Update: I fixed the computer!

Phew! Persistence, and good problem solving skills pay off. I fixed my compusa psycho computer refurbishment. There is a lot to be said for going to bed and coming back to a problem. With a fresh mind I started to walk back through the debug tools, and i relized that if I had a memory failure that odds are that at least one module is still good. It would take something really catastrophic to kill both DDR modules. Fortunately, I was right and wrong. I was right that I didn’t have a memory failure, but wrong to assume to look in the memory circuit. Turns out I just didn’t have the processor seated well. It is an easy mistake to make. The huge heat sink masks the fact that the processor was just not seated properly. Pull the CPU out and put it back in and viola! The hole thing showed me that i really could never be a mac user. I just enjoy electronics too much to let someone build it for me. Now if i ever need the services of another laptop, well . . . . Ill then consider. We’ll I still need to get a new mainboard to fit in the MicroATX case, but at least i know everything else is in good shape.

However, this leaves the question how many times have you left a project in frustration and come back later only to solve your problem, or overcome writer’s block? There is a lot to be said about rest and how important it is.

Next update: My story of firewire observations….I think it can be made a DIY project.

Honey, I could give a logical explanation, but . . . .

So this story starts with a little insight on me. I am an impulse buyer. If you stick me in a electronics store that is having clearance sales and you are going to see one crazy shopping man. So….. as you might be aware Comp USA is doing a huge store closing and going out of business. This made for the perfect storm. My wife was not with me to protect me from myself and so I came home with all sorts of computer electronics that were “on sale” . I saved us sooo much money. I dont think she was amused by this. I did good, I bought a new case some fans and 330ft USB Bluetooth dongle. The goal of my project was to refurbish my desktop and clean it up with a new case and some new fans that didnt make so much noise and emit strange blue glows. I had honest intentions. Well……..silly me in my crazed shopping got a Micro ATX case instead of a ATX case. … opps…. Of course all sales are final, and I couldn’t return them. I figure this out halfway through my PC assembling extravaganza. Hmmmmm it dont fit…….. Well this started a huge quandary do i try and make it fit? or do i just get a new board from ebay. I decided to do the later. However in my impatience I decided to try and make it fit too. Now I KNOW BETTER. I deal with these types of electronics on a daily basis. I KNOW better than to try and make it fit. But the phyco delusions of fixing the mess i created only created … a bigger mess. Folks it was like watching a train wreck. I was obsessed, must fix must fix… So i confiscate my wifes ironing board, bring the rest of the computer stuff from the office to the Kitchen table and…well their you go. I have now a busted computer with new parts. I know have to order a new mother board and ram and ect…because i did Static Damage to something. Sigh….. one day i will learn.

Twitter version:

I broke my computer.

Man….Itunes is getting bloated!

So i was reinstalling Itunes, and I just had to notice WHOA! that application is huge! to put in perspective. Firefox is about 5MB, Openoffice is about 150MB, and Winamp is 8MB. I have no idea what is going on over at apple but this is ridiculous. The application is meant to play music. What in the world needs 51.8MB to play music. And just a side note, it is highly annoying that every time this blasted program needs an update I have to re download the entire thing. At least with windows updates, all i have to do is download a patch. Maybe in OS X its not so bad, maybe it patches instead of re install the whole blasted application.

suc la blu – Its mac sacralage

Are you tired of the fascist, slightly communistic white, aluminum or rarely spoken about black apple laptop? Be a rebel! Revolt! and these people can help you break out of your endless streak of hopeless conformity!

www.colorwarepc.com

it wasnt a 450 dollar mod I’d consider.

Ebay…Sell victoriously

I’d have to admit over the past couple of years I have been very cautious about purchasing items from ebay.  Mainly because you are never sure what you are getting, and the shipping consitancy from one seller to the next has always been sketch.  Not to mention there are lots of people out there just trying to scam you and make a dishonest buck.  But looking around the house I notice lots of junk that i know i can sell to someone on ebay.  As a seller i dont feel quite as tepid.    The goal of my latest ebay spree is to sell all the junk in the office that i dont use and i know that i will never use.  This way i can free up the space and you never know do something with that money that is more valuable.  We shall see how this adventure goes.