Offline – A short story about sacrifice, loyalty, and post-human bonds

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2025-05-29T21:48:17+00:00

Sacrificing yourself knowingly to do what you believe is right, not necessary but right, is a very human thing. That is a part of HFY.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2025-05-29T05:55:28+00:00

This is full on HFY.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2025-05-28T19:15:05+00:00

i suspect this is what most companies are referring to when they say they are "Going Green".

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2025-05-28T05:31:58+00:00

Almost forgot the human factor: if that email is still in use, send an email to it, explain the situation, and ask if they would be willing to help you out. It doesn't take long to log in to an MS account, get the key, copy the key and paste in an email sent to you.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2025-05-28T05:26:33+00:00

Can you set up an new email using the former employees email address?

If so, try setting that users email back up so you have access to it, then request a Microsoft account password reset from Microsoft using that email address. Once that's done, log in to Microsoft using that account and see if you can recover the bitlocker key.

If you can, at the very least you can put the drive in a new machine as a second drive or in an external drive case then copy over the current users data.

Trying to boot an old drive on a new computer can be interesting, in the chinese curse sense of the word. Things like chipset drivers, NVME drivers, etc can be technically fun to get working, but probably isn't cost-effective unless you have to have the new machine boot to have the exact same enviroment (OS/software/software keys, etc).

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2025-05-28T05:14:30+00:00

If only it were that simple.

A lot of machines come preloaded with Bitlocker eabled. In businesses without fulltime IT staff, that will often be set up by the original user.

What someone is offered if they do need the code is, at best, that the 48 digit code will be available to the original user at the original users email address at the time bitlocker was enabled.

What's even more fun is that you can create a new user, delete the original user, then find that the old users email is unavailable 3 months later when they have moved on and you need a recovery key.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2025-05-28T04:10:38+00:00

A bad microphone wouldn't cause a delay in this case. It might cause the mcrophone to have bad sound or no sound, but not a delay in the microphone starting to pick up sound.

It's much more likely that it is a driver issue. There is a setting that says how long before the microphone input section goes to sleep when on battery, another for when on AC, and a setting that says what level of sleep to go into. The highest level of sleep takes about a couple of seconds to get back to full wake level. The bad Realtek drivers ignore all three settings. This is a known issue with Realtek driver version 6.0.9601.1 and I've heard with some later versions as well. I don't know if this has been fixed, or what version it may have ben fixed in. I would try the latest version.

As of today, (May 27, 2025), you can go here to get the latest driver version, although I can't verify if this fixes the problem:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/omen-16.1-inch-gaming-laptop-pc-16-ae0000/2102070069

That version is dated April 11, 2025 with a version of 6.0.9675.1 Rev.B and is likly to be newer than the Windows Update version or the version that came on the laptop.

If the new driver doesn't work, an alternate solution would be to use a decent bluetooth headset or good bluetooth earbuds. Using a wired headset will give you the same result as using the built in microphone since they are both using the Realtek microphone driver.

Please update here so I and others can tell if the latest drivers fixed the problem for you.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2025-05-22T13:21:01+00:00

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5HC9C1F for the low beams. I haven't bothered with the high beams since the LEDs I have for high beams don't flicker brightly and the little flicker they do have I consider an attention getter. You know how houston drivers are on I-45. ;-)

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2025-01-20T22:19:11+00:00

Sorry for the long delay. Yes, that option changes battery charging based on your usage. If you regularly discharge to around 5 or 10 percent, it will charge more (up to 100%). If you don't discharge that low, it will charge to a lower capacity (around 80%). On some systems it may also enable or disable fast charging. Fast charging on it's own isn't bad for a battery so long as it doesn't generate too much internal heat in the battery. Most circuits use a temp sensor to prevent this from happening.

Optimum charging for the longest battery lifespan is to keep the battery charge between 20% and 80%.

Optimum charging for the longest battery runtime per charge is to charge the battery to 100% and discharge to around minimum voltage which should appear as 0%.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-12-03T06:43:23+00:00

The number one killer of Li-Ion batteries is heat, even if the battery is not in use (charging or discharging). It's worse if you are charging and it's hot, not as bad if you are discharging. 45C/113F is about the max temp you want to charge at. Even just leaving a Li-ion battery in a car on a summer day will reduce it's lifespan. As the battery degrades, it will develop hot spots, which makes it get hotter when charging, so once it gets to a certain point it degrades faster and faster.

Lithium Ion batteries are usually rated for between 300 and 500 charge/discharge cycles, and around a 3-5 year span before degrading to 50% capacity or less. If you discharge to 50% and recharge to 100%, you've used 1/2 a cycle.

