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4176

Living Room / Re: Building a home server. Please help, DC!

« Last post by 4wd on September 08, 2011, 10:29 PM »

Basing this on using 2TB HDDs, (so at least 10 of them), since they're still significantly cheaper than 3TB - the cheapest option which allows room for upgrading later:

1x Multilane 4x RAID5/JBOD PCIe 8x Controller              @ $185
1x 3M Infiniband cable                                             @ $85
1x 4X Multilane bridge for SATA storage                      @ $29
2x 5X1 Internal SATA Port Multiplier                           @ $62
1x Storage Rack DA base unit with ATX power supply   @ $355
2x Disk Array 5SA (black bezel)                                 @ $129
                                                                    ---------------
                                                                              $1036

More thoughts: If you wanted to forego the Infiniband links to start with then you could do the following:
1x Storage Rack DA base unit with ATX power supply   @ $355
2x Disk Array 5SA (black bezel)                                 @ $129
2x 5 Port HPM-XA Enclosure Version                           @ $89
                                                                    ---------------
                                                                              $791
This uses a pair of eSATA ports which are probably on the host PC already.



HDDs are a personal choice but if you use WD 2TB WD20EARS, (Caviar Green), @ $79.99 each from Newegg, then the total is approximately: $1836

If you go for WD 2TB AV-GP WD20EURS, (designed for always on streaming), @ $89.99 each, then the total is approximately: $1936.

NOTE: I don't know what kind of performance you'd get over Infiniband links but since they're used for server farms, etc, they must be halfway decent but SJ or 40hz would be more likely to have had some kind of experience/knowledge with/of them.

Also, this is still more expensive than simply building a new PC with the requisite amount of ports in a decent size case and running it using FreeNAS, WHS or similar.

4177

Living Room / Re: Building a home server. Please help, DC!

« Last post by 4wd on September 08, 2011, 09:49 PM »

Hi superboy, have u checked the pricing on 2TB SAS drives? I think that's one important step before you commit to buying that big box.

-lotusrootstarch (September 08, 2011, 05:33 PM)

Why not have the benefit of cheap SATA drives with the speed of an Multilane Infiniband connection?

eg.
Storage - Addonics Rack System (it doesn't need to sit in a rack since there's no ventilation slots on the bottom of the case.)
             1 or 2 x Addonics Multilane Bridge coupled with Addonics 5x1 SATA Port Multipliers (Each host Multilane controller could then run, conceivably, 20 HDDs.  However, I'd be looking at probably only 1 or 2 Port Multipliers per Multilane which would still give you from 14-20 HDDs that could be connected to 2 host controllers.)
PC end - 1 or 2 x Multilane 4x RAID 5/JBOD Controller (Doesn't have to be in RAID/JBOD mode.)

Going completely berserk, 2 Infiniband cables could conceivably connect you to 40 SATA HDDs.....big enough? 

4178

General Software Discussion / Re: Any (Free) VPN service to recommend?

« Last post by 4wd on September 07, 2011, 07:25 PM »

After using a few different free VPNs for the odd time I use one, I've settled on TunnelBear.

Very easy, free, 500MB/month (tweet them for an extra 1GB/month if you need it), and easy switch between a UK or USA exit.

Allows me to grab all the BBC shows from their website, (you don't need a UK IP for the download, just need it to get the initial link).

4179

Living Room / Re: Migrating Win7 installation to SSD

« Last post by 4wd on September 06, 2011, 10:38 PM »

The one thing I have noticed with that procedure is that it seems to make the assumption that you're dealing with a drive that you formatted under XP, (and possibly Vista), ie. not formatted via the Windows 7 install procedure.

From my, (admittedly not extensive), experience, Windows 7 always seems to include the 100MB System Reserved partition when it does a new install to a blank HDD, ie. not a single partition formatted HDD.

However, I've just done the same thing myself, (migrate HDD-SSD), but I used Paragons Hard Disk Manager, (which I own anyway) - it took 5-6 minutes, (my system partition is only 50GB), including changing BIOS and booted without a problem.  I then just removed the drive letters from the old HDD partitions until I'm sure the machine runs fine.

