tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3601685255378528392024-02-20T14:53:39.991-06:00Matt's Tech and DIY siteAll the fun tekkie stuff I can't put on my family blog. How to's for the wrench junkies out there.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-63110938221244448222016-03-15T12:00:00.001-05:002016-03-17T17:38:05.734-05:00Digital Pinball... Vinyl Decal ApplicationI took a couple days of vacation just to stay home and work on the pinball machine. <br />
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I'm typing this blog from the actual computer that will eventually be installed in the pinball machine: ASRock H61M/U3S3 Motherboard with 500 Watt Corsair power supply, 8GB RAM, 250GB SSD, with ASUS Geforce GTX 750i...capable of three monitor output (Two HDMI outputs, one for the main playfield LCD television screen, another for the 32" backglass LCD monitor, and a VGA output for the older DMD monitor). This is running PinballX as a front end for now as a launcher for <a href="http://www.pinballarcade.com/" target="_blank">The Pinball Arcade</a> (TPA). That may change as whatever game you select in PinballX doesn't really launch...it just starts The Pinball Arcade, and you have to manually select...so I'll probably just run the TPA menu. Wish it had an attract mode, like PinballX or the other front ends.<br />
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I have a hundred Future Pinball games, too, on a PinMAME frontend...but after playing TPA...well, the graphics of Future Pinball are wanting. Just wish TPA had The Lord of the Rings table, and I'd be a happy camper...<br />
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I eventually went over the machine three times with spot filler and light paint guide coats for an acceptable finish for decals (no large waves, paint globs or pits that would show under the vinyl, or keep it from laying down properly).<br />
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The Vinyl Decals were ordered from <a href="http://www.planetarypinball.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PPA-F14-CABSETNG" target="_blank">Planetary Pinball</a>. Shipped fast, double packaged and came in great shape. The vinyl is quality material and thick, with thick backing paper. The print itself was flawless with perfect alignment of the colors.<br />
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There are some very good YouTube videos on how to apply vinyl pinball decals, using weights and mild soapy solution in a spray bottle, and a squeegee. Overall it went great, and I was able to do these solo, by going slow, being careful and using quadruple checking alignment using the "flashlight method" from underneath to make sure the overlap was perfect on all sides. I weighted one end with microfiber cloths and heavy weights to ensure no movement, then peel back and cut away about 1/3 of the backing material (spraying both the pinball box and the sticker itself with soapy water as I went) before laying the vinyl down slowly with creasing. Ensure alignment...squeegee. Then move the cloth/weights to the end you just applied, and then work on the other end in the same manner, slowly peeling off the bakcing (while spraying the vinyl and box liberally), slowly laying down the wet vinyl down to minimize bubbles (which easily get squeegeed out). After everything is stuck down, use a very long, clean, smooth, metal straight-edge (I have a 3 foot aluminum level) and brand new razor blade to carefully trim and slowly remove the excess vinyl, leaving a 1/8" edge of paint with no decal on the edges, so the vinyl can't start to pull up over time from being bumped, etc. Wipe everything down with a clean microfiber cloth to push out any remaining water, and any excess spilled water from the squeegee process. If you have to flip the box to do the other side... lay down the freshly stickered side on a very large, clean, thick blanket to protect it while working on the opposite side. Let dry overnight before really using or moving.<br />
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Cut out the button holes carefully with a fresh razor blade. My buttons cover the holes, so a perfectly round, clean edge was not critical.<br />
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It was easier than I thought it would be...with no major calamities. Whew! Now onto the next steps: move it to the basement, attach legs, and install the electronics. Getting closer!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-89926543962411738362016-02-01T21:06:00.001-06:002016-02-01T21:08:36.673-06:00Digital Pinball - Base PaintGoing on two years... ugh. But, the pinball machine gets some DIY love only when there is absolutely nothing else required like family, friends, or home and car maintenance. This means very little time, and mainly in the Winter when yard work goes quiet. Also nice to be driving a car that needs very little maintenance, as well: 2012 Chevy Volt.<br />
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The last few weekends have involved assembling the backglass cabinet and ensuring the two monitors fit properly in the openings. Then disassembly of the various hardware items before painting (chrome legs, chrome trim, buttons).<br />
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Drilled two more holes for secondary side buttons, maybe making those "nudge" buttons or menu buttons, etc.<br />
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To ensure I see no plywood grain in the paint job, I used about three tubes of red auto glaze putty all over the exterior of the body and back cabinet. Once dried, I sanded with 220 grit on a random-orbit sander. LOTS of dust, even with the dust collector, but smooth as glass. There was some handsanding in the corners of the back cabinet and inside the openings where the orbital sander just wouldn't fit.<br />
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After the sanding, I applied a base coat of satin black enamel paint placed with a small brush on the edges, and then onto the main flat surfaces with a 6" foam trim roller. It went very fast, and no brush marks, which was critical.<br />
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It will need a second coat next weekend to get a nice 100% coating, with no thin spots...<br />
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Already thinking about how to make my own "F-14 Tomact" pinball stencils to closely match the original paint scheme from the 80's.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-90415321242955826482015-12-28T14:22:00.000-06:002015-12-28T14:22:23.097-06:00Making a "Magic Mirror" with a Raspberry Pi<a href="http://blog.dylanjpierce.com/raspberrypi/magicmirror/tutorial/2015/12/27/build-a-magic-mirror.html" target="_blank">Making a "Magic Mirror" with a Raspberry Pi</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-18340000096017555992015-12-24T13:19:00.000-06:002015-12-24T13:23:27.428-06:00Digital pinball arcade update...The progress had been slow...almost two years since the wood cabinet construction, but I'm slowly making some progress.<br />
The back cabinet is together and the dual monitors fitted back there. One monitor is for the back glass image, and the other one for the DMD score screen.<br />
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The next step will be to disassemble, and Bondo all the imperfections, sand, and paint. Then I'll reassemble and start wiring it up and install the motherboard and sound system. Should give me something to do over the next few months of Winter weekends.<br />
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The plan is to paint black, and the try to duplicate the F-14 Tomcat pinball machine paint scheme on the main cabinet and back-cabinet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjJokSJQ3kS9mhMiSKLj05v0YKxM9Tav9eUuvPOpVcP1OTFq9-fHStJPoDUHTf9DXvgx7sX8_Q4xt13d5Mn6SCyFoxrTh74A5s75jxu9VPajEUgu-IY2S8cbssdsSdLrsLR1EF-0cAp7y/s1600/1450984661093-1217113172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjJokSJQ3kS9mhMiSKLj05v0YKxM9Tav9eUuvPOpVcP1OTFq9-fHStJPoDUHTf9DXvgx7sX8_Q4xt13d5Mn6SCyFoxrTh74A5s75jxu9VPajEUgu-IY2S8cbssdsSdLrsLR1EF-0cAp7y/s640/1450984661093-1217113172.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-42506942088847535202015-02-28T16:18:00.003-06:002015-02-28T16:18:47.182-06:00Installing Bluetooth music on a 2012 Chevrolet VoltThe 2012 Volt is fantastic...just picked it up five days ago for a steal. Certified Pre-owned from Chevy, with lots of warranty still left on the drivetrain, body and battery (8 years/100K).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWyKCbqtyo_l6l6pKQvQklgM6hLdZb3Zgk5k0cTxlLz6rZy098n44KOWZUzUsaNbV32Jd1o58G5WEWQEmK3IoJmtnnvg62SXTXExfkeOhFwynbfIwMC-MYlWBMdtxP8zGsoPGzSlk6Dgw/s1600/temp.temp_taken_picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWyKCbqtyo_l6l6pKQvQklgM6hLdZb3Zgk5k0cTxlLz6rZy098n44KOWZUzUsaNbV32Jd1o58G5WEWQEmK3IoJmtnnvg62SXTXExfkeOhFwynbfIwMC-MYlWBMdtxP8zGsoPGzSlk6Dgw/s1600/temp.temp_taken_picture.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The only downside, though, is that in 2012, the only bluetooth connection built-in was for phone calls. No bluetooth music connection. No big deal. The Volt forums had lots of ideas for installing aftermarket BT devices for music, to be played through the built-in AUX jack (and USB power!) in the armrest cubby storage.<br />
<br />
So ordered <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OBCAW2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009OBCAW2&linkCode=as2&tag=maisage-20&linkId=3HUVHZ3U4YI3XN7E" target="_blank">HomeSpot NFC-enabled bluetooth Audio Receiver (BTADP-233-40)</a>, available on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OBCAW2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009OBCAW2&linkCode=as2&tag=maisage-20&linkId=3HUVHZ3U4YI3XN7E" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
Thanks for Prime, it showed up 3 days later (two business days) in the mailbox via USPS delivery.<br />
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<br />
Everything arrived in good condition, inside a cardboard mailer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFxMYeFNX-myNjcRz0qQGkI1XeTCsTKGDRkDw3kpb1kw_v9gusrUnxlC5aX6A0Y-dSqBW5ZBNF_7sS4qOquHPg66EaYlciLUznPlRUgn6QEb0fcIpaOySf4uP34whLWqyK8cZh7V-eRvG/s1600/20150228_141215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFxMYeFNX-myNjcRz0qQGkI1XeTCsTKGDRkDw3kpb1kw_v9gusrUnxlC5aX6A0Y-dSqBW5ZBNF_7sS4qOquHPg66EaYlciLUznPlRUgn6QEb0fcIpaOySf4uP34whLWqyK8cZh7V-eRvG/s1600/20150228_141215.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Inside, there are simplified instructions, the Bluetooth unit itself, wall wart, USB/micro-USB charging cord (to be used in the Volt), mini-jack audio connector (to be used in the Volt), and a mini-jack RCA cord (not used).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickP1j-KM0088kLRLNa_sJxPRg8X-tvLCAIewlGLshmftHRR_TqKukVyF1GzaxRohyWlLz-BlRs-uFa7iqnthfnSXj5dXrON-V2fEs0SmG4IokAiagCrHl3FFJYi4QFMVhYrsTu5Axc0A3/s1600/20150228_141258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickP1j-KM0088kLRLNa_sJxPRg8X-tvLCAIewlGLshmftHRR_TqKukVyF1GzaxRohyWlLz-BlRs-uFa7iqnthfnSXj5dXrON-V2fEs0SmG4IokAiagCrHl3FFJYi4QFMVhYrsTu5Axc0A3/s1600/20150228_141258.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pretty small size, with the AA battery for scale.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_p_kS__xYJWnzkvukQobl3ih9noNmHbO773_bQYZ4HA-hxE9CMcONcv6xEs2YuX1pmWsA2EYCBB2fQGeEAd2O_-oPWrxBH7JcEIkKDKjMxmJ0kErOgY0OzV4AgDDbV5e0L8LKB3OG4ie/s1600/20150228_155923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_p_kS__xYJWnzkvukQobl3ih9noNmHbO773_bQYZ4HA-hxE9CMcONcv6xEs2YuX1pmWsA2EYCBB2fQGeEAd2O_-oPWrxBH7JcEIkKDKjMxmJ0kErOgY0OzV4AgDDbV5e0L8LKB3OG4ie/s1600/20150228_155923.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here it is mounted in the Volt armrest. The USB power cord is plugged into the USB jack, which frees up the 12V outlet. The mini-jack goes from the bluetooth device to the AUX jack. I might end up velcro-ing to the side, so as not to take up the bottom of the cubby for other things to store in there.<br />