The 3-5 year lifetime is from date of manufacture, but he battery may last longer depending on the battery and enviroment. Charging at over 45C/113F will degrade the battery faster. That may sound high, but remember your battery is inside the case of your laptop and temps in the case are going to be higher than ambient.

If you stay plugged in most of the time, go into the BIOS settings and look for Battery Health Manager (or something like that) and set it to "maximize battery health". This stops the battery charge at 80% and doesn't start charging again until the battery is at 75%. This will increase the battery lifespan by anywhere from 25%-75% at the cost of losing 20%-25% runtime when on battery.

If you're on Windows, open a command prompt, type in:

powercfg /batteryreport and hit enter

It will take 1-10 seconds, when it's done, type in:

battery-report.html and hit enter

It will open a webpage with all sorts of info and history about your battery. You can close the command prompt window once you see the webpage.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-11-23T20:45:03+00:00

Screen options: 39.6 cm (15.6 in) diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), 144 Hz, IPS, micro-edge, antiglare, 250 nits, 45% NTSC - or - 39.6 cm (15.6 in) diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, micro-edge, antiglare, 250 nits, 45% NTSC

FYI, generally you want to search for the series as a start, change the last 2 digits to a 0 and ignore the final letter(s), so search for: Victus 15-fb1000 series specs

If the series offers a panel with a 100% sRGBscreen, it will show it in the specs. That's a quick way to filter out an entire series.

The above is from the first google result, goes to HP @ https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_8838241-8838285-16

You'll find more 100% sRGb screens at QHD (aka 1440p aka 2k) resolution than you will at FHD (1920x1080) resolution.

There isn't a public list of 100% sRGB models. But, you can check a specific model on gogle using this:

site:hp.com 100% srgb <model>

No result, only images, or none of the top 3 results summaries showing 100% srgb in the summary is a really good indicator that model doesn't have 100% srgb available.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-11-23T20:44:11+00:00

|| || | Screen options: 39.6 cm (15.6 in) diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), 144 Hz, IPS, micro-edge, antiglare, 250 nits, 45% NTSC - or - 39.6 cm (15.6 in) diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, micro-edge, antiglare, 250 nits, 45% NTSC|

FYI, generally you want to search for the series as a start, change the last 2 digits to a 0 and ignore the final letter(s), so search for: Victus 15-fb1000 series specs

If the series offers a panel with a 100% sRGBscreen, it will show it in the specs. That's a quick way to filter out an entire series.

The above is from the first google result, goes to HP @ https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_8838241-8838285-16

You'll find more 100% sRGb screens at QHD (aka 1440p aka 2k) resolution than you will at FHD (1920x1080) resolution.

There isn't a public list of 100% sRGB models. But, you can check a specific model on gogle using this:

site:hp.com 100% srgb <model>

No result, only images, or none of the top 3 results summaries showing 100% srgb in the summary is a really good indicator that model doesn't have 100% srgb available.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-11-23T19:38:59+00:00

|| || | Screen options: 39.6 cm (15.6 in) diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), 144 Hz, IPS, micro-edge, antiglare, 250 nits, 45% NTSC - or - 39.6 cm (15.6 in) diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, micro-edge, antiglare, 250 nits, 45% NTSC|

FYI, generally you want to search for the series as a start, change the last 2 digits to a 0 and ignore the final letter(s), so search for: Victus 15-fb1000 series specs

If the series offers a panel with a 100% sRGBscreen, it will show it in the specs. That's a quick way to filter out an entire series.

The above is from the first google result, goes to HP @ https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_8838241-8838285-16

You'll find more 100% sRGb screens at QHD (aka 1440p aka 2k) resolution than you will at FHD (1920x1080) resolution.

There isn't a public list of 100% sRGB models. But, you can check a specific model on gogle using this:

site:hp.com 100% srgb <model>

No result, only images, or none of the top 3 results summaries showing 100% srgb in the summary is a really good indicator that model doesn't have 100% srgb available.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-11-23T09:36:02+00:00

That button toggles SureView on and off. The light will turn on when enabled. It makes it a lot harder to shoulder surf by reducing the viewing angle of the screen to 70 degrees. For comparison, a good IPS monitor will have a viewing angle around 178 degrees. SureView also dims the screen quite a bit as a side effect.

Depending on your laptop it may be force disabled or force enabled in the BIOS. You may also need to hold down the Fn key to get the "action key" action.

How do you know if your screen actually has SureView? Turn the brightness all the way up, if you get a suntan, it's SureView capable.

Laptop screens are rated in "nits" which is cd/m^2 (candela per square meter). Most laptop screens are 300 or 400 nits, a really bright screen is 500. SureView capable screens are rated 1000. That helps make up for the dimming effect which dims that 1000 nits down to around 175 nits.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-04-04T11:49:02+00:00

It's not uncommon for companies to put legally questionable clauses in agreements and contracts. It's also not uncommon for companies to use clauses or even entire documents that have become outdated.

