems I was right to be apprehensive, because when I tried to start it again, it wouldn't. Tried rebooting to see if that would 'fix' it like it did last night.. nope.
Have sent info to tech support.
buggah.
Silver lining? I actually got to do a full system scan, and all is good.
After 18, yes 18, things from Malwarebytes tech support that didn't work, and about the same from a MBWs forum, also didn't work, over the course of two weeks, with both places blaming OTHER software, and having me uninstall that OTHER software, for the problem of MWM 3.1.2 user interface not opening, both places offered the same solution.
To reboot in safe mode and turn off self protection. Any takers as to where that worked or not?
I tried to do that, but it would not switch off in safe mode. Even after stripping out all other security programs (CryptoPreventer, MSE) it would not start unless in safe mode.
That being typed, this was the solution for me.
1: Used MBCleaner to remove 3.1.2. Rebooted
2: After login, installed 3.0.6. Didn't check for updates. Put in license and ID, set up exclusions again, just in case. Went to Protections and was able to shut Self Protection off.
3: Updated to 3.1.2. Double Clicked desktop Icon, nothing. Nothing in system tray again.
4: Rebooted.
5: After login, system tray icon was there with red triangle (for never having run a scan). Double clicked desktop icon, and chewed on fingernail.
User interface loaded up.
I am a lateral thinker.. they are linear, or just can't be swayed from their checklist script, even when you have told them every step you took, including the ones that just told you to do.... again. But being a lateral thinker, I was able to come up with a solution.
Anyone else other than myself find the timing of Facebook trying to foist their fake 'malicious software' scanner/malware on me, less than 6 hours after I removed CryptoPreventer and Microsoft Security Essentials as instructed by tech support at Malwarebytes just a wee bit more than a coincidence?
In the ongoing saga that is Malwarebytes latest version not working right, I used their cleaner tool to un-install it yet again, rebooted yet again, and was greeted by "This Windows 7 installation isn't genuine"
WTF?? 2 years after I built this beast, and installed a freshly purchased LEGIT copy? (even MS Assure support gave me the thumbs up about it being genuine... although I can't understand why someone with a hacked and cracked version would be contacting MS support).
I sorta held my breath until Windows login was complete, and check my system... It was a futz message, because according to SYSTEM, it is a legit activated copy of Windows 7 Ultimate.
White Supremacists, the KKK, the Alt-Right, and Neo-Nazis have a long history of acts of violence. They also have zero honor. How could the police, who seem to taser, shoot, pepper spray anyone that looks cross-eyed at them, NOT be there to protect peaceful counter-protesters?
Then you have Racist enablers/Apologists, and general all around asshole making excuses, or trying to say it was faked (Yes, that asswipe Alex Jones is at it again)
Let's not forget the orange idiot saying "on many sides"... Really? Uhh, no. Regardless of what that crappy FAUX SNOOZE pandering author said about Neo-Nazis being 'left wing', the above mentioned groups have always considering themselves right wing conservatives. Also, President Shit for Brains, you demanded a Muslim ban when one man ran his car into a London crowd. Where's the White Supremacists, the KKK, the Alt-Right, and Neo-Nazis ban? Oh, right, can't ban them. They're your supporters, you lame, weak, POS.
Then you have the f&$king racists that voted for the Orange Menace. You know, the ones who get all upset when you call them out on it, either cheering the violence, or trying incite more, or saying the ones killed and injured, well they some how deserved it.
WTF is wrong with all of you? The police: if a bunch of North American Gunhumping Ammosexuals intimidate people with open carry, you let it slide. Peaceful protesters, you look like you're ready for a military conflict. You have been videoed strutting around with your SWAT gear, intimidating citizens. You have used plastic barriers to corral unarmed young women and pepper spraying them when they have done NOTHING WRONG!
It seems the police are only interested in pulling a 'show of force' if it's against unarmed peaceful, sometimes even compliant, people.
So yeah, you caught the guy that murdered that young woman by using his car. And if it hadn't been for the peaceful protesters that videoed the incident, I wonder if the murderer would have been caught at all.
1st off, absolutely EVERYTHING else works perfectly on my computers' current set up. Sure, there are occasional hardlocks (like when I'm processing a HUGE image in On1 and watching a DVD/BlueRay on the other monitor) but everything works.
Which takes me to the topic of the subject.
Malwarebytes: I had been using the Premium version 3.0.6. It started having problems with web protection layers shutting off and not going back on, AND you couldn't get rid of the notification that said layers were off so turn them back on.
