Cannot Reinstall Windows 7’s iTune

10 January 2020

Important Note:  Always backup the Registry using "System Restore" before meddling around with the PC.

One might come across this problem. iTune stopped working and re-installation stuck with this error message:

After that, no matter what we do, we are always stuck with this error message. Trying to do the following as recommended by many will not work as well:

1. Uuninstalling iTune or Bonjour Services or deleting the iTune folder from the PC or LapTop;

2. Re-istalling the Windows Installer or update to the latest version;

3. Doing “System Restore” without any success;

4. Repairing the Operating System using System Inastallation Disk;

5. Registering and unregistering Windows Installer, msiexe.exe;

6. Uninstalling all other Apple device including Bonjour;

7. Playing around with the Registry keys by removing iTune and Apple related products.

At the stage of almost trying to recover the Windows 7 installation, this solution popped up.

What that Solution?

It is actually a solution offered by Microsoft.   It said it will fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed.  Here is the program to download.

Just follow the instructions given by the program. The program is safe to use. It will helps one to repair program installation and uninstallation issues. It will also fix corrupted registry keys.

Should the above fix does not solve the issue,  try to restore the PC back to its original state using "System Restore". 

What could be Wrong?

There was no specific explanation about what was preventing iTune from re-installation. Microsoft only said that the program that fix such issues will fix the following issues

• Corrupted registry keys on 64-bit operating systems that control the update data;
• Prevented new programs from being installed;

• Prevented existing programs from being completely uninstalled or updated;

• Blocked one from uninstalling a program using "Programs and Features" in Control Panel.

What need to do after the fix

Uninstall all Apple Software, reinstall iTunes or iCloud for Windows.

The Missing IPhone Folder in PC's Explorer

5 January 2020

The IPhone folder is always there in the PC’s Explorer when I plug the IPhone using the lightning cable. The other day, the folder disappeared suddenly. It disappeared when I was trying to change the default program for IPhone’s picture JPG. This led me to a witch hunt thinking there was something wrong the PC.

What Happened?

When the folder was missing, I unplugged and replugged the IPhone cable many times. The PC would always acknowledged the connection with a sound. The only problem was there was no IPhone folder found in the Explorer’s screen.

The Symptom

The following were the observations:

1. There was no “Portable Devices” folder shown up in the PC’s Device Manager

 

2. While unplugging the IPhone, the "Portable Devices" would pop up momentary. It would show that “Apple IPhone” was not connected. Soon after, the folder would disappear

3. Deleting the “Apple IPhone” before it disappeared would change it to “MTP USB Device”. Deleting "MTP USB Device” again would need one to reinstall this driver at each IPhone plug-in. But, it would always fail to install each time.

What was Suspected?  What was done?

The immediate reaction was to assume that something was wrong with the PC. The drivers or the Operating System might have been corrupted. There were many such incidents reported before.

Tried almost every “tricks” found in the Net. These include uninstalling the iTune and Apple Mobil Device software. Also carried out Registry keys modifications, MTP and Apple USB drivers reinstallation. This witch hunts went for 2 days. None of the “Tricks” worked.

There was even a thought coming up to re-install the Operation System or to do a System Restore.

How It was Solved?

Thinking out of the box, I connected my old OPPO Android Phone to try out if it was the PC's fault. To my surprise, this old OPPO Android Phone was connected to the PC without any hitch. Finally, a simple “Slide to Power Off” and then “Power on” on the IPhone solved the  problem.

Take Aways

1. Like any human dispute, never assume that the 1st party (in this case the PC) is at fault. This was despite the fault occurred when I was fiddling around with the PC;

2. Always find a 3rd party (in this case the OPPO Android Phone) to confirm whose is at fault;

3. Last but the lest, never depend only on “gossips” from the Net to get your problem solve. Always think out of the box.

Making an I/O Back Plate for PC MotherBoard

2 January 2020

For those who swap their PC’s motherboards will find their motherboards sometimes come without a I/O Back Plate. They might have bought these motherboards from the “Market Place” or Carousel. They might find an old motherboard  from their junk storage. Trying to get a similar back plate will not only be costly but also not easy. The solution is to make one.

What you will need?

1. A top cover of a clear plastic box that measures 180x180, enough to make 2 plates

2. A sharp scissor

3. A fine point marker pen and Scotch tape

4. A ruler

5. A sharp pen knife or high speed drill such as Dremel drill

Step by Step

1. Cut out a piece plastic sheet, measuring 10 mm larger than the I/O window. For example, if the I/O windows is 150 x 50 mm, cut a plastic sheet of about 170 x 70 mm;

2. Mount the motherboard inside the PC case together with the clear plastic sheet. Making sure the hole of the motherboard is about in line with the mounting screws;   Fix the plastic sheet in position using the Scotch tape.

