Thought I'd start a project on more modern kit to run pallalel to the PIII HP slimline project. It is based on a Smasung Intel i7 based mobo I scrapped for its monitor about six months or so. Within an hour I had all the components need to put it together apart from it's case. Ill call it Slim Jim, which seems appropriate considering the overall size of the of the mobo/hardware.

Throwing F words at my main desktop as it crashes constantly and updates aren't installing after I converted the drive to GPT/UEFI last year using a third party software to do so.

Found the bad RAM stick and reverted back to MBR and fixed the boot loader.

After that, I used the Microsoft MBR2GPT using the WindowsPE (bootable USB containing the Windows 10 installation) command prompt, added the recovery WIM file to my D drive, set the path, and it works. No more crashing and the updates are now installing without issues. Did the in-place upgrade after I converted back to MBR with the boot loader fix with success and the in-place upgrade got tested after going back to GPT with the configuration set and everything is working without issues.

bjwil1991 wrote on 2021-07-24, 19:54:

Found the bad RAM stick and reverted back to MBR and fixed the boot loader.

After that, I used the Microsoft MBR2GPT using the WindowsPE (bootable USB containing the Windows 10 installation) command prompt, added the recovery WIM file to my D drive, set the path, and it works. No more crashing and the updates are now installing without issues. Did the in-place upgrade after I converted back to MBR with the boot loader fix with success and the in-place upgrade got tested after going back to GPT with the configuration set and everything is working without issues.

Yeah it can be a right pain in the but if your system is not running well.

I got a C-Media pci card to work under Windows 10 64bit. Limited to 16bit audio, bit at least it doesn't hiss constantly like the onboard Intel ac97.

Huh. I had my Audigy 2ZS PCI working in my main desktop until I got a better board and installed a PCIe Sound Blaster X-Fi.

I installed a new 700W PSU in the system I'm building for my mom and installed a fresh copy of Windows 10 Pro x64 with the UEFI/Secure Boot setup via the USB flash drive and once I get more parts, it'll be complete and I'll get it set up at a spot so my mom can use the computer.

Just fixed 9 ripped SMD 0402 components (some ripped along with pads) and shorted cap on GTX 950 😀 bought it in broken state from a recycling company, it was really mishandled. I videotaped the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKq2ctH4K6U

My son's PC got a small update:

new coolant
cleaning the AiO
changed the hoses from 11/8mm to 13/10mm
new white RGB fans
change the position of the front fans

before/ after

I took the Core 1 test for CompTIA's A+ certification today, and managed to pass it with a score in the mid 700s. I'm happy, to say the least.

I went digging into Windows 10 Audio stuff and found out that Hardware Accelerated Audio has returned to Windows, but it is up to manufacturers to enable it as an option in their drivers and most don't at this time.

BetaC wrote on 2021-08-05, 21:18:

I took the Core 1 test for CompTIA's A+ certification today, and managed to pass it with a score in the mid 700s. I'm happy, to say the least.

Congratulations!! On getting your A+certification.

I bet it's all super different from when I took mine in 05. Are you going for the Net+ or any other CompTia certifications?

I took the A+ in the 90's, at one of the local CompUSA stores. I really miss CompUSA.

RetroGamer4Ever wrote on 2021-08-05, 21:48:

I took the A+ in the 90's, at one of the local CompUSA stores. I really miss CompUSA.

Me too I loved that store. I was technically employed by them after I got my A+ and Net+ but two weeks later they all shut down.

chrismeyer6 wrote on 2021-08-05, 21:47:

BetaC wrote on 2021-08-05, 21:18:

I took the Core 1 test for CompTIA's A+ certification today, and managed to pass it with a score in the mid 700s. I'm happy, to say the least.

Congratulations!! On getting your A+certification.

I bet it's all super different from when I took mine in 05. Are you going for the Net+ or any other CompTia certifications?

I took it online, and it’s now a two parter. And I would say it’s probably different, as cellphone and virtualization/cloud services were mentioned often enough. I’ll get around to doing the second test soon enough, but passing the first means I only have to try one test again.

It was two parts back then part 1 was hardware and part 2 was software. Yeah none of that was part of the A+ back then alot of it centered on windows 2k/XP and printers

Got given a Gen 7 10.1" Amazon Fire Tablet with a cracked screen. Put a some motorcycle clear scuff protection sheet over it over the screen know all fixed.

Luv this modern throwaway technojelly stuff. Costs nothing at all apart from a bit of my time....😉

In the initial stages of creating a networked temp/humidity/leak detector for the house. Using a Wemos D1 Mini (ESP8266), DHT22, generic rain sensor, and SSD1306 OLED. The OLED is probably only going to be used on the master node to display each floor/room. I have a quad level house, so I plan on putting one upstairs, one on the main ground level, one in my computer room in the half-level basement, and one in the fully underground basement. I think I'll only have the leak detection in the basement and stick the sensor next to one of the floor drains. I've only had water in my basement twice in 10 years (less than an inch, when the city sewer system gets overwhelmed from tons of rain), but it would be nice to get a SMS alert if it occurs again.

Master node design to go into a 3D printed enclosure. The DHT22 will be bent upward, sticking out the top. I may rework the design a little more to integrate the rain sensor daughterboard inside the enclosure instead of having it plug into the side.

That looks great so far - what are you using for the controller? Or would they be stand-alone devices, since the ESP8266 is internetted enough to work on its own?
I've got a Home Assistant setup running on a Pi that I've integrated with some old ESP8266 boards, for lights and some temp sensors with ESPhome. Having my own graph data for temperature and humidity has been useful to refer to sometimes.

[oops, wrong thread!]

Thermalwrong wrote on 2021-08-14, 03:57:

That looks great so far - what are you using for the controller? Or would they be stand-alone devices, since the ESP8266 is internetted enough to work on its own?
I've got a Home Assistant setup running on a Pi that I've integrated with some old ESP8266 boards, for lights and some temp sensors with ESPhome. Having my own graph data for temperature and humidity has been useful to refer to sometimes.

I will probably setup a SQL database in a VM or on a Pi for them to report the data to, and to integrate the email/SMS alerts. But they can also do standalone networking and send data to each other. Example: https://youtu.be/2z7Ow4PjJRc

wow, mesh communication between the boards, that should be fun 😀