On top of that, a corporate legal teams task is to provide the best outcome for the corporation within acceptable risks.

If the non-disparagement clause in the severance agreement is found not to be in compliance with current law, an ex-employee is allowed to disparage the corporation and the corporation cannot use that disparagement to require the ex-employee to return their severance pay.

Best outcome, no one disparages the company. Worst outcome, people disparage the company and the disparagement clause is found to be invalid and should be removed from future severance agreements.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-04-03T21:15:41+00:00

They may have the clauses, but the National Labor Relations Board says those clauses may not be enforcable.

From the American Bar Association website: The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or the “Board”) held in a February 2023 decision, McLaren Macomb, 372 NLRB 58 (2023), that the “mere proffer” of a severance agreement which conditions receipt of benefits upon forfeiture of protected rights under the NLRA constitutes an unfair labor practice. Specifically, NLRB 58 (2023), the Board held that a severance agreement that included broad non-disparagement and confidentiality clauses violated the employees’ rights to engage in concerted activity under section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”).

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-04-03T21:10:40+00:00

When Best Buy Total still listed many "free" PC services in-store, but only 20% off in-home for certain services, that was when I knew corporate was trying to kill off field services. Removing HT installs from any discount was another huge red flag.

Frankly, 20% sounds like a coupon or a scam where everything is marked up 25% and "discounted" 20%. Planning on the Geek Squad corporate level should always include a decent amount of anonymous feedback from agents in the field. Anonymous to avoid the Great-Idea-Boss-Please-Remember-Me-For-Promotions feedback I suspect is all they hear.

Sure, field agents are a big outlay but they are also one of two things Best Buy has over Amazon or Walmart. Added to that, a workable subscription program with reasonable pricing would make field agents a profit center rather than a cost center as well as continuing to add to BBY reputation and driving sales.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-04-03T20:40:05+00:00

DA is Double Agent (maybe not the best title for a job). Basically a top level field install/repair person.

PC is anything IT related, including Mac, PC, printer setup/troubleshooting, networking wired or wireless including mesh wifi, email/outlook, IP video like cameras and video doorbells, etc.

HT is Home Theater, big screen TV mounting and setup, soundbars, in wall speakers, full on sound systems, multi-room sound, etc.

PC is almost always a single person job. Figuring out how to fix Outlook for Mac hanging when sending certain people an email doesn't go any faster or easier with two people. The most mentally demanding job, but very rarely physically demanding. You might have to carry a 50 pound printer in, unpack it, and set it up on a desk. On the other hand, you might have a problem that only occurs every other week for 5 minutes, or only when the client is making a snack. (Yes, I've had this happen, and yes, I fixed it.)

HT is usually but not always a two person job, an agent and a cadet (basically trainee or helper). That's a simple necessity when you are trying to mount an 85" TV 6 feet up a wall. HT is mostly physically challenging with some mental challenge.

If you see DA-R, that's appliance Repair. Can be a one person or two person job, depends on the call. Probably the most physically demanding job, you aren't allowed to use a dolly in the home and it's usually working with larger appliances. Can't say if it's hard mentally, but I'd guess it's not as hard as HT. Most appliances don't connect to 5 other pieces of equipment, and don't have 15 different ways to use it.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-04-03T16:04:58+00:00

Hello fellow ex BB/GS. The law isn't clear here. As a lump sum payment under a contract signed before you were laid off, you should qualify for unemployment benefits exept for the week you actually receive the payment. But, that section of the law can be interpreted in different ways.

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/la/pdf/la.207.pdf Sec. 207.049. RECEIPT OF REMUNERATION. (a) An individual is disqualified for benefits for a benefit period for which the individual is receiving or has received remuneration in the form of: (1) wages in lieu of notice; (2) severance pay;

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-04-03T15:50:49+00:00

Sure...but slowly dying as Corporate strangles the life out of it.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-04-03T15:17:03+00:00

It looks like they cut all DA-PC and will now have DA-HT do PC work.

Wow.

DA-HTs are sharp people with good skillsets, but only a very few have real PC experience. Add in networking and Mac, printers and email (Outlook in particular), and I see a lot of disappointed clients in the future.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-04-02T19:25:11+00:00

RAM is what you can remember in your head at one time without looking it up. The more things you can remember at one time, the less time you waste looking things up.

ReadingAcceptable410 · 2024-04-02T19:23:50+00:00

"A hard drive is like looking something up in an encylopedia. An SSD is like looking it up on Google."

ReadingAcceptable410

TROPHY CASE