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Title: Booting from flash drive (Win 7 - XP)
Source:
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URL Source: http://ChuckW
Published: Mar 2, 2015
Author: Chuck_Wagon
Post Date: 2015-03-02 15:53:26 by Chuck_Wagon
Keywords: None
Views: 33069
Comments: 123
Just suppose that I wanted to create a machine that would FYI - I am planning to create this thing on a new Zotac So what I'm basically trying to do is create a 'disk-less' Thanks for any help / insight! ZBOX 1320-U:
boot from a USB flash drive - a relatively big flash drive -
32gb to 64gb - or whatever is required.
And I wanted this thing to boot either Win7 or XP.
Anybody here have any experience with such an experience?
'ZBox' with a Celeron processor and 4GB of memory (which I
have - the memory - not the Zbox).
computer. Shouldn't be fraught with problems - Eh? 
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#1. To: Chuck_Wagon (#0)
(Edited)
You likely be better off with smaller notebook 2.5" flash drive that is designed for use as a system drive. Typically these have RAM for caching data and eliminating a lot of disk rewrites (that would shorten a USB flash drive's lifetime). And they have a true disk interface. USB just isn't as good. USB is also potentially a source for unstoppable computer viruses to hide out. Look at Amazon and you'll find 32GB Crucial solid-state drives with 3Gbps SATA interface for $38 or instead choose a 128GB Seagate drive with 6Gbps SATA3 interface for under $60 (I'd urge you to consider this one as it is a reputable drive with a good record, very fast, and will work quite well with these Zotac units you're considering and it is four times bigger with a better interface for only twice the price).
Have you tried WinToUSB? Otherwise, you can burn an iso to a usb drive if you have a bootable cd of windows.
No, I don't know anything about how to do that with Windows. But as a more constructive suggestion, I have used UNetbootin to create bootable Live USB drives to install Linux on a hard drive (instead of burning installation CDs or DVDs) On the other hand, Google turns up quite a few alternative approaches that don't look too difficult.
Article I, Section 8 I agree. USB thumbdrives are great for portability, and using "your computer" on different actual machines (like a repair technician might do.) But USB drives are also very slow compared to an internal drive. I just received a ZBOX 1320-U with 4Gb of RAM on Saturday and put a Western Digital 320 Gb SATA II drive in it that I bought last year for $45. Today it's only $30 + shipping, and the newer/faster SATA III is $39 & FREE SHIPPING. Working great with mint linux installed. But running off the USB (thumb drive and external dvd) is noticeablly slower than the internal hard drive.
#2. To: Chuck_Wagon (#0)
#3. To: Chuck_Wagon (#0)
And I wanted this thing to boot either Win7 or XP.
Anybody here have any experience with such an experience?
I assume that Microsoft's obsession with copyright protection would make that pretty difficult.
But I haven't really used Windows much since they dropped support for Win 98, so what do I know?
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
#4. To: TooConservative, Chuck_Wagon (#1)
You likely be better off with smaller notebook 2.5" flash drive that is designed for use as a system drive
#5. To: Willie Green, Chuck_Wagon (#4)
USB3, just as with USB2, does not actually maintain the advertised maximum speed of the interface in sustained data transfers. IOW, even if the interface is rated at the same speed, SATA or Firewire always beat USB2 or USB3 at the same rated speeds. A USB3 flash drive running at 5Gbps is much slower than any common SATA3 6Gbps solid-state drive. Using USB flash drives as a system drive only makes sense for portability between various computers. Since these are bookshelf computers to begin with, the portability can't be much of an issue. And the drive controller on a hard drive is just much better than a USB flash drive and has RAM cache that really helps the speed and reduces the rewrites.
Working great with mint linux installed. But running off the USB (thumb drive and external dvd) is noticeablly slower than the internal hard drive.
#6. To: Chuck_Wagon (#0)
Forget it.
Just suppose that I wanted to create a machine that would boot from a USB flash drive - a relatively big flash drive - 32gb to 64gb - or whatever is required. And I wanted this thing to boot either Win7 or XP.
#7. To: Willie Green, TooConservative, Pridie.Nones, cranky (#4)
...forget it.. The only reason I am considering this bootable USB I have a little problem - my right hand and arm are See, last time I had to do something like this, Staples So if I'm going to pack all of the parts into a box and ship Thanks for your help folks!
...noticeablly slower...
option is the problem of installing a 2.5 inch
drive in a little bookshelf case.
mostly paralyzed - which makes working on itsy bitsy,
teeny, tiny things like SATA connectors difficult
for me to do. So I was thinking: "If I can..." -
I'm sure y'all get the general idea I was getting at.
'Ease of assembly' was what I was aiming for.
charged me $40 bucks. Which isn't really that much,
but it annoys me to pay that to do something as simple
as install a hard drive. I have a friend who is competent
enough to do it, but I don't want to keep annoying him
with my problems. I have another friend who used to run
his own computer/electronics repair shop - but he and
wife and kids moved to West Virginia.
it to WV with a note and cash for return shipping, and
annoy HIM, I might as well grab my wallet and drive 2 miles
to Staples...
#8. To: Chuck_Wagon (#7)
You need more friends. I hate asking for favors too, but when I do they are cheerfully honored. What you are asking for is a very small favor. And YouTube will likely show your friend exactly how to do it. I learn lots of useful things from YouTube videos.
#9. To: Chuck_Wagon, all (#0)
SSD drives are the way to go, and some are fairly in-expensive. I built a desktop computer last year, and put my OS on a SSD. It boots up in seconds. Shortly prior to that I purchased a Samsung NPSeries 9 Ultrabook, with a 128 GB SSD for a hard drive. I've owned lots of laptops, but none compared to this one. I did finally run out of disc space, and so I'm going to have to sell and replace it. I ordered another Samsung Ultrabook, with 256 GB SSD (NP940X3G-K04US. I'm sold on SSD's.
“Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen, from the grave.” John Chrysostom www.evidenceforJesusChrist.org
#10. To: Fred Mertz, Chuck_Wagon (#8)
Actually, I found installing the 2 sticks of RAM to be more difficult than slipping in the hard drive. But this YouTube shows the hard drive being inserted, so you can judge for yourself: Zotac ZBOX BI320 Mini-PC Overview - Newegg TV And here is another YouTube that shows both the hard drive and RAM being installed on an older model: Zotac ZBOX HD-ID11 - How to Upgrade (The only difference is the newer model takes 2 sticks of RAM instead of just one.) I haven't tried this one-handed, but assuming that you still have fairly normal dexterity in your left arm, I don't think this should be too difficult for you to accomplish on your own. It's not like older desktops with 5¼" floppy or CD drives or 3½" hard drives with those ribbon connectors and power connectors that can be such a pain in the butt, even with two good hands. These newer 2½" drives that they use in laptops really just slip in a slot quite easily. But watch the videos and judge for yourself. The most difficult part is getting it (and the RAM) lined up with the connector at the right angle to slip them in place.
The only reason I am considering this bootable USB option is the problem of installing a 2.5 inch drive in a little bookshelf case.
And YouTube will likely show your friend exactly how to do it.
#11. To: Chuck_Wagon (#7)
A five minute job. Surely you could hire a neighborhood kid to do this for you. If you can handle opening and closing the case yourself, it's a two-minute job. Watch Willie's vids. A lot of laptops and tiny PCs with 2.5" drives are built so that the drive is almost self-guiding into a groove and onto the SATA data/power connectors. It is much much easier than messing around with IDE cables and power cords.
See, last time I had to do something like this, Staples charged me $40 bucks.
#12. To: TooConservative (#11)
I pay 'friends for favors' with beer. My neighbor won't take any money, but he will take a bottle of Canadian Mist. He's helped me more than a few times over the past twenty years. My friend's wife needed a ride to the tavern last week while he was working on getting his car's starter working. She wanted to buy me six beers (a bucket). One was sufficient for me. That's how we roll.
