DeLL E152FPc Goes black after a second.
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From: Jeff Liebermann on 9 Oct 2009 11:56 On Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:09:29 -0400, JW <none(a)dev.null> wrote: >On Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:06:27 -0700 Jeff Liebermann <jeffl(a)cruzio.com> >wrote in Message id: <hv0tc55o6p5aumg10q6f2o5hk30qvvijif(a)4ax.com>: > >><http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/office/slides/office-panorama-2.html> > >Those scopes look ancient! :) They work. There's another pile of scopes at home including some that are waiting for me to find time to repair: <http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/home/slides/BL-shop5.html> Hmmm... that's an old photo that only shows about 1/3 of the pile. I guess my test equipment collection qualifies as a 1970's technology museum, but it's quite adequate for what I need. I'm currently considering a USB oscilloscope, so some of the old scopes may eventually be retired. -- Jeff Liebermann jeffl(a)cruzio.com 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
From: Jeff Liebermann on 9 Oct 2009 12:25 On Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:45:11 -0700, D Yuniskis <not.going.to.be(a)seen.com> wrote: >I'd rather wider. I tried a three monitor setup once and >*loved* it. But, my current machine doesn't like having >lots of video cards :-( I bought several ATI 2 port PCIe video cards. The county uses Matrox video cards in their emergency dispatch center to run up to 4 monitors. However, why stop at 3 monitors: <http://www.wideview.it/wideview.htm> <http://www.wideview.it/pictures.htm> >Yes, I think the problem is with folks whose reading and computer >Rx's are different. E.g., I know people with "computer bifocals" I can see that if they're transcribbling from notes or have to look at their fingers when typing. Seeing the screen is not a problem because it's fixed distance. However, the keyboard and copy might be anywhere between about 12" to 36". That's a good application for progressive lenses. Learning to type better and purchasing a copy stand might be alternatives. Fortunately, I can type at about 30 mistakes per minute without looking at the keyboard, so single vision is adequate for me. >Thankfully, I still only need glasses for distance -- though >reading the markings on some components either requires >bright light *or* a magnifying glass (e.g. reading glasses) >Apparently a consequence of losing "focusing power" with age. Yep. Same problem. I have a Maglite for exactly that purpose. The depth of field for my eyes increases when the pupil narrows under bright lights. >> Plug: Cheap prescription glasses: >> <http://www.zennioptical.com> >> Well, I've been told that I have no writing ability, no aesthetic >> sense, no appreciation of layout styles, and no artistic abilities. > >Ha! Sounds like a career in POLITICS should be right up your alley! Nope. I tried to get elected to the local water board and failed. I also have some bad habits and strange appearance that apparently affects my abilities to get elected: <http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/jeffl/slides/jeffl-wolf.html> (Give it a few seconds to load). I also tend to go in circles: <http://www.LearnByDestroying.com/panorama/jeffl.htm> (Give it time to load. Then move the mouse around the photo). >> You haven't seen my office. 700 sq ft, mostly storage and bakers >> racks. >> <http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/office/slides/office-panorama-2.html> ><jealous> ;-) That was when it was clean. I'll post a current photo when I get to the office in a few daze. Incidentally, I've been at the same location since about 1990, which might explain the accumulation of junk. >Of course! I was originally *thrilled* with the idea that I >could make a quick fix just by stealing parts from one for >the other. A real "no-brainer". Hence the disappointment >when I saw the *arbitrary* changes they had made in >manufacturing... :< That's not unusual. If you look carefully, the two parts were probably made by different vendors (both probably working from the same drawings but making different mistakes). Manufacturers like to have a single model number maintained as long as possible, even though the guts change radically. That's so they don't have a deluge of credit returns and restocking from their own dealers every time a new and improved model appears. That's very common in the wireless router business. For example, the Netgear WGR614 and Linksys WRT54G have 9 and 8 different hardware mutations respectively. Unless you know the trick, it's almost impossible to tell which version without ripping open the box. LCD monitors are not that bad, but close. Subtle variations in model numbers (usual a suffix) indicate radical variations in vendor and internals. >Exactly. I have actually deliberately laid out some boards >like this to discourage "amateur" repairs. Really obvious >when someone lifts a pad because they weren't prepared to deal >with a board laid out with such fine-line rules... Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence. >> I have a method to deal with caps that's somewhat >> non-conventional. I have a cable cutter, with semi-circular cutters, >> that I use to chop off the top of the cap near the base. I then >> remove what's left of the base, leaving only two leads projecting from >> the PCB. I grab a lead with pliers, heat the joint, and pull them >> out, one at a time. Works nicely and much better than the Pace >> desoldering station. Next opportunity, try it my way. Being able to eliminate the cazapitor as a heat sink, and having access to both sides of the lead, is a big plus. Even the big ground plane sinking doesn't seem to be as bad with the mass of the cazapitor gone. -- Jeff Liebermann jeffl(a)cruzio.com 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
From: D Yuniskis on 9 Oct 2009 12:48 JW wrote: > On Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:06:27 -0700 Jeff Liebermann <jeffl(a)cruzio.com> > wrote in Message id: <hv0tc55o6p5aumg10q6f2o5hk30qvvijif(a)4ax.com>: > >> <http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/office/slides/office-panorama-2.html> > > Those scopes look ancient! :) Good scopes never die! :> I still long for a Tek 454 (which probably also qualifies as ancient but is more than adequate for my nominal "analog" needs!). And, I groan when I think about how many tek probes I gave away over the years :< (most of my work is digital so I am far more interested in the "micro hooks/grabbers)
From: D Yuniskis on 9 Oct 2009 13:16 Jeff Liebermann wrote: > On Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:45:11 -0700, D Yuniskis > >> I'd rather wider. I tried a three monitor setup once and >> *loved* it. But, my current machine doesn't like having >> lots of video cards :-( > > I bought several ATI 2 port PCIe video cards. The county uses Matrox The machines that I am currently using are strictly PCI (i.e., not PCIe, x, AGP, etc.) so I have limited choices for video cards. And, most of the slots are already full: - USB2 - Wide SCSI - Wide Differential SCSI - Narrow SCSI - "sound" - Firewire so adding a video card (even a dual-headed card) means losing something else :< > video cards in their emergency dispatch center to run up to 4 > monitors. However, why stop at 3 monitors: > <http://www.wideview.it/wideview.htm> > <http://www.wideview.it/pictures.htm> > >> Yes, I think the problem is with folks whose reading and computer >> Rx's are different. E.g., I know people with "computer bifocals" > > I can see that if they're transcribbling from notes or have to look at Exactly. If you have written material that you need to consult, you're screwed. I'm lucky because my interactions are usually "original works" (so the "source" is in my head someplace) *or* I can have the "other documents" (e.g., datasheets) open on another monitor to consult -- instead of having to refer to paper. > their fingers when typing. Seeing the screen is not a problem because > it's fixed distance. However, the keyboard and copy might be anywhere > between about 12" to 36". That's a good application for progressive > lenses. Learning to type better and purchasing a copy stand might be > alternatives. Fortunately, I can type at about 30 mistakes per minute > without looking at the keyboard, so single vision is adequate for me. > >> Thankfully, I still only need glasses for distance -- though >> reading the markings on some components either requires >> bright light *or* a magnifying glass (e.g. reading glasses) >> Apparently a consequence of losing "focusing power" with age. > > Yep. Same problem. I have a Maglite for exactly that purpose. The > depth of field for my eyes increases when the pupil narrows under > bright lights. Ah, I never thought of it in those terms! I have a pair of reading glasses with small LED lamps attached to each temple. I use them in lieu of a magnifying glass (much more convenient -- unless you only need to look at something *once*). If I am in a darkened area (like trying to read the connector designations on the back of a PC *under* my work table), then I flip on the LEDs for more illumination. To work on boards, I have a 70X (?) B&L stereomicroscope. >>> Plug: Cheap prescription glasses: >>> <http://www.zennioptical.com> > >>> Well, I've been told that I have no writing ability, no aesthetic >>> sense, no appreciation of layout styles, and no artistic abilities. >> Ha! Sounds like a career in POLITICS should be right up your alley! > > Nope. I tried to get elected to the local water board and failed. I > also have some bad habits and strange appearance that apparently > affects my abilities to get elected: > <http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/jeffl/slides/jeffl-wolf.html> > (Give it a few seconds to load). My browser isn't configured for animations (since those are usually "ads" -- why waste CPU cycles on something I don't care to see? :> ) > I also tend to go in circles: > <http://www.LearnByDestroying.com/panorama/jeffl.htm> > (Give it time to load. Then move the mouse around the photo). > >>> You haven't seen my office. 700 sq ft, mostly storage and bakers >>> racks. >>> <http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/office/slides/office-panorama-2.html> >> <jealous> ;-) > > That was when it was clean. I'll post a current photo when I get to > the office in a few daze. Incidentally, I've been at the same > location since about 1990, which might explain the accumulation of > junk. I have found that the adage of junk accumulating to fill available space is true. So, I severely restrict the "available space"! (clever, eh? :> ) Living in the DSW means you can't store anything in anyplace *other* than "living area". So, that means only "inert" things (cables, mechanical parts, etc.) can be stored in the garage; everything else has to fit in the office or under a bed or in a closet. This makes space a premium. I think there are 10 or 11 computers running here (different operating systems, purposes, etc.) along with 7 or 8 printers (different capabilities ranging from "postcard printers" to "wide format"), three plotters (various sizes), three different scanners (up to B size) -- plus various other special purpose peripherals. You learn to get the most out of everything you have lest you find yourself needing something *else*! :> >> Of course! I was originally *thrilled* with the idea that I >> could make a quick fix just by stealing parts from one for >> the other. A real "no-brainer". Hence the disappointment >> when I saw the *arbitrary* changes they had made in >> manufacturing... :< > > That's not unusual. If you look carefully, the two parts were > probably made by different vendors (both probably working from the > same drawings but making different mistakes). Manufacturers like to Dunno. The two monitors in question have already been recycled. > have a single model number maintained as long as possible, even though > the guts change radically. That's so they don't have a deluge of > credit returns and restocking from their own dealers every time a new > and improved model appears. That's very common in the wireless router > business. For example, the Netgear WGR614 and Linksys WRT54G have 9 > and 8 different hardware mutations respectively. Unless you know the > trick, it's almost impossible to tell which version without ripping > open the box. LCD monitors are not that bad, but close. Subtle > variations in model numbers (usual a suffix) indicate radical > variations in vendor and internals. That seems to be particularly true of the Dell monitors (which is where this thread started) >>> I have a method to deal with caps that's somewhat >>> non-conventional. I have a cable cutter, with semi-circular cutters, >>> that I use to chop off the top of the cap near the base. I then >>> remove what's left of the base, leaving only two leads projecting from >>> the PCB. I grab a lead with pliers, heat the joint, and pull them >>> out, one at a time. Works nicely and much better than the Pace >>> desoldering station. > > Next opportunity, try it my way. Being able to eliminate the > cazapitor as a heat sink, and having access to both sides of the lead, > is a big plus. Even the big ground plane sinking doesn't seem to be > as bad with the mass of the cazapitor gone. I'll *try* to keep it in mind -- but expect to forget it! :> (I've been changing the oil in my vehicles for decades and I always remember to put on the nitrile gloves *after* I am finished :-(
From: msg on 9 Oct 2009 14:56
Jim Yanik wrote: > Jeff Liebermann <jeffl(a)cruzio.com> >> I've >> also managed to get electrocuted several times, mostly due to haste, >> sloppiness, clip leads, or all the aformentioned. > > Not "electrocuted",but shocked. > "electrocution" is to KILL with electricity. Since you're still posting,you > aren't killed. ;-) Unless he is one of the new fast walking zombies (thanks Two and a Half Men). Michael |