Karaoke Forums

Well, it finally happened. I had a computer melt down right before the start of the show last night. My heart sank, with a bar full of expectant folks looking to me for the evening's entertainment I was in a bit of a pickle. My computer's completely locked up due to some malfeasance... and I had been on the computer just an hour before.

Well, as I pounded my head against the table, I looked at the disc player in my rack, and thought of my box of discs sitting in my basement and realized they were just 10 minutes away. Ha!

The only problem was, that the last time I updated my books I eliminated disc numbers, so many of the disc numbers weren't cataloged, and of course all the single mp3 files from SBI weren't available... but I figured I could get by, and grabbed two of my older books I still had from when I ran discs.

As it turned out, I had a rotation of about 12 singers all night, so it wasn't super busy... and they were all regs so most of the disc numbers I still remembered. Can you believe it?

There were a few rough spots were we ended up actually looking at disc labels to find certain songs, ended running versions I don't normally play, and we all ended up singing songs we hadn't sang in a while.... but in the end everyone had a blast. In fact, I think the "adventure" added to the fun... fortunately I was in a bar that was open to that sort of thing. I run a smooth show 99.99% of the time. One night of hiccups was "fun". I even found an old "filler tune" disc I use to use when I ran two players... which I did put in when looking up songs was a chore... but everybody was dancing and smiling so I guess it was ok.

At the end of the night everyone was patting me on the back, and thanking me for sticking with it and providing a great time.

Soooo, lesson learned... Keep and updated catalog and get those new discs filed correctly and I can run discs on the fly if needs be. Man, what trip!

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Good music, good friends, howling good times!

Most computer KJ that ive seen dont carry a backup....BAD IDEA..even though I use disc I always ALWAYS have a second player standing by

I finally bought a laptop for backup when my main computer went down last year just in case, however my discs and players are always with me (even when I do mobile shows) so there is never a delay in the show.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I believe I told this story last year, but my laptop had a beer spilled on the keyboard 30 minutes before the start of a show.. (Not my beer) Fried it.

I was able to borrow a laptop and download Sax and Snotty eval copy and ran the show on time..

Now I always carry a backup..

Glad it worked out ..but the lesson to learn is NOT use your discs but with the cost of laptops and hardrives get your self a BASIC backup system for emergency use

Backup laptop<<-- the only way to go!!

Far from others to get offended but looks like you had to kick it old school

Yep, I carry 2 notebooks and 2 hard drives. It's the only way to go. I also suggest a backup soundcard, mixer, and power amp.

...and keep mfr. disc numbers in your PC as well as your books!

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

I carry my netbook EVERYWHERE I go. I know it's a small screen, but I can run a show from it - it's harder work, sure, but it works. Wherever I am, I know it's in the boot of my car waiting. They are like what $200 over there?

I got mine for $280 about 8 months ago. 1G of RAM, XP, 160G hard drive. (I forgot my power supply for my real laptop, and couldn't get one, so I bought the netbook as I have to have the potential to be connected at all times due to my business.)

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

E-bay is a great source for reconditioned laptops, netbooks, etc. I have purchased 3 computers over the years off E-bay and haven't been stung yet - and saved hundreds of dollars. Buyer beware, however..

Hmm, that's a great idea about the netbook. Have to consider it, thanks!

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Good music, good friends, howling good times!

I recently got a working (nothing wrong with it) older HP Omnibook for FREE off of Freecycle. It's capable of running a show, but barely, and of course has a smaller screen. But it IS capable if I need it to be. I have another one a bought off feeBay a year or so ago that serves as my kiosk when I use one.

You can find your local Freecycle group here: www.freecycle.org/
Just remember to read about and follow the posting rules and etiquette before you post.

Ha, have given so much stuff away through freecycle - best way to clear a garage!

I always carry a complete spare system. laptop hard drive mouse ect.It all lives in a nice aluminum case I got at my local home store for $20. I usually keep some kind of spare mixer, and could use my sub amp to power the mains if needed. for those of us who are computer based, and have complete backup it is a HUGE selling tool. MAKE SURE to mention when meeting with potential customers how few of your competitors have a backup in case of computer failure! this ability adds to your overhead, but also adds VALUE to YOUR SHOW! as mentioned you can pick up a notebook for like $200 at wally world, and an ext hard drive for under $100 while your there. using it as a sales tool could quickly pay it off. I never gave it a thought till one customer asked, asying he had 2 different computer based shows get pretty screwed up. after one show i went to the top of his list even tho I charge twice what some of the karaoke people he uses charge. He knows he will always get a quality show. not to mention the piece of mind it brings me knowing that the chances of two systems failing are slim.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

The difference lies with those that actually have the discs that can run the EXACT same show to those who do not actually own the discs and run their shows with illiegal copies & downloads.!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

How is that relevant here? If someone is KJing from copied or purchased disks - or whether they are using rips from copied or purchased disks - what affect does that have on a backup system helping them out?

I am not challenging, I simply don't follow the logic...

I am no longer on any high horse about piracy. I am too tired of seeing it and getting annoyed - I simply accept that some people do it - if they don't have a problem with it, then fair play. I personally would have a problem with it - but it's not me!

Main point I was trying to make is the majority of computer users out there couldn't run their show if they wanted to from discs because chances are good they don't have any (or no where nearly as many) discs as they should so their book would be useless. I know so many computer users that bought hard drives, or loaded their library & sold all the discs or.....For those who actually buy the discs to load to their computer - the discs COULD still be used for back up as in the OP's original topic without having to say - sorry I don't have that song right now, it's only in the computer not on a disc. I do the same thing as well, if the computer dies for the night I revert to my discs to finish out the show. I don't carry my backup with me - my discs are my back up to finish out a night without missing a hitch of time to unhook/rehook up anything, boot up, etc..

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Those using a laptop/netbook in a "professional" situation without a reliable backup might find this enlightening.

http://ca.tech.yahoo.com/computers/laptops/article/3991