3. Mark out the holes of the various ports using the ruler and the marker as the tools. Double check the positions of each hole marked; use cotton stick with thinner to clean up the edges and mistakes

4. Dismount the plastic sheet and cut the hole out using the penknife or the Dremel drill

5. Mount the plastic sheet to the motherboard to check if the holes are in line. If needed be, cut another similar plastic sheet with holes correctly adjusted. One can also make use of paper to cut a temple first to match the holes of the port. This will save having to cut another plastic sheet.

6. Roughen up the inner surface with sand paper and pray paint the plastic sheet with beautiful colour to decorate the plastic sheet  if necessary.

The Dreadful Few Seconds Captured by a CCTV at Lucky Plaza, Singapore

This short video of less than 2 minutes showed how the accident at the Lucky Plaza happened on 29 December 2019. The accident killed 2 women and injured 4 others. The video captured the few seconds before the dreadful accident

The Claim Limits of MediShield Life in Singapore

 28 December 2019

The local papers in Singapore reported that Surgery Patients would be able to get higher MediShield Life (MSL) payouts from 1 January 2020. This is because the Ministry of Health (MOH) has raised the MSL's  claim limits. The papers have this similar table to show

 

Confusions

There have been a lot of confusions lately about how much MSL would pay for a medical claim. There were at least 2 Press complaints about the MSL's payout recently.

Many have the perception that they can get MSL to pay 90% of all the medical cost in hospitals They could also have the Government subsidies to defray some of the costs. In many cases, they would never expect the final bills of Public hospital to be higher than the Private hospitals. Some may or may not understand the "deductibles" but this was never a disputable cost item.

Mr. Seow Ban Yam is a 82-year-old Singaporean. He complained about the payout of $4.50 from MSL for his two cataract operations on his eyes. He did the operations at Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) in  2018. This $4.50 payout must be far from his expectation. He went to the Press, inviting active discussions in the  local Forums. Quite sure Mr. Seow was not alone. There must be many other similar cases not reported to the Press.

Perception vs Reality

According to newspaper reports, Mr. Seow’s cataract surgery was around $12,000. His Government subsidy and "deductible" was about $10,500. Adding the cost of hospital stay of $205, the total payable left was around $1,500/=. Mr. Seow expected MSL to pay out $1,300/=.  He  was shock when he received  a payment of only $4.50.  These 2 tables must be what Mr. Seow expected and what MSL had worked out. 

Mr. Seow expected

Item Description	Cost
Surgery Cost	$11,831.00
Subsidy	$7,559.00
Sub Total	$4,272.00
Add Hospital Ward	$205.00
Sub Total	$4,477.00
Less Deductible Paid	$3,000.00
Total Payable	$1,477.00
Cost Sharings	Payment
Patient 10% contribution	$147.70
CPF Life  90%	$1,329.30

MediShield Life worked out

Item Description	Cost
Claim Limits	$2,800.00
Add Hospital Ward	$205.00
Sub Total	$3,005.00
Deductible Paid	$3,000.00
Total Payable	$5.00
Cost Sharings	Payment
Patient 10% contribution	$0.50
CPF Life  90%	$4.50

The above tables assumed that the maximum claim limit of $1,400 has been used for the 2 operation done at the SNEC.

Claim Limit and Government Subsidies Workouts

MOH uses Claim Limits to make premiums affordable for everyone. It also ensure that there will be adequate coverage for almost every claim. MOH reviews the limits on a regular basis. The claim list has been expanded from time to time.

According to research materials, MOH used existing charges in Public and Private hospitals to work out the Limits. The charge covers about 50% to 75% of the patients. They sort out the Surgery Operation according to complexity to fit a Table of 7 shown earlier on in this article. The sorting work is shown in this “MOH’s Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP)" 

 

As for the Government Subsidies, they work out using this table released for Pioneer Generation Packages in 2014

Why Mr. Seow Ban Yam’s Surgery Cost so Much?

According to MOH,  Mr. Seow’s Surgery Operation was complex.  He’s surgery was one of 7 complex ones found among 42,000 surgery procedures. Mr.Seow’s surgery lasted for about 3 hours and he had this done on both eyes together at the same time.

How Much the Newer Limit would Help?

