Practical Technology

Just a place to note what I'd like to do over the life of the car.  At the end of the car's life, would be a great deal of fun to convert it to a V8, but for the sake of fuel economy, a turbo-four will always do better.  L/100 is completely relevant and important since we have a car budget, not a money tree. Phase 1 Make car reliable and safe, bring maintenance schedule into line.  Fix oil leaks.  Fix rust. Phase 2 Go MS!!  Get MS3x incl. GM IAT, MAP, WBO2. ~$1000 Phase 3 Gauges, additional sensors. ~$500 Phase 4 Find a donor car - 2001-2005, swap over drivetrain! ~$1000-2000 Old ideas... Phase 1 Make the car 100% reliable and safe, bring maintenance schedule into line.  Get a feel for what 'normal' is (compression test/leakdown test).  Fix the rust issues (DIY).  Additional undercoating?  Fix oil leaks. (Pretty sure rear main is leaking again...do dye test) Phase 2 Remove weak points such as the differential, ECU, in...

Before you even start with your BizTalk 2010 configuration (not the same thing as the install), you need MSDTC communicating perfectly with the BizTalk SQL server. Environment specs: Server 2008R2 SP1, deployed from VMware template, SID not changed Cmd: msdtc -install Add application server role, all DTC options Set MSDTC service to auto Start MSDTC service If you deviate from that, MSDTC will never work.  This can probably be applied to anything using MSDTC, but can't guarantee that. If you just install the application server role and DTC options - MSDTC WILL NOT WORK.  It will appear to, but you'll be chasing ghosts. If you are already in that position, follow these steps: Remove app server role and DTC options. cmd: msdtc -uninstall Remove reg entries around MSDTC (see the first link under 'Sources') Reboot Follow steps above. I spent a long time figuring this out, hope it helps someone else. You can test using the following Microsoft...

Fix from here:   http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1978519#r35738525 via  http://communities.vmware.com/thread/419232 Using the 2012 box you're trying to install vCenter 5.1 on, go t o HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\vpxd Open the DependOnService key and r emove ProtectedStorage from the list Ensure the vCenter Server and WebMgmt services are using domain logons Reboot Start the vCenter Server service - will take a bit, but will work Re-run JUST the vCenter install for it to complete successfully I spent several head-scratching hours trying to figure this out, now working like a charm.

You know...like how people say 'nice rimz, yo'.  I'd only say that if person in question was running deep dish or polished lip...and even then inwardly cringe/giggle insanely. Finally sourced some spring/summer/fall wheels off my favourite shop, Kijiji (been searching "rota 15" for a month or so now). Rota Slipstreams in 15x6.5", Full Royal Sport Bronze (FRSB), +40ET.  The pic does not do the colour justice...looks great in person, more 'bronzey' (as if to say, darker/richer in colouring).  Great price, too. I am extra pleased with this acquisition because these wheels have been on my 'if I ever get a set of wheels' list since they came out.  I was working at Wheels Direct in Scarborough way back in the day (ca.2001-2?) and the Slipstream and Sub-Zero wheels came in from Rota.  Lightweight and reasonably priced...they also came in bronze and flat-black, two of my favourite wheel finishes (Subaru gold STI wheels are another of my favs). ...

Finally...a non-Miata post. Had a devil of a time trying to get Hyper-V 2012 installed on one of our spare servers (HP DL360 G5).  Was installing from a DVD (iLO was not online originally) and using a USB key for the Qlogic drivers.  iSCSI HBA is a Qlogic 4062c. Note this was an ESX 3.5 host when I started. The error: "We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one. For more information, see the Setup log files." Googling around gave me options...here is the order I tried them in: Boot off physical DVD, load drivers from USB Deleted old ESX partitions Got error Use repair function to clean drive and create/assign a new partition Got error Use the HP update DVD to bring firmware/BIOS up to date Got error Use iLO DVD image and USB key drivers (this was silly) Got error Checked inside server to ensure no USB devices plugged in (there were none) Removed USB key, attached USB key to PC, then to server via iLO as virtual device Got error Use...

Foiled!!  The stainless lines the last guy put on the car will only fit 16" wheels...not OEM 14" wheels... Arlington Mazda is getting a lot of business from me, especially with the local dealer asking $56 PER brake flex line.  Criminy.  Even with shipping/tax it's still way cheaper to get it from them - considering I needed another few bits and pieces. Anyways...have to wait for this order to come through. Also, the Miata was too low for the mechanic to get it onto his alignment hoist...needs 4.5" of clearance...best I can do is 4.25".  The 14" tires will raise that up 0.5" or so, but still.  Winter will be interesting.  Might be a good idea to remove the front lip! So what with the whole...wheels not fitting thing...I have time to find a proper alignment shop - this guy was just a local mechanic.  Nice guy, honest, but not quite what I'm looking for.

It was a lot of fun, mixed with a lot of labour, and a little frustration (silly exhaust system). Would I do it again?  Absolutely.  Would I do it again next week?  Ah, no.  Maybe next year. I think the most fun was all the new things I got to do: Using an engine hoist to remove a functional engine/trans from my daily driver Changing a clutch/flywheel Bleeding the clutch system (thank you, 949racing!) Now knowing how to bleed the brake system Putting a valve cover gasket on (we'll see how the sealant works out) Removing suspension from a car I was promised required two people to do...by myself :) (yay leverage) The planning/reading was enjoyable as well. I think the worst part of the job was trying (and failing) to get the exhaust unbolted.  Pretty sure it'll need to be cut out whenever that job comes up - stripped one of the cat bolts using the impact gun (the other one came out fine :S ).  Wasn't even going to attempt the header->dow...