Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with micro

Where'd my network card go!?

Squid Voltaire — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:33:13 -0800

My computer can't find its NIC, any ideas? I used to connect to the internet via CAT-5, as God intended, but for a year or so I've been using a PCI wireless card. Reception in the current location is terribly, though, so tonight I took a couple hundred feet of Ethernet cable and plugged myself directly into the router.

I plugged the other end into a ethernet port, and the little green light came on. However, once I disconnected from the wireless network, that was it, no further connection.

The Device Manager only lists one NIC--the wireless one. I turned on "View Hidden Devices", but it still didn't list it.

I went into BIOS and turned on "Integrated LAN RAM"--I have no idea what that means, but it did not make my network card suddenly appear. At this point, I ran out of ideas. Any further suggestions?

Motherboard is Biostar NF61S/V Micro AM2, and I'm 80% certain that I used to have a wired connection to this machine--is there some sneaky way that I disabled and then hid my card?

Microexpression

nam3d — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:16:57 -0800

I've just discovered the world of microexpression. I'd like to learn more, what books, research papers, blogs (and anything else) should I be looking at?

can viruses - specifically the pe_virut variants - survive re-imaging?

Davaal — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:22:36 -0800

can viruses - specifically the pe_virut variants - survive re-imaging? I'm a sysadmin at the largest school in my district - the largest district in our state. we got hit by a wave of pe_virut variants. i used a solution from sophos (and a dr web live cd for the older PCs) to clean my PCs. The plan was simple: 1)get a clean/updated image of the 4 models of PC found at my school. 2)push the images out to the various locations remotely 3)clean up and reinstall any software lost during reimaging.

Instead, my second level support told me specifically NOT to reimage the machines. He actually shut down the vlans at my school to prevent multicasting (really, disabled DHCP. I could not re enable it). The district then sent a team of 10 techs to clean each PC one-at-a-time. This is the policy for the entire district. Personally, I have over 700 PCs. I have a zenimage server, a clonezilla server and a ghostserver at my disposal. These things are unsupported by our policy, but I'm all alone swimming in 2500 users - I can't afford to babysit individual PCs like the guys at smaller schools. The lead tech - with like 30 more years experience than I - mumbled something about this virus infecting the image server DURING imaging. Thats why we couldn't use flash drives or district servers to reimage. So I mentioned maybe adding a command to format the receiving PC, sending the image and then Deep Freez-ing the PC once naming was done. My suggestion was ignored.

Do these guys know something I don't about imaging? I thought that since Zen/Cloneszilla run in RAM, the HDD would be inert and anything on it would be overwritten.

Storage and security gurus out there: can a virus infect an image server during an imaging?

ps.
ironically, the source of the reinfections was our Novell/netware server. It only took them 2 weeks to get around to scanning/cleaning our servers - the responsibility of that same second level administrator.

Excel Macro

yezimary — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:16:38 -0800

Using Excel VBA, how to convert positive numbers to negative, and vice versa? What I want is:
1. Select a range of data;
2. Click the button which is assigned to the Macro;
3. Positive figures in the selected range will turn to negative and vice versa.

OK. I know maybe it is a simple question, but I urgently need this functions while I'm still a newbie to VBA. Anyone can help to write the code? Thanks a lot.

Good micro stereo system?

DLWM — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:00:54 -0800

I'm looking for a cheap (about $200) and compact stereo system for my apartment. Mainly it'd be for playing CD's and streaming audio via my Airport Express. I'm interested in the Onkyo CS-315S, CS-325 and CS-415 units, but I can't for the life of my figure out what the hell the difference is. Does anyone know about these systems, or have any other recommendations? I'm also toying with the idea of getting a cheap powered subwoofer, like the Polk PSW10, to go along with whatever system I get -- thoughts?

How to get an Alesis Micron to run on batteries?

