Removing IE7...

I know IE7 is quite stable and works for most people...but I found that it is not supported for an application at work. To remove IE7 (or atleast stop it from working) do this: (In Windows XP)

1. Go to Control Panel and remove Internet Explorer from Windows Components.

2. Reboot.

3. Uninstall IE7 with the uninstall utility included with it. (C:\Windows\ie7\spuninst\spuninst.exe)

4. Reboot.

5. Go back into Control Panel and Windows Components...and add Internet Explorer again.

When I did this IE6 took back over and my application worked just fine.

I wanted to add this online before I forgot what steps I took.

-Derek

What Was REALLY Wrong With My Sled?

The problem was that no one really knew until they had it all torn to pieces.  The truth came out...and it was a pinched oil line.  It came that way from the factory and eventually got worse as everything settled.  The motor was bolted down on top of the oil line and it squeezed shut.  It caused damage to one of the cylinders and a piston.  I tried it out a bit yesterday and everything seemed just fine.  Unfortunately, there is not enough snow left to do any real riding.  Dang it!  I might buy a couple years of B.E.S.T. coverage from BRP next winter just to make sure everything goes well since I was not able to run it through the ringers this spring.  Rest assured I will be riding the crap out of it next December.  

The only thing I have left to do to ALL of the sleds is get them summerized.  I have been doing it myself for the last couple years and everything seems to go well.  Fog the engine and stabilize the gas.  I might have the Yamaha looked at this summer so I can get it back in running condition.  It'd be nice to have another sled so a few of us can go out.  Now that I have a bit of an understanding about how two stroke engines work (from the demonstration of what broke on my new sled) I might even try to do it myself.  We shall see.

About 95% of all of our snow is now gone.  I took the four wheeler out last night and took a quick glance around...most of the trails around our house are 100% clear.  In some of the valleys there might be a bit more snow but it did not stop me on a 250 with bald tires. :P  I will certainly be needing some new tires if I plan to do any real riding this year.  I am looking for another 250 that my wife could drive.  So if you know anyone with a lightly used 250 I might be interested.  

I am having a heck of a time getting started on the new site...I need some room in the house to work.  ;)  Just a little cleanup and I will be able to get moving on it.  I also need some good software.  I have tried a few publicly licensed programs but I am not a bit fan of them.  My favorite WYSIWYG program is Dreamweaver.  I had a copy of it but my CD broke.  I have been trying to find a replacement for it...but have had no luck.

Anyway...I have some pictures from Weber Lake that I took yesterday...I will upload those tonight and post the link.  

-Derek

The Second Most Boring Time Of Year...

Spring in Northern Michigan is probably the second most boring part of the year.  The time between fall and winter is horrible because it is cold, rainy, and miserable.  Right now it is atleast warming, the snow is melting, and the sun is out most days.  There just is not much you can do outside because there is still a lot of snow in spots.  In areas of the woods we still have nearly a foot of snow...in others it is wet...and yet others are bone dry and great for walking.  

The one thing I did do over the weekend...is get the four wheeler out!  The battery is new and charged...and everything is working as it should.  I have had it out twice just putting through the woods.  Unfortunately it is two wheel drive...so I cannot ride through deep snow.  Not a problem...it was free. :P  

The cam has been down because the computer that runs it is not running right now.  It would be neat to watch the snow melt through the day...but no such luck.  I saw a wireless webcam online today that might be something to consider.  

I think that about sums it about for now...nothing new and exciting until I can actually get outdoors and play!

Goodnight from Northern Michigan!

-Derek

Spring Is Quickly Arriving...

It is very hard to believe that it has been nearly a week since my last post.  Again.  I have been extremely wrapped up in work trying to get some projects finished.  I really look forward to that so I can enjoy my days a bit more working on new things.  

My outdoors time has been very limited lately.  Between work and trying to get the house cleaned up...there just has not been time to hang out outside.  This weekend should be good for that.  I will probably get the sleds put away for the summer and work on getting some of the snow moved away from the house.  There should also be some shooting going on...we shall see.  No worries...we will not be shooting the Easter Bunny. :P  He is safe again this year.  I will probably also get a new battery for the four wheeler and get that beast up and running.  It is only a 250...but it does everything I could want it to...other than going through snow.  It is only two wheel drive.

So here is the low down on my Renegade...and why I have not been able to ride for nearly a month.  I apologize if I have already written about it...I have a better understanding of what was happening.  (So they tell me anyway.)  What allegedly was happening is as the sled warmed up, the pistons expanded and became too big.  They slowly tore away metal and started to ruin the engine.  I took it in for stalling when in reverse if you remember correctly.  Nothing to do with it performing poorly...or having terrible gas or oil usage.  I am thinking I might have been used for warranty repair work.  Who knows.  Anyway, it took them a couple weeks to even get the parts to fix it...and now they are waiting on a hose to arrive on the 14th.  Then one month later I will have my sled back.  It really is too bad that I am a nice person...I would give them a piece of my mind for all the lack of communication in this whole ordeal.  Anyway...it is no longer snowmobile season so it does not matter.

The snow has been melting very quickly.  The North area of the yard is completely bare...while the South is still covered with anywhere from 6-12".  That should lead to some riding tomorrow on the Yamaha.  I have not been in the woods for a couple weeks...so it should be interesting to see where is snow and where there is not.  Hopefully there is enough to get a little ride in.  There will probably be no riding off the property though...since the roads are all bare.

I will give an update on everything that goes on over the weekend...and include some pictures.  It should be a decent weekend for outdoor activities...with temperatures reaching up into the mid to high 40s and nothing but sun and a couple clouds.  Overall it should be a very nice weekend no matter what your activity is going to be.  

That is enough of me for now...

Goodnight from Northern Michigan!

-Derek

Snowmobile Trails Are Closed...

One more fairly important item to note...all snowmobile trails are closed in the lower peninsula.  I am not sure when they close in the U.P. but I imagine it is not far off if they have not closed already.  As far as I know two track roads and your own private property are still game...but you cannot ride on any trails that pass through private property.  

-Derek

Mini Vacation...

I have not written because I have been on a mini vacation.  It was quite nice to get out of here...especially since my sled is in the shop.  We ran down to Holland for the bulk of last week.  It was a last second decision but we took off and enjoyed some warmer temps and NO SNOW!  We did not do much but I did check out the prices of ammo down there.  Dang!  It was very expensive no matter where you go.  It might actually be a deal to buy it up North!  :P

Today started off VERY nice.  Very few clouds and some incredible sunshine!  I saw a high temp of 45 degrees.  Unfortunately, the clouds have made their way in and any sun we had is now gone.  Temps are hovering around 44 degrees though.  Not too shabby.  Luckily for us, there is some snow in the forecast.  (I am getting a bit sarcastic when I talk about snow this time of year.)  Monday and Tuesday look to bring us a bit...no estimates on how much though.  Temps are going to hit the low 30s for highs...so there may be some accumulation.  Yay!  If I get my sled back this week...at lease I might have enough snow to try it out.  

I do have just a couple pictures to share from Holland...but my camera is sitting in the car...so I will put those on the blog later.  

Other than all of that...I mixed our mailbox and took the battery out the of the four wheeler to be replaced.  That is it!  It has been a very uneventful day so far.  If anything exciting comes up...you will know!

-Derek