You could see if it will let you do it within HDMs trial period.

4180

Living Room / Re: Donation gamer: Games to give

« Last post by 4wd on September 05, 2011, 10:06 PM »

Thanks for Sanctum iphigenie - now to find some time to play it¹.



1. Euphemism for: now to play it without the wife catching me playing games.

4181

General Software Discussion / Re: In search of ... backup program identification

« Last post by 4wd on September 04, 2011, 11:18 PM »

How about: Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore

4182

Living Room / Re: Should I Get A Divorce?

« Last post by 4wd on September 03, 2011, 09:02 PM »

Anyways, the tablet market here in Australia is, well, poor in the sense that you can't get a Samsung Galaxy like she first wanted.

-Renegade (September 03, 2011, 12:55 AM)

Is this a slight exaggeration?

StaticIce

Did you really mean you can't get one in Australia at a price you want to pay?

4183

Post New Requests Here / Re: PC Shut down

« Last post by 4wd on August 21, 2011, 05:14 AM »

To run when no user has logged in, it has to either be a service or run using the Windows Startup script feature.

And this is no trivial thing if you want it to keep running after a user has logged out....I spent quite some time trying to get a program to run in a similar situation, (see here).

However, if it's not necessary that the program run after a user logoff then it should be possible write a AutoIt program that'll do the job.

EDIT: Otherwise, take a look at DShutdown which can do what you want and you can also run it as a Windows Startup script using it's command line options, (which should take care of the pre-user logon requirement).

4184

Living Room / Re: Top 10 Survival Tricks for When the Zombie Apocalypse Hits :: Lifehacker

« Last post by 4wd on August 20, 2011, 06:30 PM »

Burt Wilson: I thought you said if we destroyed the brain, it'd die!
Frank: It worked in the movie!
Burt Wilson: Well, it ain't working now, Frank!
Freddy: You mean the movie lied?

4185

Living Room / Re: when is a cable not a cable - when it's a DVI-D

« Last post by 4wd on August 20, 2011, 06:22 PM »

How about getting an HDMI 1.4 cable with DVI adapter? Wouldn't it be a more future-proof investment than getting a "monolithic" DVI cable? just a thought.

-lotusrootstarch (August 19, 2011, 04:32 AM)

Considering over the last couple of years they've rolled out HDMI 1.1 -> 1.4, getting a HDMI 1.4 cable is no guarantee of longevity.

I have a feeling that we won't be seeing a high-end gfx card with onboard DVI in a few years.

Some manufacturers' have already put DisplayPort^w outputs on gfx cards....as with everything: The good thing about 'standards' is that there are so many to choose from.

4186

Living Room / Re: when is a cable not a cable - when it's a DVI-D

« Last post by 4wd on August 19, 2011, 03:38 AM »

See the edit I added above - you'll probably find the cable you bought was DVI-D Single Link.

Wikipedia has a decent DVI^w explanation.

I'm surprised that cables are so rubbish over such small distances. I thought the "digitalness" would be more capable.

-nudone (August 19, 2011, 03:36 AM)

I've been caught out many times, usually with USB cables, (some are just so crap they won't work past a meter).

4187

Living Room / Re: when is a cable not a cable - when it's a DVI-D

« Last post by 4wd on August 19, 2011, 03:21 AM »

The higher the resolution the more pixels that have to be pushed out and thus a higher transmission rate down the cable, (if you're intending to keep the same refresh rates).

The construction/quality of the cable is a major factor in whether it will work at a higher frequency, eg. thinner conductors or high percentage of contaminants in the materials will cause greater attenuation at higher frequencies.

If where you bought it, specified that it supported 2560x1600, (as this one does), and it didn't work then you'd be fully justified in getting a refund/replacement.

Here's a company in the UK advertising 3 and 5 meter cables that will work up to 2560x1600.  They're also available in a 25 meter length if you want to put the monitor next door.