Surely you could hire a neighborhood kid to do this for you.
#13. To: Fred Mertz (#12)
That works too.
I pay 'friends for favors' with beer.
#14. To: TooConservative, Fred Mertz (#11)
Try doing it with one hand.
A pain in the zorch - trust me.
Many things are.
Try changing a tire one-handed. Ehhh.....
#15. To: Chuck_Wagon (#14)
Don't do it yourself, you g**damned retard. Get help from a friend or neighbor or kid. Sorry, I couldn't resist, since you don't listen very well.
#16. To: Chuck_Wagon, TooConservative, Fred Mertz (#14)
Well they lopped-off my left leg above-the-knee a-year-ago-Christmas, so I'm not as unsympathetic to your plight as Fred. But seeing as I actually have a Z-Box, I decided to conduct an experiment and accept your challenge. And I am quite pleased to report: Success!!! Using ONLY my left hand (and I'm right-handed): Yeah, it is a bit more awkward than using two hands (especially since my left hand is all thumbs.) Nevertheless, the whole experiment didn't take me much more than 10~15 minutes, if that much. But in the end, you'll have to judge for yourself whether you think you're up to it or not... Just don't go spending $40 for somebody to do it for you... it's waaaaaaay too easy... I'd say $5 max... or just buy him a beer...
Try doing it with one hand.
A pain in the zorch - trust me.
Don't do it yourself, you g**damned retard.
#17. To: Chuck_Wagon (#0)
Why?
So what I'm basically trying to do is create a 'disk-less' computer.
потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
#18. To: Willie Green (#16)
Nice post.
#19. To: Willie Green (#16)
Okay. Sorry about your leg.
#20. To: Chuck_Wagon (#19)
Thanks... it definitely slows me down a bit, but it's not as bad as I would have imagined... and hopefully I'll get approval for a prosthesis after my cardiologist gets a couple more tests done,
#21. To: Fred Mertz (#15)
I take after my Mom. I couldn't resist, since you don't listen very well.
YOU get her to listen to my investment advice.
It's utterly impossible.
#22. To: Willie Green (#20)
Yeah - I have a MOFO brace on my lower right leg -
and braces on my right arm (Which I no longer wear).
Work out 3 times a week at the gym.
The exercises no longer seem to help a Lot.
But the leg presses got me out of the wheelchair.
So that's definitely something, eh?
So on I go.
#23. To: Willie Green (#16) (Edited)
Good job. Thanks for the inspiration in your experiment.
And I am quite pleased to report: Success!!!
#24. To: Chuck_Wagon (#21)
It's how our aging parents get even with us for being rotten all those times when we were kids.
YOU get her to listen to my investment advice.
#25. To: Chuck_Wagon, Fred Mertz (#22)
Yeah... being in a wheelchair isn't much fun, but I don't complain about it since I'm actually much better off physically than many others. For instance, I can pretty easily stand up and hop around on one leg using my walker (I call it my hopper.) I suppose I could use crutches if I wanted, but I don't trust them. The walker has more stability when I plant it solidly on the ground to help me hop. So all-in-all, I have nothing to complain about... I get along very well... Just hoping a prosthetic leg will help get me accomplish things a little quicker... believe me, although I can do it, pumping gas is REALLY tedious right now...
But the leg presses got me out of the wheelchair.
So that's definitely something, eh?
So that's how I get myself to the grocery store:
Self-serve gas stations are a pain in the patoot, but I manage. At other stores, I can push around a full-size shopping cart if I have to, but I prefer the smaller carts or hand-baskets if they have them. And inside the grocery store, it's pretty easy for me to lock my wheels and stand up to get something off the top shelf... or to get my wallet out of my hip pocket at the check-out line.
#26. To: Willie Green (#25)
Nope, it ain't. Good luck to you! I still use these for grocery and other shopping: Can't decide which I prefer: The Amigo, or the Smart Cart... LOL
...being in a wheelchair isn't much fun...
I was in one for 22 months. Then I stood up. 
#27. To: Chuck_Wagon (#26)
I've never seen the luxury model with the fancy armrests...The Amigo, or the Smart Cart... LOL
But then, I only use those things when I go shopping with someone else who can bring them out to the car for me to use. I rarely find one out in the parking lot that I can get to by myself, and once I get my own chair out of the trunk, it just isn't worth switching to the electric chair inside the store. Besides, if I do that, then what am I supposed to do with my own chair while I shop? Just leave it there where someone else might think that it belongs to the store & start using it?
#28. To: TooConservative (#24)
Hey, I was a GREAT kid. With the possible exception of ...how our aging parents get even with us for being rotten...
when I was a teenager. And we won't discuss that one
time when my mother had to pick me up at the police
station. It was a big MISUNDERSTANG - but no one listened...
#29. To: Chuck_Wagon (#28) (Edited)
Obviously you were beyond suspicion. It's so unfair. So are you going to follow Willy's advice and install your own 2.5" hard drive? It was the point of the thread. I like for how-to threads to resolve themselves into action.
#30. To: sneakypete, Chuck_Wagon (#29)
So did you find ever someone to trench that Ethernet cable out to your shop for Roku streaming there? I kinda wondered if the ground got too frozen for that to be a winter project.
I like for how-to threads to resolve themselves into action.
#31. To: Willie Green (#27)
Shoprite (grocery store) has a policy that a bagger or I choose the 'vestibule' option, park the cart, and then Just leave it there(?)
someone has to accompany 'riding cart' riders
out to their cars (then they ride the cart back) or at
least out to the front vestibule place (where all the
regular shopping carts are) in order to make sure that
it is plugged in for recharge.
set out with my quad cane: 
#32. To: TooConservative (#29)
First I'm going to find my set of jewelers screwdrivers If yes - I shall proceed to do it. If no I will take the I like for how-to threads to resolve themselves into action.
(I'm pretty sure I know where they are) - then when
I take delivery on the bookshelf PC I shall place it
on the workbench and see if I can do the task at hand
myself. (Installing the internal drive, I mean.)
mess to Staples and spend $40.
#33. To: TooConservative, Chuck_Wagon (#29)
The Z-Box with 4 Gb RAM, a 2½" hard drive and 64-bit Linux Mint 17.1 "Rebecca" Xfce Edition is working great for me. That's what I'm using right now.I like for how-to threads to resolve themselves into action.
Of course, you're welcome to use Windows or whatever other Linux distribution you choose. I just hope I convinced you that installing an internal drive isn't too difficult. Using a USB drive is OK for installing Windows or Linux TO the internal drive, but they're much too slow for normal every day use. You'll be much happier with the internal 2½" drive.
#34. To: Chuck_Wagon (#32)
Unnecessary... DON'T go spending $40 at Staples, for cripesakes. This is pretty easy to do and you'll make me feel bad that I talked you into buying this thing. I'm pretty sure you can do it.
First I'm going to find my set of jewelers screwdrivers
There are only 3 knurled thumb screws to remove: 2 on the outside/back of the case and 1 inside the case holding the hard drive in place. Unless they're too tight, you should be able to unscrew them with your fingers. But just in case, they are slotted and you might be able to loosen them using a dime or a "regular" small screwdriver. Jewelers screwdrivers might be a little too small.
#35. To: Chuck_Wagon (#31)
Yeah, that quad cane looks like it will be useful AFTER I get a prosthetic leg.I choose the 'vestibule' option, park the cart, and then set out with my quad cane:
But right now, it just wouldn't provide enough support while I hop around on one leg. If I lose my balance, I'm doomed. That's why I use the walker. The walker works for short distances, but even then, I wouldn't trust it all the way from my car to the vestibule of the store.