Which lead me to update to version 3.1.2. Everything seemed ok... until I noticed I couldn't open the user interface. Double click desktop icon? No. How about the system tray icon? Nope. Run as administrator? nope. Run the the gamut of compatibility trouble shooting? Nope. Uninstall with MBCleaner/Reboot/Reinstall? Nope
Ok, let's make a new user account. Double click on desktop icon.. YAY, it worked! I enter my legit license and ID. Seems great! Tweak settings (exclusions, when to schedule a scan). Close the user window down. Log off that new user, go back to original user account, and start going through things I want to clone over. Shut down computer.
Start up next day, log in new user account. Double click MWB icon. Uhhh, not opening? Just to make sure I tried again. Not opening. Repeat all the above steps. Nothing.
I'm always one for keeping the PREVIOUS version of programs, just in case. So, I uninstall using MalwarebyteCleaner, reboot. Install version 3.0.6, and TA DA! It starts up. Enter ID and license, and immediately the web protection shuts off again, and can't turn it back on. Rebooted, and login to new user account, 3.0.6 starts up just fine, again, web layers not on (oh yeah, and MWBs said this was due THEIR server not communicating with the program last year) but everything works.
Restart computer. Login to my regular account. v3.0.6 works find, with same caveat. I install latest NON beta version. And once again, the user window will not open.
After doing all of this, I finally sent support ticket to MWBs. Waited two weeks, and didn't hear anything back. Just for giggles, a few days ago I restarted my computer in SAFE MODE. Login to my regular user account. Wait a while for everything to load and settle. I see the MWBs icon on system tray. I double click it. Imagine my surprise when the user interface opens without a problem! Restarted in safe mode again, logged into new user account. Same thing.
Rebooted, regular start up. Again, the user interface will not load. Off in search on google for this problem. And I found the exact same issue posted by someone else. So, I go through all the same steps, use some other tools and send them the reports. Yes, I know I am being 'naughty' by convincing a program or two to work. Why? Because I bought it years ago, and during reinstall on this machine, the license won't validate. It's no longer sold or supported, and it's the ONLY way I can get it to work is to 'convince it'. I didn't make the world, I just try to live in it.
So, I go through all his hoops. MBCleaner, MBCheck, FRST64, over and over. Even installed beta version of MBWs... and now, not only will it not start if I click on desktop icon, the SYSTEM tray icon has vanished, even though Task Manger says it's running. I reboot in safe mode, and it works. Restart normal mode, nope.
Here comes the "Are you f**king kidding me?" part.. one of the possible solutions is to format the the drive and reinstall everything.... Are you f**king kidding me?
Did I mention my son, who has Windows 10 Home version on his computer, is having the same problem? And Wing who has Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed on his HP is having same problem? Figure the god damned odds of me wiping my system to reinstall everything?
When I get up in the morning, before I get out of bed, I get one of my knee compression bandages and slip it on my right knee. It makes getting around a bit easier. However, wearing it all day seemed to cause my knee to hurt worse at the end of the day. I think it's because the compression bandage doesn't prevent the lower leg from going too far forward or too far back, but I digress.
Got up this morning, put on the compression bandage, got the moggies fed and watered, Keito given his insulin injection. Time for me to use all the hot water for a change aka got a shower. Walked around in terry robe, no knee compression bandage. After about an hour, I found myself holding doorways and leaning on a wall. Looked at my knee, and saw it was a bit puffy.
Back to the mid-thigh to mid-calf leg/knee brace. Yeah, knee feels better, but I feel a bit chilly, as the brace is worn over leggings. Leggings aren't the warmest thing to be wearing in cold rainy weather.
Now I know for sure. When at all possible, put the big rig on.
And when I get that better tech support, I thank him/her for all their help.
Replacement start menu shell, been using it for years. My desktop user account was screwing up so I created a new one. Problem is I forgot how to input the license/serial number. I just could not find where.
I submitted a ticket. D gave me clear concise answer.
I said "Thank you, D."
D replied "You're welcome. I don't ofter get thanked."
Kind of sad, yes?
There are some people that don't know what's going on with my knees (yes, plural) but with my right one being much much worse. I have arthritis in my knees, it's a family trait. But, when I was 18 I injured my right knee, and about 18months after that, I developed degenerative arthritis in it. It's been giving me trouble off and on for 40 years. My right knee has a head start on the left.
An accident last October pushed the remaining meniscus out, turning it from being an annoyance, to a borderline crippling injury. I have NO cartilage between my femur and tibia/fibula. None. That means I had bone on bone grinding when I was walking around, for months before I got to see a specialist.
Yes, I have had two rounds of drain the fluid, and synovial injections. I am on a 'diet' of anti-inflammatory and Panadiene Forte (as needed) It has made it possible for me to do normal daily activities. HOWEVER.. walking for 30 or more minutes on uneven paving, or a walkway that slants down towards the street is a tad uncomfortable, the way giving birth is a slight pressure.
I'm lucky if I get 3 uninterrupted hours of sleep at night. It's more like I take 2 naps at night, which means my ass is dragging the next day. Rinse and repeat since October LAST YEAR!
