Search This Blog

Google Analytics

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

26 Nov - 30 Nov Singapura » KL » Genting » KL » Singapura

This is a long-waited trip between Regine and I. Below is the rough schedule of our trip from 26 Nov to 30 Nov.

26 Nov
0945   I left house for JB but was caught in a massive traffic jam at the cross junction before Singapore custom.
1230   I reached JB City Square.
1330   I reached Regine's house and had our lunch.
2245   Regine and I left for JB KTM.
2335   Train left for KL.

27 Nov
0830   We finally reached KL Sentral Station. Trip was delayed for almost 2 hours.
1000   We made our way to our hotel Dorsett Regency Hotel. We left our luggage at the Concierge because we could only check in at 2pm.
1100   We had lunch at a Hong Kong restaurant in Sungei Wang.
1145   Took a cab to Sunway Lagoon.
1200   We reached Sunway Lagoon.
1700   Made our way to Sunway Pyramid for a snack.
1740   Reached shopping centre The Curve and had our dinner.
1930   Reached Utama Shopping Centre.
2230   Left for our hotel.

28 Nov
1015   Woke up
1215   Had lunch in another Hong Kong restaurant.
1330   Reached Pasa Rakyat bus terminal.
1430   Took a bus to Genting Skyway Lower Station.
1530   Made our way to Genting Highlands by the S.E Asia fastest and longest cable car system Skyway.
1600   Reached Genting Highlands and we quickly made our way to the Highlands casino.
1800  Reached the bus terminal at Genting Skyway Lower Station and bought a pair of 1830hrs tickets back Pasa Rakyat bus terminal.
1830   Left for Pasa Rakyat bus terminal.
1930  Reached Pasa Rakyat bus terminal and quickly walked back to our hotel. This time we brought only necessary stuff for the famous Chinatown.
2010   Took a cab to Chinatown.
2020   Reached Chinatown and bought quite a lot of stuff.
2230   Left Chinatown for our hotel.

29 Nov
1145   Check out from hotel. We were allowed to leave our stuff at the Concierge.
1200   Had lunch at a Malay food stall near our hotel.
1220   Shopped at Sungei Wang and Bukit Bintang Plaza and bought quite a lot of stuff.
1500   Made our way to the KLCC.
1800   Had Tom Yam for dinner. Really really spicy!
1840   Made our way back to hotel to collect our stuff.
1950   Reached hotel and collect our stuff and made our way to KL Sentral Station.
2025   Reached KL Sentral Station.
2230   Train departed for Singapore.

30 Nov
0630   Reached JB custom.
0800   Reached Singapore.

I will give a more detailed narration on some of the above events later.

Friday, November 25, 2005

Away from 26th - 30th

Will not be in Singapore from 26th afternoon to 30th morning.

.NET Communiy Seminar

Regine and I attended a .NET Community Seminar organized by JobStreet but conducted by the Microsoft and the New Horizons on 24th Nov. This is a seminar to promote the launch of Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and Microsoft SQL Server 2005.

Throughout the entire demonstration, I was totally fascinated and impressed by the many features promised by the packages. All speakers are knowledgeable and their expertise in their areas are definitely proven. Some of the features that really grab my attention are the master pages, the site map, one-click installation, tight integration with SQL Server 2005, and many more.

The 2 tea receptions provided by the organizer were not bad - better than average. Also, the pantry area is really very self-contained. A huge fridge to house huge varieties of packet drinks, a hot drink dispenser offering several different hot drinks, a coffee blender, distilled water dispenser, several bottled mineral water, and several comfortable seats available for most. Welfare in Microsoft is certainly well thought of.

What a day of Microsoft experience!

NUS FYP Gathering

21st Nov - NUS FYP Gathering:

We went for a steamboat buffet near the famous Tian Tian Huo Guo. The cost is $12 instead of the initial $10 which I know of few months back. This $12 steamboat doesn't have the BBQ plate like what those at Marina South offer. I would say I still prefer those in the Marina South. More fun, more varieties, better atmosphere, e.t.c. We chatted and updated one another on our current status.

After the dinner, we went for a show "Dragon Squad". This show is full of firefight and is towards the over-exaggerating side.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Just Like Heaven

Yesterday 23th Nov was Regine's last paper. After her last paper, we went down to Lau Pa Sat to have a BBQ Seafood feast for dinner. We ordered BBQ Stingray, Kailan, Satay sticks and chicken wings. The serving was quite a lot for all the items especially the Stingray. I rate the Stingray, Satay and chicken wings highly and as for the Kailan, I thought it was average.