#36. To: Willie Green (#35)
Not for me. So it's: "Quad Cane Left! Proceed!" for me.
The walker works...
I've tried them - and you really need two arms
to support yourself on them. My right arm doesn't
have the steadiness nor the strength for it
unfortunately.
#37. To: Chuck_Wagon, TooConservative (#0)
I had a 10gig netbook that was obsolete and I use as my bathroom wifi radio now and it ran on Windows XP - but barely. So I bought an Ubuntu loaded thumbdrive and ran it off of that and that was fine for a while until it stopped working and then I got a thumbdrive running Chrome and it works fine most of the time for wireless Pandora or radio.
Just suppose that I wanted to create a machine that would boot from a USB flash drive - a relatively big flash drive - 32gb to 64gb - or whatever is required. And I wanted this thing to boot either Win7 or XP. Anybody here have any experience with such an experience?
#38. To: Pericles (#37)
I used to run Ubuntu on a couple of old Celeron machines.
In fact I think they are still in the basement -
and the may possibly still work!
(Actually ONE of them may still work, the other one
died now that I think of it.)
#39. To: Willie Green (#33) (Edited)
I'm impressed with these sweet tiny budget boxes. And my last new machine was a Mac Pro workstation, top of the line stuff, 2.6Ghz, lots of RAM. So I am used to being a power user. It would be great if they could get the price of the i7 quad-core versions of these TinyPCs down under $300. Zotec also have their Nano models. Small as a USB hub. Too cute. I'm using an i7 Mac Mini, another tiny device. It has room for a second hard drive, two slots for RAM. I put 16GB in it (Crucial 16GB kit, DDR3, $135 shipped from Amazon). My Mini never uses swap partition at all. Not even if I use VMWare and run Ubuntu Linux 14, Windows XP or Win7, and Apple's OSX 10.9.5 simultaneously on multiple virtual screens along with several browsers (Firefox, Chrome) with 50 or more browser tabs open at once. It's completely smooth, all the time. Virtually no hesitation at any time. I like my Mini more than my Mac Pro workstation which I do still have. (It's a total power hog, scandalous really. It makes the meter spin!) I'm trying to make the point that we can just virtualize these OSes (if we have adequate RAM and multiple cores) and run everything at once very smoothly if we have enough RAM and CPU cores. Years back, adding RAM beyond a certain point (2GB or 4GB) was a waste of time because the apps and OS didn't take advantage of it. That has changed on all platforms and they readily gobble up and use any amount of RAM well. For serious use, you should have 8GB or 16GB. If running a single OS, 8GB will do well enough for everything but commercial Photoshop or 3ds Studio Max or other similar workstation class apps. Here's one of those Zotec Nanos ($198.99 shipped): The Z-Box with 4 Gb RAM, a 2½" hard drive and 64-bit Linux Mint 17.1 "Rebecca" Xfce Edition is working great for me.
Isn't that just darling? What a sweet little box.
#40. To: Pericles, Chuck_Wagon (#37)
Well, sure but Chuck seems to want Windows and some apps, not just a Chromebook browser setup with a few media extensions.
I had a 10gig netbook that was obsolete and I use as my bathroom wifi radio now and it ran on Windows XP - but barely. So I bought an Ubuntu loaded thumbdrive and ran it off of that and that was fine for a while until it stopped working and then I got a thumbdrive running Chrome and it works fine most of the time for wireless Pandora or radio.
#41. To: Pericles, Chuck_Wagon, Willie Green (#37)
When you ran Linux in your bathroom, did you invoke the toilet command? With or without the "gay" border option? : ) Linux.com: Fun with figlet and toilet You make think this is an odd topic but a single web search revealed that there has been a formal conference on Linux In The Bathroom for some time. ZDnet: Conference Encourages Linux In The Bathroom Yes, they want to use Linux to flush their toilets, among many other tasks. That's all I got for computer potty humor for today, I think.
I had a 10gig netbook that was obsolete and I use as my bathroom wifi radio now and it ran on Windows XP - but barely. So I bought an Ubuntu loaded thumbdrive and ran it off of that...
#42. To: TooConservative (#39)
Yeah... I was looking at those higher spec Zotacs, as well as Intel NUCs & HP Chromeboxes. At least the ones that weren't out of my price range. But I finally decided on the more modestly priced ZBOX-BI320-U because it had both HDMI & DVI-D video output and my monitor only accepts VGA or DVI-D. Most of the other little boxes I looked at only have HDMI output, and I didn't want to go through a converter to hook up my monitor. But yeah, the technology of these little boxes is simply amazing and so affordable compared to what's been available for the last 25+ years... It really makes you wonder where this old world is headed!
Isn't that just darling? What a sweet little box.
#43. To: Willie Green (#42)
A smaller distro like Mint Linux needs no more than 4GB to really fly for ordinary uses (browsing, office suite, most games). And 4GB is enough for bigger distros like Ubuntu too. But, yes, it is incredible when your big pricey Xeon workstation can be replaced by a 9"x9"x2" box with comparable or superior performance. A real eye-opener.
But I finally decided on the more modestly priced ZBOX-BI320-U because it had both HDMI & DVI-D video output and my monitor only accepts VGA or DVI-D.
#44. To: TooConservative (#43)
I've been using lightweight linux desktops (like Fluxbox, Xfce & LXDE) on old/cheap/obsolete PCs for almost 10 years now. So yes, I really am pleased at how well they run. But I did have the latest Ubuntu installed on my ZBox for a short period of time on Sunday/Monday as well. It worked well... but I just didn't like the weird "Unity" Ubuntu desktop, so I simply installed a lightweight environment that I was more familiar with. I suppose a more traditional, full featured desktop like KDE or Gnome would also work well with 4Gb... but why undergo the extra overhead when the lighter/faster desktops do everything I want to do anyway?
A smaller distro like Mint Linux needs no more than 4GB to really fly for ordinary uses (browsing, office suite, most games). And 4GB is enough for bigger distros like Ubuntu too.
#45. To: TooConservative (#39)
I like it. More power than the cheap bookshelf Celeron, Too bad that we're not coming up on Christmas - Here's one of those Zotec Nanos ($198.99 shipped):
but not that much more expensive.
a fax to Santa now will do no good -
he's in Bermuda.
#46. To: Willie Green, Chuck_Wagon (#44)
I used to admire Puppy Linux. It is a distro that can be booted from CD/DVD/USB-drive. It's base config is only 85MB so you can load it entirely into memory. By default, it is a LiveCD type distro and no results or documents can be saved. However, it is set up so you can use a CD-RW/DVD-RW or USB flash drive and save your bookmarks, emails, documents, etc. Whichever way you want it to run. With 85MB, it could do web browsing and email (both Mozilla), file browsing/management, had a few games, instant messaging, torrenting, basic Wordpad-style .RTF text editing, etc. Of course, you could easily add more programs if you had the RAM. And since it all ran out of system RAM, it was instantaneous. All the apps could load faster than you could remove your finger from the left mouse button to click-start them. So: really fast. I used to run it some on a 256MB USB drive on machines with 384-768MB. So I could have an office suite and a few small games and apps along with the standard Puppy Linux apps. The guy who started PL retired but the community keeps it going. When Chuck first described booting from a flash drive, I thought of Puppy Linux. When it became apparent he wants a Windows installation with some apps, I couldn't recommend it. Puppy is not the only LiveCD distro with these features. There are some others out there that are just as flexible. Puppy focuses on being widely runnable on a broad variety of older and limited hardware.
I've been using lightweight linux desktops (like Fluxbox, Xfce & LXDE) on old/cheap/obsolete PCs for almost 10 years now.
#47. To: TooConservative (#46)
I've used Red Hat, Fedora, Ubuntu (and I forget what else) -
but never Puppy.
