My external hard drive has been making some very odd noises for a while and I’m looking for a good replacement. Your input would be appreciated. [more inside]
posted by The Lurkers Support Me in Email on Nov 18, 2009 - 12 answers

Do I 'need' a gaming laptop to play MMOs? [more inside]
posted by Kurichina on Nov 9, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm trying to get my old files off of an old Hard-disk. Old PC is XP newer PC is Vista. I removed the Hardisk from the OLD computer. I bought a USB to SATA/IDE cable. When I plug in the Hard-disk via USB, I hear the confirmation tone that you hear everytime you plug in a USB. I see a "ST340082 0AS SCSI Disk Device" in the "Safely remove hardware" icon in the tray. but I do not see the Drive. I can't really afford an External Hard drive. But I will eventually if I have to. Cna anyone help me please.
posted by Student of Man on Oct 27, 2009 - 12 answers

I need to buy a custom 1U server in or around Dallas. Tomorrow. [more inside]
posted by edmz on Oct 27, 2009 - 20 answers

emergency translation alert: What phrase would a Latin American Spanish speaker use to describe the following piece of closet hardware: [more inside]
posted by Chrischris on Oct 15, 2009 - 2 answers

I would like to find a hard drive enclosure that isn't enclosed. [more inside]
posted by Bonzai on Oct 5, 2009 - 11 answers

What is this nail/staple/wire thing? [more inside]
posted by lore on Oct 5, 2009 - 6 answers

The best way to go from knowing how to put a computer together out of the box but nothing else, to understanding how the 'innards' work? [more inside]
posted by malibustacey9999 on Oct 5, 2009 - 13 answers

Every day I need to transfer a piece of equipment from a dolly to another piece of equipment. It weighs about 50 kg (~100 lbs). How can I do this safely and with minimal strain? [more inside]
posted by dmd on Sep 29, 2009 - 13 answers

The hinge on my partner's new unibody MacBook Pro is just-loose-enough to make using it in bed annoying. Solutions, cases or a hack welcomed. [more inside]
posted by lonefrontranger on Sep 19, 2009 - 24 answers

What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of creating an iPhone/smartphone application vs. building a dedicated device? [more inside]
posted by jplane on Sep 17, 2009 - 15 answers

I scrapped all my junk computers together and made the most rag tag beowulf cluster ever in my living room. Mostly as a conversation starter. But now I have to figure out what to have it working on. What's something that will sound really cool?
posted by brenton on Sep 12, 2009 - 10 answers

I have a bunch of HDTV shows recorded on a HD DVR. How can I make a video compilation without knowing anything about video editing? Complication: Linux household. [more inside]
posted by halogen on Sep 11, 2009 - 5 answers

What's the best DVD burner? I need a new DVD burner, is there any reason I should buy one model over another, or should I just get whatever's on sale today? [more inside]
posted by davr on Sep 10, 2009 - 9 answers

I want to help my aunt get set up with DSL service. She has phone service with AT&T and DSL is available in her area. Her computer is an HP Pavillion that is about 6 yrs. old running XP. To avoid her having to pay AT&T's $200 fee for a tech to come out and get her going, what can I do from a hardware standpoint? Does DSL use an Ethernet port or a dial-up modem port? Should I buy her a DSL modem or will AT&T provide one? Sorry for these NooB questions as I've only dealt with cable Internet service. Thanks.
posted by jingo74 on Sep 3, 2009 - 7 answers

How do I get replacement hardware for an IKEA office chair in the US? [more inside]
posted by l33tpolicywonk on Sep 1, 2009 - 8 answers

Is there anything similar to Harbor Freight in the Boston metro area, T-accessible? [more inside]
posted by 6550 on Aug 30, 2009 - 3 answers

In lieu of buying a tricked-out MacBook pro, I'm thinking about taking the advice in this comment and picking up a mostly equivalent, Windows-based desktop for around $500. Can you give me advice? [more inside]
posted by niles on Aug 22, 2009 - 10 answers

I'm trying to figure out my options for setting up a small digital media lab for a new non-profit, but I have no idea how to set a minimum level of server specs! How much CPU and RAM do I really need? What determines this? The server will be used to administer local user accounts, and store files (including large media files). We may also end up using it to host our website and mail, if it makes sense (unlikely). All the main client computers will be macs, so I assume I should make life easier and just get an XServe. But I'm open to other suggestions. See below for some prices and models for various XServe's I'm trying to choose between. How low can I go? How much CPU/RAM do I need? Let me know if you need more information... [more inside]
posted by yuletide on Aug 20, 2009 - 5 answers

How did we go from basic rough hand tools to the point of having really precise tools? Specifically, how do you make a better tool from the ones you have on hand? [more inside]
posted by toomanyplugs on Aug 19, 2009 - 17 answers

My computer can't find its NIC, any ideas? [more inside]
posted by Squid Voltaire on Aug 11, 2009 - 13 answers

Should I be a jerk and blow Dude's cover? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 10, 2009 - 21 answers

How can I put HP DL160s on slide rails in an IBM rack? [more inside]
posted by Maarika on Aug 6, 2009 - 8 answers

MacFilter: Can anyone recommend a hard drive enclosure for an old hard drive from a G5? [more inside]
posted by el_lupino on Jul 14, 2009 - 6 answers

