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J
Blury Monitor Resolution ??

I'd first try a different card at the same resolution and scan rate and a different cable (one as fat as those connected permanently to some monitors). Usually a bad card or cable will cause the picture to be fuzzy only in the horizontal direction, but if the monitor is at fault the fuzzines is...
- jamarno
- Post #4
- Jan 27, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Open box clearance this sunday at Best Buy

Check the boxes carefully for damage and any missing papers or accessories because Best Buy usually doesn't, and I've found missing items even in boxes that were labelled "complete" (and Best Buy may not willing to make good on them).
- jamarno
- Post #57
- Jan 27, 2002
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
J
Open E*Trade Bank accnt, get $25 after 6 months = 7.25% APY

Always check a bank's deposit insurance coverage with the FDIC, and don't rely upon the bank's link to the FDIC (in case it's fake). EtradeBank is insured, and when I had an account with them a year or two ago, they paid the sign-up bonus promptly, as did Etrade brokerage. I've never had...
- jamarno
- Post #8
- Jan 27, 2002
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
J
Arctic Silver 3

Why would Arctic Silver 3 or any other expensive thermal grease evaporate more quickly than silicone-based thermal grease (25+ years on my audio amplifier)?
- jamarno
- Post #15
- Jan 27, 2002
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
J
Rounded ATA100 Cables

As Acetate said, they foul up the grounding, unless they're made of twisted pairs (TP). TP is so much better that it should be reliable even out to 3 feet (I've tried my homemade 5' flat TP cable to ATA100). Also avoid rounded cables that have metal braid on them because they too can worsen...
- jamarno
- Post #26
- Jan 26, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
best way to install new motherboard?

Can you get a square yard of anti-static packing material (pink foam sheet or pink bubble pack)? Lay everything on it, work barefoot and with an anti-static wrist strap tied to bare metal on the computer case, and chances of static damage will be low. Be sure that nothing is plugged into a...
- jamarno
- Post #5
- Jan 25, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
MY COMPUTER CAUGHT FIRE!!!

<< By the way, you should NOT unplug your system because it needs grounding. This is probably lesson 1 in A+ certification. >> No legitimate A+ certification course will teach that the computer should be grounded to earth. Rather, everything should be grounded to chassis and, for safety...
- jamarno
- Post #48
- Jan 25, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
?? HOT ?? - Cheap NiMH Batteries

They're only 1200 mA-H, but #58-5805 from MCM Electronics AA cells are only $0.50 right now.
- jamarno
- Post #9
- Jan 24, 2002
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
J
solving the problem of hydrogen powered cars?

<< The design of plants here in America is much different and would make a Chernobyl like accident almost impossible. >> No danger from a hydrogen bubble blasting the containment dome away?
- jamarno
- Post #26
- Jan 24, 2002
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
J
how does conductive metal damage a microwave?

In practice the most common danger is the arcing causing a fire, especially if oily food is in the oven. This happened many times when I worked at a convenience market because people would heat hot dogs that were wrapped in foil-lined paper. The real problem usually isn't metal but metal...
- jamarno
- Post #13
- Jan 24, 2002
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
J
Repairing a Power Supply

The only practical repairs are fixing bad connections or replacing bad fuses, electrolytic capacitors, transistors, and diodes. If a new fuse pops, suspect the high voltage inverter transistors, and you can often substitute a pair (they almost always blow in pairs) from an old supply, even a...
- jamarno
- Post #3
- Jan 24, 2002
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
J
Laptop repair book/site/class?

The electronics Repair FAQ and sci.electronics.repair have information about notebook repair and how to open cases. Don't buy a Sams or Tab book about the topic unless you can check it first because quality varies greatly, from real repairs down to nothing.
- jamarno
- Post #8
- Jan 24, 2002
- Forum: Laptops
J
video card heat sink woes

Use ordinary silicone rubber caulk (RTV, not latex caulk with silicone oil in it) because it sticks well (better than double-sided tape) and conducts heat well (also better than double-sided tape). Smear a thin layer all over, press and swirl and maintain some pressure for at least 30 minutes...
- jamarno
- Post #3
- Jan 24, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
C-media CMI8738 6-channel sound controller: Any Good??

