07/19/06 Canada migration on hold

[Gabi]

Random interjection here.  I once knew of someone who had an issue with his hard disk.  He put it in the freezer for a day and when he hooked it back up it was fine.  No idea how the freezer helps.

Maybe the hard disk had stopped working because it was too hot?

But it could get wet in the freezer. That's too risky.

Anyway, I understand, Gorn. But, as I said in the chat, I don't think a discussion about computer repairs can hurt, and Amber doesn't have to read it if she doesn't feel like it.

[Snap]

Well, unless we have more info theres no use in randomly guessing what might have happened.
ive heard of the freezer trick before, but just in connection with scratched cds/dvds. But the moist is definitly a problem with harddisks, so i doubt thats a good idea for an experiment.

Btw, im not trying to fix it, im just trying to help her cheer up by trying to find things that speak AGAINST all her work having been ereased for good. Seems more productive to me than the discussion about thoussands of dollars needed for cleanroom recovery. But hey, im used getting yelled at.

[Gornemant]

eh heh, 'scuse me, sometimes I'm pretty tactless, don't take me serious because it's bold 

freezer? maybe deformation due to overheating, though cold also helps in conductivity.

and I didn't say anything about stoping the discussion on computer repairs  just saying that it's pretty pointless to ask the same questions 10 times over

[Darkmoon]

As an update:

We pretty much have it planned out how to get her converted to an Indiana citizen en toto, so that she can show up at Canada with a unified home base.

As for her being employed, worst comes to worst I'll make up a "contract" with her from the company I work for, bringing her on as an independant artist on my crew.

And yes, the "Feed the Hungry Mows" button is what you use to donate, and it works currently. I double checked it.

As for the computer, it could be a number of things, including the HDD. I had a similar problem with my HDD, and it ended up being Windows being gobbled by a worm... and then getting hit by a lightning bolt. Suffice it to say, that computer it completely retired.

If we have to, I can have the HDD copied on the forensice imaging device my company has. It'll cost as little as 50 bucks or as much as 150 bucks (USD), but that's it. It'll even work on non-functioning drives.

(thinks) I think I ran outta stuff.

[Gornemant]

cool beans, thanks for the update :-)

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

Sweet. Access to the hardware to do funky stuff is all good (tm)

BTW - in respect to the freezer trick - generally it's prefixed by "wrap it in an antistatic bag and a plastic bag, in that order" in order to avoid getting it wet. And what it does is the bearings tend to get warm and freeze up - putting it in the freezer cools the ball bearings down, shrinking them to the point that they "unfreeze" - counter-intuitive at first glance, but it makes sense if you think about it.
Once the bearing shrink, they unlock, and the drive starts working again. Generally it's a good idea to use that as a last resort, and to drag all your data onto replacement hardware ASAP...


As Gorn and Dmoon have said, tho - it's in hand. So all we're doing is kibbitzing on methods, passing the time, shooting the breeze, and hoping things will work. :-) No pressure on anyone :-)

[Gabi]

What Gorn said. I hope everything works out fine.

[Kenji]

I believe the only good thing that happened on that fateful day was that Gorn's chocolate box arrived.
...
Let's hope it helps.

[Gornemant]

I believe the only good thing that happened on that fateful day was that Gorn's chocolate box arrived.
...
Let's hope it helps. D:

it all happened because I didn't get the souls requested yet! GIMME MY SOULS! 

[Mel Dragonkitty]

How about the souls of the border guards and other government officials. My Dad just got done fighting with them over his status from changing countries 60 years ago. They just like randomly come up with paperwork you have to find just to torture you, like parents and grandparents wedding certificates (not the one the church gave them but the one the church sent to the courthouse just so you don't have it and need to pay to get a copy) and kindergarden transcripts (do kindergardens even produce transcripts?)

Bah... they surely don't have souls and if they did they'd taste nasty.

[Gornemant]

 

[Alondro]

Ya see, this is why you should migrate to Mexico.  They require $10,000 too, I'd wager... but in their money, which is about $1.28 US.    

The only other requirement is that you not sell or transport drugs... to anywhere but the US.  Other than that, they don't care.  And you can get endentured servants really cheap too!   

[Azlan]

Neni and I wish you the best and hope all things work out.  I wish there was something I could do, but the entire country is a barrier.  Hopefully I can add to the donations.   