After our feast, we took a bus down to Cathay Cinneleisure for a movie. We watched Just Like Heavens. It belongs to the romantic comedy category. I highly recommend the show. Try it and you know why.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

My Blog Direction

I am intending to make my blog into more technology-based.
Erm... or it has always been like this?

Ghostzilla!

Ghostzilla!
http://www.ghostzilla.com/

Ghostzilla is a Web browser like Firefox, but it shows up and disappears instantly, discreetly, blended with your application -- any application -- so the Web pages look like part of it and not like the Web at all. (Read here how.)

What would you use it for?

1. Hide from your boss and coworkers. Not a good idea; you can get fired (the network administrator sees everything you do) or end up wasting lots of time.
2. Survive endless meetings (if you have a laptop; kind of like (1) but a little better).
3. Have a browser instantly available and dismissable within your work application, washed out from ads and unnecessary pictures. This is actually useful -- except you risk developing attention deficit disorder. Seriously.

So what's it for then?

* Entertainment. Ghostzilla is a form of computer art.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Microsoft Seminar

I will be going for a Microsoft Seminar on Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and Microsoft SQL Server 2005 on 24th Nov. Regine will be with me.

Monday, November 21, 2005

Microsoft Support For My Conjecture

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for the reply.

Currently, the Singnet customers are facing the Windows Update issue
where the Windows Update page shows "Checking for the latest version of
software" and it hangs. Sometimes they might get the error code
0x80072F78 or 0x80072EFF stating that "Web site has encountered a problem and
cannot display the requested page".

We are still investigating on this issue and have escalated the issue
to the concerned department. We are still waiting for further updates
and will appreciate it if you may co-operate and provide us some time to
resolve this issue. Once the issue is rectified we will update you with
further information.

Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.

Have a nice day!

Best regards,

Wisut Pisitsangkakul
Support Professional
Microsoft Customer Service and Support (South East Asia)

Good Luck

All the best and good luck to Regine for her first and subsequent papers from today.

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Singled out WindowsUpdate Woe

I managed to single out the reason behind why my windowsupdate at home does not work. This is a problem of Singnet. Using my same laptop, I successfully connect myself to windowsupdate on NUS wireless network and an anonymous wireless network. However, my test failed on my home Singnet broadband and Regine's Singnet broadband. Test also failed on my friend's Singnet broadband.

I called up Singnet again and this time the customer service officer knew his stuff. At least he knew what I am talking about even though he got the MTU as Maximum Transfer Unit which is wrong. He confirmed that I am not the only one complaining about this and so is most likely a Singnet problem. Hope they will revert back to me asap.

Frappr!

This is interesting
http://www.frappr.com/ee

Waiting to see more from Asia.

Flushed with success on World Toilet Day

YESTERDAY 19th November was World Toilet Day.

US Road to Isolationism

The Democrats will win the next Presidential election which will be in the next 4 year's time.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Gave a lecture to a Singnet Customer Service Officer

I realized my windowsupdate problem could be due to ISP MTU setting. I made a call to Singnet 1800 call service and my first call was pleasant. The customer service officer was knowledgeable and direct me to the steps to do the configuration. However, I was not ready to launch the configure program at that moment of time and so just relied on my memorization of steps. I made a second call to the 1800 service but was attended to by another person. This person was not knowledgeable. Described to him the whole situation and kept telling him I am able to connect to the internet but just couldn't get to windowsupdate. I told him I am able to get to windowsupdate in NUS but not at home. WindowsUpdate just returned an error number and I managed to find an article telling me that it could be deal to ISP MTU setting being not setup correctly. That stupid guy just kept telling me that Singnet does not provide the level of help if it is not found in their database. But I just couldn't understand how come the first guy was so fast in telling me the configuration and so detailed but then this guy just couldn't tell me. He did not even seem to understand what is windowsupdate. When I told him I am trying to perform windowsupdate, he asked me what OS I am trying to upgrade from WindowsXP SP2. Oh my goodness! Going to windowsupdate is not to upgrade an OS but rather is to apply patches isn't it? He just kept on telling me am I able to connect to the internet and surf and kept explaining to me how to connect to the internet despite me telling him YES I can surf but just not the windowsupdate. I just need to know how to set the MTU setting like what the first officer guided me. I was fed up. In the end, I asked him if he knew what is MTU. But he just kept telling me Singnet don't provide this support and end up teaching me how to connect to the internet again.