I recently met someone who told me he'd had to discard all the hard disks and memory chips from his computers due to their being infected by a virus. He'd had to discard graphics cards and even an expensive printer because its internal memory had become corrupted by the virus (rorschach, I think). I had never before heard of permanent damage to hardware from virus infection. Clue me in, please?
posted by carterk on Jul 12, 2009 - 46 answers

I broke my PC's motherboard :( Please help me pick a replacement and guide me through the installation process... [more inside]
posted by mullacc on Jul 3, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm going to make a dedicated FreeNAS box. Looking for hardware suggestions. [more inside]
posted by tdreyer on Jun 22, 2009 - 4 answers

Free or near-free configuration management tool that examines a system and outputs a report? [more inside]
posted by ostranenie on Jun 19, 2009 - 5 answers

I found three parallel port dongles and have no idea what software they go to. [more inside]
posted by infinitewindow on Jun 6, 2009 - 1 answer

I'm in the market for a new laptop. Should I get a PC or Mac? What specs are important for me to look at when making a decision? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Jun 2, 2009 - 31 answers

Which is a better musical instrument: the Tenori-on or the Monome? [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana on May 29, 2009 - 11 answers

Advice for a server newb who needs help getting started with a simple media/backup/torrent server? [more inside]
posted by wastelands on May 29, 2009 - 12 answers

When I turn on my Asus A8Jm (NVIDIA go7600) laptop, I get a strangely beautiful cross-hatching of colored lines. This sounds like a fried video card, right? Luckily, the card is replaceable... how likely is that this is the only problem and replacing the card will fix things?
posted by geos on May 15, 2009 - 6 answers

An LG 22' widescreen monitor, a few months old and seemingly not overheating or failing thanks to the computer, shuts itself off and won't come back on without a power cycle. I'd like to avoid returning it to base if possible. [more inside]
posted by stelas on May 15, 2009 - 5 answers

Which monitor would you recommend in place of the Apple Cinema Displays which are too expensive?? [more inside]
posted by stevyb on May 5, 2009 - 22 answers

Sansa e280 problem. Corrupted files. When I turn it on, logo wipes on, holds a few seconds, fades to white, repeats endlessly. Following forum directions for reformatting, I remove battery, slide switch to Hold, connect to computer. Purple ring lights up, screen displays Shutting Down message, e280 shuts down. Alternately, I slide switch off Hold, but then it loops as described in third sentence. Sandisk tech support isn't responding. Any ideas?
posted by markcmyers on Apr 24, 2009 - 5 answers

Laptop filter: please help me find an awesome laptop for business and personal use for the next 3-4 years. (Feel free to recommend an ideal setup, rather than the hardware itself if you feel so inclined.) [more inside]
posted by gwpcasey on Apr 16, 2009 - 24 answers

Hardware experts: can you help me identify this hinge? [more inside]
posted by CunningLinguist on Apr 13, 2009 - 5 answers

Help me clean my laptop! [more inside]
posted by tamarack on Apr 6, 2009 - 9 answers

Help me learn more about video conferencing and the equipment I'll need. [more inside]
posted by simplethings on Mar 30, 2009 - 1 answer

I'm looking for a front door lock or doorknob that stays locked even after you've opened the door. [more inside]
posted by fnerg on Mar 29, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm at my wits' end trying to find a suitable LCD monitor to use as a secondary screen for an oldish Toshiba laptop. [more inside]
posted by _dario on Mar 28, 2009 - 4 answers

What are the minimum specs for a PC to play HD video files smoothly? [more inside]
posted by wastelands on Mar 26, 2009 - 8 answers

Can anybody identify or adapt this connector on my Terratec cinergy 850e PVR box? [more inside]
posted by Orb2069 on Mar 22, 2009 - 7 answers

My PowerBook G4 17in, with the dreaded W85 serial number is displaying (or rather not) a white 1.25in vertical block down the left side. [more inside]
posted by fontophilic on Mar 16, 2009 - 6 answers

Can anyone help me pick a new hard drive for my first generation MacBook? [more inside]
posted by alan on Mar 11, 2009 - 8 answers

I just ordered the updated Mac Mini, and I'm looking around for an external box that I can plug analog or DV sources into to capture video. The main purpose would be to capture a lot of old material on VHS and Hi8 tape that is getting well past expiration date. If it could tune into cable or over-the-air tv, that'd be great, but it's really just capturing/encoding video from external sources (RCA,S-Video,DV) that it needs to do well. I have one of these things for inputting analog/outputting digital audio, and it works great with its parent application. I'm hoping to find something similar in quality for video. My price point is $200-400. Does anyone have experience using something like this, that they'd care to recommend?
posted by $0up on Mar 3, 2009 - 10 answers

What do you call those locking hinges on ordinary stepladders? And where can I buy one or two? [more inside]
posted by ostranenie on Mar 2, 2009 - 1 answer

buzzing noise in Dragon Naturally Speaking, but not on other programs. Using VMWare fusion to run DNS on my Mac, and recording/listening through a Dinex USB headset with microphone. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by omnigut on Feb 17, 2009 - 3 answers

I just purchased two WD Caviar Black 500GB HDDs and I'm trying to figure out the best backup configuration for my home computer. [more inside]
posted by jluce50 on Feb 3, 2009 - 14 answers