Subsidence.

09:44.42 - Friday 31st October 2003   (Link to This Entry)

Since I got back, bright red, from Spain I've been suffering with severe itching centred mainly around my left shoulder but generally anywhere from the manboobs upwards. It generally occurrs on a nighttime but can start - as it is now - just about any time of the day. The sensation is not unlike someone tapping my skin with pins - it's really not nice.

Thankfully it's been easing up ever since I had an early night (10pm) on Wednesday, and since then it's been a doddle to get to sleep. I hope that it's going to disappear completely and that I can put this painful episode behind me - we shall see.

Apache and PHP. Dead Box.

09:51.17 - Friday 31st October 2003   (Link to This Entry)

I've installed Apache on my laptop alongside IIS and have been trying to get PHP to work. No such luck! The idea is to allow me to develop locally rather than publishing to the webserver - with all of the associated DreamWeaver FTP fun that entails - which will increase development speed and generally make life easier.

But I'm running into problems when it actually comes to installing PHP - every time I try I follow the instructions to the letter and wind up with an Apache installation that won't start. This happens for both Apache and Apache2 and it's pretty much driving me bonkers. Heaven knows what installing MySQL is going to do to my sanity!

I also have a dead PC to look at some time today. When switched on from stone cold it will boot and get as far as the POST screen before the screen goes blank and it halts in it's tracks. There are no warning bleeps or signals of any kind, just a black screen with the internal fans purring away. Thankfully it's a Slot-A Athlon system, so I can simply swap bits with my desktop until I narrow it down - my money is on either the CPU or the graphics card.

All that, plus plenty more work to do. Better get on with it I guess!

Busted Mobo

11:50.33 - Friday 31st October 2003   (Link to This Entry)

Well it turns out that it was neither the CPU or the graphics, but the mainboard that was fried on this other machine. Acouting through eBay for parts revealed that, seriously, it just wasn't worth buyin a replacement when, for an extra £30, he could have a brand new Socket A board with an Athlon XP1700 and stonking great heatsink.

The owner will still be able to use his graphics card, sound card and PC133 memory on it but it has DIMM slots and onboard sound as well as well, so it's pretty good for future upgrades. There was a moment of unease when I saw the size of the heatsink but I think it'll fit without problems. Roll on Wednesday.

All present and correct, Sah! / In Hiding.

23:32.58 - Friday 31st October 2003   (Link to This Entry)

Woah, seems my laptop has decided to have a bout of 'being good' and my efforts this afternoon cumulated in a successful installation of Apache, PHP, MySQL and phpMyAdmin. All working. All working flawlessly. And this despite having to share the HD with IIS - woah!

I retired to the back room again because it's that night of the year when we get kids banging on doors begging. Yes, folks, All Hallows Eve is upon us once again and once again I've completely ignoring anyone who knocked on the door from about 1600 onwards. Peace and Goodwill to all men! Especially me!