My reply to his "service" is this.
"For your reference, MTU stands for Maximum Transmission Unit. As a technical support officer, one should not restrict himself to just what Singnet database offers you. He needs to know more than that because any problems can be asked by any customers and he needs to be ready to troubleshoot. If you really don't understand what MTU is then you should transfer this call to someone more knowledgeable than you."

From my elder brother, he has a friend who used to work as a Singnet customer service officer. That friend is only ITE graduate. IMHO, I feel this position should at least demand a Diploma holder.

What an experience!

Windows Update Woes Again!!!

Cannot work at home!
Don't know what happened.

Friday, November 18, 2005

Windows Update Woes

Yesterday, I formatted my laptop and re-installed WinXP. I applied SP2 and installed NAV 2003. But then I end up not able to perform Windows update. WindowsUpdate.log shows download failed for some crucial *.cab files which really puzzled me. HOSTS file is not tampered but then I just cannot contact windowsupdate.com. I tried whatever possibilities on the internet to troubleshoot but to no avail. I am now a serious windowsupdate troubleshooter. Below are 2 postings made by 2 gurus.

Extract 1 - MowGreen [MVP 2003-2006] from microsoft.public.windowsupdate newsgroup
Open Internet Options in the Control Panel. If you're NOT running a proxy server, click the Connections tab.

Click the LAN Settings button. If any boxes are checked there, UNcheck them. Click OK.

Click the Advanced tab. Scroll down to HTTP 1.1 settings. UNcheck the box next to " Use HTTP 1.1 through proxy connections ".
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Under Java ( or Microsoft VM ) which java package is installed ?
If the Java (Sun) JRE is installed make sure that the box next to it is checked. If the Microsoft VM is installed, make sure that the JIT compiler for virutal machine is enabled.
If BOTH are installed, uncheck the Microsoft VM boxes and make sure that the Java (Sun) " Use JRE .. " is checked. Click Apply, OK to make the setting stick.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

IF that doesn't resolve the issue, try reregistering these files.
Go to Start, Run, type in

regsvr32 softpub.dll

Press Enter or click OK.
Do the same for :

Wintrust.dll, Initpki.dll, Dssenh.dll, Rsaenh.dll, Gpkcsp.dll, Sccbase.dll, Slbcsp.dll, Mssip32.dll, and Cryptdlg.dll

If that doesn't resolve the issue, download and install Windows Script 5.6 for XP/Win 2K :
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=C717D943-7E4B-4622-86EB-95A22B832CAA&displaylang=en
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other possible causes could be Norton Internet Security, an entry in the HOSTS file that has a static IP address for Windows Update, or a security program ( popup and/or script blocker, or Bugmenot,etc. ) that is blocking access to downloading from WU.


Extract 2 - Wisut Pisitsangkakul, a Support Professional from Microsoft Customer Service and Support (South East Asia) - EXCELLENT! Replied within 1 business day
To troubleshoot the issue ,kindly follow the steps given below.

Regarding " Windows Update Error Number : 0x80072EFF ".

We would suggest you to follow the given steps:

1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type "Notepad"
4. Copy and paste all the data into the notepad file
5. Save the file as solution.bat (You may save it on the desktop)
6. Close all running applications and disconnect from Internet and
Network.
7. Double click the file solution.bat

