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ThePCDoctor
ThePCDoctor
Retired Tech.
Last Activity: 11-18-2015, 08:36 AM
Joined: 09-14-2011
Location: Central FLORIDA
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to SSD reliability and interface discussion (Previously: HDD issues)
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: SSD reliability and interface discussion (Previously: HDD issues)

    This has to be one of those FWIW posts. Eh?

    Last May, I bought my first SSD, directly from PNY. It ran for two months and then refused to boot up my PC one morning. There was nothing I could do to revive it.
    So, I called PNY's support hot-line and I found out that without the original purchase order, they would do nothing for me.

    Then, still needing an SSD, I went to Amazon.com and found a SanDisk SSD of the right size and price for me. I bought it, had it here in two days,...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to acer aspire one need to install xp with usb
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: acer aspire one need to install xp with usb

    I handle that on my own Acer One Netbook, by using an External USB CD/DVD disk drive. Then I can use the Boot DVD's I have for several OS's.

    I just recently upgraded my Netbook from its original XP, to Windows 8.1 Pro, x86. Before I did that though, I made a backup of XP to the second partition on the HD in the Netbook, so I can go back if 8.1 does not work out.

    So far, 8.1, x86 is running great on the little Netbook.

    Since there is NO CD/DVD drive in a Netbook, the bios is factory set to...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to Mouse replacement image sensor - Philips Twin Eye PLN 2031
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: Mouse replacement image sensor - Philips Twin Eye PLN 2031

    Y'all probably never had to use the very first PC Mouse. It had only two buttons, was rectangular, and was like pushing a brick about on the desktop. Ah, the good ol' days! Well, not so much. lol

    Mice in general have come a long ways and can be enhanced by the settings in Windows.
    I like to use a wireless mouse on my desktop PC, but I also have a wired mouse connected, so when the batteries die in the Wireless mouse, I can grab the wired mouse and keep on going. I can always install new batteries at...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to BIOS Lock. Not sure if it's worth the salvage
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: BIOS Lock. Not sure if it's worth the salvage

    Just curious.....

    Is there a separate CMOS battery in that little PC?

    If there is, removing all power from the unit, including the big battery pack ,and then removing the little CMOS battery for at least half an hour, will usually drain the CMOS memory chip of all its little electrons.....thus erasing the user set memory (passwords, etc.)

    Admittedly, I've not had to do that on a laptop, but it works a treat on Desktop PC's.

    I've had PC's that seemed to be completely DEAD, but after...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to PC cleanner for free?
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: PC cleanner for free?

    I know that there are many users that have used CCleaner, with no problems, but I have tried it twice, over a several years time frame and both times it disabled my OS.
    I had to resort to a Ghost Restore to return my PC to full function again, both times.

    Now I won't touch it with the proverbial 'Ten Foot Pole'.

    The Disk Cleanup app that comes with Windows, will do a respectable job, if you run it in the Extended Mode.
    A web search will find you that code.
    or download the shortcut here: [url]http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/158356-extended-disk-cleanup.html[/url]...
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    Last edited by ThePCDoctor; 07-20-2014, 10:14 AM.

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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to Back-UPS RS 800 Not charging
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: Back-UPS RS 800 Not charging

    Many years ago now, I was given an APC brand, 600VA, UPS with dead and leaking batteries. (2x 6vdc gel-cells).

    APC brand is the only one I've tested that WILL accept much larger batteries, like car batteries.

    My own replacement batteries for the above mentioned UPS.

    [URL=http://s54.photobucket.com/user/DrWho1943/media/Computer%20Stuff/UPSBatteries-1.jpg.html][/URL]

    In case of a short circuit inside the UPS, the UPS and batteries are protected by a 30A quick blow fuse, in-line. (as seen in...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to Killed a 1TB hdd
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: Killed a 1TB hdd

    For much longer than I care to admit to, I've been building and repairing PC's.
    So I've had way too much experience with hard drives in general.
    My first HD was a Seagate 20 meg, half height drive. It never failed on me.

    Today, many years later, I'm still running Seagate drives. But I have no AC and I live in Central FL where it can get pretty hot. The ambient temp here at my PC right now is 90F.

    To keep my hard drives alive and well, I always program them to spin down after about five minutes of inactivity, in Power...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to ATI x1650 AGP card fan LOUD
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: ATI x1650 AGP card fan LOUD

    I had (still have) a video card that I really liked, but....
    it had one of those tiny little fans that set down inside the GPU heatsink.

    I had cleaned and re-oiled it several times and one day I noticed it was not turning at all. It was frozen solid. I was surprised that the GPU was not fried. A web search for that little fan was not forthcoming, so I did what I usually do with any such problem.... I got innovative!

    I removed the two-wire fan from an old K6 CPU cooler and after removing the OEM fan, I glued the new...
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    Last edited by ThePCDoctor; 07-20-2014, 09:01 AM.

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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to Don't try this at home
    in General Electronics Technical Discussion
    Re: Don't try this at home

    I guess that's the difference between a 'putzer' and an Electronics Engineer.
    Putzers make things that go BOOM!
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to New Router suggestions
    in Troubleshooting & Designing Networks
    Re: New Router suggestions

    I use only "Intellinet" type N-300 routers.
    I push a three bar signal about 500' down the road to a friends house.