<br />
Connecting was pretty straightforward. Once the car is turned on the device starts blinking a blue LED. Go to the phone (for me, Samsung Note 4) and navigate to the Bluetooth devices page. "Scan" for new devices. My phone found the device, "GT BT-Reciever 47" in about five seconds, and once selected, it paired quickly without any codes needed, and installed automatically as a "media audio" device.<br />
<br />
I powered up Pandora (Pink Floyd), and selected AUX on the factory Bose stereo (acutally sounds very nice with a bit of tone tweaking/fade/balance), and Voila! Great sounding bluetooth sound.<br />
<br />
Should connect immediately upon subsequent car startups, and I'll report the average time for engine-start-to-music.<br />
<br />
Geek out!<br />
<br />
DocAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-82211666721386241132015-01-08T23:33:00.001-06:002015-01-08T23:33:59.268-06:00Vision Monday<a href="http://mobile.visionmonday.com/article/most-american-adults-suffer-from-digital-eye-strain-according-to-new-vision-council-report-1/#sthash.RJCj3xX8.cmfs">Vision Monday</a><br />
<br />
Smart devices are causing untold increases in eye strain, and possible future risks of cataracts.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-65119152910991595072014-10-19T14:34:00.003-05:002014-10-19T14:34:50.710-05:00C6 Corvette Stereo Install Guide and LinksBezel removal guide: <a href="http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-tech-performance/2991929-center-console-and-radio-bezel-removal.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="Click the image to open in full size." border="0" class="tcattdimgresizer" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac135/cdkcorvette7/CorvetteForumPics/C6%20Console%20and%20Bezel%20Removal/001.jpg" title="Click the image to open in full size." /> <br />
<br />
Install and Speaker Replacement guide: <a href="http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/audio-electronics/1518095-complete-writeup-w-pics-pioneer-avic-d2-w-aftermarket-speakers-and-amp-in-a-2005-c6.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="Click the image to open in full size." border="0" class="tcattdimgresizer" src="http://temp.corvetteforum.net/bss/nomad//c6_avicd2_3.jpg" title="Click the image to open in full size." />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-88120516901376382422014-08-30T14:20:00.002-05:002014-08-30T15:01:56.686-05:00Grass paint for Brown Spots<div dir="ltr">
If you do your own lawncare, maybe one you'll have the misfortune of killing off some portion of your green lawn inadvertently due to a fertilizer spill, or mistakenly spraying your weeds with grass killer. Dog urine can also cause yellow spots. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
What is the inventive DIY'er to do? Grass Paint, aka Grass Dye. This will keep you and your second-in-command happy, and avoid the neighborhood stigma of being a yard n00b. <br />
<br />
Well, that happened to me recently due to a mistakenly mislabeled bottle of weed killer (don't ask). Within 48 hours the spots appeared by the dozen at the locations I had sprayed. I ordered an 8 Oz bottle of grass paint off of Amazon, which came to nearly twenty bucks with shipping. It is diluted 7:1 with water (21 Oz water: 3 Oz of paint) in a spray bottle. </div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
It is a thick paint, but stains dead, dry grass relatively well. One coat gives about 85% "greener" effect, and a second coat a day later from an opposite angle gives 100% coverage. It is green from the street, which is all that matters! I'd estimate one 8oz bottle diluted 7:1 covers about 100 sq feet.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AyQi54adI2QiI1QUr-GCKWk7w991Aej6YyPOpgCYFPXN89YvbUph7eqHluIgvXoTe_JEY7r9-jxd6K6oIlnGh3kNIFCaRR6_Zb7LyIv1EX0STx8Sd-jD5zistIBF9LLbC1W_WmwISaNW/s1600/20140830_142805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AyQi54adI2QiI1QUr-GCKWk7w991Aej6YyPOpgCYFPXN89YvbUph7eqHluIgvXoTe_JEY7r9-jxd6K6oIlnGh3kNIFCaRR6_Zb7LyIv1EX0STx8Sd-jD5zistIBF9LLbC1W_WmwISaNW/s640/20140830_142805.jpg" /> </a> </div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Now, after seeing the water-based paint first hand, I deduced it was a bottle of plain green acrylic paint. I went to the craft store Michael's, and an exact bottle of green acrylic paint had the same bottle, size, color and consistency of the more expensive Amazon grass paint. Diluted up it was identical in action for 1/8th the price.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqFZ8KkmyJIMiaxZeZs4gyeaBYgavmogTuWRykoQ1a1KwbIL-xYhwmFq_o-kxTkdSTforRP3VaU4N6hxZg1ZreMcVXyZJ5W539hmUT7txhqKeMK0BXYbpJEMfy7m2nXQwdso8ReKWk8RP/s1600/20140830_145719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqFZ8KkmyJIMiaxZeZs4gyeaBYgavmogTuWRykoQ1a1KwbIL-xYhwmFq_o-kxTkdSTforRP3VaU4N6hxZg1ZreMcVXyZJ5W539hmUT7txhqKeMK0BXYbpJEMfy7m2nXQwdso8ReKWk8RP/s640/20140830_145719.jpg" /> </a> </div>
<div dir="ltr">
I've bought a couple bottles for only $2.50 each, to touch up a couple spots that were a little light, forgotten on the first pass, or which might crop up in the future. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
Good luck with your own DIY grass paint job!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-19486463287863585502014-02-01T17:50:00.000-06:002014-02-01T17:52:52.710-06:00How to migrate from a Hard Drive to an SSD drive.Here is Lifehacker's <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5837543/how-to-migrate-to-a-solid+state-drive-without-reinstalling-windows" target="_blank">great guide</a> to migrating your Windows computer the newer, faster SSD (solid state drives)<br />
<br />
Samsung has a great <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E3W16OU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00E3W16OU&linkCode=as2&tag=maisage-20" target="_blank">1TB drive at Amazon</a>, or for a little less money, the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009NHAEXE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009NHAEXE&linkCode=as2&tag=maisage-20" target="_blank">250GB drive.</a><br />
<br />
The speed one gains, is actually more cost-effective than buying a new computer. Time to hot-rod your current PC or Mac!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizylBuLztE_NBBPYMkV3Hha364x259Dc623h5-TF5axQHx7565szcPrVS-voaeJT-xDBkN7qU9TtMwS4SD3bqnTMApofx_pZnlWMfDIepGBSTaNvJ8ulH-y6mYA981mpi9uNDHx89_XNBT/s1600/SamsungSSD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizylBuLztE_NBBPYMkV3Hha364x259Dc623h5-TF5axQHx7565szcPrVS-voaeJT-xDBkN7qU9TtMwS4SD3bqnTMApofx_pZnlWMfDIepGBSTaNvJ8ulH-y6mYA981mpi9uNDHx89_XNBT/s1600/SamsungSSD.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-41009808935276206142013-10-07T10:21:00.000-05:002013-10-07T10:21:01.715-05:00Smart dock for Samsung Note II (and S3, S4, Note III)<a href="http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones-accessories/EDD-S20JWEGSTA" target="_blank">Samsung Smart Dock for Note II</a><br />
<br />
Samsung has now bumped up the bar for smartphones... how about a dock (ala the old laptop docks of yore) to work with your smart phone: full-size keyboard/mouse compatible, external hard-drive storage and an HDMI port out to your modern flat-screen monitor? What is NOT to love? Nothing. Three USB ports, HDMI, charing, stereo sound out, Especially for $99 retail or even less on Amazon <a href="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=maisage-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B009QW3TBK" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
<br />
Now I can ditch my old Asus EEE netbook, and use this <a href="http://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=maisage-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B009QW3TBK" target="_blank">Samsung Smart Dock</a> instead... and keep one device for nearly the whole day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMImHc7mBPpWMLLABCHJlpSLLmlBGYjZW8fLvkEdqlXBbyte2IPI7-X9jmXcmgvhknrtbZXOj62CFVXblFKrDxyCaQLOf_wuuS2By-1hq8Ytd-hY-Eel7nkPKIwQvbsMCgjkbADZfo98W/s1600/SamsungSmartDock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMImHc7mBPpWMLLABCHJlpSLLmlBGYjZW8fLvkEdqlXBbyte2IPI7-X9jmXcmgvhknrtbZXOj62CFVXblFKrDxyCaQLOf_wuuS2By-1hq8Ytd-hY-Eel7nkPKIwQvbsMCgjkbADZfo98W/s400/SamsungSmartDock.jpg" width="400" xsa="true" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-30636996069867409802013-04-27T12:04:00.003-05:002013-04-27T13:26:30.291-05:00Copying Flash videos to DVD to play in a Sony Blu-Ray playerI needed some videos to play on my large screen LED TV through my Sony BDP-BX58 Blu-Ray player. It was awkward to hook up my desktop to the fireplace mounted TV, so I needed a way to copy the Flash Video to play in my DVD player.<br />
<br />
I found a great website with all the details, and the links to download the two programs required to 1) copy the flash video to hard-drive, and 2) convert the FLV format to MPEG.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/294007-How-to-record-streaming-flash-video-edit-and-save-as-AVI-MP4-FLV-etc" target="_blank">Here's the Weblink on Videohelp.com: How To Record Streaming Flash and Save</a><br />
<br />
First, download "Downloadhelper" and also "AVIDemux"<br />
<br />
Follow the directions on the website... give the video time to download to the temporary cache folder!<br />
<br />
To convert to a video format that will play in the Sony DVD, convert the saved video file with the following parameters:<br />
Video Decoder: Lavcodec<br />
Video Output: Mpeg4 AVC (x264)<br />
Audio Output: AC3 (Aften)<br />
Output Format: MP4v2 Muxer<br />
Save as an ".mp4" file <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQI1OmYqWeLpZ7-wdz2HwhZebbxra_fe6NiizVSCRq6Kk9I73OTapV4-b2mZUTrbl31s4id6_p5YFnQM2ULZb3nbUTHN456xHHnqxGUaUxnHBo0V5X8mvVg4lWk1G4EsMEB9CwsBtbjhE/s1600/Screenshot_Avidemux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQI1OmYqWeLpZ7-wdz2HwhZebbxra_fe6NiizVSCRq6Kk9I73OTapV4-b2mZUTrbl31s4id6_p5YFnQM2ULZb3nbUTHN456xHHnqxGUaUxnHBo0V5X8mvVg4lWk1G4EsMEB9CwsBtbjhE/s640/Screenshot_Avidemux.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Once that's converted (takes a while), use your favorite CD/DVD burner software to burn/close it to your blank disc. <br />
<br />
It should read as a data disc in the Sony BR player, and can be seen in the Video crossbar menu. Select it, and play the file. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-78059308304299078692013-03-31T23:30:00.000-05:002013-03-31T23:30:09.799-05:00How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8 with an Upgrade Disc<br />
<h1 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: left; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Liberation Serif', serif; font-size: 26px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.2; margin: 3px 0px 0.4em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://lifehacker.com/5984278/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-8-with-an-upgrade-disc" target="_blank">How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8 with an Upgrade Disc</a></h1>
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Sometimes, you <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5983652/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-without-losing-your-files-settings-and-tweaks" style="border: 0px; color: #719602; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">just need to do a clean install</a>. Unfortunately, the Windows 8 Upgrade doesn't always allow for that, throwing you an error when you try to activate after a clean install. Reader <a href="http://lifehacker.com/people/uncommoner" style="border: 0px; color: #719602; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">uncommoner</a> shows us a workaround for this issue.</div>