#48. To: TooConservative (#46)
I hate throwing away computers and Linux is a great way to keep old machines running super fast without the Windows that make the machines obsolete.
#49. To: Pericles (#48)
Hey, old computers make great monitor stands, bookends, I hate throwing away computers...
doorstops - the possibilities are simply endless...
#50. To: Chuck_Wagon (#49)
I use them as radios in each room almost.
Hey, old computers make great monitor stands, bookends, doorstops - the possibilities are simply endless...
#51. To: Pericles (#50)
My 'Todo' list is mirrored on several machines I use them as radios in each room almost.
around the house. "What the heck was I doing? - Oh yeah..."
#52. To: Chuck_Wagon (#47)
You can get Puppy in Ubuntu and in Slackware flavors. They have their own fairly standard aptget to add apps and support, like any other Linux. Also, you can migrate the LiveCD directly on to a hard drive partition to make it permanent. Or just to have a pristine quick-boot Linux always ready.
I've used Red Hat, Fedora, Ubuntu (and I forget what else) - but never Puppy.
#53. To: TooConservative (#52)
Yah. But I need a spare machine to experiment.
This warrants a trip to the basement...
#54. To: Chuck_Wagon, TooConservative (#51) (Edited)
A few years ago during the great crash a lot of offices closed and perfectly good but old computers with cathode ray monitors were tossed out on my office floor. I hoarded 8 sets of them and down to 6 working ones now. Plus I think I have a lifetimes worth of cables of all sorts.
#55. To: Chuck_Wagon (#53)
Just be safe on those stairs. Doubly so if no one is around. And with a cellphone in your pocket.
#56. To: Pericles (#54)
Always needed.
I have a lifetimes worth of cables of all sorts.
#57. To: Pericles (#54)
There was a problem of short component life from computers that age. From 1999-2007, some big suppliers of capacitors cut corners on quality. As a result, many mainboards and PCI cards would fail catastrohically. On the end of the cylindrical capacitors, you would see bulging or scorch marks or even the oozing of the capacitor's "sweet candy filling". Wiki: Capacitor plague Sounds like the vintage of the machines you salvaged. So if they quit, look at those capacitors. The older they get, the more likely they'll blow up. This is not entirely unheard of with other components. The Nvidia 8600 video card found on many machines was subject to sudden failures and they ran a replacement program for dead ones for about 2 years then just stiffed the rest of these customers. Some hard feelings about it. Also, I recall a few AMD motherboard models over the years that had sudden failures of the front side bus controller (a chip that often had a heat sink or even a micro-fan just to cool it). Power supplies failing is also not uncommon, even in name brands like Dell and HP, especially the cheaper models.
A few years ago during the great crash a lot of offices closed and perfectly good but old computers with cathode ray monitors were tossed out on my office floor. I hoarded 8 sets of them and down to 6 working ones now.
#58. To: Pericles, Willie Green, Chuck_Wagon (#54) (Edited)
The next time I need a Centronics parallel printer cable or a 9-pin serial cable for my US Robotics 56k external modem, I know who to call. : )
Plus I think I have a lifetimes worth of cables of all sorts.
#59. To: TooConservative (#55)
I've got one of those chair lift thing-a-ma-jigs. Just be safe on those stairs.
Well, yeah - laundry is a needed thing...
#60. To: Chuck_Wagon (#59)
How much did that run you? I saw a commercial on TV yesterday trying to sell them w/o revealing the price. I'm nosy, okay? Maybe I'll need one in thirty years. Nah, I'll move sometime and have everything on one floor with no stairs.
I've got one of those chair lift thing-a-ma-jigs.
#61. To: Fred Mertz (#60) (Edited)
http://www.acornstairlifts.com/chairlifts/ 866-207-7544 (Made in England - by the way.)
#62. To: Chuck_Wagon (#61) (Edited)
Thanks for nothing, Chucky. I went to their web site. They want too much personal information for a free quote. I wouldn't trust them if they don't list a single price. They probably sized up your assets and net worth before they figured out how much to milk out of you. /TooconservativeAttitude. I don't feel like calling them either. Edit: I just did a Google search on: cost of stair lift for home stairs - It satisfied my curiosity on the price range.
#63. To: Fred Mertz (#62)
Uh-oh, I'm getting a certain reputation. I wuz hacked!
/TooconservativeAttitude
#64. To: Fred Mertz (#62)
I'm sorry. They want too much personal information for a free quote.
Just one hit on their web site.
And I've had their chairlift for almost a decade.
I guess you'd better shoot me - just to be safe...
#65. To: Chuck_Wagon (#64)
Any maintenance requirements or problems in that time? I'll guess you paid $2K +/- $500. Don't get so defensive. I'm blunt sometimes. Maybe I have Tourettes.
And I've had their chairlift for almost a decade.
#66. To: TooConservative (#30)
Yes,but right after I contacted him he got shingles,and has been out of action ever since. Then the ground did freeze,so there was no need to call him. I plan on getting in touch with him later this week. It's supposed to get warmer and rain a couple of days,so the ground should be pretty soft after that.
So did you find ever someone to trench that Ethernet cable out to your shop for Roku streaming there?
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#67. To: Chuck_Wagon (#36)
Looks to me like it would be pretty stable. Every consider making leather or rubber "boots" for it that have spikes for cold weather use?
So it's: "Quad Cane Left! Proceed!" for me.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#68. To: Chuck_Wagon, Willie Green (#36)
Not for me. I've tried them - and you really need two arms to support yourself on them. My right arm doesn't have the steadiness nor the strength for it unfortunately. So it's: "Quad Cane Left! Proceed!" for me. Guys,one real bonus to having a walker is if you get one with wheels,you can sit down in the damn thing and use your feet to motivate it like a wheel chair. It's really stable when the ground is slick. I have one wheels,a seat,and a basket,and even though I normally don't need it for what I do daily,if I am going off somewhere to a car show,swap meet,etc,etc,etc,I take it with me in case my back or knees give out so I have some place to sit and rest,and if need be roll myself out of the sun.rain/whatever.
The walker works...
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#69. To: sneakypete (#66)
Let us know how it works. How deep you'll trench it, whether you are using PVC with an indoor cable inside it, or some ready-made underground-certified cable, or even just standard indoor Ethernet cable buried with no shielding. Amazon: 50' waterproof Ethernet cable $40 Amazon: 100' waterproof Direct Burial Ethernet cable If you have the cabling already, you could string it up in the air from roof to roof, especially if you can route through a tree or two between house and shop. But we know that's really not a good solution and would involve ladders. I can't recall anyone I know personally burying Ethernet to an outbuilding. Hence my curiosity.
I plan on getting in touch with him later this week. It's supposed to get warmer and rain a couple of days,so the ground should be pretty soft after that.
#70. To: Fred Mertz (#65)
The eldest son of a pair of good friends of mine I admit that the kid is a little bit goofy - Maybe I have Tourettes.
has Tourettes. But you'd never know it.
I think that Tourettes is just another scam to
sell pharmaceautical drugs.
but does he need to be medicated? Really?
Heck, I'm goofy when you get right down to it...
#71. To: sneakypete (#67)
Just in case you've never seen them - tennis balls with a hole in them...
...leather or rubber "boots"...
#72. To: TooConservative (#69)
This is the ethernet cable I bought. I also bought cable ends as well as the special crimping pliers to attach the cable ends so I can cut cable to length. www.amazon.com/gp/product...age_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Here is the conduit I bought to run the ethernet cable through and to bury. I checked around and bought it on sale at half of amazon's price from a local building supply. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product..._detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 And here is the "fish" I bought to pull the ethernet cable through the conduit. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product...age_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I plan on burying it maybe 6-12 inches deep. That will be plenty deep for my purposes. Once buried,I am covering the whole area with large gravel because I am tired of getting my feet wet walking from the house to the shop,and because it is easier to see a snake on the gravel walking from the shop to the house after dark than if there were still grass growing there.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product...age_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product...age_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#73. To: sneakypete (#72)
I don't see why you need that since your conduit is above ground right now. Pretty expensive too. Can't you manually slide the cable through the conduit before burying it?