    Linksys is good too, as far as longevity is concerned. I have two of them I use here in the house for expanded LAN connections (not wireless).

    Happy 2013, Y'all !

    Doc
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to PSU died, what should I look for?
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: PSU died, what should I look for?

    A point of interest.....
    I've worked on PC's that were by all indications DEAD as a rock.
    Taking out the CMOS battery for a few seconds did nothing. NOTHING!

    The solution was to remove all power from the PC, then remove the CR2032 battery for twenty minutes or more. Then install a new battery and the PC came up like nothing had ever happened to it.

    If you have a digital VOM, make sure that your CMOS battery is showing at least 3.0vdc, or it should be changed.

    Just a thought!
    Doc...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to Surge Supression
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: Surge Supression

    They usually have a "Fuse" that blows out, during a powerful surge or HV spike.

    I've sold literally hundreds of modems and surge suppressors for phone lines, to replace units with those fuses blown. (usually a Pico Fuse that you won't find at your local hardware store)

    It's a good source of income for Computer Tech's. rofl
    Especially, here in the lightning capital of the Western Hemisphere.

    Cheers Mates!
    Happy New Year!
    Doc
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to Newfound hatred for windows 8
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: Newfound hatred for windows 8

    From Jan 2012 To Oct 26, 2012, I was a moderator on a Windows 8 forum.
    What I learned is that most people were (are) too stupid to run a BETA test version of anything. They wouldn't follow the posted instructions on how and where to load W8 and then when they loaded it over the top of their Licensed OS and wiped it out, they would be on the forum crying and asking how to get their OS and all their years of data back again.

    The biggest mistake MS made with W8 was ever releasing the BETA versions to the General Public. (those unwashed...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to Surge Supression
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: Surge Supression

    In designing Surge Protected circuits, like Engine Control Computers, at CAT, in the lab we found that MOV's are just too slow for suppression of sharp spikes. The device we wound up using was a solid state device from Motorola, called the "Transorb".
    [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transient-voltage-suppression_diode[/url]

    They are lightning fast and can absorb a huge amount of energy in non-repetitive pulses.

    I would never use MOV's in a surge protector to protect my own computer.

    I assume that...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to Surge Supression
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: Surge Supression

    Any Surge protector, should never be mislabeled or confused with "Lightning Protection".

    Once you have a good surge protector and UPS, the next stage in Lightning Protection is good Homeowners Insurance.
    Because, no electronic circuit made by man can totally STOP a lightning bolt.
    Ho hype.....just fact.

    I used to design and build Surge Protection for Construction Vehicles, at CAT. We could effectively protect the Onboard Computer against high voltage spikes coming off of an errant Alternator, but that...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to Got one of these...
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: Got one of these...

    All those memory chips use POWER, constantly.

    Much more than a small HD that is powered down to save power.

    That looks like a tablet PC, Right?

    Did it not come with XP already installed?

    I have an Acer Aspire ONE netbook that came with XP-Home and it's pretty peppy with 1.5 gig of ram.
    You don't have to nlite your OS. just limit what runs.
    When ever I set up a Netbook or Laptop, I shut down at least 24 services that would otherwise run in the background all the time, then I go into MSCONFIG>Startup...
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    Last edited by ThePCDoctor; 05-04-2012, 09:19 AM.

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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to Help, after recap problems
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: Help, after recap problems

    I'm forever answering peoples questions about PC Power Supplies (PSU's).

    The main thing I tell them is "Read the Label"!!!

    No label ever says anything like "500watt forever".
    NO, it's more like "500watt MAX". The "MAX" means that's the power that the supply can deliver for a few brief seconds while a PC is booting up, charging all the caps and starting all the fans and drive motors.

    Then derate that by 25 to 30% for the All-Day power rating.

    ...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to do i need java software?
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: do i need java software?

    I've had many service calls, where the customer says "I can't run (whatever)".
    I go out to the PC, install Java, Flash and Shockwave, then the very latest K-Lite Codec pack and then test the system with sample files that I take with me and the PC will then play everything. Problem fixed..... Service call complete.

    If I go back there on subsequent calls, I update everything that I gave them on the last call.

    When installing the latest version of Java, then go to your startup folder and remove the Java Scheduler,...
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to Fire starter PC cables
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: Fire starter PC cables

    Overall, in this topic, it appears that most of the problems are occurring outside the US, where the line power is 220-230 VAC.

    In 30+ years as a professional tech, here in the US I've never seen a fire from a computer power cable.

    I seriously doubt if any of those cables are made here,,,,,probably in China.
    UL Rated? Forgetaboutit!

    Interesting thread!

    Cheers Mates!
    The Doctor
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  • ThePCDoctor
    replied to CDs make me sick
    in General Computer & Tech Discussion
    Re: CDs make me sick

    TopCat,
    See how far requesting a "location" gets you?
    I'm constantly asking people to do that, but........alas.....

    Some dude will come on a forum and ask "where can I buy a whatsis?"
    I'll tell him to go down to Staples. Then he says "we don't have those in India"... Touche'
    It would have saved a lot of time and discomfort if he'd of just put his location into his Public Information in the first place.

    The only saving grace with CD's, DVD's, etc, is that the professionally made...
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    Last edited by ThePCDoctor; 05-03-2012, 11:32 AM.

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