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If you do a clean install using the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, you should be fine—but if you've already formatted your drive or you're moving to a new drive, you can't do a "clean install" without installing an old version of Windows first. It'll let you install Windows 8 cleanly, but when you go to activate, you get an error 0x8007007B, saying your product key can only be used for upgrading.</div>
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If you get that error, here's how to fix it:</div>
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<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 8px 2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Press the Windows key and type <code style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">regedit</code>. Press enter to open the Registry Editor.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 8px 2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Navigate to<code style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/</code>and double-click on the <code style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">MediabootInstall</code> key in the right pane.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 8px 2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Change the key's value from 1 to 0.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 8px 2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Exit the Registry Editor, press the Windows key again, and type <code style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cmd</code>. Right-click on the Command Prompt icon and run it as an administrator.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 8px 2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Type <code style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">slmgr /rearm</code> and press Enter.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; list-style-image: none; list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 8px 2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Reboot Windows.</li>
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When you get back into Windows, you should be able to run the Activation utility and activate Windows as normal, without getting an error. Obviously, you could use this trick for evil, but it has its legitimate place too—if, say, you're upgrading your hard drive and want to do a fresh install on it, or if you formatted your drive before upgrading.</div>
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We haven't had a chance to test it ourselves, but it's been <a href="http://www.guidingtech.com/16405/probable-fix-activating-windows-8-clean-install/" style="border: 0px; color: #719602; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">well documented around the net</a>, so we're confident it should work for you if you're getting this particular error. If you give it a shot, let us know how it works for you in the discussions below! Thanks for the tip, <a href="http://lifehacker.com/people/uncommoner" style="border: 0px; color: #719602; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">uncommoner</a>!</div>
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Source:</div>
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<a href="http://lifehacker.com/5984278/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-8-with-an-upgrade-disc">http://lifehacker.com/5984278/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-8-with-an-upgrade-disc</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-86211114520027101282013-03-25T21:34:00.001-05:002013-03-25T21:41:45.275-05:00DIY iPod / iTouch wall mount speaker systemAfter perusing the web for a cost-effective iTouch wall mount, I decided to try my own hand (and tight wallet ) at making my own wall mount. My iTouch from 2009 barely holds a charge, so it is to be relegated to wall duty as a WiFi sound portal for my basement billiards room and bar. Power will be from a USB plug and amplifier behind the wall.<br />
<br />
I had a pair of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CHVLSQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000CHVLSQ&linkCode=as2&tag=maisage-20" target="_blank">wall-speakers</a> left over from a previous custom home build, so those were free, and mounted quickly. Fortunately, I had access to the back of the wall inside the utility room, so it was relatively easy wiring everything up, but this could be done by fishing wires inside a wall, and running them along behind the baseboards, if need be. The amp and USB power plug could also be wired easily, too, with a low voltage wire portal that exits the wires right above a wall outlet. [Probably hiding the transformers inside a wall would be do-able, but could be a cause of a very rare, but dangerous fire... just sayin'.]<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPica1JHXlO19wyli0UVxeCiiyEI67ax_BqjFNYhciBioNOFqSooOYmoqNDAjzj9zDNNbwy6x0BWa_qWLy2ColsMQzUBByJX7S_-4dWulFV8cN2_pi-0jmjALKlBgB6S-girBf7Rc-qSl/s1600/20130322_203135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPica1JHXlO19wyli0UVxeCiiyEI67ax_BqjFNYhciBioNOFqSooOYmoqNDAjzj9zDNNbwy6x0BWa_qWLy2ColsMQzUBByJX7S_-4dWulFV8cN2_pi-0jmjALKlBgB6S-girBf7Rc-qSl/s320/20130322_203135.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add the backplate loosely, then tilt into place<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTvH3q1TzV0HpcsMeh7jZL3mVkr859TPZF-M2kZpUA1U3_qiaThbFItPm454QBiBFJ3RMojMyVue7jh0GoDpfRE-FV6Ej0TZ4Vo-JLc-1oxu12S518RqVDgAdcJc5xIcwHCjLEvZbjWkh/s1600/20130322_203408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTvH3q1TzV0HpcsMeh7jZL3mVkr859TPZF-M2kZpUA1U3_qiaThbFItPm454QBiBFJ3RMojMyVue7jh0GoDpfRE-FV6Ej0TZ4Vo-JLc-1oxu12S518RqVDgAdcJc5xIcwHCjLEvZbjWkh/s320/20130322_203408.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backside of the speaker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3h9zP7PgCaLOg0wdlA2hhyW-nLd61bPGwyV4FC10NNDiFSWGzxa5-zhXk6-Yhf-XlDh3-Dxc-Zs-J0MHhur6AyBiWtmZgCaHrP2W_cv8DgllazE_ikGg6oLZ3zbWizfnas63IgzRqWtB/s1600/20130322_203308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3h9zP7PgCaLOg0wdlA2hhyW-nLd61bPGwyV4FC10NNDiFSWGzxa5-zhXk6-Yhf-XlDh3-Dxc-Zs-J0MHhur6AyBiWtmZgCaHrP2W_cv8DgllazE_ikGg6oLZ3zbWizfnas63IgzRqWtB/s320/20130322_203308.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaker mouting screws</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049P6OTI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0049P6OTI&linkCode=as2&tag=maisage-20%22%3ELP-2020A+%20Lepai%20Tripath%20Class-T%20Hi-Fi%20Audio%20Mini%20Amplifier%20with%20Power%20Supply" target="_blank">Lepai Class-T amp from Amazon</a> was mounted on a wall stud.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIe7pt4zfx2ILRfFb5RTqZ2KZRLpEgcFrIEZwC5v1cDP2ezOoMcAOg6FpsyRWn9qyI-p3vU5uZJk98F4vN_BAR3tup4oSWbJWe3Vs9zShHM58kvnNgXtn9EtZ6RDoslGjleBtZYQEVzeGY/s1600/Lepai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIe7pt4zfx2ILRfFb5RTqZ2KZRLpEgcFrIEZwC5v1cDP2ezOoMcAOg6FpsyRWn9qyI-p3vU5uZJk98F4vN_BAR3tup4oSWbJWe3Vs9zShHM58kvnNgXtn9EtZ6RDoslGjleBtZYQEVzeGY/s320/Lepai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The pieces for this DIY iTouch mount were picked up at Michaels for less than $10.00.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiwnwDg_zE3KJnQjnVpPX43Rckqs-yoVU7GzABcQvGPlbKu7MGQBODgFro0aJcL9mHj1WkXQ0RHaTtZHJcoluE_SS9SLXkDCG68hUQ3pzElu5C3pK1Jc9KLxvPcnwuM_Ed7yc44DvR2fj/s1600/20130322_214321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiwnwDg_zE3KJnQjnVpPX43Rckqs-yoVU7GzABcQvGPlbKu7MGQBODgFro0aJcL9mHj1WkXQ0RHaTtZHJcoluE_SS9SLXkDCG68hUQ3pzElu5C3pK1Jc9KLxvPcnwuM_Ed7yc44DvR2fj/s320/20130322_214321.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lay out the mearsurements, cut with a razor knife by scoring.</td></tr>
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A 3.5x5 inch wood photo frame for about $6.00, and a couple pieces of thin wood from the Michael's craft aisle. One is 1/32" thick and the other 1/16" thick. Each was about $2.00.<br />
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I cut the thinnest piece of wood to both fit the frame dimensions, and from that fitted wood a rectangular cutout to match the face of the iTouch to ensure not only the screen was fully visible, but also the camera and the front button. I sprayed a few coats of black with a hint of copper to match the frame's paint.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY36jv33h_hQcIf9Xaqv1MP7Xm51aBiMd7MWbsDW2oyirtUD4ZXJGTP_ZQ_6ywez5J_utZy8TqtgMGgAzqXS_iXaJWP84ASFv0ksSfMuajFue3tKAG4Veow0Njcmb-2MKPCIzyDHfF-8cZ/s1600/20130322_214559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY36jv33h_hQcIf9Xaqv1MP7Xm51aBiMd7MWbsDW2oyirtUD4ZXJGTP_ZQ_6ywez5J_utZy8TqtgMGgAzqXS_iXaJWP84ASFv0ksSfMuajFue3tKAG4Veow0Njcmb-2MKPCIzyDHfF-8cZ/s320/20130322_214559.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mat-board all cut out, prior to paint</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECqKVrpYx_6o044c7CUO0x8JoOvLmxxV2ssRCVgNQr0PnZMTiUSxFdf28Yg-ND8g4Z7zam6CWppSIDozPfHeFe9TWri-0jhnzNQ0MYLIyVAnBqTf6fpGI-esyZfxpAM1L-yS1PYnJaFQD/s1600/20130323_133535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECqKVrpYx_6o044c7CUO0x8JoOvLmxxV2ssRCVgNQr0PnZMTiUSxFdf28Yg-ND8g4Z7zam6CWppSIDozPfHeFe9TWri-0jhnzNQ0MYLIyVAnBqTf6fpGI-esyZfxpAM1L-yS1PYnJaFQD/s320/20130323_133535.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the first coat of paint... the wood grain is not noticeable in the room light.</td></tr>
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The iTouch was loosely fitted onto the mat-board, and small birch wood pieces cut to reinforce the iTouch on all four sides, making room for the headphone jack and the 30-pin connector.<br />
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Once fitted, the actual wood frame was marked where the wires would interfere, and notches cut to allow their exit. Since they are on the bottom, they won't be seen after the whole frame is mounted on the wall. Note the notches were painted to match the frame.<br />
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A 90-degree headphone plug had to be ever-so-gently trimmed so as not to interfere with the mat-board, while allowing the iTouch to remain flat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdrzUrXtmc3nPs2YzEi1xQDI3I9x05YhaiUwJVI4hGVmz3Z3HUrS4xBV3SSdAutFWosU5ruHCd9O3xx4rb74Hk8ZKdCEvbcsf2oyzE_Co8L2tFpgLnZrqLO4z7yhebYkzsm9J12-tagLg/s1600/20130323_153519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdrzUrXtmc3nPs2YzEi1xQDI3I9x05YhaiUwJVI4hGVmz3Z3HUrS4xBV3SSdAutFWosU5ruHCd9O3xx4rb74Hk8ZKdCEvbcsf2oyzE_Co8L2tFpgLnZrqLO4z7yhebYkzsm9J12-tagLg/s320/20130323_153519.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9uykcSeHEB65NlsPrWv-06wJHJPfTo_35IBotsnaZGLQhvifXyRegSar4PunT-P4KVUl8GXz0TKRiouhJu-fC0G9gaI1dB5DiI0UMotmUAP72wok9fbMOWZBj0AWk8hireO3owUs8vHr/s1600/20130323_163111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9uykcSeHEB65NlsPrWv-06wJHJPfTo_35IBotsnaZGLQhvifXyRegSar4PunT-P4KVUl8GXz0TKRiouhJu-fC0G9gaI1dB5DiI0UMotmUAP72wok9fbMOWZBj0AWk8hireO3owUs8vHr/s320/20130323_163111.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">30-pin wire and frame groove...</td></tr>
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Measurements were made to mount to drywall screws at the appropriate width which allows the screw heads to ride inside the routed groove in the frame.<br />