EDIT: Just realised, make sure you get a DVI-D Dual Link cable.  DVI-D Single Link is restricted to 1920x1200.

4188

Living Room / Re: Top 10 Survival Tricks for When the Zombie Apocalypse Hits :: Lifehacker

« Last post by 4wd on August 08, 2011, 12:05 PM »

Not really. I don't ever want there to be a zombie apocalypse.

-Deozaan (August 08, 2011, 05:50 AM)

I do, at least you always know where you stand with a zombie.

Unlike the current human population of this planet, all a zombie wants to do is rip your head off and eat you.

A good friend of mine suggests this as an alternative:
 (see attachment in previous post)
 

-40hz (August 08, 2011, 09:13 AM)

I've never thought that a chainsaw is a good choice, considering the amount of blood you'd end up with over you, you stand a good chance of contracting the zombification virus....plus 2-stroke engines have an annoying habit of not firing up just when you need them most.

I think a Atchisson Assault Shotgun with 32 round rotary mags would be a better choice.



Also, never underestimate the effect of a well made molotov.

4189

Living Room / Re: Top 10 Survival Tricks for When the Zombie Apocalypse Hits :: Lifehacker

« Last post by 4wd on August 08, 2011, 05:37 AM »

I use 'Danger! 50,000 Zombies!' as my bible when it comes to zombies.

4190

Living Room / Re: Why My Mom Bought an Android, Returned It, and Got an iPhone

« Last post by 4wd on August 03, 2011, 04:57 AM »

When it comes down to it, I mostly use my phone for reading books.  A few other things, but when you boil it down, all of that extra stuff to most people is just window dressing.  One, maybe two functions other than the basic.  But we get so caught up in all of that other stuff that we've done just find without before- and that's what they build their business model on. 

-wraith808 (August 02, 2011, 02:05 PM)

Same here, I think I've read close to a hundred books on mine over the last 4 months I've been in the UK.  I'm finding I can rip through them quite fast on the small screen, (320x240).

About the only other things I use it for are a couple of games and positioning, (not navigation).

4191

Living Room / Re: IDEA: cancel elevator music

« Last post by 4wd on July 27, 2011, 05:24 AM »

You know what, this could make neighbourly relations so much easier 

-iphigenie (July 26, 2011, 04:16 AM)

I'd prefer a Woofer Stopper¹ connected to an LRAD-RX² playing Celine Dion³ at full blast.

NOTES:
1. Noise, (usually dog bark), triggered ultrasonic dog whistle.
2. RX version gives you remote control via IP so you can use it from the safety of the other side of the planet.
3. Annoying high pitched noise known to shatter glass and eardrums....although puke-inducing subsonics would be more fun.

4192

Living Room / Re: Yet Another Help-Me-Build-a-New-Computer Thread

« Last post by 4wd on July 25, 2011, 01:20 PM »

Carrying it via the central handle, (not the rails on the side), the handle 'works' well - very strong - but the rectangular profile of it is uncomfortable in your hand.  The corners of the profile cut into your palm/fingers because it only has about a 3-4mm, (if that), radius on the edges.

-4wd (July 25, 2011, 05:46 AM)

Our definition of handle (I see that you classified the sides as 'rails') differs.  Using the center seems counter-intuitive, as you have to turn your hand to a weird angle to even use it.

-wraith808 (July 25, 2011, 07:10 AM)

Our knuckle-dragging primate ancestors would dispute that*

Not a weird angle at all - the hold is the same most people use to climb a ladder.

To each his own, I guess, but I use the side handles depending on which side I'm carrying it on, and I don't have the problems that you enumerate.

The profile of the side rails is the same as the handle so it wouldn't make any difference.

I would prefer to carry it at the point where the load is evenly distributed amongst the mounting points rather than cause unnecessary stress on just two of them.

* Now there's an opening

4193

Living Room / Re: Yet Another Help-Me-Build-a-New-Computer Thread

« Last post by 4wd on July 25, 2011, 05:46 AM »

I was a little worried about the case and how noisy it is. Can you tell me if it was especially noisy or quiet? Or was it just average? I guess that may depend on what other parts your friend has inside, but I'd still like to know.

