Odds & Ends - September 2021

Bag of Skin

T. Dawn Schrandt, PA-C (Physician Assistant - Certified)

On the 20th, Dawn did her annual visual scan of my bag of skin. This has been our ritual since 2004 when, on my first visit to her (sent by my primary care physician), she excised and cauterized a pencil-eraser-sized chunk from my upper lip. The biopsy showed it to contain a basil cell carcinoma. Each year, Dawn has taken it upon herself to reduce my mass by excising or freezing off chunks of skin. This time, she froze off several chunks of skin from quarter-sized down to pea-sized on face, hand, armpit, and torso, none of which warranted biopsy. Mostly, they itched or hurt on occasion - enough for me to want to be rid of them. Next exam will be on 9/26/2022. 

Exhuming an unused laptop computer

It proved difficult; but, of course, not impossible to revive Hunky Husband's laptop - unused since June 2018. Well...to be precise, he had picked up his emails on it once or twice in early 2019. What started me out on the quest was the desire to, as mentioned in Big accomplishments this week, to add his laptop to my Norton subscription. The exhumation proved to be a time-sponge. First, I had to wait for it to quit automatically downloading updates to Windows, which the computer started within microseconds of sensing that it had a connection to the internet.

It took about 30 minutes to get Norton re-installed, linked to my subscription, and working properly. All is good.

Finally, the real time-suck was getting the Windows 10 Version 20H2 to download and install properly. I recalled that it had taken me a few months to figure out how to get a successful install on this desktop computer; but, for the life of me, I couldn't recall how I had finally succeeded. I looked online for guidance. Found nothing useful. Before going to bed, last night, I scratched my head until I recalled that the problem solution for this machine involved my deleting some files. Which ones? Well...it had something to do with the automatic update trying to download files, but finding that some of those files were already downloaded.

Aha! I searched HH's laptop's hard drive, finally finding where downloaded files were stored. It took about an hour, but I deleted all of the files that had been downloaded on 9/26/2021. (No, I wasn't sitting contemplating my naval. The laptop is several years old, and slow...and there were bunches of files that required administrative OK to delete.) I then restarted the download and install process. All through the night, whenever I awoke, I visited HH's den to see how his laptop was doing. Each time it seemed to be chuckling right along. From the time I re-started the download and install of Windows 10 Version 20H2 sequence, it took another 12 hours to complete the installation. But it is done! It worked! I am happy!

COVID-19 Booster

Being of advanced years, HH and I now qualify for receiving booster COVID-19 shots. A few minutes ago, I checked (again!) our county's website to see if they were allowing appointments to be made. Yes, indeed. I made appointments for HH and me to get those shots on the morning of the 30th. The 29th had plenty of openings, but I decided to give them a day to work out the kinks in the system that is being restarted. For the past couple of months or so, all COVID-19 shots have been walk-in, rather than by appointment.

ADDITION OF 9/28/2021 - Machine Requirements

Windows 10 Version 20H2 System Requirements

If you are about to install Windows 10 on your PC, you might want to know if your device is capable of running the latest operating system from Redmond. Windows 10 version 20H2, which is released today, has the same requirements as its predecessor, version 2004.

 

Windows 10 Version 20H2 System Requirements

More Windows 10 version 20H2 resources:

Windows 10 Version 20H2 System Requirements

Windows 10 version 2004 will require a PC which fits the following specifications:

• • Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC
  • RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit
  • Hard disk space: 32 GB for both 64-bit and 32-bit OS
  • Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later
  • Display resolution: 800 x 600, a minimum diagonal display size for the primary display of 7-inches or larger.

Notice the storage size requirement. For Windows 10 version 1809 and prior, it was 16 GB for 32-bit OS 20 GB for 64-bit OS. For Windows 10 version 1903, 1909 and 2004 the value is at least 32GB. This is related to the reserved storage feature.

Also, storage controllers used in devices that run Windows 10 for desktop editions must meet the following requirements:

• • Storage controllers must support booting using the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) and implement device paths as defined in EDD-3.
  • Storage host controllers and adapters must meet the requirements for the device protocol used and any requirements related to the device storage bus type.
  • Bus-attached controllers must implement the correct class/subclass code as specified in the PCI Codes and Assignments v1.6 specification.

The processor should meet the following requirements:

• • Compatible with the x86 or x64 instruction set.
  • Supports PAE, NX and SSE2.
  • Supports CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, and PrefetchW for 64-bit OS installation

Tip: Consider getting an SSD/NVMe drive instead of a hard drive if you use Windows 10 daily. It will greatly improve your user experience. Also, check out the post The REAL System Requirements for Windows 10.

If one follows that last link, above, one learns the optimal system requirements:

...the optimal hardware configuration for Windows 10 looks at least as follows:

• • Processor: Intel 8th generation processors (Intel i3/i5/i7/i9-7x), Core M3-7xxx , Xeon E3-xxxx, and Xeon E5-xxxx processors, AMD 8th generation processors (A Series Ax-9xxx, E-Series Ex-9xxx, FX-9xxx) or ARM64 processors (Snapdragon SDM850 or later)
  • RAM: 4 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 16 GB for 64-bit
  • SSD/NVMe: at least 128 GB for both 64-bit and 32-bit OS
  • Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later
  • Display resolution: 800 x 600, a minimum diagonal display size for the primary display of 7-inches or larger.

