How do you drill a 3/8" hole into a 1/2" hole having the same center without a drill press?
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posted by gauche
on Apr 22, 2013 -
15 answers
My friend's laptop runs windows 7. After resetting last night she's getting an Operating System Not Found error during boot. Assuming the hard drive hasn't completely failed, what are the best, simplest tools she can use to either fix the problem or at least get her important data off the drive? She has access to another computer with a cd/dvd burner, an 8GB USB flash drive, and blank cds. She doesn't have access to the system restore disc or anything like that. She can get a blank DVD if that's simplest.
I was leaning toward Knoppix as the Linux distribution for a live dvd, but if there's an easier way I'd love to hear it. Thanks.
posted by Green With You
on Mar 16, 2013 -
11 answers
I have a cylindrical towel rack that is bent. I need to unbend it. How can I do this without damaging it further?
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posted by bondcliff
on Mar 7, 2013 -
16 answers
I'm trying to fix my phone. How do I deal with a very tiny, hard to get at screw with a stripped head?
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posted by delezzo
on Feb 27, 2013 -
4 answers
A few months ago I finally found
the water bottle I'd coveted for so long. A few weeks ago, I lost it, along with everything else that was in my bag. And the bag itself. And my BLACK BELT. Anyway, after searching online for days, I finally found a shop in Poland that still had one. I ordered it immediately. I have it now.
It's leaking.
The hole is *tiny*, invisible to the naked eye. I'd say it leaks about one drop of water a minute. I'm sad and angry and disappointed, but as this bottle is apparently the last of its kind that was on sale, I'd really like to fix it. Any ideas how to go about it? Note: I'm in the Netherlands, so I'm kind of hoping for a miracle cure that will be available to me here...
posted by Skyanth
on Feb 12, 2013 -
19 answers
One of my oldest friends is selling his 2002 VW Passat Station Wagon (GLX V6). He bought it new and has taken good care of it (I've known him for 30 years; he takes care of things). He has all of the car's records.
As it turns out, I'm in the market for a used car. The car drives beautifully. He is listing it at $6K. But a thorough pre-purchase inspection uncovered several problems, for which he is willing to take the price down. How can we find a fair value for the car? And should I buy this Volkswagen at all?
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posted by betsbillabong
on Jan 30, 2013 -
28 answers
I have an old armchair that I'd like to reupholster, but I have zero prior experience in the "furniture repair / restoration" field. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a very basic "step-by-step" guide to get me started.
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posted by NYC-BB
on Jan 21, 2013 -
5 answers
I dropped off my computer to be repaired because it kept powering off randomly, and often before windows could even start booting. They told me it was a faulty power supply, which they replaced.
I received a call about fifteen minutes after I got home from a tech there telling me that they forgot to plug my DVD drive into the power supply, and that I can bring it back and have them fix it.
When I ran it at home, I noticed google chrome was missing. Another one of my programs doesn't work now, telling me that "The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable." 3-4 other programs that I've picked at random and tried to run work fine.
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posted by Modus Pwnens
on Jan 17, 2013 -
21 answers
I have a 13-inch, early 2011 Macbook Pro (unibody) that fell out of my backpack and onto a sidewalk. It was in a neoprene sleeve, which helped, but the aluminum screen cover (the part with the white Apple logo on it) is rather dented. The laptop works fine, and there are no cracks on the screen at all. However, I am interested in getting this part replaced, and I have some questions about cost.
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posted by 4ster
on Jan 11, 2013 -
7 answers
I've been on a cross country road trip for over 35 days, originally departing from Los Angeles. While driving back home, I got caught in a rain/thunderstorm in Louisiana and rear-ended the car in front of me. I only have liability insurance, so the other party is taken care of but I have to take care of my own busted car. I'm wondering if it's worth getting it fixed up or just getting a new car once I get back home.
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posted by xtine
on Jan 11, 2013 -
14 answers
Where is a good place to repair a broken mute switch on the iPhone 4 in Springfield, MO?
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posted by rmttws
on Dec 28, 2012 -
3 answers
Recommendations for desktop diagnosis/repair in (North) Seattle? My newly-(self)built box will not POST.
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posted by skyscraper
on Oct 29, 2012 -
5 answers
My iPhone (3G)'s power/headphone/volume rocker assembly is on the fritz all of a sudden. How can I try to remedy this? (Either cheaply/locally in NYC or DIY).
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posted by R a c h e l
on Sep 27, 2012 -
3 answers
The strap of my handbag broke and I'm looking to repair it but how? As you can see by
this photo, the short metal bit fits into the metal cap. The metal cap holds the end of the braided strap but the strap does not fill the cap entirely; the end where the opening is is hollow. Would filling it with some kind of glue or epoxy work? But which kind?