And here is the "fish" I bought to pull the ethernet cable through the conduit.
#74. To: Chuck_Wagon, Fred Mertz (#70)
It's not a scam. Trust me on this.I have it and have had it all my life,although it is not as bad now as it was when I was a child. Of course saying someone has Tourettes is painting them with a pretty broad brush. It goes from mild (milder?) cases like mine,all the way up to being so serious you are pretty much institutionalized for life. I had the "grunting/clearing throat" and head twitches really bad when I was a kid and before anybody knew WTF it was. Since we didn't know what it was,there was no treatment for it. I thought I was going crazy and was afraid of being seen as a bigger freak than I was,so I controlled mine through sheer willpower. Sometimes my neck would be so stiff from holding it still by muscles that I wouldn't be able to turn my head when I got home from school. By the time I was a teen it pretty much disappeared,and only started becoming a problem again in my late 50's. Still not as serious as it was when I was in elementary school,and on top of that I pretty much don't give a damn what anybody thinks anymore anyway,so when I need to twitch or clear my throat,I twitch or clear my throat. If you don't like it,you are welcome to leave. The son of a friend that lives nearby has a much more serious case and was unable to control the twitches and grunts,plus he "shouts out" occasionally. Which has make it virtually impossible for him to hold anything other than menial jobs. I am ASSUMING that he takes drugs to help him control it as well as he does,but he will never live a normal life. I think he is probably in his 40's now,and has never lived anywhere but at home and has never even had a date because the symptoms freak people out. AFAIK,he is of at least normal intelligence. Or at least that is what people who grew up and went to school with him tell me. I also have Aspergers. Oh,yeah. I can't begin to tell you what a joy it was growing up in the 1950's.
The eldest son of a pair of good friends of mine has Tourettes. But you'd never know it. I think that Tourettes is just another scam to sell pharmaceautical drugs.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#75. To: Chuck_Wagon (#71)
I actually saw that a few days ago,and was wondering WTF was the deal with it. I assumed it was to keep the walker from slipping on linoleum floors. I am guessing they would be of limited value on ice,but now that you mention it,I am thinking that attaching golf shoe cleats to tennis balls and then cutting holes so the tennis balls would fit up over the leg would really be the way to go because you would have much more surface area for the cleats and it would be easier to remove and install the "boots".
Just in case you've never seen them - tennis balls with a hole in them...
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#76. To: Fred Mertz (#73)
Ever try to push a flexible cable like a ethernet cable 100 feet through half inch conduit? Plus the ethernet cable takes a couple of 90 degree bends between the house and the shop. Yeah,I could go "old school" like I used to and tie a lead fishing weight to the ethernet cable,get up on the roof,and shake the conduit and feed the ethernet cable down the conduit,but I just don't have the patience for that kind of crap at my age. I'll spend the 40 bucks to be able to do it in 5 minutes standing on the ground rather that go through all that grief. Plus I can use the fish to pull electrical wire through walls,car wiring through firewalls and dashes,etc,etc,etc. I don't have to use it but the one time to pull the ethernet cable 100 feet and around several corners and it has paid for itself in MY opinion. I grew up poor and had to work hard. Now I prefer to work smart.
I don't see why you need that since your conduit is above ground right now. Pretty expensive too. Can't you manually slide the cable through the conduit before burying it?
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#77. To: sneakypete (#74)
My friend, we call him Charlie Cracker, has Tourettes. When he's amongst friends, like me, he's more relaxed and it shows. When I take him out in public I can tell that he does his best to control his outward actions. But when he's drinking beer, all bets are off. When I'm driving and he does his Tourettes thing, I just say, "Charlie, shut the f8&k up." He feeds it right back to me, so it's all good.
#78. To: sneakypete (#76)
Those are the times when I hate to, but I borrow special items from friends or neighbors. I've been borrowing free air from my neighbor for years on several occasions - he has a compressor. I bought a tiny electric one at the thrift store about a month ago for 5 bucks - I hope it works well when the time comes.
I don't have to use it but the one time...
#79. To: Fred Mertz (#78)
I have friends that run commercial garages that I can borrow tools from any time I want,but I HATE borrowing tools. I do it when I have no choice,but if I have to borrow a tool twice,I own it the 3rd time I need it. I don't have to borrow air. I now have a 7hp 2 stage 230 volt compressor inside my shop,as well as a little 8 gallon portable "pancake" compressor for running my nail gun,and I have a 35 hp gasoline engine with a two-stage two cylinder DeVilbliss compressor mounted on a trailer out in the yard to use for sandblasting big items. It was originally used to start the engines on WW-2 bombers by the AF during WW-2 from what I have been told. All I know for sure is that SOB will really put out the air. It will run 3 or 4 jackhammers at one time,and I can open the 3/4 inch feed line with no hose attached to it,and it will still hold 125 psi of air pressure. I'm able to sand blast using a 5/16th nozzle (g). I started out with no wiring in my shop,and a used 3 hp Craftsman 110 volt compressor with a 15 or 20 gallon tank. I ran a extension cord from the house to the shop to power it,and if I wanted to run the air compressor for a air wrench,I had to unplug the fan and the radio or trip the circuit breaker and walk back to the house to reset it. I got ac units installed last summer,and just got a 250k propane furnace installed in Jan. I even have a full bath with a walk in handicapped shower and hot water out there now. Along with a HD smart tv,and soon a ethernet cable to provide me with streaming videos and the internet. I really don't even need the house anymore. All my good stuff is out in the shop.
Those are the times when I hate to, but I borrow special items from friends or neighbors. I've been borrowing free air from my neighbor for years on several occasions - he has a compressor.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#80. To: sneakypete (#79)
I've been thinking along similar lines. I'm not a shop person, but I think my next/final home will have an extended garage, with bathroom, cot, fridge, TV, etc. in the forward end - some would call it a man cave. I'd keep my home intact and live like a cave man in the garage - with hot and cold running wimmins!
I really don't even need the house anymore. All my good stuff is out in the shop.
#81. To: sneakypete (#76) (Edited)
Couldn't you push a light wire, like lightweight electric fence wire, through the conduit first and tie the ethernet to its end to use the wire to drag the droopy cable through the conduit? Just a thought. I've ended up doing that before. You mention a sharp bend in the conduit but I assume you will have to lay the full cable run out first on the ground in a straight line, especially if you are using multiple 25' conduit segments with those small conduit joiners that make the job much more difficult. Then you join conduit segments, bend it to desired shape, and put it in the trench. Make sure you test the damned cable before you bury it! : )
Ever try to push a flexible cable like a ethernet cable 100 feet through half inch conduit?
#82. To: Fred Mertz (#80)
Women do find men who live in their garages irresistible.
I'd keep my home intact and live like a cave man in the garage - with hot and cold running wimmins!
#83. To: TooConservative (#81)
I guess I could if I wanted to spend more than the 40 bucks the Klein fish tape cost me to buy the fence wire,then do more work to straighten it out and lay out 100 feet of it to run through the conduit. Why do that when the Klein fish tape is easier to use,never kinks,and has a built-in "winder" in the case that holds it? Why try to re-invent a more expensive wheel that doesn't roll as well? There is a reason why professional electricians buy these things. I assume you will have to lay the full cable run out first on the ground in a straight line, especially if you are using multiple 25' conduit segments with those small conduit joiners that make the job much more difficult. Then you join conduit segments, bend it to desired shape, and put it in the trench. You didn't look at the conduit link,did you? It's flexible plastic conduit that bends,is waterproof,and comes in 25 feet to 100 feet lengths. I bought a 100 foot length. I used the same stuff on the outside wall of my house to run the coaxial cables from my sat dish and tv antenna into the house. I did this to keep the sun from making the coaxial cable cover brittle and to look cleaner and more professional.
