Fix-it: iPhone “Sync Session Could Not Be Started”
Well this past weekend I ran into a rather confusing problem which I did manage to resolve, however, I'm not sure exactly how I resolved it nor what really caused ...
Tip: Snapping a MacBook Pro or PowerBook Upper Case Back Together
I have, over the years, cracked open a few PowerBooks and MacBook Pros, either to change a DVD drive or to upgrade the Hard Drive. My latest upgrade I did ...
HTD Tech Tip #4: How to Organize Tech Manuals and Documents
Have you ever been searching for a receipt for some sort of a gadget or tech device that you purchased? What about trying to remember what was covered under ...
Slingbox PRO-HD: Initial Setup
So by now you have gone through the Slingbox Pre-installation tasks of setting up your network (wired, wireless or over the powerlines) and you have checked through the box to ...
HTD Tech Tip #3: Security Programs Don’t Always Play Well Together
It's always important, if not critical to have anti-virus & security programs installed on your PC. I'm actually a big fan of the various Security Suites that you can ...
Slingbox PRO-HD: Unboxing and What’s Inside
Unboxing is always the most fun when you get a new gadget. Since I just love getting new devices, I frequently find myself in the position of either being ...
Slingbox PRO HD: Pre-Installation - setting up your network
So, you are thinking about getting the new Slingbox PRO HD. Trust me, it's a great decision. The PRO HD transforms any computer in your network or even remotely ...
HTD Tech Tip #2 - Be nice to your IT resource!
Being nice to someone should go without saying. So why is it that people seem to forget this when they need technology help? Is it that people consider Tech ...
Fix-it: iPhone “Sync Session Could Not Be Started”
Well this past weekend I ran into a rather confusing problem which I did manage to resolve, however, I’m not sure exactly how I resolved it nor what really caused it. I have some ideas on both the cause and resolution so I will try to work through those here. This all came when I tried to sync my iPhone to iTunes (on my Mac). I plugged it in and it started to sync and I got the rather cryptic error message (image below) saying: “iTunes could not sync <item>to the iPhone ‘<insert iPhone name>’ because a sync session could not be started.” For me, the <item> was my Bookmarks, supposedly, but in the end, it was Contacts as well.
Tip: Snapping a MacBook Pro or PowerBook Upper Case Back Together
I have, over the years, cracked open a few PowerBooks and MacBook Pros, either to change a DVD drive or to upgrade the Hard Drive. My latest upgrade I did was to put a 320 GB Hard Drive in my MacBook Pro. I actually got pretty quick at it as I had to do it a couple of times. There are some fantastic guides on how to perform “surgery” on your various Macs over at iFixIt. Their guides are clearly walk through the steps needed to perform the upgrade or part swap. Complete with pictures, tools and parts required, screws used and instructions, these guides are critical if you are performing any work on your Mac.
They are, however, missing one thing (at least the ones that I used), the instructions on how to put things back together. Most of the guides end with phrases similar to “just follow the steps in reverse order to reassemble.” Usually, this is great. I use an egg carton to hold my screws. On each step in the instructions when screws are removed, I write a number down on the instructions and a corresponding number on the egg carton. Putting things back together is usually pretty straight forward.
HTD Tech Tip #4: How to Organize Tech Manuals and Documents
Have you ever been searching for a receipt for some sort of a gadget or tech device that you purchased? What about trying to remember what was covered under the warrantee? And if you are like me, you have manuals stored in random drawers or bookcases. Do you even know where that big screen TV manual is at? Nowadays, with the Internet, you can get documentation and warrantee information at the manufacturer’s site. However, if your device is quite a few years old, it might be a bit of a challenge to find them on those sites.
Here are some simple thing that you can do to keep track of all of your important manuals and documents of your tech devices. Unless you are incredibly well organized and have files for all of your appliances and devices, you probably have manuals floating around drawers and bookcases or in boxes in the garage. Here are a few little tricks that I do that will save you from having to hunt for those pesky missing receipts and documents:
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Slingbox PRO-HD: Initial Setup
So by now you have gone through the Slingbox Pre-installation tasks of setting up your network (wired, wireless or over the powerlines) and you have checked through the box to be sure that you know what connectors you need and how to use them. Let’s take a look at the steps of setting up and configuring your Slingbox PRO-HD for the first time. The following screenshots and setup steps come from a Windows Vista Ultimate box that has a wired connection to the Slingbox.
Before you go into the setup, here are some quick recommendations. These aren’t critical and are things that you might want to consider.
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HTD Tech Tip #3: Security Programs Don’t Always Play Well Together
It’s always important, if not critical to have anti-virus & security programs installed on your PC. I’m actually a big fan of the various Security Suites that you can get that come with all of the different types of protection packaged together (firewall, anti-virus, ant-spyware, anti-malware, anti-spam, etc.). With the all-in-one package, you don’t have to worry about compatibility. There are still some purists out there who piece together different programs (there are several great free firewall/anti-virus/anti-spyware programs out there), but those people who do opt for their own “security suite” run the risk of incompatibilities.
Every year, the Security Software companies update their protection programs to the next version (it seems like the next year’s version is always out in the 4th Quarter of the year before) and then start discounting these new versions right around the holidays (which I don’t quite get, “Look Honey, instead of that ring you wanted, here is a 3-seat anti-virus program. Who loves you!”). It is good to stay current with your security programs; I recommend upgrading to “next year’s version” when you can. Be sure to check the licensing to see if when you buy a 2-3 year license that it includes all future versions/upgrades as well.
Slingbox PRO-HD: Unboxing and What’s Inside
Unboxing is always the most fun when you get a new gadget. Since I just love getting new devices, I frequently find myself in the position of either being torn between ripping open the packaging and quickly setting up what ever the new technology (much like a kid), or that of being a more rational adult, one that realizes that I have to take box shots and product shots as I go so that I can carefully document the process. For me, a sign of a product that interests me is one where I just can’t wait to be the kid. In this case, I couldn’t wait to get my Slingbox going!
Packaging has become more and more important to manufacturers, it seems. The clear winner, in my opinion, of beauty in packaging is Apple. They have a simplicity and elegance that is often copied but usually these attempts are not equal to and definitely not better than what Apple has mastered. To me, product packages should have the following requirements:
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Slingbox PRO HD: Pre-Installation - setting up your network
So, you are thinking about getting the new Slingbox PRO HD. Trust me, it’s a great decision. The PRO HD transforms any computer in your network or even remotely an extension of your media center but more about the Slingbox PRO HD feature set later. There is something critical to having a Slingbox though that it cannot exist without, namely a good reliable network connection.
A Slingbox is a quite simple product conceptually. It basically sits between a component (e.g., Cable Box, Tivo, Dish or DirecTV receiver, DVD player, etc) and a TV. It also has an internet pipe where it sends the signal that is captured. The quality of the video signal coming from your Slingbox depends on the speed and quality of the connection to it. There are two connections to think about: LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network). If you are going to be viewing your Slingbox stream within the network of your home, you will be using the LAN. If you will be watching your Slingbox content remotely (e.g., from work), you will be using the WAN. The Slingbox software does the magic of connecting you whether you are 100 feet from your Slingbox or 100 miles. It just works.