If Mr. Seow had the benefit of the new claim limits, he would have been $1,400/= richer. The amended work out is as shown in the following table

Item Description	Cost
Claim Limits	$4,360.00
Add Hospital Ward	$205.00
Sub Total	$4,565.00
Deductible Paid	$3,000.00
Total Payable	$1,565.00
Cost Sharings	Payment
Patient 10% contribution	$156.50
CPF Life  90%	$1,408.50

How to avoid “Mr. Seow's Problem"?

1. Never assume that MSL will pay the full medical operation cost. MSL is not like any private insurance plans which have higher medical coverage and claims. The MSL will only pay up to the Claim Limits. The rest will have to come from patient’s pocket or their MediSave;

2. Always ask how much the medical operation would cost. What one would expect to pay after the subsidy and other cost such as deductible;

3. There are approved procedures to qualify for Government subsidy. Choosing a particular doctor or asking for special treatments will be disqualified;

4. Read carefully any document that you must sign as such document must be important,  often related to the medical charges;

5. Hospitals will always brief patients when there is a surgery operation. Besides the precautionary procedures to take, they will tell you the estimated cost of the operation. Take the opportunity to ask as many questions as you can including how they arrived the estimated cost.

6. Always check with friends and relatives who have done similar operations. Get them to advice you how to go about having the operation done. Also ask how much they have paid for the operation. 

Repairing the Dremel MultiPro 395 High Speed Electric Drill.

17 December 2019

The Dremel MultiPro 395 finally called it a day when I was drilling hard to make a square hole on an wooden board. This was after 15 years when I first bought it for about SGD$100/= .   It was made in Mexico.   Today, the same tool advertised in TaoBao was for SGD$22/= including shipping. I have a similar one from other Chinese makes that cost only SGD$14/=.

Double click to go to TaoBao website

As it was such sentimental tool that I decided to repair it yesterday.  I made a video just to share for fun. There are many other video available in YouTube but none was able to tell me much about the tool.

TroubleShooting

In the past, a repair by changing the brushes and brush mounting did the trick but this time, it does'nt work. For the first time, I broke open this speed controller. There was unusual findings. The components was working using multi-meter testing method.

I’ve almost gone for an in-circuit testing for the TRIAC using an external 12 volt source. Upon further searching for other faults, I found it was a bad connection at one of the field coil connector.

The Fix

The socket of the field coil was not easy to remove to repair the connection. A direct connection using one strain of wire from a multi-core cable fixed the problem. The wire soldered and connected the field core wiring to the socket as shown in this video. 

More Technical Information about the Dremel MultiPro 395.

1. Like any other tools, Dremel has a field coil and armature. In addition, it has also a simple and durable speed controller. The existing controller has a TRIAC BT134W that has a rating of 600Volts @ 1 Ampere. It has a DIAC like any other motor controllers. It has also a mystery an epoxy sealed component. It appears to be a thyrestor for over voltage protection of the TRIAC. The circuit is as shown

2. AliExpress has a newer speed controller for about SGD$3/= including shipping. This new controller has a ST Z9M TRIAC which works exactly like the BT134W. One can find the datasheet of ST Z9M and BT134W in here and here.

These TRIACs are very cheap.  It cost only a few cents each in AliExpress.

3. The DIAC is a glass like component connected directly to the Gate of the TRIAC

4. One can also hack the controller by short circuiting the TRIAC's terminals MT1 and MT2. This will will connect the field and armature to the supply source. An external speed controller will be required.

Repairig a Battery Operated Clock

23 December 2019

The Clock stopped. What can be wrong? What can I do about it?

Should I replace it? Replace the motor mechanism or the whole clock?

What can be wrong?

Nowadays, battery operated clock comes with a clock motor and other parts and components.

The mechanism are pretty simple and they seldom breakdown.  The use of Alkaline Batteries are usually the common cause of breakdown. Users should use only the common Zinc Carbon Batteries instead.

Many users thought that the Alkaline battery is better as it last longer. Nonetheless, these battery's electrolyte often leaks. Over some time, it would “smear” all over the clock's mechanism. This cause short circuiting in the electronic components.

How to determine the cause?

By simply measuring the resistance of the battery terminals. A good clock will give at least about 8 to 10 mega ohms, the bad one will only get about 1 Mega ohm.

To Replace or Not to Replace

If the clock is a sentimental one, it is worth to change the clock mechanism which is usually cheap. Nonetheless, some would choose to repair the clock.

How to Repair?

The repair work involves the use of dish washing liquid to get rid of the electrolytes. After that, drying them with dry paper towels and hair dryer.

What is inside the clock mechanism?

They consisted of few components as shown

1. A motor that consist of copper windings and the electronic board

2. A set of about 7 gears

3. The battery connecting strips

4. The split plastic casing 

How to repair?