I don't know about the 6-channel, but I've never had hardware or software problems with the 2-channel version that's frequently on sale for under $8 at Fry's, and the analog quality of the sound is better than most, including noise/hiss. This is probably the best kind of cheap sound available.
- jamarno
- Post #6
- Jan 24, 2002
- Forum: Peripherals & Components
J
Fixing motherboards?

Measure voltages, including the regulator for the CPU core. Check any picofuses, which look like precision resistors (green or grey with writing on them). A shorted bypass capacitor can be hard to pinpoint because there are so many of them on the board. If all the voltages measure right...
- jamarno
- Post #5
- Jan 21, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
What's inside a hard drive?

The head amplifier chip is inside - short wires mean less signal deterioration, and tucked in a corner is probably a bag that's normally labelled "do not eat" when it's found in a package of food.
- jamarno
- Post #25
- Jan 21, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Aperture grill or shadow mask

I don't like aperture grill tubes simply because the horizontal reinforcement wires bother me, but other people easily ignore them. But the average aperture grill monitor should look better because the convergence isn't that critical in the vertical direction, only in the horizontal direction...
- jamarno
- Post #11
- Jan 21, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
solving the problem of hydrogen powered cars?

Why not a 50/50 mixture of H2O2 and water? Peroxide is about as flammable as gasoline at that concentration.
- jamarno
- Post #9
- Jan 21, 2002
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
J
$35 VCR's

Kmart's extended warranties are handled by a company called WarrantyGuard. I don't know about their financial health or how they're paid, but the warranties are sold with a 90-day money-back guarantee.
- jamarno
- Post #5
- Jan 21, 2002
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
J
monitor question

If I had to use an extension, I'd rather use BNC cables because DB-15 connectors can hurt the signal much worse than BNC conectors do. BNC cables aren't expensive if you buy them separately or make your own.
- jamarno
- Post #2
- Jan 21, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Cheap but quality speakers under $100??

For conventional pairs, the Yamaha NS-6390 speakers are rather good, especially for bass. Best Buy should still carry them.
- jamarno
- Post #4
- Jan 21, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Replacing motherboard timing crystals?

The only things that will likely be affected are the real-time clock (I don't know if it's derived from the master oscillator or uses the absolute time clock for its heartbeat) and any CGA video card (only if using composite video output for color). Other devices shouldn't be affected...
- jamarno
- Post #3
- Jan 21, 2002
- Forum: Ask a Technical Professional
J
~~~~ Rebate Tracking Thread ~~~~

<< FirstUSA credit cards won't dispute a charge over a rebate.:( >> What if you write above your signature on the receipt, "Includes $xx.xx rebate"? I've been doing this, but I don't know if it provides additional protection. FirstUSA regularly violates federal credit card law. I disputed a...
- jamarno
- Post #214
- Jan 21, 2002
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
J
want to paint the bezels of my CD_roms...what kind of paint ??

Use lacquer (car touch-up paint) because it sticks well to plastic since it dissolves it slightly (enamel dissolves ABS plastic much less) and dries hard in a short amount of time. Enamel will remain soft for weeks. Both enamel and lacquer are made in acrylic forms, but this isn't important...
- jamarno
- Post #9
- Jan 18, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Can I fix this monitor?

If the connector isn't molded, you should be able to remove the broken pin and crimp a new one to the cable. You may need a special tool to remove and insert pins, but Radio Shack and Fry's has it. You can always cut off the cable and solder a new connector, either the crimp type or solder type.
- jamarno
- Post #2
- Jan 18, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Panasonic 4-Head Hi-Fi Stereo VCR $79.99 at Amazon ($120 elsewhere)

There may have been some production problems with recent Panasonic VCRs. Look for one wrapped in semi-clear plastic (crinkles loudly) rather than in thin foam. Both are made in Indonesia.
- jamarno
- Post #26
- Jan 18, 2002
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
J
Is Arctic Silver really worth it?

<< I've used AS and gotten immediate awesome results, >> A 20 Celcius drop is the minimum for "awesome." A good test would apply the same volume of paste each time and press it down to the same thickness. Some thick pastes need a lot more pressure to squeeze thin, and I suspect that this...
- jamarno
- Post #25
- Jan 16, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Is Arctic Silver really worth it?

WarCon, exactly how did you test, and how did you make sure that application of compound was the same in each case? Thickness may matter more than anything else. Beau6183, superglue may not flex enough for the different rates of expansion between the heatsink and chip package. It's better...
- jamarno
- Post #17
- Jan 15, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
~~~~ Rebate Tracking Thread ~~~~