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posted by TWinbrook8
on Sep 14, 2012 -
13 answers
I need a more in-depth guide on the proper care of my old (1800-1960) books. I know the basics, (no sun, no moisture, no dirty hands) but I have some questions whose answers I cannot find.
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posted by windykites
on Aug 27, 2012 -
5 answers
Air conditioner won't turn on. Before I shell out for a new one, is there any hope of saving/troubleshooting it?
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posted by soma lkzx
on Aug 10, 2012 -
11 answers
What's the deal with my new uke? What do I need to do to get it in tip top playable uke condition?
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posted by quiet coyote
on Aug 9, 2012 -
6 answers
Recently I received an old hifi (stereo receiver with aux and phono inputs) and two EPI speakers from a family member. The system is quite old, but headphones sound great, as does one of the two speakers. The other sounds blown. What are my options in New York City?
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posted by thecaddy
on Jul 30, 2012 -
6 answers
My car is doing something kind of alarming, intermittently. I'd love to get some guesses as to whether I need to see a transmission specialist or not before I take it somewhere.
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posted by restless_nomad
on Jul 24, 2012 -
12 answers
My 1994 Volvo 850 Turbo sedan failed inspection for a tie rod, a ball joint, and front tires. I took it in and am sitting around waiting on my estimate. Just curious. How much should I expect to pay for this? Labor is $70/hr.
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posted by even butter
on Jun 28, 2012 -
5 answers
Bought a piece of art (yay!) at a festival, and it got slightly damaged before I could get it home (boo!). It's a print on foamcore, 9x12", with no framing, and now it has a single, not-quite-straight crease across the back. No damage is visible from the front, except that the surface isn't flat. What's my best solution for flattening it out before framing?
posted by IAmBroom
on Jun 9, 2012 -
4 answers
Wacom Bamboo fun tablet has a scratch on touch surface - is there any way to fix it myself?
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posted by Faintdreams
on May 29, 2012 -
6 answers
Repairing friend's laptop(s). Will be nuking from space. Which Windows OS version to install? Also, failing wifi on second laptop. *sigh*
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posted by jadepearl
on May 24, 2012 -
13 answers
My partner uses a
CPAP machine at night, with a stand to elevate the hose, to keep it from getting crushed or tangled. The stand he uses works well—it greatly improves his sleep—but each stand fails at one soldered joint after about a month of use, so he just buys another one each time. We're tired of paying $20 a month for what should be a one time (or at least rare) purchase. Can you help us find a way to reinforce the stand, or a sturdier stand that we'll only need to buy once?
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posted by ocherdraco
on May 9, 2012 -
28 answers
I managed to drill a hole / crater into my desk. This divot happens be where I write. Thus I need to fill this hole such that I can write with the least amount of disruption. What is the best way to do this?
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posted by dirigibleman
on Apr 13, 2012 -
15 answers
I have a an old iPhone 3G that was dropped and is now only showing a white screen or a grayish screen with some vertical stripes (or a black screen). Otherwise it seems to be working - it makes the "battery connection" noise when you plug it in, the "unlock click" when I swipe my finger in the unlock area, etc. Is this something the genius bar can help with, or is this sort of thing un-recoverable (or are there other options I should explore first)?
posted by mikepop
on Apr 9, 2012 -
7 answers
My RAV4 is two months out of warranty, and suddenly needs $5k worth of work. What should I do in this scenario?
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posted by WinnipegDragon
on Mar 5, 2012 -
14 answers
UK tenant adivce-filter: Stuck with a "dangerous" boiler that perhaps isn't, between estate agents, mistrusting landlord and two different gas/heating companies. How do we keep ourselves safe (and warm)?
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posted by menialjoy
on Feb 26, 2012 -
9 answers
Help a homeowner spend $500 to expand his basic tool collection. What will give me the most value and use for my money?
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posted by MoonOrb
on Feb 10, 2012 -
30 answers
I done did it, I cracked my HTC Thunderbolt's screen. Help me understand my options. Lots of questions interspersed in the details; any answers appreciated.
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posted by rouftop
on Jan 23, 2012 -
7 answers
Am I legally allowed to drive my collision damaged, but drivable car in MA?
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posted by Rewind
on Jan 6, 2012 -
7 answers
Crap! My computer is borked and I don't know what to do about it. System Restore can't seem to find Windows, either.
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posted by Scientist
on Nov 16, 2011 -
9 answers
I gave my '07 Honda Civic to a mechanic who said it needed a replacement of the steering rack and/or pump, which he did. Problem: aftermarket XM radio was working perfectly before it went in, antenna had intermittent short which prevented radio from getting signal at least 50% of the time when I got it back.
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posted by randomkeystrike
on Oct 28, 2011 -
4 answers