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The frame was trial mounted to the wall and pencil marks made for the holes in the drywall to accommodate the headphone and 30-pin wires, making sure the holes would not protrude beyond the frame itself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JxC-Po5qKHyeUV5Cg0HrqLWasmOY7J9GpkjluAHqyA5KCEa-8pt_bRit7ZfTbOn4YJEgRaaImRcLPJKxhz_ir5eZIrL4XABMRNPwBVMb6uXzTnEyJclMpuNL1ZgR2WnktO8Mzm1Ze7kZ/s1600/20130324_141534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JxC-Po5qKHyeUV5Cg0HrqLWasmOY7J9GpkjluAHqyA5KCEa-8pt_bRit7ZfTbOn4YJEgRaaImRcLPJKxhz_ir5eZIrL4XABMRNPwBVMb6uXzTnEyJclMpuNL1ZgR2WnktO8Mzm1Ze7kZ/s320/20130324_141534.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mounting screws and wiring in place ahead of time.</td></tr>
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Once mounted epoxy was used to hold all the pieces in place, and once dried and fitted again (don't forget to have the cables installed!), a flat piece of 1/16" wood was placed over the iTouch to unify the whole system, and not allow the iTouch to fall out or away from the frame. (Note the headphone jack cutout was not complete at the stage of this photo below...but the layout of the wood and backplate are correct).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFijzAn8ndhKwHyk0Xn-F0orOo0rVOE6iLvvJpg65kcqvcmlVVxu0d-s6Is9oxgvEZzYf8ecI0fh_v9XDOaZC0r0rB87qVf5AVOJ_CJ0BIWpDCZ-usk12v1RT1puK_SBMTkapGHxDRr9uC/s1600/20130323_173435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFijzAn8ndhKwHyk0Xn-F0orOo0rVOE6iLvvJpg65kcqvcmlVVxu0d-s6Is9oxgvEZzYf8ecI0fh_v9XDOaZC0r0rB87qVf5AVOJ_CJ0BIWpDCZ-usk12v1RT1puK_SBMTkapGHxDRr9uC/s320/20130323_173435.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood attachment system... headphone jack and groove not placed (yet)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once the epoxy dried, the whole mount was attached to the wall and hooked to the amp.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3ry2Wea44TzXP7M1Ktn5qDpbzZBjf7WrpzO_8da84l1v2YqUj-U5U_BvZnfJ4Dc06OVdHUiwz0sYKa1oxADORAqG8LoGMYvxHh1DaA7_Y5OgSV2Ijv2PGZSb1NtkeAVQuohb_h88lMQP/s1600/20130323_170023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3ry2Wea44TzXP7M1Ktn5qDpbzZBjf7WrpzO_8da84l1v2YqUj-U5U_BvZnfJ4Dc06OVdHUiwz0sYKa1oxADORAqG8LoGMYvxHh1DaA7_Y5OgSV2Ijv2PGZSb1NtkeAVQuohb_h88lMQP/s320/20130323_170023.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Installed on the wall, ready to party!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnn44v3d2-wfMuPMktVRIWzZxRkQOQ3EYfd5LiH7e2iJzkE0ouNHfVs2c_8izfRdM4aaGzudPNDtjg-BU5FRubSrZDTaG0YFm0sKiUYuThf4IQCbMEPHDzVDyu04TqhcrV_hEmnU_5mQUA/s1600/20130324_143827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnn44v3d2-wfMuPMktVRIWzZxRkQOQ3EYfd5LiH7e2iJzkE0ouNHfVs2c_8izfRdM4aaGzudPNDtjg-BU5FRubSrZDTaG0YFm0sKiUYuThf4IQCbMEPHDzVDyu04TqhcrV_hEmnU_5mQUA/s320/20130324_143827.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole system: iTouch wall mount and speakers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Power up! Pandora streams loud and clear. The Lepai amp is set for max bass, and minimal treble, and set at about 90% volume setting. The actual speaker volume will be regulated through the iTouch screen.<br />
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Next stage: subwoofer, and the bass can come through the wall-mounted fresh air grill for the utility room.<br />
<br />
Geek Out & Enjoy! Let me know if you tackle something similar yourself.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-26099017652520852912013-01-22T21:56:00.002-06:002013-01-22T22:59:05.761-06:00Image or Clone a new drive using Norton Ghost 15.0<br />
<br />
This will detail how to image (or copy) a hard drive running Windows 7 and <b><i><u>having an <a href="https://community.norton.com/t5/Other-Norton-Products/Norton-Ghost15-What-is-SRP/td-p/670739">SRP</a></u></i></b>, (aka "System Reserved Partition) which is a small 100Mb partition on the original hard drive. These instructions are for a new hard-drive of the same or even better, larger capacity than the old one.<br />
<br />
1. Power down the computer<br />
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2. Open it up and install the new hard drive (SATA power and the SATA data cords). Leave the original hard drive in there, too, of course....<br />
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3. Power up and start Windows<br />
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4. Under the start menu, type "Disk Management", and open that program "Windows Disk Management" and you should get a prompt that the new disk needs to be initialized. Make sure you select the disk drive (check mark) and ensure "MBR" is selected, so the new drive is bootable. Note the SRP partition of the original C: drive, circled in red:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxg7w3sfBYx0j32HsM7fiUiLvvJAUPim7JWXA3OaY-gh_hqVK6vTZPCYTr21RMNMiNbs9G8zcC-Th7kh7Hs7G5F8Yt3F-f1wEdP5uZIiGPJs6zFvPCaD3nLQLfECgGGL1K-TbAuRhSFhX/s1600/NG-001b.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxg7w3sfBYx0j32HsM7fiUiLvvJAUPim7JWXA3OaY-gh_hqVK6vTZPCYTr21RMNMiNbs9G8zcC-Th7kh7Hs7G5F8Yt3F-f1wEdP5uZIiGPJs6zFvPCaD3nLQLfECgGGL1K-TbAuRhSFhX/s320/NG-001b.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOzHdIWV7xwFor6gC2nV5bmfdiM3JUWSDoYuoSocDAwfx5ALYdSmQpaD0WnYu3UuV5PYnrDLFnDCHNtA5yEiPSTi93jKsCnABvhI9I2YlN4nRos5m4ITbb4h5BgZC57mui5K6Qj9BNZrm/s1600/NG-001a.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOzHdIWV7xwFor6gC2nV5bmfdiM3JUWSDoYuoSocDAwfx5ALYdSmQpaD0WnYu3UuV5PYnrDLFnDCHNtA5yEiPSTi93jKsCnABvhI9I2YlN4nRos5m4ITbb4h5BgZC57mui5K6Qj9BNZrm/s320/NG-001a.jpg" /></a><br />
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5. Restart/Reboot the machine to make the new disk visible to Norton (though it won't be visible in My Computer, yet)<br />
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6. Place the Norton Ghost 15.0 Disk into the DVD drive.<br />
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7. If it doesn't start automatically, browse to the DVD drive via "My Computer" (disc is named NGH15.0.1) and open it to see the files therein.<br />
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8. Double-click "Autorun.exe" to run it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kDTFdkSY_mVmeXswOJR3-HwvjyVNvp41_IMYlBJOB6pvdAHP9DOkKalKKPluZAIiY8YG7qVXg9Zg8-0vJv8aY0Xu8bZ2k8s82YEyltWdIQRnPHdSiQzBqvaD69Yai9_s976QaurnA1gm/s1600/NG_001.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kDTFdkSY_mVmeXswOJR3-HwvjyVNvp41_IMYlBJOB6pvdAHP9DOkKalKKPluZAIiY8YG7qVXg9Zg8-0vJv8aY0Xu8bZ2k8s82YEyltWdIQRnPHdSiQzBqvaD69Yai9_s976QaurnA1gm/s320/NG_001.jpg" /></a><br />
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9. During the install, a few DOS command windows (black windows) will open and close on their own several times. This whole process can take more than a few minutes...maybe like fifteen or more...<br />
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10. This link <a href="http://community.norton.com/t5/Other-Norton-Products/Ghost-15-options-for-recovery/td-p/218202">HERE</a> to the Norton forum help site has a lot of good information, but it's missing some steps and explanations that I will detail. If you don't have an SRP, then follow the instructions on the website, using the tips from this post to help you along.<br />
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11. Go to the Start Menu, Norton Ghost, and run the Norton Ghost Program. It will begin analyzing your system:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xNWIReqhCN-1LbCKPxsxYLhVUTMDMYCu-gx1_a6_ykJeBrBwcJ6CKQtPk2scyhWByg0IWzWntMRWh4bITdCNV8BbvYMaUKD_2c1SgIiBb4RLA0KY1ZHQbNGvOcMYSDLZ8tQ0rpPMzwfA/s1600/NG_002.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xNWIReqhCN-1LbCKPxsxYLhVUTMDMYCu-gx1_a6_ykJeBrBwcJ6CKQtPk2scyhWByg0IWzWntMRWh4bITdCNV8BbvYMaUKD_2c1SgIiBb4RLA0KY1ZHQbNGvOcMYSDLZ8tQ0rpPMzwfA/s320/NG_002.jpg" /></a><br />
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12. Once finished, click "Tools" and "Copy My Hard Drive", and "Next" on the pop-up window.<br />
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13. ensure you check "Show Hidden Drives" box. Click and select the source drive (we'll start with the "System Reserved" partition, aka SRP). Click Next.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm5Z7KmRisxk4iYdZlovJxJyU6e5HxIv9_VzHCIGOjsi8jgsdjCPEm0vR5bw2l1fgFXLu-CI3w_gBXMtle6EAaB3_6_ca2zrBwSHIOZTy1dfl6QaCOuGM8m50N9uLW6UsGWs-JwChKz0O/s1600/NG-001c.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm5Z7KmRisxk4iYdZlovJxJyU6e5HxIv9_VzHCIGOjsi8jgsdjCPEm0vR5bw2l1fgFXLu-CI3w_gBXMtle6EAaB3_6_ca2zrBwSHIOZTy1dfl6QaCOuGM8m50N9uLW6UsGWs-JwChKz0O/s320/NG-001c.jpg" /></a><br />
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14. For Destination, select "Unallocated" (the new drive), click Next.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMaV3_2n8SFIG4DyQ-rNchXTdugeT8hhub1IPNg3T_wAXko6o3JediuN8ka_fjVHBn1QRL0N6gBQqpQRsCCTgvNMv09yxiJMGuYxy-4h0-Aqn97HABdb7fjHVOOKN2WJOs1KQCzwPMnmU/s1600/NG-004.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMaV3_2n8SFIG4DyQ-rNchXTdugeT8hhub1IPNg3T_wAXko6o3JediuN8ka_fjVHBn1QRL0N6gBQqpQRsCCTgvNMv09yxiJMGuYxy-4h0-Aqn97HABdb7fjHVOOKN2WJOs1KQCzwPMnmU/s320/NG-004.jpg" /></a><br />
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15. "Check": Source for file system errors <br />
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"Check": Destination for file system errors<br />
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'DON'T SELECT" Resize drive to fit unallocated space ( this will keep the size the same for the SRP) "Check": Set drive active (for booting OS) 'DON'T SELECT' Disable SmartSector copying 'DON'T SELECT' Ignore bad sectors during copy "Check" Copy MBR Destination partition type : Primary Partition Drive letter : "" (click the down arrow and "none" will be a the top of the list)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkArh5H3lvrFU8JM6U4eEu8lNmLfzN52q9Wf1PBgvtp2jnL8cpJnztTxjEpX-FEsRKM8fi_E5CjqtaW2DmRc9b32GNoPWIBxCsAHkuiZ0hAPj_kRvGFdcxNXGH3SeinxRUrmwdeRHX6tw/s1600/NG-005.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkArh5H3lvrFU8JM6U4eEu8lNmLfzN52q9Wf1PBgvtp2jnL8cpJnztTxjEpX-FEsRKM8fi_E5CjqtaW2DmRc9b32GNoPWIBxCsAHkuiZ0hAPj_kRvGFdcxNXGH3SeinxRUrmwdeRHX6tw/s320/NG-005.jpg" /></a><br />
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16. Click Next, and then upon reviewing the settings, select "Finish" (If you happen to go "back", double-check that the drive letter is <br />
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17. Norton Ghost will copy over the small 100Mb partition to the new drive, usually in less than two minutes. Click "Close" when finished.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAVo8vDrxrDjqv_zWoKP25RpeTYzv2mbQ7-YYbCZIvf1LRTl6COn21GWu0G2vL8I-90Io-i1mC8wFScwdNift_pE_LE3_y0-fVNcV7mF-pWecO6oR0XUSPQGz1EEbNtsaJ-fkRakLwDMc/s1600/NG-006.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAVo8vDrxrDjqv_zWoKP25RpeTYzv2mbQ7-YYbCZIvf1LRTl6COn21GWu0G2vL8I-90Io-i1mC8wFScwdNift_pE_LE3_y0-fVNcV7mF-pWecO6oR0XUSPQGz1EEbNtsaJ-fkRakLwDMc/s320/NG-006.jpg" /></a><br />
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18. Now to copy the main C: drive: Click "Tools" and "Copy My Hard Drive", and "Next" on the pop-up window.<br />
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19. Click and select the source drive (usually known as "C:" drive). Click Next.<br />
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20. For Destination, select "Unallocated" (the new drive), click Next.<br />
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"Check": Source for file system errors<br />
"Check": Destination for file system errors<br />
"Check": Resize drive to fill unallocated space (ONLY if you want to expand the new space to fill the rest of a larger new drive)<br />
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"DON'T SELECT" Set drive active (for booting OS) Remember, the small 100MB SRP partition actually does the Booting...<br />
"DON'T SELECT" Disable SmartSector copying<br />
