Had a client in this week with a windows computer and lost password, normally I boot a linux usb, copy files docs and images onto an external disk then give them a choice reinstall windows over a 4 day period (updates take forever, so they pay more) or linux and everything working in a half day and much cheaper. Plus files restored.
But this was a new computer and no cd, no usb standard size, but usb c, and only one of them, which I did not have an adaptor in stock, first time I have needed it.
So thought about doing a netboot and getting a system over the internet. As offered by both apple and windows for a clean install.
But for linux it does not exist as far as I can see for any linux mint version or debian…
Is it so difficult to do ?
Why is it not offered ?
I did find a red hat and a university server offering for students but it was almost all command line driven plus complex.
As i have several machines sat around on my network how would I address a netboot without access to a command line, I tried to discover the mac system as there are several options on start up but could not get into the equivalent of the grub to see how it works. The bios occasionally offers netboot but never done it.
There are password recovery images you can boot from too. I’ve done it since Windows NT days, and they keep updating versions of the rescue disk as Windows is updated. I am not sure if there is one for Windows 11 or not.
It lets you reset the password to a blank password. Then once rebooted and logged in they can reset the password again.
As far as doing a net boot. I have done that to load Windows in the past, but it’s a BIOS option to boot from the network. Normally it boots from CD or USB, then a hard disk, then a floppy, and last resort is net boot. Something like that.
Yes it is a bios option to netboot and it logs on to a windows or apple server. But there is no clear link to change that to a different server local such as my own.
The cd recovery tool gives a very long winded command line execution to change the system to no password. Did think there would be an easy graphics tool now with all the system hacking going on
Yes they are on sale here at 10 euros with double ended so fit both and adapters are only a few euros just need to get off my ass and go buy one, its the shopping i hate or paying the postal
I feel your frustration. My son tells me that USB-C is soon to be universal. Even Apple has replaced the Lightning connector with USB-C. No more blind stabbing to find out we have the damned thing upside down!
All USB connectors have 3 possible positions:
-plug in this way (no success)
-Ok, it’s the other way, so try to plug in the other way (still no succes)
-Oh, shit it’s this way!
The new usb i have bought has even more possible as one end is usb2 standard and the other end is usb c … but at less than 10 euros who cares if in the end i put it in the bin instead
One reason, the EU got tired of the different connector.
“all new smartphones, tablets, cameras and other electronic gadgets marketed in the EU will have to come with a USB-C charging port by fall 2024.”
I don’t think it’s a good idea to legislate cables. Using USB-C makes perfect sense, but I just don’t think it should be done via laws. It should be the market that decides.
I am all for a standard for connections. Not sure if its a government décision or a collection of manufacturers who make it.
I remember at the birth of mobiles there were so many adapters needed and i went on holiday with the wrong one…
We have standards for disk drives so yes to usb, shame computer power supplies dont all have the same connections, they do at the 220 volt end but not where it touches the case of the laptop.
Australia is 240 volt, and has different power plugs to US and Europe. Computers and bits often come with multiple cables or various patent switchable connectors. Computers used to come with a switch on the back of the case to choose voltage… no warranty if you got it wrong.
Europe is on 220 volt but even the plugs are slightly different one pin earth standard and 2 sockets for live and neutral ok but the outer body can be a slightly different shape, bit of force and they fit but not easy.
Imagine a none technical user having to choose a power rating without background knowledge.
I am trying to teach my wife ohms law, power consumption, fuse ratings as she showed an interest and its not easy to follow, why alternating current, why direct current, she wanted to fit solar panels and thought we would make money then realised its complex as i tried to explain all of this. Yes i taught electronics for 2 years so know the subject. Also solar is banned in our village by the mayor but this may change.
That is a bit rough.
Some of our towns have bans on wood-heaters, especially those in valleys where the smoke accumulates.
Solar might be rather costly , but it is not in any way I know harmful.
Well, it was before 20 years maybe.
With a slow increase for today it reached the 230V (nominally), with a tolerance something like -5% +10% (I’m not completely sure).
But I’ve seen very near 240V measured on the mains, at this very moment it’s 237,1V.
So it’s not that far away from Australia’s 240V.
It’s a bit more complex question. A few solars in an area is surely helpful to lower the costs of electricity.
But imagine a small area, with 1000 households, and all of them having a solar!
Now let’s have a cool day, with some wind (cooling the solar panels) when the sun shines brightly. This is ideal for the solar power plants, they can over-produce their rating.
The solar plant on our rooftop is rated 5kWp, last year a windish but sunny cool day in august, it produced 5,7kW for a couple hours.
The power grid hast to ready to transmit the huge power produced by those households to a distant place, where the energy can be consumed.
If the power grid is not able to do that, otherwise there will be a local overproduction, which may hurt the power grid itself.
I think a total ban for solars makes no sense, but setting a limit to the sum of the total capacity in an area may be valid.
Not really sure why solar is banned as many of the big supermarkets in perpignan are fitting them over aa the carparking spaces to run the stores.
Local lidl now has them on the roof but they are well hidden, not sure how many or what its used for.
Leucate village is old so the buildings are not suitable i am told but our complex is 50 years old so not an issue, will talk to the deputy mayor as she works in our reception and see if i understand more as i kjow she runs an electric car.
Is there a question around global warming and this, convert a roof to black from a nice red brick, plus with the heat generation . Not to mention production cost and recycling