Copy the data between the lines
************************************************************************************
************************************************************************************
regsvr32 comcat.dll /s
regsvr32 shdoc401.dll /s
regsvr32 shdoc401.dll /i /s
regsvr32 asctrls.ocx /s
regsvr32 oleaut32.dll /s
regsvr32 shdocvw.dll /I /s
regsvr32 shdocvw.dll /s
regsvr32 browseui.dll /s
regsvr32 browseui.dll /I /s
regsvr32 msrating.dll /s
regsvr32 mlang.dll /s
regsvr32 hlink.dll /s
regsvr32 mshtmled.dll /s
regsvr32 urlmon.dll /s
regsvr32 plugin.ocx /s
regsvr32 sendmail.dll /s
regsvr32 scrobj.dll /s
regsvr32 mmefxe.ocx /s
regsvr32 corpol.dll /s
regsvr32 jscript.dll /s
regsvr32 msxml.dll /s
regsvr32 imgutil.dll /s
regsvr32 thumbvw.dll /s
regsvr32 cryptext.dll /s
regsvr32 rsabase.dll /s
regsvr32 inseng.dll /s
regsvr32 iesetup.dll /i /s
regsvr32 cryptdlg.dll /s
regsvr32 actxprxy.dll /s
regsvr32 dispex.dll /s
regsvr32 occache.dll /s
regsvr32 occache.dll /i /s
regsvr32 iepeers.dll /s
regsvr32 urlmon.dll /i /s
regsvr32 cdfview.dll /s
regsvr32 webcheck.dll /s
regsvr32 mobsync.dll /s
regsvr32 pngfilt.dll /s
regsvr32 licmgr10.dll /s
regsvr32 icmfilter.dll /s
regsvr32 hhctrl.ocx /s
regsvr32 inetcfg.dll /s
regsvr32 tdc.ocx /s
regsvr32 MSR2C.DLL /s
regsvr32 msident.dll /s
regsvr32 msieftp.dll /s
regsvr32 xmsconf.ocx /s
regsvr32 ils.dll /s
regsvr32 msoeacct.dll /s
regsvr32 inetcomm.dll /s
regsvr32 msdxm.ocx /s
regsvr32 dxmasf.dll /s
regsvr32 l3codecx.ax /s
regsvr32 acelpdec.ax /s
regsvr32 mpg4ds32.ax /s
regsvr32 voxmsdec.ax /s
regsvr32 danim.dll /s
regsvr32 Daxctle.ocx /s
regsvr32 lmrt.dll /s
regsvr32 datime.dll /s
regsvr32 dxtrans.dll /s
regsvr32 dxtmsft.dll /s
regsvr32 WEBPOST.DLL /s
regsvr32 WPWIZDLL.DLL /s
regsvr32 POSTWPP.DLL /s
regsvr32 CRSWPP.DLL /s
regsvr32 FTPWPP.DLL /s
regsvr32 FPWPP.DLL /s
regsvr32 WUAPI.DLL /s
regsvr32 WUAUENG.DLL /s
regsvr32 ATL.DLL /s
regsvr32 WUCLTUI.DLL /s
regsvr32 WUPS.DLL /s
regsvr32 WUWEB.DLL /s
regsvr32 wshom.ocx /s
regsvr32 wshext.dll /s
regsvr32 vbscript.dll /s
regsvr32 scrrun.dll mstinit.exe /setup /s
regsvr32 msnsspc.dll /SspcCreateSspiReg /s
regsvr32 msapsspc.dll /SspcCreateSspiReg /s
regsvr32 /s urlmon.dll
regsvr32 /s mshtml.dll
regsvr32 /s shdocvw.dll
regsvr32 /s browseui.dll
regsvr32 /s jscript.dll
regsvr32 /s vbscript.dll
regsvr32 /s scrrun.dll
regsvr32 /s msxml.dll
regsvr32 /s actxprxy.dll
regsvr32 /s softpub.dll
regsvr32 /s wintrust.dll
regsvr32 /s dssenh.dll
regsvr32 /s rsaenh.dll
regsvr32 /s gpkcsp.dll
regsvr32 /s sccbase.dll
regsvr32 /s slbcsp.dll
regsvr32 /s cryptdlg.dll
regsvr32 /s schannel.dll
regsvr32 /s oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 /s ole32.dll
regsvr32 /s shell32.dll
regsvr32 /s initpki.dll
regsvr32 /s msscript.ocx
regsvr32 /s dispex.dll
regsvr32 jscript.dll /s
del %temp% /Q /F
del c:\wutemp /Q /F
net stop wuauserv
ren %windir%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old
cd /d %windir%\SoftwareDistribution
rd /s DataStore /Q
regsvr32 wuapi.dll /s
regsvr32 wups.dll /s
regsvr32 wuaueng.dll /s
regsvr32 wucltui.dll /s
regsvr32 wuweb.dll /s
regsvr32 msxml.dll /s
regsvr32 msxml2.dll /s
regsvr32 msxml3.dll /s
regsvr32 urlmon.dll /s
net start wuauserv

------------------------------------------------------------
If the issue remains, please try the next steps in Suggestion 1:

Suggestion 1:
************
This error occurs if the Internet connection or configuration is
preventing access

to the Windows Update site. We will need to disable the proxy for your
computer.

1. Start Internet Explorer
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options
3. Click the Connections tab.
4. Click LAN Settings
5. Clear the Use a proxy server for your LAN check box.
6. Click OK.
7. Close Internet Explorer.