"DON'T SELECT" Ignore bad sectors during copy<br />
Destination partition type : Primary Partition<br />
Drive letter : (click the down arrow and "none" will be a the top of the list)<br />
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21. Wait......... a few hours, perhaps!<br />
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22.. You can move the "Performance" slide toward "Slow" if you need to use your computer for other tasks...or just leave it at "Fast" and run overnight... Make sure no other software is scheduled to do scans, etc., like a malware or virus scanner or other routine backup program.<br />
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...more to post after the image is completed in the morning!<br />
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:)<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-38539274889574433032013-01-11T00:02:00.002-06:002013-01-11T00:02:31.660-06:00I Am an Zombie Apocalypse Survivor!<div align="center"><a href="http://www.nerdtests.com/mq/uttake.php?id=58400"><br />
<img src="http://www.nerdtests.com/mq/testimages/58400r_e8dc01306186b9493a14.jpg" border="0" alt="Could you survive a zombie apocalypse? -- Make and Take a Fun Test @ NerdTests.com's User Tests!" title="Could you survive a zombie apocalypse? Test -- Create and Take a Fun Quiz @ NerdTests.com's User Tests!"><br />
</a><br/><span style="font-size:10px; ">My Result: You survived!</span><br/><span style="font-size:10px; ">-= <a href="http://www.nerdtests.com/mq/uttake.php?id=58400">click to take @ NerdTests.com</a> =-</span><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-76958438345113455272013-01-10T21:27:00.001-06:002013-01-10T23:19:56.243-06:00Arcade Machine Boot Wallpaper and Boot Logo ChangeMy MAME arcade, "F-14 Tomcat Arcade" needs something to make it look like its a commercial gaming unit, not a home PC booting Windows 7.<br />
<br />
So, after doing some research there are some programs, animations and images you can load to make it look "un"-Windows. Some require registry hacking, hex editors... bleck. So here are the two that I settled on to get me 99% of the way:<br />
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<a href="http://www.coderforlife.com/projects/win7boot/" target="_blank">Windows 7 Boot animation changer</a><br />
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(New boot animations downloadable <a href="http://browse.deviantart.com/?order=9&q=windows+7+boot" target="_blank">HERE</a>)<br />
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And to change the logon/shutdown background wallpaper go to the <a href="http://www.julien-manici.com/windows_7_logon_background_changer/" target="_blank">Julien-Mancini</a> website, download the <a href="http://www.julien-manici.com/download/?id=11&noalert=true" target="_blank">changer program</a>, install it, and browse to whatever picture you want... very nice.<br />
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How to hide the "welcome" cursor in Win7, click <a href="http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/showthread.php?9847-Windows-7-hide-welcome-cursor" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
<br />
and hide the Windows cursor altogether with <a href="http://www.autohotkey.com/board/topic/2083-nomousy-disablehide-your-mouse-pointer-cmd/" target="_blank">Nomousy</a> (put in the start menu). Put a shortcut on your Start Menu, and then later use the keyboard to run it a second time to make the cursor re-appear.<br />
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Design custom (tiny!!!) cursors, so they are not apparent on boot up: <a href="http://www.rw-designer.com/cursor-maker" target="_blank">RWCursor Editor</a><br />
<br />
Here's my boot and windows wallpaper:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggW0d-cxt1C718GLjOG01DMtotE6d9pOUINqD3zlWJmL0rYcM3UMLEGgGtX1_AUArBtqEYyJUJL3qryAwID9AG8E-qn4xiYNLj9gxBb3aXTbpQPnqTFRUNzblFzJZm6GcqI5X8K8z3efJA/s1600/Tomcat_n_GameNames_1280_768.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggW0d-cxt1C718GLjOG01DMtotE6d9pOUINqD3zlWJmL0rYcM3UMLEGgGtX1_AUArBtqEYyJUJL3qryAwID9AG8E-qn4xiYNLj9gxBb3aXTbpQPnqTFRUNzblFzJZm6GcqI5X8K8z3efJA/s320/Tomcat_n_GameNames_1280_768.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-70054743789089543992012-10-29T19:11:00.000-05:002012-10-29T19:11:43.252-05:00Bracketron fix PHV-202-BLI've owned the Bracketron PHV-202-BL, vent-mounted smartphone holder for a couple years now. Cheap AND practical. It's worked like a charm all this time, but today one of the two spring clips that attaches to the vent louver broke. Dang.<br />
<br />
I was about to buy a whole new unit... but the bracketron website gives out FREE REPLACEMENTS!! Seriously, is that COOL or what???<br />
<br />
Here's the link for the replacement springs:<br />
<a href="http://www.bracketron.com/spring-clip-replacement" target="_blank">http://www.bracketron.com/spring-clip-replacement</a><br />
<br />
If you'd like to order one of these puppies, here's the amazon link:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B2PPYC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001B2PPYC&linkCode=as2&tag=maisage-20" target="_blank">Bracketron PHV-202-BL</a><br />
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(The PHV-200-BL is identical except for packaging... they share the same replacement springs)<br />
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Geek out!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-16544380085519625902012-10-20T16:39:00.000-05:002013-03-31T23:31:28.857-05:00Arcade updateI've been steadily working on the arcade when I get a couple free minutes here and there on the weekends, in between "honey-do" chores, church, community group bible studies, and just plain relaxing.<br />
<br />
A week ago I applied the T-Molding all around, and a couple places needed some glue to keep the T-Molding down in the curves, since I had to redo a few grooves where it wasn't perfectly centered. So, when you re-groove it, it's wider than it should be and the T-Molding has to be glued into place. Gorilla wood glue and some weights and tiny temporary staples solved that. Next time, it would be best to use a router table for a PERFECT centered groove, which is more difficult by hand, I must say. <br />
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It's about ready to transfer to the basement game room, and I can finish it up down there. The custom marquee, marquee brackets are on order, and hope to have them delivered soon. The side art is drawn up and the "DANGER JET BLAST" lettering has to be applied to the front (aka F-14 intake graphic).<br />
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The colors are from an F-14 at my squadron, VF-101 Grim Reapers, that was custom-trimmed in red paint on the tail. The grey color is a perfect match to an F-14. Of course, a good Tomcat is a dirty plane, with various panels of various colors...so to be a good match, I may have to "antique" the finish a bit.<br />
<br />
Today, I installed the electrical box on the back to plug in the power-strip and computer, which will have a power-on relay to power up the sound amp, marquee lights when the PC is turned on. I think I'll have an arcade switch on the side to wire-in the momentary power button for the motherboard...but have yet to work out where to put the power button... maybe on the front panel for easy access.<br />
<br />
Also notice the magnetically attached access panel on top, to be able to reach into the computer area, if need be, without having to pull the unit away from the wall. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-60419757323011126512012-10-02T11:04:00.000-05:002012-10-02T11:04:16.206-05:00Our Dave Ramsey Radio InterviewAudio link of our on-air interview with Dave Ramsey on 27 Sep, 2012: <a href="http://soundcloud.com/docrings/debt-free-matt-toni-with-dave/s-CCQy7" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-51523859861469623812012-09-12T19:47:00.002-05:002012-09-12T21:55:13.094-05:00Virtual Pinball MachineI'm nearly complete with my Virtual Arcade cabinet... it's all painted and needs some final touches like T-molding and the custom marquee. <br />
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But, when I'm not home, I am now beginning to plan my <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXK-eF-_FlY&feature=player_embedded#!" target="_blank">virtual pinball machine</a>, with a LCD flat panel displaying 3D pinball games, and the backlight LCD displaying the matching score boards and DMD graphics.<br />
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There are some kits available at <a href="http://virtuapin.net/">Virtuapin.net</a> from the basic wood boxes, to the full kit, all ready to bolt-together-n-go.<br />
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The front end is <a href="http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?32-HyperPin-General-Discussion" target="_blank">Hyperpin</a><br />
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Lots of forums and downloadable tables at <a href="http://www.vpforums.org/" target="_blank">VPForums</a> and <a href="http://www.pinsimdb.org/" target="_blank">PinSimDB</a><br />
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Cabinet Design video (example) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaHiMIqoUks&feature=related" target="_blank">here</a> on YouTube, with instructions on the VPforums <a href="http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=18421&hl=" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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YouTube videos of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=virtual+pinball+machine&oq=virtual+pinball+machine&gs_l=youtube.3..0.340.3308.0.3550.23.14.0.9.9.2.161.1208.7j7.14.0...0.0...1ac.1.Tmeb7bEp7Wk" target="_blank">hundreds of virtual pinball table</a>s... some pretty nice, with construction details.<br />
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Parts:<br />
47" LCD (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-E472VLE-47-Inch-120Hz-Internet/dp/B007TEKUYG/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1347499507&sr=1-15&keywords=vizio+47%22" target="_blank">Vizio 47" $650</a>) 1080p 120Hz PC and HDMI input [ SUPER Wide-body Pinball! ]<br />
32" LCD (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-M320SL-32-Inch-120Hz-Internet/dp/B007QCXYV2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1347498890&sr=1-1&keywords=LCD+television" target="_blank">Vizio 32" for $400</a>)<br />
19" LCD (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Ln19D450-Inch-Lcd-Television/dp/B004XR19UG/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1347498943&sr=1-6&keywords=LCD+television+19%22" target="_blank">Samsung 19" for $190</a>)<br />
Note: all TV's with RGB hookups<br />
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Box kit<br />
Button kit <a href="http://virtuapin.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=38" target="_blank"> $55</a><br />
Trim kit with leg protectors <a href="http://virtuapin.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=35" target="_blank">$450</a><br />
Accelerometer & plunger <a href="http://www.ntekgaming.com/mot-ionkit.php" target="_blank">$140</a><br />
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Note:<br />
Widebody glass dimensions: 43" x 23-3/4" <a href="http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=2543" target="_blank">$50</a><br />
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PC: Have already with video cards and software<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-45151559087512812902012-09-10T22:56:00.001-05:002012-09-11T00:24:20.756-05:00Honda Insight (Gen 1) Maintenance and RepairI sold my super dependable 2002 Lexus GS400 (one trip to the shop in 10 years), for a very miserly 2002 "Sebring Silver" Honda Insight. Same price... one you pay for luxury and the other you pay for fuel savings. <br />
