Laments of a Lonely Geek

[Capper]

This is my first blog/article at HardwareLogic. I’m pretty long-winded, and was advised in the forums that I should use lots of pictures. I try to please.
I guess that this is somewhat of an explanation of why I like hardware forums, part of why I write long, rambling posts, and a little bit of a rant at the level of computer knowledge that the people in my day-to-day life have…or lack thereof.
I have been around and owned computers since before many of you reading this were born. I first operated one before most of you were born, one that used IBM punch cards for data input. So why am I still amazed at the fact that most people don’t know anything about them? Even people that “work” on them! I have no idea.

HardwareLogic - Laments of a Lonely Geek

[RAID]

Nice blog Frank! Funny read.

[Yellowhello]

Nice man! That was an entertaining read! Loved it! Can't wait for some more write-ups you do for HL!

[Carl Martin]

Good article. Don't be so surprised that there's such a lack of knowledge when it comes to computers. Realize that although almost everyone owns a car, very few other than a few enthusiasts, are able to repair them. Most folks can't even tell you how many cylinders their engine has. (Some may not even realize their car has an engine!) They just know that it gets them from point A to point B, needs gas, and occasionally has to have its oil changed and tires rotated. (And they only know that because of the regular reminder cards the dealership sends in the mail.)

The situation with computer owners is similar. I'd bet 99% of home computers are used for email, internet, and maybe a game or two. They get turned on. They get shut off. If they don't work, they get sent to the repair shop. End of story.

Carl

Afterthought: Most people are afraid of their PCs. They don't realize that files can be backed-up, systems restored, registries repaired, so they're frightened to even try to experiment or learn.

[othman11]

Don't worry.....We'll talk to you or yell at you, as the need arrises.

[fstroupe]

Epilogue to the story:

Hard drive was trashed, I guess....my computer would find it occasionally...when it did, it would see it for a while, then dissapear. The drive looked like a new copy of Windows, with "My Documents", etc, empty except for the XP sample stuff. I guess sometime in the process, the restore drive attempted to restore C:. It'll go in the trash.

Went to look at the computer...the "repair guy" couldn't figure out what wires to hook up. I'll be damned, the Emachines mobo has two SATA ports on it. He actually figured out what they were, but of course was afraid to try it.

And finally....I ordered a brand new Q6600 Core 2 Quad today...and not a damn soul to tell about it. I was about to bust all day at work, needing to tell someone.

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by fstroupe

And finally....I ordered a brand new Q6600 Core 2 Quad today...and not a damn soul to tell about it. I was about to bust all day at work, needing to tell someone.

Sweet! Tell us what you think about it... IMO, you should lap it and OC the hell out of it...

[fstroupe]

Originally Posted by yellowhello

Sweet! Tell us what you think about it... IMO, you should lap it and OC the hell out of it...

Yeah, was looking at the Newegg user reviews (which I rather love to hate, or something like that), a couple mentioned that the heatspreader was uneven. I've lapped lots of heatsinks, but never lapped the processor itself. Does sanding info off of the heat spreader void the warranty?

It will definitely get some overclocking...but hell...it will already be so much more than my X2 4400...which at stock clock still blows me away. (though never at stock clock)

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by fstroupe

Does sanding info off of the heat spreader void the warranty?

Oh, definitely... Be sure what you are doing... I wrote a guide about lapping CPU's: Lapping your CPU Guide Hope it helps!

[fstroupe]

Yeah, I caught your guide already. Nice work.