Restart Windows and try accessing the windows update site. If the issue
still
exists, please try the next set of instructions in Suggestion 2.

Suggestion 2:
************
This error may also occur if one or more of the following services are
disabled or
not running. We will therefore RESET Background Intelligent Transfer
Service and
the Automatic Updates service.

1. Click Start --) select Run. In the Run box, type "services.msc"
Click OK.
2. Find the Background Intelligent Transfer Service. Right-click on it
and select "Properties".
3. Click on Stop and then again click on Start. In the Startup Type
list, make sure that "Automatic" is selected. Click OK.
4. Similarly find Automatic Updates service, then right-click on it and
select Properties.
5. Click on Stop and then again click on Start. In the Startup Type
list, make sure that "Automatic" is selected. Click OK
6. Close the Services window

[Please note that if the service is already started the "Start" button
will be grayed out. In this case "Stop" the service and then "Start" it
again. On the other hand if the service is not running, the "Stop"
button will be grayed out. In this case "Start" the service]

Once we have reset the two services, please access the Windows update
site and check if the issue is resolved. If the issue remains, please
try the next steps in Suggestion 3 .


Suggestion 3
***********
This issue also occurs due to security settings in Internet Explorer.
Let's change the security settings applied to your system. This can be
done by performing the following steps.

Add Windows Update to the Trusted Sites Zone:
--------------------------------------------------
Add Windows Update to the list of Trusted Site Zones. Security settings
in Internet Explorer must be set to Medium or lower for ActiveX files
to correctly pass to your computer. Only the Web sites listed in
Internet Explorer's Trusted Sites Zone will be affected by the lowering of
Security settings. Your current security settings for all other Web sites
will remain as they are currently configured.

1. From the main toolbar in Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then
click Internet Options.
2. Click Security.
3. Click Trusted Sites Zone.
4. Click Sites.
5. Clear the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this
zone check box.
6. Use the Add button next to the Add this Web site to the zone box to
add the following sites:

http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
https://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://download.windowsupdate.com

7. Click OK.

As a Web Developer

I have land myself a job as a Web Developer with salary after CPF deduction at S$2,400 and rejected a job offer. The rejected job offer is a Software Engineer position at S$2,300 but before CPF deduction. I will start work on 3rd Jan 2006 but it is only 3 months contract. I wouldn't mind for the attractive salary.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Smurf Goodnight Song

***********
Try to sleep now, close your eyes
Soon the birds would stop singing
Twinkling stars, are shining bright
They'll be watching you all night

All the things, you enjoy
On this beautiful day
All your friends, all your toys
will be waiting for you to play

"Mr moonlight will come bring you dreams
As soon as the lights are out
And tomorrow you must tell me
what those dreams were all about"

Try to sleep now, close your eyes
Try to think of tomorrow
All of us wish you good night
So I'm switching off the lights

One more hug, one more smile
Kiss you once, kiss you twice
I'll be here for a while
Try to sleep now and close your eyes

GOOD NIGHT!
***********

For you all to enjoy.
http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~eckman/misc/ascii/ascii/smurf


Too bad I lost the mp3.

YouTube version:

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Custom Misfortune

I made a trip to JB last Thursday to buy 2 return train tickets from KL. At the counter, a train on its way back to Singapore arrived. I decided to buy ticket for that train to return to Singapore. Everything was in a rush and I was the last passenger for that train. I quickly bought the 2 tickets from KL-JB and 1 ticket for that just-arrived train back Singapore. I rushed to get my ticket punched and hopped onto the train. None of the JB immigration officers stopped me to have my passport checked. They just let me pass them. On the train, I realized I forgot to have my passport stamped to prove my exit from JB! I made a call to Regine and she advised me to go back to JB custom and have my passport stamped to avoid future problems. I reached Singapore-Woodlands arrival hall, had my bag scanned, made my way to Singapore-Woodlands departure hall again, exit Singapore, and then finally reached JB custom again. This time the queue was a lot longer than earlier. When it's my turn, I explained to the immigrant officer that the officers from the train departure side forgot to stamp my passport. He understood my problem and allowed me to pass through and enter JB. I made my way straight to JB exit point again and had my passport stamped at last. This time, I had to leave for Singapore by bus along the heavily congested causeway and not on a train because the next-bound train would only be coming in an hour's time. All in all, I had wasted about 2 hours for the mistake I made.

Popular Posts