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Anyway, the Honda Insight had a major service at the Honda dealer (on their dime) when I bought it.<br />
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1) new IMA hybrid battery pack ($3000 value)<br />
2) new tires<br />
3) ? new brakes... need to check on this via Honda service database<br />
4) ? replace coolant... need to check on this via Honda service database<br />
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My Insight now has 140,000 miles... I've added 50K in just 12 months of commuting every weekend between Pensacola and Atlanta.<br />
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<b><u><i>MAINTENANCE and REPAIR</i></u></b>:<br />
Link to Honda Insight Maintenace Interval list and Excel Spreadsheet: <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/honda-insight-forum-2nd-gen-discussion/19327-maintenance-intervals.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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Just this week the idler pulley that tensions the serpentine belt started to whine, so a trip to the Autozone got me a new idler pulley wheel for $57. Took about an hour to change it out. Now, it's quiet as a baby again.<br />
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Link to idler pulley repair is on <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/problems-troubleshooting/18699-one-idler-pulley-big-small-2.html" target="_blank">insightcentral.net forum</a> with part #'s, etc.<br />
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I added last weekend an aftermarket Cruise Control. The total install time was about 7 hours. A second time would probably take 3, now that I figured it all out, and realize that most of the little parts that came with the generic cruise control kit are not used. Here's the DIY, step-by-step on the cruise control install at the <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/owners/mods/cruise1.htm" target="_blank">InsightCentral.net website</a>.<br />
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Some added thoughts on maintenance in the near future:<br />
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New Serpentine belt, at Autozone about $18<br />
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Coolant change, YouTube DIY video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLm4efPSQaU&feature=player_embedded#!" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
Make sure and use pre-mixed Silicate Free over-the-counter "Green", or Honda "Blue" coolant Type 2, P/N L999-9001. Uses about 2.5L for a normal "drain-n-fill" procedure.<br />
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Manual tranny fluid change, Genuine Honda MTF, about 1.6 quarts of oil. <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/problems-troubleshooting/16194-manual-transmission-oil-change.html" target="_blank">Link to InsightCentral thread</a><br />
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EGR valve replacement/cleaning and EGR plate clean-out: Links <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/problems-troubleshooting/15583-egr-valve-internal-repair.html" target="_blank">t</a>o <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/problems-troubleshooting/15583-egr-valve-internal-repair.html" target="_blank">EGR valve repair</a> and <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/buy-sell-insight-related-items/20794-fs-freshly-serviced-tested-00-06-insight-egr-valve.html" target="_blank">rebuilt EGR valves here</a>. EGR Plate cleaning DIY <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/problems-troubleshooting/20996-egr-plate-cleaning.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
Another nice thread of pics cleaning EGR valve: <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/modifications-technical-issues/19576-egr-valve-trick-new-iridium-spark-plugs-new-brakes-maintenance.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
EGR plate uses Honda Liquid Gasket<br />
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Spark plug replacement (they are "indexed" for each cylinder, so you must buy them from Honda)<br />
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Honda DOT 3 brake fluid replacement, recommended every two or three years. DOT 3 used in both brake and fluid clutch system, and about three 12oz bottles to flush both systems.<br />
Brake bleeding using autobleeder (pics): <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/modifications-technical-issues/19576-egr-valve-trick-new-iridium-spark-plugs-new-brakes-maintenance.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
Clutch bleeding procedure <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/problems-troubleshooting/16313-new-car-clutch-problems.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
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Valve lash adjustment, cold, .008" exhaust, and .007 intake". DIY LINK<a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/honda-insight-forum-1st-gen-discussion/15976-valve-adjustment-proceedure-write-up-pics.html" target="_blank">http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/honda-insight-forum-1st-gen-discussion/15976-valve-adjustment-proceedure-write-up-pics.html</a> Can re-use gasket if you're careful not to damage it.<br />
The valve clearance is: 0.007"-0.009" intake (closest to front of engine)<br />
0.008"-0.010" exhaust (closest to firewall)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-86051180274734538782012-08-20T20:40:00.002-05:002012-08-20T20:47:01.323-05:00Honda Insight Wet Seatbelt RepairThe 2000-2006 Honda Insight is a great car, but sometimes a bit of rainwater can leak through a side molding clip that has aged and cracked. I have a 2002 Insight which gets a wet driver-side seatbelt after a typical Florida afternoon driving thunderstorm.<br />
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I ordered the new clips and gave the repair a go, with help from <a href="http://www.insightcentral.net/forums/problems-troubleshooting/7356-wet-seatbelt.html" target="_blank">www.insightcentral.com</a> Insight geeks...<br />
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Above: broken clips after removing upper molding... inevitable. Seven of these needed new. (Rear-ward one is larger and different)<br />
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Bought a spare large retaining clip, but as you can see, it remained intact upon removal. It needed some silicone sealant all around the base, as this one is the BIG leaker.<br />
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Some factory goop....(I removed it, and re-siliconed ALL the holes right before replacing the trim with the new clips installed on it.<br />
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Trim with all the clips removed. A couple of the straight "fins" (which insert into the metal retaining clips) broke... but I still re-installed, and it's fine.<br />
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New clips installed onto the old trim.<br />
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Close-up of new clip and new rubber washer installed on the trim.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyR-PUXpShE-_GtwlKW_rfUAL1WLBc1CfyShNrXasAabquqaf3s0mwHlXHJ3ahkvOE40gAzQTKtG7VIWvYXSGIniF1_vo10tRoJitq9GDbmLVIzujrrIMdswU0ev-1DvSHKQtVfo1Fl1_/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyR-PUXpShE-_GtwlKW_rfUAL1WLBc1CfyShNrXasAabquqaf3s0mwHlXHJ3ahkvOE40gAzQTKtG7VIWvYXSGIniF1_vo10tRoJitq9GDbmLVIzujrrIMdswU0ev-1DvSHKQtVfo1Fl1_/s320/IMG_1104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The pesky rear retaining clip that leaks... so gooped it up well with clear window silicone sealant. It's dry as a bone now!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjokIC-acZI0y29CZD4deYfFiBoDJFOJpzCPbu4JSor-rwImDTDYbduQTRONW_xLQ7z7S9Twg4YI3dGLR1IQ6co-_VTD4K7k74YU4UkEH6rqcdu7YV_hjm0qHQLQvTmqNhiELob9ZlaUec/s1600/IMG_1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjokIC-acZI0y29CZD4deYfFiBoDJFOJpzCPbu4JSor-rwImDTDYbduQTRONW_xLQ7z7S9Twg4YI3dGLR1IQ6co-_VTD4K7k74YU4UkEH6rqcdu7YV_hjm0qHQLQvTmqNhiELob9ZlaUec/s320/IMG_1105.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
Forward clip (which usually does NOT break upon trim removal... so you probably won't need to order it. I did just to be sure.) Also shown is the retaining bolt... the only thing holding your trim on your car when all the clips are broken!!! Remove the bolt, repair the trim, and re-install the bolt as your last step. The forward clip shown is the beginning point of reinstalling the trim... it fits into a groove on the front of the trim piece.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKof9PZPA5KC8ZeqeoAr09Q0KrP2GfCXG-iu8FDFJCoCak9UFIWvCA96RBohsfuv2oO9HIvIgBDfafKbe9Z790h0xABBKERBqWIUp6if_OxTOXQ-WSq64ZKvk9ucIjScdMqiMs0V4AZYZO/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKof9PZPA5KC8ZeqeoAr09Q0KrP2GfCXG-iu8FDFJCoCak9UFIWvCA96RBohsfuv2oO9HIvIgBDfafKbe9Z790h0xABBKERBqWIUp6if_OxTOXQ-WSq64ZKvk9ucIjScdMqiMs0V4AZYZO/s320/IMG_1106.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
Trim reinstalled with a great gap line.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-yXTXw615Z29_05avQ8KcmRiBhBBbxcwJtzgr4DkN4stED9ECNuYE2T3jPG3Ot67AOMl0REjKOstaXZI80wqqlS1yiHIVE9bRq0xQgHpo6etiO1_HSA4towpTGBprMfv_TyAsU7jcDwF/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-yXTXw615Z29_05avQ8KcmRiBhBBbxcwJtzgr4DkN4stED9ECNuYE2T3jPG3Ot67AOMl0REjKOstaXZI80wqqlS1yiHIVE9bRq0xQgHpo6etiO1_HSA4towpTGBprMfv_TyAsU7jcDwF/s320/IMG_1107.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
Closeup of the re-installed fender/trim bolt.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcknL1fJRdpEU-cbuWGKyICIoYNJcp895Mbv2AZb8mgF7c8ENJ4i22A6j3uLaarOqsAqAv-1-IsPo5EDwckUspwjd37XxreG9paAOe5aI7-kFMPTZNz7Aqmr0Iqoxsn4HTYNtW5_5Apg9z/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcknL1fJRdpEU-cbuWGKyICIoYNJcp895Mbv2AZb8mgF7c8ENJ4i22A6j3uLaarOqsAqAv-1-IsPo5EDwckUspwjd37XxreG9paAOe5aI7-kFMPTZNz7Aqmr0Iqoxsn4HTYNtW5_5Apg9z/s320/IMG_1108.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
Forward view of the trim re-installed and the trim gasket firmly in place against the windshield.<br />
<br />
I used my local dealer, who matched internet pricing (with the shipping/handling):<br />
<br />
Honda part numbers for the clips:<br />
<u>91503</u>-S3Y-003 - {img 33} you need 7 per side<br />
<u>91511</u>-S3Y-003 - {img} 38 you need 1 per side (rectangular clip at the rear... attached to the trim)<br />
<br />
<br />
These two usually don't break upon removing the trim:<br />
<u>91504</u>-S3Y-003 - {img 34} you need one if you break it (lower windshield side)<br />
<u>91505</u>-S3Y-003 - {img 35} you need 1 (this is the large square retaining clip attached to the car body which you need to seal with silicon if you have the seatbelt leak)<br />
<br />
Note: "{img 33}" (et cetera) is the image of the small part in the Honda Parts Manual.<br />
<br />
Good luck!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-20932563078242588812012-08-09T16:46:00.001-05:002012-08-09T16:48:05.753-05:00What's the Difference Between DVD-R and DVD+R?<span style="background-color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/DVD%2BR_vs_DVD-R" target="_blank">Diffen.com</a> has a good chart and video explanation of the difference between the two. DVD+R gives the greatest compatibility with off-the-shelf DVD players, if you happen to want to burn a movie on your PC to watch on your TV later. A snippet from their website (full credit to Diffen):</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<h2 style="border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: dotted; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="mw-headline" style="background-color: #444444; color: orange;">Origin and industry support</span></h2>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 9px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;">The <b>DVD-R standard</b> was developed by Pioneer. It is used primarily by Apple and Pioneer. In addition, this format is supported by the DVD Forum, but is in no way an industry standard. The <b>DVD+R format</b> is supported by Philips, Dell, Sony, HP, and Microsoft.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=360168525537852839" name="Differences_in_Features" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></a></span><br />