[Eibborn]

Something about her making fun of hockey or their freaky colored money...

Hush, you! Our money rocks! 

Sorry, Amber, about our borders... We're just trying to keep all the freaky terrorists and furries out.   

[blade]

I'm supposing that's "freaky furries" considering there's a few cons up there ;p

Anyways, good luck Amber and I'll cross fingers for you.

[Drake Manaweilder]

Canada is normally not this uncool. Well, I mean, it's cool as in temperature year-round, but it's normally a fun place...

speek fer yerself, is's gotta be 30 degrees C' out here..


this reminds me of a joke this one comedian said on Just for Laughs

"I know that you sneeky Canadians did with all your mean people, you took all of em' and put them on the border!"

or something like that...

[Tezkat]

As for the Canada issue, the guard really was zilch in help.  the only number they even gave me was $10,000, which I honestly couldn't say I had that on hand.  A few people have said that the average good amount to have is between $2000-$4000, as what the border is wnating is financial proof that I could afford to leave the country at any point.  They also mentioned that owning my own car can be used as proof as well...but since I dont know details and mybrain is still shot...I dont know by how much.

Actually, those are two different things. Unless you're already resident, virtually all countries will want proof of your ability to leave before they let you in. One of my cousins had a similar problem when he tried flying out to visit an aunt without purchasing a return ticket. Essentially, you need to provide them with a date of departure and evidence that you'll be able to return home. The $10k number you got from customs is what they'll want as proof of your ability to stay.

Canadian customs will need proof that you have at least C$ 10168 on hand or in the bank before they let you in on a permanent basis. That's a hard number that some beancounters in immigrations pulled out of their butts to represent your financial ability to settle in our country.

Off hand, I can think of two ways around that limitation. One is to have a job waiting for you in Canada. You'll need a work visa first--which you can convert to residency or citizenship at a later date. Self-employment doesn't count. The other method would be to legally marry Mason before you move in permanently. Spouses are exempt from the financial requirements to entry (although immigrations may want evidence that you are actually madly in love with each other and not just marrying to get into the country).

[ITOS]

All the computer and money talk aside...

I found todays comic funny.

[Jack McSlay]

wow that's a big load of suckitude at once

as for the PC it could also could be a bad sector problem. if a bad sector hits a part of the OS, the PC will likely refuse to boot and sometimes even files that are in bad sectors are at times recoverable (even if partially)

yeah, what it's needed right now is a PC you can plug the HD as secondary drive and then get someone who knows to recovery everything you can.

as for the migration. I don't know anything about it, specially on a country in the north of my opposite hemisphere, so I cant only wish good luck

[Netami]

Heh. There's like 8 computer geeks here wishing they could get their hands on that computer.

[Moonfire]

Alright, there's just so much I know about everything here. 

First, the hard-drive-in-freezer thing was to relieve a specific problem with certain drives and a condition called stiction, where the lubricants got so hot, they no longer were effective and the drive just seized up on the spindle. Cooling it down let it run long(er) to rescue the data.

Next, all the official information from Canada is at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/faq/immigrating-1.html. I'm not sure if her chances are better at going skilled or business. (Business is where the 'self-employed and creative' types go.)

[Nikki]

Amber, when i get my Birthday money from all my relatives, i'm gonna find a way to get it to 'ya...my trip to Michigan can wait until you get to canada safely.

Who knows a way that a 17-year old can get a paypal account?

[Darkmoon]

O_O I think Amber would probably be mad at you if you sent her your birthday money. Something tells me she'll feel SOOOO guilty.

[Nikki]

teh only way i'll be stopped is if i can't get a paypal account or i get less than $10 for my birthday (which would suck)

[Netami]

Paypal is a bitch if you don't have a check or credit card. You're only seventeen so... Just keep yer birthday porn monies.

[Nikki]

Paypal is a bitch if you don't have a check or credit card. You're only seventeen so... Just keep yer birthday porn monies.

i'll bribe my dad to make me one..i have a credit Card >w<

[Rowne]

You wouldn't be the only one though, I bet, Xze.  After all this I can see how much and how desperately Amber needs a backup device.  Whether it's a tape drive, a redundant DVD burner or whatever other nifty backup tech I can think of, she needs something that can run daily backups.

