Rise of the Machines

The following is the script from the movie "Terminator 4: Rise of the Machines...Again!" It is the true story of my past few days... Names were not changed to protect identity.

Machines - 0 Adam and Arun - 0
After a couple weeks in Bangalore setting up our monitoring equipment, things had been going pretty well. As noted earlier all four stations were established and tested and worked out well. The one thing we hadn't done is tested to see if the laptop Arun was borrowing would work with the equipment (foreshadowing), but why shouldn't it... its a relatively new Compaq and even if it didn't, he had a desktop that was nearly brand new. It should be fine.

Machines - 1 Adam and Arun - 0
We have tried to download the data but the adapter cord isn't working. The computer cord that came with the monitor has a 9-pin serial connection, which is obsolete in new computers, but I've brought with a USB adapter, which requires a driver that Arun doesn't have. No big deal, he can go and download the driver.

Machines - 2 Adam and Arun - 0
The power has just gone out and the laptop is out of battery. No problem we can get it tomorrow.

Machines - 4 Adam and Arun - 0
Real trouble. With the driver downloaded, the computer is recognizing the monitor but is experiencing "Handshaking Error". Handshaking??!! Sounds like such a civil problem for such a cold and manipulative machine. Two points because both the laptop and desktop are experiencing it. The process still works fine on my computer, but mine is leaving in a couple days with me. Project in trouble.

Machines - 4 Adam and Arun - 1
No problem. It seems the handshaking error can sometimes be overcome with a new cord or adapter. So, oddly enough, the adapter that was difficult to find stateside, happen to be in stock at the tiny stationary booth accross the street.

Machines - 5 Adam and Arun - 1
New adapter cord doesn't work. The monitor manufacturer (TSI) says its a problem with the computer and we need to find a new computer or one with a 9-pin serial port.

Machines - 5 Adam and Arun - 3
After wandering the electronics 'market' for the better part of an hour going from tiny stall to tiny stall, we encouter Nagpal Electronics, a 4ft wide hole in the wall that we are told has everything. Unfortunately the owner is a grumpy old Indian man that doesn't like me because of the confusion we had last time I bought an extension cord. He's like the soup-nazi, but for Indian electronics. He has a serial port card that we can install on Arun's motherboard that may solve the problem and win the war. However, he says, and I quote, "We are both educated people, but you ask such uninformed questions that I know doubt waht you are using this for. So I suppose I'll still sell it, BUT WITH NO GUARANTEE!" said emphatically. We buy it and it seems as though tides may have turned.

Machines - 6 Adam and Arun - 3
The machines know they are in trouble. So they get desperate and truly vindictive. As we turn and leave Nagpal, Arun says, my backpack is very hot! Worried about his roommates laptop, he opens his back but finds its the nephelopmeter (the monitor) that is scorching hot. He pulls it out and opens the battery compartment to the sound of hissing and spitting. The battery pack falls out completely warped and to hot to hold! Could this be the end of our $4000 monitor, essential to the project. Luckily Arun thought quickly and pulled the battery pack out and we popped out the cells, no kidding, while ducking as battery acid shoots from the splitting batteries. Arun looks at me and says in his Karala accent "We have not had a good day."

Machines - 7 Adam and Arun - 3
After installing the serial port, the drivers fail to load. There is still no communication between the monitor and computer.

Machines - 7 Adam and Arun - 7
We couldn't install the driver, they foiled our play. So we did what they least expected... the exact thing we just tried without success! We tried loading the drivers again, and the installed! We tried the equipment and it worked perfectly. We won the battle, but what about the war?!

Machines - 7 Adam and Arun - 8
After checking the wounded monitor, it read error, service 7 when we turned it on. Error 7 is either equipment shuts down because of high temperature, or laser failure. Fingers crossed we hope it was just the heat and we let it cool for 10 min. Turning it on after ten minutes, it works perfectly! It appears we have won another battle and potentialy the war! So the monitors have been reinstalled and data is coming. It was hard enough to defeat these little machines, I can't imagine a real Terminator... I now have a new respect for Sarah and John Conner.