<h2 style="border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: dotted; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><span class="editsection" style="color: #404040;"><a href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/index.php?title=DVD%2BR_vs_DVD-R&action=edit&section=2" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: url(http://static.diffen.com/diffenskin/img/icons-sprite.png); background-position: 0px -359px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #0145b4; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 7px -1px 0px 0px; padding: 2px 0px 0px 18px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase;" title="Edit section: Differences in Features">EDIT</a></span><span class="mw-headline" style="color: orange;">Differences in Features</span></span></h2>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 9px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><b>DVD-R/RW discs</b> can only be written to in one layer on the disc's surface. On the other hand, DVD+R/RW discs can be written to in multiple layers, giving them slightly better and more disc storage than the DVD-R format.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=360168525537852839" name="Advantages_of_DVD.2BR" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></a></span><br />
<h3 style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><span class="editsection" style="color: #404040;"><a href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/index.php?title=DVD%2BR_vs_DVD-R&action=edit&section=3" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: url(http://static.diffen.com/diffenskin/img/icons-sprite.png); background-position: 0px -359px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; color: #0145b4; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 7px -1px 0px 0px; padding: 2px 0px 0px 18px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase;" title="Edit section: Advantages of DVD+R">EDIT</a></span><span class="mw-headline" style="color: orange;">Advantages of DVD+R</span></span></h3>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 9px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;">According to the claims of the DVD Alliance, using a DVD+R (or DVD+RW) recorder will provide the following advantages over a DVD-R recorder:</span></div>
<ol style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 18px 25px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Instantly eject without having to wait for finalized formatting.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Ability to record one DVD disc partially on PC and partially on television.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Background formatting: while the disc is being formatted, you can simultaneously record on already-formatted portions of the same disc.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Enhanced ability to edit filenames, movie and song titles, and playlists.</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">100% compatibility with all other DVD players, while still enjoying these extra recording features.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<table cellspacing="1" class="zebra-striped" id="diffenTable" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-spacing: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; table-layout: fixed; text-align: start; width: 586px;" summary="DVD+R versus DVD-R comparison chart" title="DVD+R vs. DVD-R comparison chart"><thead style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<tr style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><th class="acol" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 0px auto; overflow: hidden; padding: 9px 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; width: 118px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;"><br /></span></th><th class="vcol" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 9px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/Special:Information/DVD%2BR" style="background-color: #444444; border: 0px; color: #0069d6; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="DVD+R information and comparisons">DVD+R</a><br />
<div align="left" class="ratingblock" style="margin-top: 9px;">
<div id="unit_long31">
<ul class="unit-rating" id="unit_ul31" style="background-image: url(http://static.diffen.com/diffenskin/img/starrating.gif); background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; height: 25px; line-height: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 125px;">
<li class="current-rating" style="background-image: url(http://static.diffen.com/diffenskin/img/starrating.gif); background-position: 0% 100%; border: 0px; display: block; float: left; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-indent: -6000px; width: 75.5px; z-index: 1;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Currently 3.02/5</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -60000px;"><a class="r1-unit rater" href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/extensions/Rating/db.php?j=1&q=31&t=69.110.157.24&c=5" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; display: block; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; left: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -6000px; width: 25px; z-index: 20;" title="1 out of 5"><span style="background-color: #444444;">1</span></a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -60000px;"><a class="r2-unit rater" href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/extensions/Rating/db.php?j=2&q=31&t=69.110.157.24&c=5" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; display: block; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; left: 25px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -6000px; width: 25px; z-index: 20;" title="2 out of 5"><span style="background-color: #444444;">2</span></a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -60000px;"><a class="r3-unit rater" href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/extensions/Rating/db.php?j=3&q=31&t=69.110.157.24&c=5" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; display: block; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; left: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -6000px; width: 25px; z-index: 20;" title="3 out of 5"><span style="background-color: #444444;">3</span></a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -60000px;"><a class="r4-unit rater" href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/extensions/Rating/db.php?j=4&q=31&t=69.110.157.24&c=5" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; display: block; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; left: 75px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -6000px; width: 25px; z-index: 20;" title="4 out of 5"><span style="background-color: #444444;">4</span></a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -60000px;"><a class="r5-unit rater" href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/extensions/Rating/db.php?j=5&q=31&t=69.110.157.24&c=5" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; display: block; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; left: 100px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -6000px; width: 25px; z-index: 20;" title="5 out of 5"><span style="background-color: #444444;">5</span></a></li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 9px; padding: 2px 0px 0px 5px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;">Rating: <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3.0</strong>/5 (94 votes)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</th><th class="vcol" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 9px 10px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/Special:Information/DVD-R" style="background-color: #444444; border: 0px; color: #0069d6; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="DVD-R information and comparisons">DVD-R</a><br />
<div align="left" class="ratingblock" style="margin-top: 9px;">
<div id="unit_long8">
<ul class="unit-rating" id="unit_ul8" style="background-image: url(http://static.diffen.com/diffenskin/img/starrating.gif); background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; height: 25px; line-height: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 125px;">
<li class="current-rating" style="background-image: url(http://static.diffen.com/diffenskin/img/starrating.gif); background-position: 0% 100%; border: 0px; display: block; float: left; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-indent: -6000px; width: 76.5px; z-index: 1;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Currently 3.06/5</span></li>
<li style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -60000px;"><a class="r1-unit rater" href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/extensions/Rating/db.php?j=1&q=8&t=69.110.157.24&c=5" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; display: block; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; left: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -6000px; width: 25px; z-index: 20;" title="1 out of 5"><span style="background-color: #444444;">1</span></a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -60000px;"><a class="r2-unit rater" href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/extensions/Rating/db.php?j=2&q=8&t=69.110.157.24&c=5" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; display: block; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; left: 25px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -6000px; width: 25px; z-index: 20;" title="2 out of 5"><span style="background-color: #444444;">2</span></a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -60000px;"><a class="r3-unit rater" href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/extensions/Rating/db.php?j=3&q=8&t=69.110.157.24&c=5" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; display: block; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; left: 50px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -6000px; width: 25px; z-index: 20;" title="3 out of 5"><span style="background-color: #444444;">3</span></a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -60000px;"><a class="r4-unit rater" href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/extensions/Rating/db.php?j=4&q=8&t=69.110.157.24&c=5" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; display: block; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; left: 75px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -6000px; width: 25px; z-index: 20;" title="4 out of 5"><span style="background-color: #444444;">4</span></a></li>
<li style="border: 0px; float: left; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: -60000px;"><a class="r5-unit rater" href="http://www.diffen.com/difference/extensions/Rating/db.php?j=5&q=8&t=69.110.157.24&c=5" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #0069d6; display: block; font-family: inherit; height: 25px; left: 100px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; text-indent: -6000px; width: 25px; z-index: 20;" title="5 out of 5"><span style="background-color: #444444;">5</span></a></li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 9px; padding: 2px 0px 0px 5px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;">Rating: <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3.1</strong>/5 (104 votes)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</th></tr>