Couldn't you push a light wire, like lightweight electric fence wire, through the conduit first and tie the ethernet to its end to use the wire to drag the droopy cable through the conduit?
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#84. To: sneakypete, Chuck_Wagon (#68)
It'll probably be a while before I graduate to a quad-cane. But right now, wheels are taboo. I need something that stays firmly planted whereever I place it. I don't need it scooting away from me when I hop.
I have one wheels,a seat,and a basket,and
But I can see where something like this would be mighty helpful while I build up both my endurance and confidence in using a prosthetic leg.
#85. To: sneakypete (#76)
So why go through all the trouble of trenching ethernet?I grew up poor and had to work hard. Now I prefer to work smart.
Wouldn't WiFi be a heckuva lot easier?
I've never had use for them myself, but I've seen a variety of wifi signal boosters/repeaters and range extenders available if your reception is currently too poor.
#86. To: Willie Green (#85)
We've been through that song and dance before, Willie. petey's gonna do it his way.
So why go through all the trouble of trenching ethernet?
Wouldn't WiFi be a heckuva lot easier?
#87. To: sneakypete (#83)
My assumption was that most people have a few spools of various gauges of wire on hand. Apparently not. Maybe that's only farmers and serious gardeners. I did look at Amazon. It came up as a 25' conduit and didn't offer me other lengths. Strangely enough, that particular page at Amazon brought my browser to a complete crawl, very rare. Maybe it didn't show me other options for different lengths of conduit. I only saw 25' which made me think you'd have to splice with conduit joiners. Also, using the wire method in 25' segments that I mentioned is much much easier than if you tried to thread wire through a 100' conduit.
I guess I could if I wanted to spend more than the 40 bucks the Klein fish tape cost me to buy the fence wire,then do more work to straighten it out and lay out 100 feet of it to run through the conduit.
You didn't look at the conduit link,did you? It's flexible plastic conduit that bends,is waterproof,and comes in 25 feet to 100 feet lengths.
#88. To: Willie Green, Chuck Wagon (#84)
Willie,that is exactly like the one I have,and if you will notice,those are brake levers on the handlebars that you can even engage as a "parking brake". Please note the padded "back bar" this one has so you can safely lean back while sitting in the seat,and have access to the brake controls if you are going down a incline while using your feet to get the wheels rolling. I may not need mine very often,but you can rest assured that it is one of the few items I have that is rarely used,but NEVER misplaced. I know exactly where it is at this very moment and don't ever have to spend any time looking for it. To me,the fact that you don't need one right at this moment means that now is the time for you to be looking through Craig's List,Amazon,Ebay,and all the local used item rags to shop around for a used one and save yourself a bundle of money. You might want to also check with any local geezer organizations to see if there are any for sale from the families of members that no longer have any use for them. Check with local DAV chapters,too. The one pictured is like the ones the VA issues. Go ahead and seek out the one like you posted the picture of that has the basket,the seat,and the brakes,though. Don't be temped to buy a cheaper model with fewer features or you will be sorry.
But I can see where something like this would be mighty helpful while I build up both my endurance and confidence in using a prosthetic leg.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#89. To: Willie Green (#85) (Edited)
Because my shop has steel walls,and the "office" where I have my tv and desk located is a structure with insulated 2x6 walls. Wi-Fi signals won't penetrate. Wouldn't WiFi be a heckuva lot easier? No. See above. I've seen a variety of wifi signal boosters/repeaters and range extenders available if your reception is currently too poor. My reception out in the shop isn't poor,it's non-existent. A repeater that mounts to the outside wall MAY work,but if you read the reviews,not everybody is happy with them. I don't want to spend 50 bucks or more on a device and then do the work to install it and run inside lines,only to find out it doesn't work for me. I'd rather go ahead and spend 100 bucks or so to run a underground ethernet cable so I know for sure I have a solid connection and I can be done with it and move on to something else. Yeah,I am more than a little anal,and there is little I hate more in life that having to do something more than once. The older I get the less time I have,and the more I hate repeating work. Money comes and goes,but time is the one thing none of us will ever have more of.
So why go through all the trouble of trenching ethernet?
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#90. To: Fred Mertz (#86)
Well I admit I came a little late to the party...We've been through that song and dance before, Willie.
petey's gonna do it his way.
I tried tracing back through the conversation to catch up, but I guess I didn't go back far enough.
#91. To: TooConservative (#87)
True,but if you don't want to buy extra connectors and boxes,you will follow links to see what else is available,and will discover you can also buy it in 100 foot lengths and save money. You can also do like I did and check the web pages of places like Home Depot,Lowe's,etc,etc,etc and see what kind of pricing they have. I got lucky and found it on sale locally in 100 foot lengths for a little over 30 cents a foot. Since I already had to go there to buy plywood and paint,it didn't even cost me any extra to go get it.
I did look at Amazon. It came up as a 25' conduit and didn't offer me other lengths.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#92. To: sneakypete (#89)
Okay... I was about to suggest an outdoor antenna to bring the signal into your shop, but since you've already considered that, there's no sense rehashing the subject. I don't have any first hand experience to make any recommendations anyway. Besides, I prefer the reliability of hardwired connections whenever possible also....
A repeater that mounts to the outside wall MAY work,but if you read the reviews,not everybody is happy with them.
#93. To: Willie Green (#92)
Yeah,there is that to consider. Do it once and be done with it.
Besides, I prefer the reliability of hardwired connections whenever possible also....
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#94. To: sneakypete (#88)
Well I'm a still a pretty big guy, so I already know that I need a good sturdy model that will hold-up well for somebody my size & weight. So my other concern would be portability & how easy it would be to fold-up and put in either the trunk or back seat of my car.Don't be temped to buy a cheaper model with fewer features or you will be sorry.
I'm not overly concerned about the cost... Insurance paid for my current wheelchair... so I assume it'll help pay for this newer contraption.... But I'll have to look into that to make sure... the prosthetic leg itself is quite expensive, so they might not want to pay for anything fancier than a plain walker or set of crutches, which I already have.
#95. To: sneakypete (#91)
I followed the three links you posted. I thought that was enough due diligence. Next time warn me that your three product links are only the departure point for a more extensive shopping quest. I only assumed that those were the products you purchased which is not unreasonable.
True,but if you don't want to buy extra connectors and boxes,you will follow links
#96. To: Willie Green (#92)
It's safe to say we really did beat that horse to death. Okay... I was about to suggest an outdoor antenna to bring the signal into your shop
#97. To: TooConservative (#95)
And here I was thinking that *I* am anal.
I followed the three links you posted. I thought that was enough due diligence. Next time warn me that your three product links are only the departure point for a more extensive shopping quest. I only assumed that those were the products you purchased which is not unreasonable.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#98. To: sneakypete (#97)
You posted three links. Obviously, I was foolish to assume those had any connection at all to the products that you actually purchased.
#99. To: TooConservative (#96)
Well my engineering expertise is all industrial/manufacturing, so I'm extemely biased in favor of shielded cable & conduit for anything electrical to begin with. I don't trust electricity and it really makes me cringe whenever I see slipshod residential wiring. LOL!It's safe to say we really did beat that horse to death.
So although I think the wifi would be easier, I also agree with his reasoning for digging the trench.
#100. To: Willie Green (#99)
Well, trenching cable was certainly not pete's first choice. Nor any of the rest of us.