I don't know about you, but that last bit is a waste for me - mostly beyond my ken. Obviously, HH's laptop is old enough that it does not fulfill the requirements stated as optimal.

Comments

[Ole Phat Stu]

Although SWMBO and I now qualify for the 3rd (booster) shot in Novenber, they change the rules so fast here, that may not be the case come november :-(
It may not then be free either, but we want it anymay.

[Joared]

Glad you're keeping tabs on your skin as especially every redhead should do. I've only had one small incision for a pre-cancer but religiously get checked yearly. A number of different things get blasted. I had a few sunburns in my youth so am lucky to not have more issues. The worst are all of what I call barnacles all over my back that became very itchy my Dr. removed over time. I had one really bad sunburn on my back.

You motivate me to consider rejuvenating my long dormant old HP laptop I let go when MS stopped updating their program. I think I have Windows 10 on it but thought they stopped updating it.

I'll get my booster later, I think, as hoping for a drive thru site. Usually get my flu shot in Oct. so will again this year.

[Cop Car]

Stu--Things do change rather quickly, so I'll join you in hoping that your November time stays productive for you and SWMBO. Our 2nd shot was on 2/24/2021, so we are well past our 6 months marker. HH has been severely anxious about our getting the booster ASAP, so this should quell that bit for him.

Joared--You are correct about us fair-eyed, fair-skinned redheads' being well advised to keep tabs. Prior to the basil cell on my lip, I had seen a dermatologist but once - back in the 1980s, in Albuquerque. He took a fair-sized chunk out of my inner thigh - never the subject of sunburn - the biopsy of which showed rampant atypical, but pre-cancerous, cells and which left me with a scar that is about 1.5" long. I did have one horrible sunburn when I was 12 or 13, so I have tried to be watchful.

Good luck on your old HP laptop. The Windows 10 Version 20H2 is available, IF your equipment is recent/robust enough to handle it. Please note that I have added a section, at the bottom of the posting, addressing this issue.

I, too, plan to receive my flu shot in early October, as have I done annually for some time. HH got his in August (the anxiety thing, again).

[bogie]

I was wondering if you two were planning on getting the booster - question answered :)

Back in 2009 or 2010, the mole on my chin started just spontaneously breaking open and bleeding. I wouldn't even know it until someone told me or I looked in a mirror. My doctor sent me to a specialist, who insisted I was picking at it to make it bleed - apparently in an effort to get it removed because I'm sooo vain ;). He finally let me make an appointment to remove it (I had thought that was what the original appointment was for - silly me). Well, the day I went in, the mole hadn't been bleeding for a couple of days and there wasn't even a scab.

The doctor just touched it with his gloved finger, and it broke open. Surprised the heck out of him and he admitted that I hadn't exaggerated or done anything to force the issue. It is utterly amazing how big moles are once they are extracted and not compressed by the surrounding tissue!

The biopsy showed no abnormalities, so the reason for the change after nearly 50 years without issues remains a mystery.

[Cop Car]

Bogie--Of course we'll get the booster - lol. If everything goes per plan, within the next three hours, we should be good. We're hoping not to have to stand in line outside as it is raining. (I'm a bit damp since I was walking along Rock Rd when the rain hit.)

Interesting, about your mole. Never heard of such a thing and am happy that you got it taken care of even though it turned out to be normal.

Like you, I'm not a big believer in doing two appointments when one will do. The dermatologist in Albuquerque wanted to schedule an appointment to excise the large nevus about which I was worried; but, I prevailed upon him to go ahead and take it out "now" - even being the one to hold things for him during the procedure as his office staff had already gone home for the day. I also prevailed upon Dawn on the place on my lip. She wanted me to go to a plastic surgeon (me, too, on being vain!) but allowed as how she was licensed to do it when I insisted. (Your dad had made me go to Dr Scheve about my lip. She took one look and told me to see a dermatologist. It looked "normal" to me.)

[Cop Car]

Bogie--All went per plan. The people were well organized and in good spirits. It would have been a little bit better had your dad not been so antsy. When I came in from my walk, he had already showered, shaved, and dressed and was fretting over his check list for the venture. That check list must have been checked 15 times before we left the house at 9:45am - each time causing HH to ask me if we shouldn't be leaving if we were to be there at 9:45am. After all of these years, I still can't read HH's writing, so I never did figure out how a 9:45 leave-the-house time became a get-there time for him. I try to minimize the occasion for HH to fret, but I'm not great at it.

We pulled into the parking lot at 10:15 for our 10:30 appointment and left the building at 11:00. By then, HH was happy as a clam and chatting with everyone; although, he was disappointed that we saw no one whom we knew. Amazingly, he recalled our having seen two of our Red Cross friends when we had gone to the same place for our 2nd shot - a psychologist friend who was volunteering as an escort and an RN who, with her husband, had also been there to receive their second shots.

[Liz Hinds]

Glad you have such a careful and caring doctor.

No definite word yet here about booster shots although I know those considered vulnerable are being given them.

[Cop Car]

Liz--Caring healthcare workers make life a bit easier, thanks. I follow the news on what's happening around the world on COVID-19, and am sad that the whole world isn't as fortunate as are we. Good news is the new antibody pill for treating COVID-19 - a good supplement to vaccinations, if and when it gets approved. The antibody pill is reported to be less effective than the monoclonal antibody infusion, but is easier and less healthcare labor intensive to administer to more people. For the millions of people who cannot be vaccinated, this is a boon.