-Deozaan (July 23, 2011, 03:34 PM)

The case was quiet: 5 HDDs, AMD 555 with stock HSF, Radeon 5850, DVD-R/W and Gigabyte GA-MA790FXT-UD5P, (IIRC).  (He's since gone to an AMD x6 1100 and ATI 6870.)

How were you carrying it?  I carry it by my side, using one handle or the other (not both), and it works quite well.

-wraith808 (July 23, 2011, 03:48 PM)

Carrying it via the central handle, (not the rails on the side), the handle 'works' well - very strong - but the rectangular profile of it is uncomfortable in your hand.  The corners of the profile cut into your palm/fingers because it only has about a 3-4mm, (if that), radius on the edges.

It would have been much better if they had used a more rounded stock profile or used a greater radius on the edges - ie. made the profile more ergonomic.

Bear in mind, you only have 2 HDDs, add another 3 or 4 and that's another 1.5-2kg cutting into your hand.  My friend is a dedicated gamer and is constantly carrying it around to friends' homes or LAN nights - the handle is the only bad thing he has to say about the case, (apart from the colour of the LEDs - he likes blue).

4194

Living Room / Re: Yet Another Help-Me-Build-a-New-Computer Thread

« Last post by 4wd on July 23, 2011, 07:31 AM »

Wait.....you're saying that the Intel integrated GPU is an upgrade from your current GPU?

-4wd (July 23, 2011, 05:41 AM)

Yes, I think so. As I understand it, the CPU-integrated-GPU on these new 2nd Gen Core i5/7s are equivalent to Radeon HD 3000 series. Or am I misunderstanding that?

-Deozaan (July 23, 2011, 06:08 AM)

Apologies, I mistook the integrated GPU for the previous GMA3000 Intel graphics.....having just had a look at it's specs it seems quite impressive compared to Intels' previous attempts.


But I'd still go for a Radeon 6850  

On another note, good choice with the case - I've been looking at getting the Scout for a while.  My friend has one, the LEDs are quite subdued and can all be turned off via one switch on the top panel.
The only bad thing I'd have to say about it is that the carry handle is not designed for human hands - its cross-section is equivalent to a piece steel rectangular tube and the corners dig into your hand.  You'll find it a lot more comfortable to wrap a bit a high-density foam, (1/8" thick), around it as I did with my friends.  But if you don't envision carrying it around, or only infrequently, then no problem.

4195

Living Room / Re: Yet Another Help-Me-Build-a-New-Computer Thread

« Last post by 4wd on July 23, 2011, 05:41 AM »

Yep, that's right. No GPU. After looking into the Z68 mobo and realizing that the CPU-integrated-GPU would be an upgrade from my current GPU, and also that I can use my current GPU in the new system, I decided to forego a new, expensive GPU for now.

-Deozaan (July 23, 2011, 01:28 AM)

Wait.....you're saying that the Intel integrated GPU is an upgrade from you're current GPU?

Dumb question, but what is your current GPU?

It would have to be something really old for Intel integrated to be better.

FWIW, I've used nVidia and ATI GPUs in the past and these days wouldn't consider using nVidia for the GPU or the chipset - they're drivers were crap compared to the stability I've had with ATI.

4196

Living Room / Re: Win 7, XP mode, & other first install queries

« Last post by 4wd on July 19, 2011, 12:17 PM »

XPMode is standard XP 32-Bit OS running in VirtualPC

-Carol Haynes (July 19, 2011, 08:58 AM)

With USB support.

I'm not sure on the graphics, but I'm thinking XPMode also gives better access to the real native graphics hardware.

-Stoic Joker (July 19, 2011, 11:49 AM)

VirtualBox also gives you USB access, (at least storage, not sure about printers, etc), and DirectX access, (although Serious Sam ran very slowly ).

It's also faster than XPMode, (as is every other VM software IIRC).