#101. To: TooConservative (#100)
Well then get some waterproof/outdoor connectors and string it up like clothesline. pete can even save on his utility bill and keep his neighbors from whining by actually using it to dry his laundry! Dual-purpose ethernet! (Aren't you sorry you asked? LOL!)
Well, trenching cable was certainly not pete's first choice. Nor any of the rest of us.
You can even use some surplus PVC plumbing to help prop it up along the way:
Plus it's easier than digging a trench!
#102. To: Willie Green (#101)
Yeah but some people really want the grounds around their house neat and uncluttered. They have a point. Besides, the PVC clothesline thing is still far more susceptible to damage and might even attract undesired flocks of birds. And enough PVC to make a few of those poles tall enough and pete would have spent enough to pay to bury it. I think pete's neighbors are a mile or more away.
Well then get some waterproof/outdoor connectors and string it up like clothesline.
#103. To: TooConservative (#102)
Well then instead of draping it between poles like clothesline, pete can hardpipe it like conduit the full distance... only it'd be 8~10' above ground instead of buried in a trench. Then he could drape some tarps or plastic sheeting over it and stake it out like a tent. That way he could use it like a covered walkway from his house to his shop, sheltered from the wind & rain. If it was clear plastic, he could also use it like a greenhouse for whatever vegetables or exotic orchids he might want to grow.... Hmmm... I wonder if there's some way to incorporate solar panels into this thing so he can generate his own electricity too?
Besides, the PVC clothesline thing is still far more susceptible to damage and might even attract undesired flocks of birds.
#104. To: Willie Green (#103)
While I don't picture pete as some fussy German neatnik, he doesn't strike me as someone who wants sloppy looking grounds around his house. Depending on his location, weather could play a big role in how reliable a cable suspended in the air would be. High wind areas, areas that get hurricanes or ice storms regularly, those would all argue against aerial suspension and for burying the cable in conduit.
Well then instead of draping it between poles like clothesline, pete can hardpipe it like conduit the full distance... only it'd be 8~10' above ground instead of buried in a trench. Then he could drape some tarps or plastic sheeting over it and stake it out like a tent. That way he could use it like a covered walkway from his house to his shop, sheltered from the wind & rain. If it was clear plastic, he could also use it like a greenhouse for whatever vegetables or exotic orchids he might want to grow....
#105. To: TooConservative, sneakypete (#104)
Who said anything about sloppy? Perhaps a little vine-covered walkway would be more aesthetically pleasing: Open on one side, but some kind of trellis/fence for the overhang & other side would provide a windbreak and shade... the crushed stone walkway would help pete spot any snakes that are in his back yard, the conduit would be easily accessible, yet hidden along the overhang, and you could probably also incorporate some decorative outdoor lighting so he could see where he was going at night. If you're gonna do it, do it right or don't do it at all!
While I don't picture pete as some fussy German neatnik, he doesn't strike me as someone who wants sloppy looking grounds around his house.
#106. To: Willie Green (#105)
That's a lot of work to avoid a little 6" trenching.
#107. To: TooConservative (#106)
It can be as simple or as elaborate as he wants to make it... there's no rush... just plan ahead and work toward the end goal at whatever pace he wants.
#108. To: TooConservative (#104)
Which are all prime reasons why I dismissed the idea of a overhead line immediately. Along with the fact that even an overhead line would require digging to settle the posts in the ground,and then I would have to cut around the posts with a weedwhacker,and take care to make sure I didn't take the line down with my front end loader when moving stuff around in the yard. Bury it,cover it with gravel,and forget it.
Depending on his location, weather could play a big role in how reliable a cable suspended in the air would be. High wind areas, areas that get hurricanes or ice storms regularly, those would all argue against aerial suspension and for burying the cable in conduit.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#109. To: Willie Green (#105)
Yes,it would. Especially to wasps who like to build their nests up high,as well as birds. Not to mention the snakes that climb up high to look for bird eggs. Summer before last I had a big snake fall off my tv antenna pole directly in front of me as I was walking to the house. Evidentially he had climbed the pole to look for bird eggs in the gutters,and was coming down as I was passing by,and he started paying more attention to me than he did to holding on to the pole. Maybe you are not aware of it,but snakes are pretty damn good at climbing. It's not at all unusual to find them wintering in attics in areas prone to having snakes. Do YOU want to walk under a heavily leafed area that you can't see through that might have a snake or two up there moving around,and possibly falling on your head? I am already considering a covered walkway,but it's definitely not in the budget this year. Truth to tell,I doubt it will ever get out of the "considering" category. Too much money for too small a return,plus it would block off an access point to my back yard for my front end loader.
Perhaps a little vine-covered walkway would be more aesthetically pleasing:
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#110. To: sneakypete (#109)
It might be cheaper and easier to move into the shop and bulldoze the house.
I am already considering a covered walkway,but it's definitely not in the budget this year.
#111. To: TooConservative (#110)
You are right. Especially since I have to remodel the entire house on the inside. I did the outside with all new siding and triple pane insulated gas-filled windows and a complete new roof a couple of years ago. Have one bathroom mostly done,and need to start on the other one. Not doing any of that until I get some spray-in insulation installed in the shop,and get my 31 Plymouth coupe on the road,though. IF nothing else goes wrong,I should be driving and enjoying it by the end of April.
It might be cheaper and easier to move into the shop and bulldoze the house.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#112. To: sneakypete (#111)
Is that the spray on foam that hardens when it dries? I thought that was some expensive stuff. We had that insulation on and in our Quonset hut quarters in the Republic of Korea in the mid-80s. As I was departing they had plans to install Super Hooches which were modern facilities.
Not doing any of that until I get some spray-in insulation installed in the shop...
#113. To: sneakypete, Willie Green (#111)
I'd kinda wondered if your wireless problems might be connected to this kind of problem. Or some gadget on the home place interfering. Lots of wireless devices made in the last decade occupy that 2.4Ghz band. Wireless house phones are well-known culprits that can degrade wireless speeds and some other wireless consumer devices intrude on this bandwidth and sometimes degrade it noticably. I had a wireless 2.4Ghz house phone I really liked, a Siemens. But I did eventually notice that large downloads would slow to an absolute crawl on my wireless laptop if I talked on that phone while doing a download at high speed. The phone being active very obviously interfered with the bandwidth the router could deliver wirelessly. With the newer 5Ghz wireless routers, you have better range but more problems penetrating walls and glass. Wireless is great to have in many, but not all, situations. Just a thought: a 100Mbps network connection should handle most any 720p video stream, even though trying to fast-forward or rewind a streaming movie could lag just a bit. For 1080p and up, you'll likely need a Gigabit router. However, unless you have a DSL or cable modem that has more than 100Mbps networking, it won't help you with Netflix or the others. So no need to do any upgrading to Gigabit routers/switches unless your entire bandwidth pipe is adequate. Lots of cablemodems and DSL modems are still 100Mbps so don't bother to upgrade unless you check and know you'll get better streaming performance. Probably you've read a bit about this on the Roku forums if you hang out over there. I did see an interesting bit that might excite the Roku crowd over at Slashdot. NVIDIA Announces SHIELD Game Console It's a way for Android (Google) to penetrate the living room better. And Nvidia (along with Asus and others) have tried to carve out a market share in the living room for some time. The fact that it can run Crysis 3 in 4K resolutions at 30fps is staggering. Apparently, this little wonder will cost $200 and comes with a decent wireless game controller. I'm thinking this is Google and Nvidia taking aim at Sony's PS3 and Microsoft's X-Box markets in a fairly serious way. It makes a lot of sense if you already are into Android cellphones. No doubt, it will allow you to use Android cellphones and tablets as remote controls or streaming clients. It can play and capture 4K video with full GPU encoding support, meaning it comes ready for hardware-based support for video telephone apps like Skype. Just add a webcam and mic for 4K video telephone. Only a couple of years ago, such computer horsepower would cost $2000 and up, workstation stuff. Now it's available for 1/10 the cost. And tiny. And only sips electricity instead of making your power meter spin faster since workstations and very high-powered gaming rigs can easily add $20-$40 a month to your power bills. More, even, if you use them constantly for rendering or encoding or similar uses.