I could take the Panadiene Forte more often, but I really dislike the head packed in cotton feeling it gives me. So, I walk slow. And it f&$%ing hurts to do so... read above, about the bone on bone grinding. And my left knee is causing trouble because I am favoring my right leg. My left leg, which is still partially paralyzed/unresponsive because of nerve damage from disc collapse, isn't handling the extra work very well, and THAT knee is starting to get worse.
You know that "On a scale of 1 to 10" for pain measurement? I'm on a constant 3 at the very least, to "wanting to rock back and forth crying". Add a good sized dollop of depression into the mix, and you might have an inkling of what I am going through. So, when I mention I walked for 30 mins to get somewhere, your flippant comment and eyeroll makes me want to punch you square in the face, or just scream at you.. but I do neither. But I do wish you could feel what I'm going through for just a few weeks, see if you'd be so cavalier and flippant afterward.
Yesterday, I had a (too) close encounter with a Trump fan, replete with ethnic epithets and Trump sound bites.
I recovered.
Today, after lunch with my mother in law, my son and I got to the counter to pay, with Wing and his mom close behind. An elderly gent shoved his way between us to demand he pay his bill RIGHT NOW. Ok, fine.
Then, as my mother in law, who comes up to my shoulder, moves up ,a woman behind me almost hip checks her to get up to the counter first. My son, Alan, and I just looked at her, and figured let the rude person go.
As it was noisy in the restaurant, I went outside.
Imagine my surprise when this woman came out, and started talking to me. "Well I never! Some people! Can you believe how I was being served?" (I gave her a blank look) "That server said that *flicking her fingers back towards mother in law* woman was in line before me. Can you believe those people?"
Me "Uhh, that woman is my mother in law, and we were there before you, but an elderly gent got between us. Oh, that was my son up there ahead of you, too."
Her eyes got wide and she gave me one of those false laughs.. "Oh, it doesn't matter now." (aka, oh shit, I put my foot right in it) and she scurried off.
I didn't say another word, but am quite sure the look I gave her spoke volumes.
I wouldn't have said anything, but she lied. Flat...out... lied.
Dear Sony; you #%@%$#&%#$ Suck, did you know that?
Yeah, yeah, I know you closed up your computer division a few years ago, but you did it on the sly, AFTER flooding the market with reasonably priced Sony Vaio laptops. You did this knowing you were closing up the computer division. Too bad that warning didn't come with the purchase, right?
Moving on; this is the same laptop that had the disastrous Windows 10 upgrade attempt. After a few months, and several hours online with Microsoft Assure remote help, I got the Windows 8.1 on it running correctly again. (deep sigh)
Moving on again; The preinstalled Sony software stopped working right. So, even though they no longer supported the Vaio, I emailed them anyway. Suggested I uninstall it, and reinstall it. Problem: this laptop came with Win 7 preinstalled, but Windows 8 ready. Good thing it was Win 8 ready, as it running Win 7 would cause hardware incompatibility BSODs. Tracking down the right Sony Vaio Care, and Sony Control Center was NOT easy. Too many versions, updates to version, backward compatible version, and naming the %#$$@$# files with nothing but numbers? Really? (downloaded and saved them with descriptive names).
FINALLY, for now, Sony Vaio, with Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit, and Sony utilities function as they should.
I just ran Belarc Advisor on my computer. I didn't realise just how many programs I have installed. Strange thing, though. Even though I have Adobe CS6 Master Collection installed from a legally purchased copy, it says "Trial"? Hmm, odd.
Nevertheless, I am going to go through the list and programs I'm not using, well, out with them. Not going to go by Advisor's list, because it tagged something I used just yesterday as something I hadn't used in over a year.
There is something boned with my user account on my computer, that causes problems like Malwarebytes user menu not wanting to show up (it's still running, though, I get the alerts). I was also having a problem with On1PhotoRaw crashing the computer.
So, I decided to make a new user account, and re-recreate my user profile. But what it did was totally bollux up my default user accounts' browser profile. I guess Cyberfox didn't like me cloning the profile?
Also, I can't get the mouse to be lefthanded in the new profile. Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard will not install. I think that is because I'm not using a microsoft mouse. After I get over the urge to bury my arm up to my elbow in the monitor. I will hook up MS mouse and see if that 'fixes' this problem.
The reason I don't just make a list of programs, serial/license/registrations is some of what I have installed is 'legacy'. A few of them aren't made anymore, so no longer supported. Or have new versions out that don't work as well (had that issue with piccure. It works better than Piccure+ on certain images, but they no longer support it, so can't get my serial/activations reset)
I do know that one day, I will have to do exactly that, wipe and reinstall everything, but I'm not looking forward to that.
