Recent content by jamarno

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

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