I did the outside with all new siding and triple pane insulated gas-filled windows and a complete new roof a couple of years ago.
A 4K AndroidTV box with some of the top heavyweight console games ready to play in 4K. Run the same game on your cellphone or your Shield box, pay only once to buy it on Google Play Store. All your cellphone's Android apps instantly available on your TV. NVIDIA held an event in San Francisco last night at GDC, where the company unveiled a new Android TV streamer, game console, and supercomputer, as NVIDIA's Jen Hsun Huang calls it, all wrapped up in a single, ultra-slim device called NVIDIA SHIELD. The SHIELD console is powered by the NVIDIA Tegra X1 SoC with 3GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, Gig-E and 802.11ac 2x2 MIMO WiFi. It's also 4K Ultra-HD Ready with 4K playback and capture up to 60 fps (VP9, H265, H264) with encode/decode with full hardware processing. The company claims the console provides twice the performance of an Xbox 360. NVIDIA demo'ed the device with Android TV, streaming music and HD movies and browsing social media. The device can stream games from a GeForce powered PC to your television or from NVIDIA's GRID cloud gaming service, just like previous NVIDIA SHIELD devices. Native Android games will also run on the SHIELD console. NVIDIA's plan is to offer a wide array of native Android titles in the SHIELD store, as well as leverage the company's relationships with game developers to bring top titles to GRID. The device was shown playing Gearbox's Borderlands The Pre-Sequel, Doom 3 BFG Edition, Metal Gear Solid V, the Unreal Engine 4 Infiltrator demo and yes, even Crysis 3.
#114. To: sneakypete (#109)
Hmmm... well then we'll nix the trellis & vines, and go back to using solar panels for the roof to boost your return on investment. And then we can enclose both sides of the walkway with screening to keep the birds/snakes and other critters out. You'll still have to spray to control the wasps, spiders, ants, cucarachas and whatever other undesirable creepy-crawlies you got in your neck of the woods. And then you can also put in a couple extra wide screen doors like this: That ought to give you plenty room to drive a little bobcat into your backyard.Yes,it would. Especially to wasps who like to build their nests up high,as well as birds.
Not to mention the snakes that climb up high to look for bird eggs.
Too much money for too small a return,plus it would block off an access point to my back yard for my front end loader. 
#115. To: Fred Mertz (#112)
Is that the spray on foam that hardens when it dries? I thought that was some expensive stuff. I am hoping I can get a insulation company to buy the "blanket roll" insulation that is 4 feet wide and comes in really long rolls. This stuff is quick and simple to put up because they just unroll it and as it unrolls they use plastic "buttons" on the bolts that hold the building together to hold the insulation to the roof. If I can't manage that,the only other option is to use the expensive spray in stuff you mentioned. The good news about that stuff is it sprays directly on and sticks right away,so the labor bill is much cheaper. Which may be why insulation companies don't like using it. It's not such a big deal in the summertime to keep the uninsulated shop cool,but it's a gold-plated bitch to keep it warm in the winter after the sun goes down. The sun radiates heat,and the 250k propane furnace puts out plenty of heat to radiate to all the cars and tools in there to help keep it warm during the day,but at night the building walls and roof don't do anything but bleed heat away. Of course they do the same thing on cloudy or rainy days,too. Still,you can only do one thing at a time unless you win the lottery,so I decided to spring for the furnace and getting it installed first.
Not doing any of that until I get some spray-in insulation installed in the shop...
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#116. To: TooConservative (#113)
I think I read that Roku recommends a minimum 3.0 Mbps for 1080p HD steaming, so I doubt if any hardware on your home network would be a bottleneck. All the traffic bottlenecks are upstream... The ISPs like Comcast & AT&T have to upgrade their infrastructure to provide more bandwidth. Internationally, the USA is only #11 in List of countries by Internet connection speeds. And no doubt some regions of our country are a lot crappier than others.
Probably you've read a bit about this on the Roku forums if you hang out over there
#117. To: TooConservative (#113)
Not a problem. I only use a cell phone. I have a wall phone that is 2.4 ghz,but never use it or even answer it. It's the number I give those places you are required to have a phone number to register,so I give them the dead land line number. At one time I had a old rotary phone plugged into it. As for most of the other stuff you wrote,you might as well have been writing in Greek for all I understood.
I had a wireless 2.4Ghz house phone I really liked, a Siemens. But I did eventually notice that large downloads would slow to an absolute crawl on my wireless laptop if I talked on that phone while doing a download at high speed. The phone being active very obviously interfered with the bandwidth the router could deliver wirelessly.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#118. To: Willie Green (#114) (Edited)
Willie,my "little Bobcat" is a 58 hp 9800 lb Ford diesel with a 7 foot bucket that will lift 3500 lbs 10 feet off the ground. I use it to strip cars and to move and load heavy car parts around,like engines and transmissions,but I have used it to pick up an entire car body and chassis and set it on my trailer. I can use this thing to stand a car right up on it's rear bumper so I can walk under it to unbolt engines and transmissions. No more crawling around under cars on the wet ground. If things go according to plans I will no longer need it in another 2 years or so,and then I can sell it and just go back to using my little tractor (1957 Ford 640 w/4 cyl gasoline engine) for pulling stuff around in the yard and bush-hogging. It only weighs about 2400 lbs.
That ought to give you plenty room to drive a little bobcat into your backyard.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#119. To: Willie Green (#116)
These comparisons are often very unfair. Europe ranks higher overall because they went for very high wireless internet speeds in metro areas but vast swaths of Europe are surprisingly low-tech. Some of the Asian countries that look so good on rankings have 95% of their population in a handful of metro enclaves. A big difference between, say, Taiwan or Korea and a continental market like America. And the EUros have actually admitted their shortsighted develop and reliance on wireless and started to do more to emulate the American broadband model. Despite being considered leaders for years, they have had to grapple like everyone else with the problems of more uniform distribution over large areas. Of course, broadband service is a local thing, as you mention.
Internationally, the USA is only #11 in List of countries by Internet connection speeds. And no doubt some regions of our country are a lot crappier than others.
#120. To: sneakypete (#118)
That's a little bit bigger than I anticipated.
I've run out of ideas.
Maybe you ought to just bury your ethernet, cover it with gravel and forget about it.
#121. To: sneakypete (#117)
In short, Google/Nvidia are launching a platform based on their cellphones and Google Play Store and all its apps that can play games as well or better than the latest consoles for less than half the price. A device more powerful than the majority of desktop computers in the $800-$1000 range. And all integrated with Google's services and apps, like Google Drive and the Chrome browser (imagine your web pages on a huge screen in 4k resolutions, not 480p or 720p or 1080p but in 2160p resolution). Current streamer boxes like Roku and AppleTV and others kinda stagger on 1080p. This thing plays and even records 2160p video. Roku has hung on by offering strong value and good design. This kind of box can outflank it easily and take on both Amazon and Apple directly. As you mention, one of the problems is having an ISP with the bandwidth to play super-HD 2160p video on it.
As for most of the other stuff you wrote,you might as well have been writing in Greek for all I understood.
#122. To: Willie Green (#120)
Oddly enough,that is just what I was thinking.
Maybe you ought to just bury your ethernet, cover it with gravel and forget about it.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
#123. To: TooConservative (#121)
I mentioned that? I'll be damned! Did I say anything else that sounded informed?
As you mention, one of the problems is having an ISP with the bandwidth to play super-HD 2160p video on it.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
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