Author Archive

Vinyl Tilt Window Won’t Stay Open? Fix It Yourself!

By From https://blog.yagelski.com/ • Sep 22nd, 2012 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

The backyard of our property has a beautiful southern exposure with a wonderful view of an extended wooded lot and an uncluttered utility right-of-way beyond. The house has many large windows that allow us to enjoy this view. When the structure was bui…


Ford Escape Hybrid – Brake Master Cylinder / HCU Failure and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

By From https://blog.yagelski.com/ • Feb 21st, 2012 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

In previous blog posts (Here and Here), we discussed the brake failure experience with our 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid (“FEH”). In our earlier posts, we provided the details regarding the failure of the regenerative braking system due to a defective master…


Verizon FiOS – Remote DVR Access Problems

By From https://blog.yagelski.com/ • Jan 29th, 2012 • Category: Blog Entries.Local
One of the great things about the Verizon FiOS set-top boxes being IP (Internet Protocol) enabled is that it provides the opportunity for the devices to be securely accessed by remote applications. 
I find it very convenient to use these apps to see what is already recorded, or scheduled to be recorded on the DVR (“Digital Video Recorder”), while in a remote location. It’s also nice to be able to schedule new recordings when I’m are not at home with the remote control in-hand. Verizon offers this capability for all FiOS customers via the Verizon website and through applications for mobile devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Android.
I had been using this feature while traveling on business or out with friends for several months without a problem. Then, for no apparent reason, the app broke.
[sigh]
Suddenly, whenever I would attempt to connect to the FiOS DVR from the Verizon website, iPhone, or iPad, I would receive an error message that stated “Set-Top Box is not responding,” “Bad Gateway,” or “Network connection timed out.” I chalked it up to a gremlin and waited a few days before trying again. Unfortunately, I got the same result.
Searching online, I found that this seemed to be a rather common problem for Verizon. There were a number of people who complained that the Verizon Support Representatives were not of much help when trying to fix this issue. I can confirm that, as my own chat session started with the rep telling me that the iPhone and iPad were not capable of remotely accessing the FiOS DVR… which would probably be a real surprise to the Verizon folks who designed and coded the iPhone and iPad app.
After spending way too much time trying to work with the Verizon support representatives, I was able to easily resolve the problem myself. If you are having this same issue with remote DVR control capability, this blog post may be of some help.
First, two real basic things to check. 
     Is the DVR turned on?
     Is the FiOS router turned on?
Yes. I know that should be obvious, but you may be surprised…
Based upon the information I’ve been able to gather, the remote DVR error messages are related to a port mapping issue on the Verizon back-end system. As you may have already determined, rebooting the set-top box or FiOS router does not correct the problem. Apparently, Verizon Tech Support can perform some remote magic to fix this mapping problem, and I believe that magic is simply rebooting the ONT (“Optical Network Terminal”). 
The ONT is the device that provides the interface between the Verizon fiber optic network and the Ethernet / coax system in your house. This device is most often located in some other place away from the FiOS router, usually mounted on the outside of the building. Very close by the ONT, on the inside of the building, is the device’s power supply. The unit includes a AC power transformer, AC to DC power supply and conditioner, and a large battery to provide uninterruptible power to the ONT. In order to reboot the ONT on-site, you must first disconnect the AC power (i.e. unplug the power supply from the 120 volt wall outlet) and then disconnect the backup battery.
Warning! Rebooting the ONT will temporarily disable your connection to the Verizon FiOS system. Be certain that all of your network users are aware that their Internet connection and television signal will be interrupted during this process.
To disconnect the backup battery, open the swinging battery door on the ONT power supply and disconnect the battery plug to the power supply (circled in blue in the photo) by squeezing the connector’s tabs and pulling straight out. Wait about ten seconds and then reconnect the backup battery and plug the power supply back into the AC outlet. 
Once the power has been restored, the ONT will reboot, resetting the port mapping which should quickly fix the problems that you have been experiencing with remote DVR access. This process is straight-forward, simple, and doesn’t require having to deal with Verizon Tech Support!
[yea!]
!>

Speeding-Up My Mac Pro

By From https://blog.yagelski.com/ • Dec 1st, 2011 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

We love our Mac Pro. It’s an early model from Apple; designated the MacPro1,1, it was built way back in November 2007. It has served us faithfully and reliably for several years now. However, the two 2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors a…


This Holiday Season, Support Your Small, Locally-Owned Businesses!

By From https://blog.yagelski.com/ • Nov 5th, 2011 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

I don’t often re-post other people’s work, but I believe that the message I’ve published below is worth repeating. I am not certain who the original author is, as I have seen this same message on a couple of other websites. And I would have probably wr…


We’re Living on a Ball of Confusion

By From https://blog.yagelski.com/ • Nov 3rd, 2011 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

One of the perks of my job is rather frequent business travel. I call it a perk because a portion of the travel is regional and it allows me to drive my own car. Unlike some people, I enjoy driving about the countryside, and I have often said that my v…


Paintless Dent Repair Using a Heat Gun and a Can of Compressed Gas Duster

By From https://blog.yagelski.com/ • Oct 10th, 2011 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

Our daughter surprised us this past weekend by getting into a fender bender with my car. It was a very minor incident and fortunately nobody was injured. However, now I was faced with the task of dealing with a couple of dents in my car.As you can see …


Mazda CX-9 – Blower Motor Stays On After Key is Turned Off

By From https://blog.yagelski.com/ • Oct 4th, 2011 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

A few weeks ago, our 2007 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring model started doing something rather peculiar. When we turned-off the vehicle, the rear cabin fan would power-on at full-blast speed and continue to run for a few minutes. The blower would operate as e…


Ford Escape Hybrid Tone Ring Repair – Yet Another Problem with the FEH Brakes!

By From https://blog.yagelski.com/ • Jul 30th, 2011 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

During one of the recent very hot days in the Mid-Atlantic (100+ degrees Fahrenheit temperatures) my 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid alerted me to a problem with my brakes while I was traveling in normal traffic conditions. The alert tone sounded, the yellow A…


To Kill A Cicada Killer (Wasp)

By From https://blog.yagelski.com/ • Jul 14th, 2011 • Category: Blog Entries.Local

Let me begin with a statement that I am not normally a garden pest killer. I prefer to get rid of the pests’ attraction to my yard as the method of elimination. That has proven to be the most successful solution over time. However, this instance wasn’t…


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