They make external batteries to charge smartphones and other small 
devices. Maybe even a laptop. Dunno about a desktop.

Gas generator I guess.


Mike

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Looks like this guy covered this issue as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q4dUt1yK0g

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On 2021-06-29 3:45 PM (-4), Bald Eagle wrote:
> 
> Looks like this guy covered this issue as well:
> 
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q4dUt1yK0g

I would definitely consider that, if I weren't convinced that I would
electrocute myself.

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On 2021-06-28 9:25 AM (-4), Cousin Ricky wrote:
> 
> My operating system is past overdue for an upgrade, to the point where
> my Web clients refuse to upgrade themselves.  This has caused more than
> one website to complain, including GitHub.  But I have all the necessary
> OS upgrades downloaded and ready to go.
> 
> Problem is the blackouts.

It turns out the bigger problem is my computer itself.  It refuses to
burn DVDs, it refuses to boot from bootable USB sticks, and it refuses
to even acknowledge bootable DVDs.  Instructions and advice from
openSUSE, from the GRUB documentation, and from Linux sites and forums
all over the Web do not work as advertised.  The computer blocks my
every attempt to upgrade anything.

I've managed to jury-rig a makeshift upgrade to Firefox so that I can
join GitHub, although the new setup did not import my old Firefox
environment.  This will at least allow me to proceed with Object
Collection module updates that didn't make it to Le Forgeron's mirror
prior to the POV server crash.  In the meantime, a new computer is on my
shopping list--one with a power supply that actually charges the battery.

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On 2021-06-28 10:21 AM (-4), ingo wrote:
> in news:60d9cdae$1@news.povray.org Cousin Ricky wrote:
> 
>> So how do I begin to upgrade an operating system when the electricity
>> might cut out at any moment? 
> 
> Rent a small generator?

I have a generator.  It goes with the territory in the USVI.  But it
doesn't cut in automatically, and I rely on someone switch the circuits.

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hi,

Cousin Ricky <ric### [at] yahoocom> wrote:
> On 2021-06-28 9:25 AM (-4), Cousin Ricky wrote:
> >
> > My operating system is past overdue for an upgrade, to the point where
> > my Web clients refuse to upgrade themselves.  This has caused more than
> > one website to complain, including GitHub.  But I have all the necessary
> > OS upgrades downloaded and ready to go.
> >
> > Problem is the blackouts.
>
> It turns out the bigger problem is my computer itself.  It refuses to
> burn DVDs, it refuses to boot from bootable USB sticks, and it refuses
> to even acknowledge bootable DVDs.

that is just v unusual. you have checked your BIOS settings?  if the h/disk is
listed first in boot order, for eaxample, USB + DVD will not get a look in.


regards, jr.

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Am 13.08.2021 um 19:16 schrieb Cousin Ricky:

>>> So how do I begin to upgrade an operating system when the electricity
>>> might cut out at any moment?
>>
>> Rent a small generator?
> 
> I have a generator.  It goes with the territory in the USVI.  But it
> doesn't cut in automatically, and I rely on someone switch the circuits.

Sounds to me like it might actually be smartest to run the upgrade 
generator-powered throughout, period.

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On Mon, 28 Jun 2021 09:25:00 -0400, Cousin Ricky wrote:

> So how do I begin to upgrade an operating system when the electricity
> might cut out at any moment?  I don't trust the battery backup to last
> long enough to complete the process.

How long is the battery backup likely to run for?

Given that you have a generator with a manual cutover, all you need the 
battery to provide power for is long enough to get the generator started 
up.  Power the battery backup with the generator if/when the power cuts 
out, and let the battery backup keep things running until the generator 
is running.

You can significantly reduce the load on the battery backup by turning 
off any monitor (and other peripherals) if/when the power cuts out.

I have a couple of UPSes in my setup here (I usually don't need them, but 
they're nice to have on the rare occasions the power goes out here), and 
when the power does go out, I come into my office and shut down all non-
essential systems and turn off the monitors.  I have a couple of portable 
battery-powered chargers for phones/tablets and such, so I don't plug 
those devices into the UPS at all when the power's out.

Also, what operating system is in use?  Some do a better job of providing 
recoverability than others if the process is interrupted.



-- 
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and 
besides, the pig likes it." - George Bernard Shaw

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Cousin Ricky <ric### [at] yahoocom> wrote:
>
> Problem is the blackouts.  Lately we're getting multiple blackouts per
> week, including 3 in a 24 hour period over the weekend.  These are not
> planned rolling blackouts, and it has nothing to do with weather; the
> utility just can't seem to keep the generators going.

Now they're running scheduled rolling blackouts. And by "scheduled rolling
blackouts," they evidently mean "completely random." Certainly nothing
correlating with the schedule they posted.

And this has nothing to do with Tropical Storm Grace. Grace isn't here yet.

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"Cousin Ricky" <rickysttATyahooDOTcom> wrote:
>
> Now they're running scheduled rolling blackouts. And by "scheduled rolling
> blackouts," they evidently mean "completely random." Certainly nothing
> correlating with the schedule they posted.
>
> And this has nothing to do with Tropical Storm Grace. Grace isn't here yet.

"Rolling"? Did I say "rolling"? I'm checking around, and there doesn't seem to
be *any* electricity *anywhere.*

At least my phone is working... for now.

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