Staples/Memorex scanner $60 rebate mailed 12/7/01 received 1/13/02 Staples/Epson printer $40 rebate mailed 12/8/01 received 1/13/02 Staples/Envision monitor $100 rebate mailed 12/5/01 - still processing Staples/PNY memory $20 rebate mailed 11/30/01 - still processing...
- jamarno
- Post #159
- Jan 15, 2002
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
J
refurbished motherboards???

"Refurbished" is a term being used very loosely and usually means "barely repaired and tested." So don't be surprised if one of the less-used parts of a refurbished motherboard is nonfunctional, such as a mouse or serial port. I would not buy a refurbished motherboard unless it was sold with...
- jamarno
- Post #6
- Jan 15, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
help on heatshrinking a 3 pin to a 4 pin

Why not just use wire tap connectors, those plastic devices made for splicing trailer tail lights into car tail lights? Radio Shack has some for smaller guage wire.
- jamarno
- Post #4
- Jan 15, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
AMD NIC problem

In your BIOS, under PCI/PNP, try turning off PNP BIOS, and setting "Resources Controlled By" to AUTO. I don't know why it helps, but it did with the last 4 cards (2 ancient NIC, 2 ancient sound). Edit: That should be "Resources Controlled By" to MANUAL.
- jamarno
- Post #7
- Jan 15, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Who makes the best mulitmeters?

Fluke and Tektronix. Accessories, including software, are sometimes cheaper for Tektronix, which is unusual for them. Don't look at just percentage accuracy figures because meters are also rated by count inaccuracy. In other words something like "+- 0.5%, +-3 digit counts," and I've seen...
- jamarno
- Post #7
- Jan 13, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Where can i buy conductive silver lacquer???

Rear windshield defroster paint is sold by auto parts stores.
- jamarno
- Post #9
- Jan 13, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
The best way to test memory?

Crucial has recommended DocMem, from www.simmtester.com, a program known to overlook more defects than MemTest86 does, according to tests done by RealWorldTech on known defective modules supplied to them by Micron (Crucial).
- jamarno
- Post #4
- Jan 13, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
How fragile are computer parts?

<< I figure if it ain't plugged in, then it ain't grounded, so touching the PSU is pointless. I could be wrong, and I probably am, >> It doesn't have to be grounded to earth, only to you and to the other parts. Touching an unplugged PSU isn't groundless because it is ground.
- jamarno
- Post #14
- Jan 13, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Good Keyboard??

If you didn't like Cherry, you probably won't be satisfied with anything but an old IBM or Northgate. I believe Northgate used Alps switches, and Focus may still make some that do. Fujitsu keyboards have also been praised for their feel, and Jameco used to sell them.
- jamarno
- Post #7
- Jan 12, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Round Cable Lengths, 18,24, or 36 "

Don't use round IDE cables over 18" unless they're twisted pair (TP), in which case 36" will probably work fine (I've run 60" TP @ ATA100). Without TP, round cables are slightly worse than flat 80-wire cables.
- jamarno
- Post #9
- Jan 12, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
How fragile are computer parts?

<< If you really want to ground yourself good, attach a long wire to your wrist (wrap around) and then stick the other end in the middle prong of any wall outlet. It's a bad idea to have your computer plugged in while you are assembling it >> Never ground yourself directly to the middle prong...
- jamarno
- Post #7
- Jan 12, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building
J
Which Power Supply out of these three should i choose? (in thread)

High Power is good, but a Power Man included in a Fry's 1.5 GHz P4 bare-bones machine made AM radio inaudible, indicating that it's cheap and lacks an RF filter (which also helps blocks surges).
- jamarno
- Post #13
- Jan 12, 2002
- Forum: Computer Building

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