Re: custom/home made gadgets, etc.

Since it seems like this isn't being limited to computer related gadgets, here is the cyclone dust separator I built last summer. A shopvac hose attaches to the top port, and the side port (that enters the cylinder tangentially) the collection hose attaches to.

I'll be making a second revision of it this summer that will be a stand alone unit (no shopvac needed) and will actually use some computer parts

[url=http://donwood.smugmug.com/DIY-Projects/Cyclone-Dust-Separator/10114228_whWx8#694854354_tmWFi-A-LB][/url]...

Re: case rusting

The dust very well could trap moisture and accelerate any rust. If it's just surface rust, it shouldn't harm anything. I'd give it a light sanding and then hit it with some rustoleum to keep it from rusting.

Re: Laptop screen lines

You should be able to go to dell's website and get the service manual for that laptop. Flip through it and find the part numbers for the motherboard and the LCD panel. Check ebay to see how much parts will cost. Worst case scenerio would be replacing the entire mobo. Best case scenerio it's just the screen or connector. If you can get the entire mobo cheap enough from ebay, I'd say it would be worth picking up.

Re: Badcaps in apple Imac 27'' ?


I'm pretty sure this is it. I think he just wants someone to point out what each section of the power supply is, and what it does....

Re: New found hatred for Western Digital....



Were the 1TB blacks giving you issues? Did you ditch them? My pair have been running flawlessly in a RAID 1 though my MB's onboard controller....

Re: Windows 7

I like Windows 7. FWIW - the search bar at the bottom of the start menu is VERY helpful.

Dig up the old W7 thread (I believe it had 'Windoze' in the title) and refer to the link inside for the one update to avoid installing.

Re: Computer stupidities

Last winter me and a couple guys were in my basement working on our senior design project, which involved building a set of electrostatic loudspeakers. A little background: electrostatic loudspeakers require a step up transformer to be hooked up between the stereo amplifier and the speaker itself to boost the 10-20VAC audio signal up to the 500-1000VAC range. We were conducting some frequency response testing, using my laptop as the audio source. As a precaution, we were taking advantage of the SPDIF audio output on it to decouple it from any high voltages....