I think that's even more important than getting the computer repaired to be honest.  There is no greater torture than data loss and there is no greater boon than having a DVD sitting around in a DVD drive that backs up until its full, tells you so and then takes another DVD to fill.  *Cough.*

I feel so bad for Amber though.  Only once in my life have I ever had serious data loss and it's one of the worst forms of torture I've ever endured.  I've endured some crazy kinds of torture that would drive most insane but only two have affected me on a long term basis.  A departed pet and lost data.

That's why I'm so passionate about helping.  After my first serious run-in with data loss, I setup the system I've spoken of above and since then, I have had a couple of hardware dives, one which even took out a partition but it hasn't mattered because my data has been copied repeatedly over numerous DVDs.

I think I must have stacks approaching upon a 1,000 CDs and DVDs of pure backupness now.  :p

And considering that a decent tub of DVDs is cheap (I can get 50 for a tenner here in the UK) and they'll last a good, long while, anywhere between two weeks and a number of months depending on what's being backed up, it's a really good investment and great for sanity.

So prevention against this ever happening again is as important as getting it fixed now.  I just had to stress that again, it's really important.

I hope it's nothing serious though, I've seen comics destroyed by data loss and to be honest, DMFA is my favourite.  It's the only comic I check in for personally quite often instead of letting the Webcomic List manage my alerts 100 per cent as I do with other comics.  It'd be a great loss in my opinion.

So yeah, this is why I want it to be memory or something simple.

So ... not much to add but if Amber needs money, she's got it from me, too.  I just hope she'll buy a good backup system.

[GabrielsThoughts]

Amber needs to look on the bright side, at least her unborn child will have dual citizenship...
and thus can never be turned away from the Cannadian Border.  Why Didn't Amber go with her boyfriend/fiance, its not like it's hard to pass for Canadian.  Amber could've always borrowed a cap representing some lame hockey team from tailsteak (i.e. the maple leafs) and crossed that way.  Also an american birth certification card works occasionally...at least it did in the past.

[Darkmoon]

As far as backups, if she wants my company offeres an off-site secure backup program. Works quite nicely, actually.

[Forgotten]

Alright, being the fool that I am, I'm going to post blindly by not reading anyone else previous statements (Save Widly's aka Amber's).

First off, the harddrive will be recoverable, I have had the exact same thing happen to me. A good sign is that you got it to turn on and find data on it. That means your files are not compromised. However, there could be issues with the bootrecord (Simple fix at Staples... which is a Canadian store) or maybe the filestructure died. Maybe a hardware failure or it overheated. The processor could be shot, but hey! You can recover all of your data.

Next on my little blurb list is the fact that I am very sorry that I cannot donate and help your cause. Reason being is that I'm a little broke teen with little to go on other then my rare webdesign offers. But I can donate you one thing, I do make enough to afford a yearly host that can support the load of your site's bandwidth, visitors, specifications. If your host turns the other way, I am willing to mirror / host your site in the meantime, or even permanently. I have always wanted to help people I respect but money has never been an option, and sadly so was my help. This is the only way I can, so if you need a hand, I can help you in that area.

Now I want to address this gross Canadian stereotype that appears to affect everyone's judgement. I am a Canadian, and I have been to the US. I can honestly say that we are no different in terms of the general way people are/react. Just because its Canada doesn't mean its all Lollipops and Gummiebears. You still have to deal with assholes (Pardon my French), and others who will just hate you for the sake of it. Border patrol are people that are not to be taken lightly just because you plan to get into Canada. They are just as concerned as US security and they will stop you if they believe something needs to be sorted out. Shame you got the officer who thought that the world was out to get him. This brings me to another statement, phone the customs office and request information and ask where you show your proof of existence, etc.

I am pleased to find out that you are moving to Canada, but don't believe that we are what everyone has made us through crappy media and stereotypical jokes. If anything, we support ourselves as a community, have cheaper currency, lower (not low, but lower) crime rates, and discretion is less (from what I gather). I have been told that we have cleaner streets, and nicer police, but I don't exactly support it.

Good luck Amber, and please don't feel like its all down the drain, things will pick up. After all, it is Canada.


PS. Computer repair is less then $20 if my reason is correct
PSS. Patrol isn't that hard, you'll make if next time provide Senior PMS isn't on duty
PSSS. WE DON'T SAY ABOOT! (Comical relief?)