Unlock iPhone

I followed the instructions to unlock my iPhone. For business phone, this is the link.

The question is about the last step how to make sure that my iPhone has been unlocked.

Actually it's not that simple. The AT&T representative told me that I should simply perform a backup and restore of my iPhone to complete the unlocking. But how do I know it's unlocked?

I did a simple backup and restore while connecting to iTune. I didn't receive any message regarding unlocking when restore was completed. I read the discussion threads from Apple support forum.

First, connect iPhone with a computer via USB cable and backup your iPhone.

Second, select your iPhone and click on the Restore iPhone to original setting button (not to restore from your existing backup yet).

Then a message will shown up from iTunes that the iPhone is now unlocked.

The rest is to restore iPhone from the most recent backup.

Cable Modem Firmware Update

I had frequent momentary disconnects while using Comcast XFinity Inetnet Service. The cable modem/gateway device I have is a Motorola SURFboard SBG6580.

After searching internet (http://www.idevelopsoftware.com/2011/12/comcast-support-problems-surfboard-sbg6580-intermittent-connection-loss/) and Comcast forum, I attempted to contact Comcast to update the system firmware of the cable modem (SBG6580-3.1.0.0-GA-07-180-NOSH) to a newer version.

To my surprise, the regular Comcast support staff had no clue about firmware, and they didn't know what the firmware is. They also suggested me that I should contact the cable model manufacturer.

Good news is that I had immediate response from that I reached out to their corporate office (Digital Media Outreach).

"We are currently working on a new firmware for the Motorola SGB6580. Once all the testing is completed, we will release the new firmware.  Once the firmware is ready, it will be deployed and update the modem automatically. In some instances, you may need to reboot the modem in order to grab the new firmware."

 Then on April 9th, my cable model firmware was updated automatically.

Information
Standard Specification Compliant	DOCSIS 3.0
Hardware Version	1
Software Version	SBG6580-3.3.1.0-GA-11-070-NOSH

Looks like everything is so for so good, and I haven't experienced any Internet connection drop for more than a week.

Unexpected circuit breaker tripping

We had an unexpected circuit breaker tripping last night. For some reason, I could not reset the breaker from the service panel.

First, I suspected that it may be fault of the GFCI outlet, since it can't be reset. Actually I didn't know that the GFCI can't be reset when there's no power supply or it's not correctly wired. So I went to Home Depot and purchased a new GFCI outlet, and replaced the one at my bathroom. Still I can't reset the tripped circuit breaker. Frustrated, I went to bed, and I thought that I had to look for a licensed electrician tomorrow.

Early in the morning, I called my neighbor, he suggested that I should turn the tripped breaker all the way down, then reset it back. I followed the instructions and it worked.

Here's the lessons learned:

1) for a 15A circuit breaker, should not overload it.

2) when tripped, know the right way to reset it.

Happy new yeaar

I took this picture using my iPhone. I love the peaceful scene along with the birds who are  enjoying the sunrise.