Recent content by Bob Anderson

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MSI t2d256ez owners, what do you think about this video card?

I don't own that version of the 7600 GT, but I do own the EVGA active cooled version. All 7600 GT's regardless of manufacturer pull all their power from the PCI-Express bus. So by design all comsume little power. Mine runs typically at 42- 50C, so a passively cooled one should be fine. I...
- Bob Anderson
- Post #2
- Jun 1, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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Best external hard drive enclosure?

I've an Acomdata aluminum enclosure that came with a 80 GB WD. It has worked perfectly for nearly 4 years. I also have a Seagate plastic enclosure with a 120 GB Seagate drive. It is about a year old and works perfectly, too. The Acomdata makes some minor noise which I attribute to resonance of...
- Bob Anderson
- Post #3
- May 7, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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Is there any app which measures power draw of components?

-------------------- There is a way to do something similar to what you want, but it isn't instant gratification. Get an energy meter like the UPM Energy 100 from Canadian Tire for about $25. Plug only your monitor and computer into it. Set the meter to show real time wattage consumption...
- Bob Anderson
- Post #4
- May 3, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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DO NOT apply "Goo Gone" to an LCD when you're cleaning it!

------------------- Exactly. Never spray anything directly on to an LCD screen. 9 times out of 10, a soft damp with water cloth or quality paper towel is all that is required, because your screen isn't actually dirty, just dusty. If it is dirty, then follow the initial damp cloth removal...
- Bob Anderson
- Post #6
- Apr 28, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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How do you dim a CCFL? Want to brighten and dim a set of CCFL lights as needed.....

There is no warning on my cf bulbs concerning the use of a timer. They can't be used with a DIMMER, unless the bulb specifically says it can. I think whoever told you a cf can't be used with a timer can't read. -Bob
- Bob Anderson
- Post #12
- Apr 20, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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How do you dim a CCFL? Want to brighten and dim a set of CCFL lights as needed.....

Sorry, I made a mistake. The Philips Daylight CF's are 6500K, not 9200K. The light is pure white, there is no color component to it. 9200K would have a bluish tint. -Bob
- Bob Anderson
- Post #10
- Apr 19, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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How do you dim a CCFL? Want to brighten and dim a set of CCFL lights as needed.....

Dimmable compact fluorescents have just come on the market in Canada. Google Philips and the other major manufacturers. I don't need dimmables myself. I converted every incandescent in the house to cf's a few years ago. I use Philips Daylight which are whiter than white, about 9200K. No more...
- Bob Anderson
- Post #6
- Apr 17, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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UPS

You need to start by using UPS manufacturer's configurators to get an idea of VA size and wattage: http://www.tripplite.com/ Also try APC (I don't have the exact url, but it is probably www.apc.com) You are probably looking at 1000 VA and 600 watts, perhaps 800 to get 20 minutes run...
- Bob Anderson
- Post #2
- Apr 15, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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Pretend Contest! Who can tell me my compatibility problem!

question 1: No. You will hear a series of beeps if you try to boot without RAM. 2) both modules go with the same color slots. -Bob
- Bob Anderson
- Post #2
- Apr 14, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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Is there a difference between resetting bios setting to default and removing mobo battery?

If you remove the battery AND the comp is unplugged, the BIOS will revert to factory defaults and the date and time will be years in the past. You will have to reset date and time. If all you want to do is revert to defaults, then do that through the BIOS. You can damage the battery and its...
- Bob Anderson
- Post #2
- Apr 14, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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2x512 and 1x1GB ddr

Yep, 2T. It hardly makes any difference, though. If your friend has a good reason for going to 2 gig, then that is far more important than going from 1T to 2T. When I built this rig with 2x512, it ran at 1T. When I installed later nvidea drivers, it went to 2T, even though the ram...
- Bob Anderson
- Post #8
- Apr 13, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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2x512 and 1x1GB ddr

Yep, that's true with my Chaintech VFN4 (nForce 4) motherboard. It says so explicitly in the mb manual. -Bob
- Bob Anderson
- Post #6
- Apr 13, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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no read of SMART info from hdd

Cool. Progress! -Bob
- Bob Anderson
- Post #7
- Apr 13, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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no read of SMART info from hdd

Go to the disk manufacturer's web sites and get their diagnostic tools. Seagate calls theirs 'seatools'. These tools will tell you if SMART is supported and give some details. -Bob
- Bob Anderson
- Post #3
- Apr 13, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building
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Dumbest thing you've ever done

When I did my first build in November 2005 I dutifully attached an anti-static strap to my wrist and grounded it to the metal case chassis, only to realize after the build was completed that because the PSU wasn't plugged into an AC socket, I wasn't grounded! It was a very good thing it was a...
- Bob Anderson
- Post #49
- Apr 9, 2007
- Forum: Computer Building

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