Solving DSTV Drifta "Cannot Initialize Display" and "service scrambled" Errors

The Drifta is a handy device for catching up with a number of DSTv channels on the go. The good thing with the mobile dongle is that you can offer it as a gift to someone, and link it to your DSTv account such that they don't have to pay subscription. Image quality may not be brilliant, but it isn't one can't stomach.

However, setting up the device, though simple, can be quite a task for many as I found out.

First, if you are call DSTv to connect your Drifta to a Premium or Plus bouquet, you may get "service scrambled" error, even when DSTv insist that they have activated the service for you. This can be solved by pressing the reset button (read the manual for how to) which is usually next to the charging port. You'll need a pen or something with a slim point and use it to press the depression, usually next to the charging port to reset the Drifta.

Resetting the Drifta may solve your "service scrambled" error (if subscribed), but may lead to a new error, "could not initialize display"

The "could not initialize" error is usually cause by the Drifta software not finding appropriate graphic display drivers for your system to use in displaying the image. Do note that your PC may display well, and have the right resolution since Windows does come with appropriate drivers to supplement lack of drivers from your card manufacturer.

You will need to download the drivers for your respective graphics card for the Drifta to work. You can Google drivers in the form Laptop "make model graphic drivers"such as "Compaq 610 graphic drivers". If possible, ensure you download the drivers form your manufacturer's site.

(This is a very technical bit which you can ignore if hard to understand) If your computer has 4 GB or more of RAM (Memory), you may be running a 64 bit OS, and you'll need to ensure you download 64 bit and not 32 bit graphic drivers. Again, just go to the Start menu and run dxdiag to learn about your version of Windows.

Once graphic drivers are installed, restart your computer and enjoy watching DSTv on your PC.

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The bitter story of the downfall of Mumias Sugar company

Have you heard the bitter story of Mumias Sugar?

Regarded by many as Kenya's most successful sugar miller, Mumias Sugar Company was a disaster waiting to happen.

Many pointed out how Mumias Sugar Company was a fortress in the wreck that is Kenya's sugar industry, only unaware that it was just a matter of time. As the old wise men said, "Ukiona cha mwenzako cha nyolewa, tia chako maji".

The proverb means that if you see your neighbour's head getting shaved, your head will soon be undergoing the same - you'd therefore better wet your head for a smoother shave, otherwise you will be forced to undergo a painful, dry, shave.

But what ails Kenya's sugar industry?

The Kenya sugar industry is under legal siege. The typical Kenyan issue of coming up with laws to tackle a problem is evident here.

Many of Kenya's sugar factories are owned by the government, and have slowly declined under mismanagement and corruption. The appointing of political cronies and trib…

Beers in Kenya: A sober opinion

I have had a short beer swigging stint in my life. It has however been long enough for me to share my opinions of Kenyan beer. Interestingly, over the course of sharing such opinions with other drunkards connoisseurs, I have found that we all have different views as to what beer is the best, which one makes you too drunk, or which one gives a free, extra hangover for every hangover you get from it.

For starters, like everyone else, I discovered that beer isn’t as sweet as it looks like in those adverts that show golden barley swaying in breezes, happy men smiling and toasting chilled, foaming glasses of beer as a deep voice does some narration in the background.

Beer is bitter! Now, it turns out beer is intentionally made bitter. See, beer shares the same ingredients as bread. The major difference is that bread isn't fermented. Bread is sweet, so why isn't beer sweet?

Kenyan products: The art of punishing your consumer

Peanut butter used to taste so good, but you could not afford it on the pocket money that you got back in school. A few years later, you have your first real job and your first "disposable" income. You buy your first real tub of peanut butter , probably the first in your life. You feel proud that Dominion peanut butter is manufactured in Ruiru, a town that you visited in your campus days to withdraw your pocket money , it was the nearest bank ATM to your campus. This was before Equity bank became a mainstream bank and decided to open an ATM in your campus, and before M-Pesa meant that you could withdraw your pocket money next to the kibanda where you had your one meal of the day.

The peanut butter though is a far cry form the peanut butter you remember. It does not taste that good, and turns into some sort of stone barely before you are a third way through the jar. The stone is not a kind that you learned about in your Geography classes though.

Dejectedly, you decide not …

How much Nairobi Residents Pay in Rent

In my last post, I explained how difficult for people looking for housing in Nairobi. The main challenge is lack of information. On this front, I began a project that will collect some information, which will provide some start for those looking for housing in different areas in the city.

In the last one month, 33 people have given their responses.

Interesting enough, majority of the respondents, 16 to be exact, live in 2 bedrooms. This may mean that either 2 bedrooms are the most popular rentals in the city, or the most available. Only one way to find out - if you live in a 2 bedroom rental, here’s another survey.

10 of those who filled in the survey live in self contained 1 bedrooms.

5 people have 3 bedrooms, including 2 in Kikuyu, 1 in Ngong and Lower Kabete each, and another around Langata/National Park.

1 respondent has a 4 bedroom, while another one has a self contained bedsitter.
Pricing

Turning to pricing, the price of 1 bedrooms ranges from Kshs. 10,000 in Rongai to Kshs…

A Kenyan in Addis Ababa (Part 2) - The "University Girls"

This post continues from Part 1.

The residents of Addis are friendly too. On my first day, I did meet a guard at a hotel, who later offered to show me around. Among the places he suggested, was this place where some “University girls” were holding some "dancing ceremony". He added, that Ethiopians being Orthodox Christians, were about to go on a sex, alcohol and meat fast, hence the importance of this “ceremony.”
I had some suspicion that I was being sold to sex, but my guide insisted that this was not a sex sale. Just dancing University girls. We did end up in some nondescript compound, and into a house. There was sort of a sitting area, with a radio system, low benches and tables, and grass sprinkled around the floor. Grass sprinkled around the floor is an Ethiopian tradition that indicates you are welcome to a place.

It was about 5 PM, and the hosts seemed not to be expecting any visitors at this time. My guide disappeared down some corridor into the back to call them. In…

Dennis Kioko

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