I think about the only useful situation where XPMode could be considered 'better' than the alternatives is in a business environment where it possibly saves the IT guys some work.

4197

Living Room / Re: Want to see impressive numbers?

« Last post by 4wd on July 19, 2011, 04:16 AM »

Those numbers aren't that scary really, the US National debt is currently balanced by the GDP - as reflected on the World Debt page with a pretty much no net gain/loss ratio of ~100%.

However, if you look at the EU countries........

-4wd (July 18, 2011, 02:13 PM)

I think you are reading that wrong...

-steeladept (July 18, 2011, 07:40 PM)

You're probably right, I wish they'd give an example when they throw around statistics like that.

Am I interpreting these numbers correctly?

US Families: 82 million
Food stamp recipients: 45 million

Over 1/2 of the families in the USA are on Food Stamps?

-Deozaan (July 18, 2011, 10:47 PM)

I don't think the number of recipients directly equates to families on a one-to-one basis.

Do they consider a single person with no dependants a family (eg. homeless persons) ?

Do they count a family of four as four individual recipients or just the parents if the children are under age ?

4198

Living Room / Re: Want to see impressive numbers?

« Last post by 4wd on July 18, 2011, 02:13 PM »

Those numbers aren't that scary really, the US National debt is currently balanced by the GDP - as reflected on the World Debt page with a pretty much no net gain/loss ratio of ~100%.

However, if you look at the EU countries........

4199

Living Room / Re: Win XP reboots sometimes *after* startup [Any Ideas?]

« Last post by 4wd on July 13, 2011, 04:11 AM »

Years ago I worked soldering/stuffing board for a local manufacturer. It amazed me to no end that the completed boards were run through what amounted to a small car-wash. The liquid (mostly water) didn't hurt the board in the slightest. It's only an issue if the board is wet and energized at the same time (It's a potential problem...).

Years later I had to completely disassemble a server, and scrub it down with baking soda, water, and a tooth brush. to get the surprisingly corrosive insecticide out of it after the bug guy sprayed it to death.

Sun dried and reassembled it booted and ran just fine for another 3 years.

-Stoic Joker (July 12, 2011, 05:40 PM)

I've also put small circuit boards through a cycle in the dishwasher with no ill effects, I don't recommend doing this for all boards - some board components aren't sealed against liquid - but it worked OK after being dried off.

WRT, the compressed air, (not trying to pick a fight SJ, just a different perspective ), I still use a vacuum cleaner mainly because I prefer to pull dust away from pins rather than push dust toward them.  Side benefit: it's cheaper  

But I suspect it's more a case of six of one, half-dozen of the other.

With the fan argument, I consider it's more the point of turning the fan into a wind generator than causing it damage - putting a fingertip just inside the fan frame will stop them turning without having to exert pressure on the hub/blades themselves.  If you don't want to do that, unplug the fan from the motherboard before blasting it with an airflow, (either compressed or vacuum).

EDIT: And now what I really meant to say

My netbook has just started doing the same thing, ie. reboot after hibernate or at machine start.

However, it's only when the 3G dongle is plugged in - so it seems to be a driver/software conflict in my case.

4200

Living Room / Re: Win XP reboots sometimes *after* startup [Any Ideas?]

« Last post by 4wd on July 12, 2011, 05:28 AM »

Do you know if you have sata set to ahci mode?

-Cloq (July 11, 2011, 07:47 PM)

I have no idea (!) any tips how I might check?

-tomos (July 12, 2011, 03:28 AM)

According to the specs on MSIs site, (MSI P35 Neo*), it doesn't have AHCI, (it's only the ICH9 chipset not the ICH9R which includes RAID/AHCI).

Otherwise, if you go into the BIOS and look under Integrated Peripherals->SATA Mode, (IIRC), it will give you the option of IDE, RAID, AHCI - if any of or all those modes are available.

* I know it doesn't say specifically P35 Neo-F but from what I've read on the forums, they are one and the same.  Compare this to the P35 Neo2-FR which does list AHCI function.