</thead><tbody style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<tr class="comparisonRow" id="row1" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="DVD+R vs DVD-R comparison - Layers"><td class="acol" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 4px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 118px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Layers:</span></td><td class="vcol" id="valtd1_1" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 1px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Multiple</span></td><td class="vcol" id="valtd1_2" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 4px; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 1px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Single</span></td></tr>
<tr class="comparisonRow" id="row2" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="DVD+R vs DVD-R comparison - Size"><td class="acol" style="border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 118px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Size:</span></td><td class="vcol" id="valtd2_1" style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px 1px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">4 706 074 624 bytes (4488 MB)</span></td><td class="vcol" id="valtd2_2" style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px 1px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">4 706 074 624 bytes (4488 MB)</span></td></tr>
<tr class="comparisonRow" id="row3" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="DVD+R vs DVD-R comparison - Pronunciation"><td class="acol" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 118px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Pronunciation:</span></td><td class="vcol" id="valtd3_1" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px 1px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">DVD Plus R</span></td><td class="vcol" id="valtd3_2" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px 1px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">DVD Dash R</span></td></tr>
<tr class="comparisonRow" id="row4" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="DVD+R vs DVD-R comparison - Backed by"><td class="acol" style="border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 118px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Backed by:</span></td><td class="vcol" id="valtd4_1" style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px 1px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">DVD+RW alliance (Sony, Yamaha, Philips, Dell, Microsoft etc.)</span></td><td class="vcol" id="valtd4_2" style="border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px 1px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">DVD Forum (Apple, Pioneer , Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Time Warner etc.)</span></td></tr>
<tr class="comparisonRow" id="row5" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="DVD+R vs DVD-R comparison - Drag & Drop"><td class="acol" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-left-radius: 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 118px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Drag & Drop:</span></td><td class="vcol" id="valtd5_1" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px 1px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">Yes, supported. This technology is code named Mt. Rainier and is a hardware feature.</span></td><td class="vcol" id="valtd5_2" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px; border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px 0px 1px; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 10px 9px; vertical-align: top; width: 200px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="background-color: #444444;">No, not supported.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-28405025027560298082012-07-22T13:20:00.003-05:002012-07-22T13:42:56.498-05:00Converting from Halogen to LED landscape lightingI was doing some calculations and discovered that my two banks of halogen landscape lighting was over 300 watts. They average about 7 hours an evening (6 hours in the Summer and 8 hours in the Winter), so at 12c a kilowatt hour, that is over $90 a year in electricity just to power my outdoor lighting.<br />
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I have a total of fifteen 20watt halogen bulbs, and prices are just now getting to the point that LED is becoming viable. Lowe's has replacement LED MR16 bulbs for about $20 and that is just still too high for a decent payback interval.<br />
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Doing some research on Amazon, I found some 3 watt <a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=maisage-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B002L22SLE" target="_blank">MR16 LED lighting</a> for $3.55 each. Not bad, since the halogen bulbs retail for over $7 at Lowe's. A quick calculation showed a payback time in under four months, which not only includes savings on electricity, but reduced replacement costs from halogens that don't last as long as LED. The halogens seem to last a couple years or more, but the LEDs may last for 10+ (only time will tell on that one.)<br />
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You can do your own ROI (return on investment) calculations at this website <a href="http://www.getgreen.net.au/roi.htm" target="_blank">getgreen.net</a>.<br />
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So I ordered up the replacements, and installed them today. Swapping them out only takes about sixty seconds each to remove the glass cover, remove the halogen, slip in the LED into the bayonet fitting, and replace the glass covers. Couldn't be easier, and the savings will be $180 a year in total savings on electricity and replacement costs. Or, as the federal government would say to drive home the point: "$1800 in savings over the next ten years."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FrJVHDPeWnZw8v5HDnZpTC2ta5tQWOGxAb69mlPFeXSAgsL0PDwHmKXFt1Vrktwv5vPzIQN_FioLBoSwaljgjl_zfRY_O0SQUKW7CvX7fS4-JfOUp484h1NDOsRlYFbMvK3nVr21jruI/s1600/IMG_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2FrJVHDPeWnZw8v5HDnZpTC2ta5tQWOGxAb69mlPFeXSAgsL0PDwHmKXFt1Vrktwv5vPzIQN_FioLBoSwaljgjl_zfRY_O0SQUKW7CvX7fS4-JfOUp484h1NDOsRlYFbMvK3nVr21jruI/s640/IMG_0962.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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The LED is on the left, and the old halogen bulb on the right.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpemQo87x8vAwFjktl0pLDJMpftgyHP7CXoNtssnksS89p7vz2gApjYscON98b_J6tXx70cK9R_5vJpwmbYMSfE9J984rdXek1WabsKbZJw6R2z8SXXXuVZJ6mTfYYt6Dubg9iLzEstEg/s1600/IMG_0965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpemQo87x8vAwFjktl0pLDJMpftgyHP7CXoNtssnksS89p7vz2gApjYscON98b_J6tXx70cK9R_5vJpwmbYMSfE9J984rdXek1WabsKbZJw6R2z8SXXXuVZJ6mTfYYt6Dubg9iLzEstEg/s640/IMG_0965.JPG" title="Installed LED MR16 bulb" width="358" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBYPCSoxuEgL2rtKrabMYGdMqE1U96-268sUDar9Jovu_EhtGZGiahsipy9PhLJwRl8FiPeIeaU0t0HQEDc1lXQ1ooKfmKkW1LTZwGwJ4iybXjMRXNf8XW3nk_GWoqqfE9xGizfcrpLZW/s1600/IMG_0967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBYPCSoxuEgL2rtKrabMYGdMqE1U96-268sUDar9Jovu_EhtGZGiahsipy9PhLJwRl8FiPeIeaU0t0HQEDc1lXQ1ooKfmKkW1LTZwGwJ4iybXjMRXNf8XW3nk_GWoqqfE9xGizfcrpLZW/s640/IMG_0967.JPG" title="First light." width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360168525537852839.post-57649389390557513282012-07-22T10:39:00.001-05:002012-07-22T10:43:19.363-05:00Drilling holes in granite... easy!I needed a 2" hole in the back of our kitchen office area where the computer lives... Problem is, it's a jumble of wires, power cords, USB cables, power-strips, LAN cables, DSL modem and Wi-fi router. A real-eye sore.<br />
So the wife wants me to fix it. Solution? Get the gear below the desk-top, and run the few cords through a 2" hole to below. Second problem: How to get the hole drilled. Hire a Pro? $100. On second thought, maybe run through the wall? The backsplash is slate tiles. So back to drilling a hole.<br />
I go to YouTube and lots of videos on how to do it. Just buy the right diamond-encrusted hole saw and use lots of water while going REALLY slow.<br />
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I bought this 2" (50mm) hole saw off of Amazon (<a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=maisage-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B0057DOJ98" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>) for just a few dollars, and it came in a week or so, wrapped in a nice re-usable ziploc sealed bag to protect the diamond dust cutting edge.<br />
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I read that one can make a small encircling rim to hold water around the targeted hole using plumber's putty... worked like a charm.<br />
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The trick is to mark the area with a grease pencil or small dab of white paint to show you where to start. You begin by tipping the bit and starting just a small edge to get a bite, and as it starts to dig in, you slowly tip the hole drill to vertical to start the downward plunge. The tip-start ensures the bit doesn't walk around, causing all kinds of mayhem and unwanted gouges and scratches.<br />
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It took about 20 minutes to slowly go through the 1" granite, with frequent stopping to cool my cordless drill. The bit actually stayed cool to the touch with the little pond of water it was dipped in to drill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIszSAYBo-izXn4fRna8L6xz8-nkXX3xJAEEMukI7Ef1CB5ZBwb2UVThBatd1hY8FFAGW-oPwEoqRUOHXuVPuV7MZpvOdOJWfRyJ-5IUU_BAZWVgtx2y9BClK-rV-rtQ_7cMMebn1NnPv7/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIszSAYBo-izXn4fRna8L6xz8-nkXX3xJAEEMukI7Ef1CB5ZBwb2UVThBatd1hY8FFAGW-oPwEoqRUOHXuVPuV7MZpvOdOJWfRyJ-5IUU_BAZWVgtx2y9BClK-rV-rtQ_7cMMebn1NnPv7/s640/IMG_0954.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Since the bit is only about an inch deep, it didn't <quite> make it through before bottoming out. No worries, as I knew I was maybe 1 or 2mm from completely the hole. I mopped up the residual water and just gave the center of the hole a moderate tap with a large hammer and just knocked the core out the bottom. Cracked out pretty cleanly with maybe just a small lip...but that's on the bottom of the desk and won't be seen.</quite><br />
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The finished product is fantastic, and after a quick clean up of the granite slurry and overspray, I was finished.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i_KbWxYf6264BJJMbXYl2j7eETGPwxrpbCcGGiBPX9GX9-D_sEYwhIZyeJ-ffYV94E7i8LKmTn8vJNruTk4IQsYIdxnX4TG3nntZMgX_4sLCmW67j3IGhsbxI7rzI4YbzX8SfY7FO8B8/s1600/IMG_0955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i_KbWxYf6264BJJMbXYl2j7eETGPwxrpbCcGGiBPX9GX9-D_sEYwhIZyeJ-ffYV94E7i8LKmTn8vJNruTk4IQsYIdxnX4TG3nntZMgX_4sLCmW67j3IGhsbxI7rzI4YbzX8SfY7FO8B8/s640/IMG_0955.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The shelf below the desk was made from 3/4" birch plywood, and stained, and installed using countersunk drywall screws (short). The shelf is 10" deep and 24" wide, and dropped 8" from the bottom of the sliding desk drawer.<br />
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Super easy, after all, and not out of the realm of any DIY'er. Good luck!<br />
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Matt<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01374985372146021465noreply@blogger.com