Mali — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:23:48 -0800

Is there any way to modify or use an external part to get an Alesis Micron to run on batteries? Here's what I'm trying to do. I currently have a Korg MicroKORG, and I like it quite a bit, but the keys are just too damn small. What I'd like to do is upgrade to an Alesis Micron, since it's similar and sounds better and has full sized keys, but it doesn't run on battery, and this seriously hampers my ability to run around on stage like an idiot with it live. Is there anything that I can do to modify the Micron to run on batteries, or is there any sort of pack or product that uses batteries and emulates an AC adapter that I could duct tape to the keyboard? Thanks!

scam or no scam?

freddymetz — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:57:05 -0800

I think i got cleverly scammed on amazon? I bought a micro sd card on amazon and it has 2gb printed on it BUT when i formatted it, it told me it only had a capacity of 983mb(or something around that). Have i been scammed or is my pc crazy? i bought this sd card:
http://www.amazon.de/SanDisk-GSM-Micro-SD-Multi-SD-Kit/dp/tech-data/B000R9YIFC/ref=de_a_smtd?ie=UTF8&qid=1197399106&sr=8-2

Brushing up on Econ

dead_ — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 06:57:32 -0800

I need to pass a macro/micro economics placement test. Though I took both of these courses during my undergrad, the information has left me. Which book (or books?) would be best help me demonstrate minimal proficiency in only a month or two of self-study?

Register a tiny truck in Cally?

asavage — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 00:34:25 -0800

I have a small commute (10 minutes) and I want a small truck. Real small. I had my sights set on a Piaggio Ape (that three wheeled flatbed truck that's only 10 feet long and EVERYWHERE in italy), then on the Kei truck from Japan. Only thing is: even though these suckers can get over 50 mpg in some cases, they're not necessarily leagally registerable (sp?) in the US.

Probably even more so in my state (California).

Has anyone out there had experience with bringing trucks of the Micro variety into cally and successfully registering them for road use?

Bonus Question: any suggestions to other micro trucks and potential US dealers of such?

Microolfactoryfilter

Eiwalker — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 08:32:02 -0800

What's the smallest thing that can be smelled by a human? Where the human can identify (accurately and reliably) what it is, such as, "Oh, I'm smelling a such-and-such!"

Micro webcams.

nickerbocker — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 17:27:22 -0800

I am looking for some really small webcams. Micro webcams or something similar. What would you recommend? I am interested in something that is as small as a package as you can possibly get. I want to put them inside of things that are burning and be able to film the flame propagation as well as possible.

They will be completely disposable video cameras, and don't necessarily need to be webcams but I thought a webcam would be the cheapest solution for this project.

Maybe pen size video cameras?

I dunno. Thanks for your input!

Portable microscopes?

convex — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 15:52:08 -0800

I have always been intrigued by the micro world. I am looking for a tool to help me enjoy it further. What better tool than a microscope, however I want it to be portable and allow me to examine things with out too much preparations. I saw some of the small microscopes like 'pocket scope' 30x, and 'illuminated microscope' between 25x and 50x. Are these any good? Do they offer good enough clarity or not worth the money.
I am not looking to examine things at a cellular level, how much magification is enough? (Just things around us, bugs, pollen, plants, dirt, water from swamps, etc...)
Do you have experience with similar instruments that you would recommend?

Recommendations for a flash based cart system for a GBA micro?

mr_silver — Wed, 03 May 2006 09:52:25 -0800

I've got a Gameboy Micro and have been thinking about getting either a SuperCard, M3 Advance or Neoflash Mk2/Mk3 and have a number of questions... 1. Have you ever used any of these? Which would you recommend for use with a GBA Micro? I'm not particulary interested in getting a NDS.

2. I'm thinking about the CF version as I have a number of CF cards lying around however SD is pretty cheap. Is there any particulary compelling reason why I should go with SD over CF? Size issues? Power issues? Speed issues?

3. What is running emulation like on these things? I quite fancy playing SNES Sensible Soccer, Megalomania and Cannon Fodder to relive my childhood.

4. Do you know of anywhere in the UK I can get this without having to pay up for the PassMe connector? Given that I don't intend on getting a NDS, it seems rather pointless.

I intend on using it to reduce my collection of games from 30 odd carts down to 1.

Gameboy Micro Games?

Otis — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 17:00:47 -0800

What GBA games work best on the GameBoy Micro's small screen? I notice Wario Ware works great. The Namco Museum games not so great. Any suggestions?

Should I buy a Game Boy Micro?

chunking express — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 21:03:58 -0800

Should I buy a Game Boy Micro? I’m trying to decide between buying a Game Boy Micro, a Game Boy DS, and a Sony PSP. The Micro is in the lead at the moment simply because I am far from an avid gamer anymore, and the DS and the PSP seem like over-kill. Really, I would just like to be able to play some of the Final Fantasy re-makes SquareSoft has been puting out recently. I am a fan of the Micro’s very small form factor. I already own the original Gameboy Advance (the one with the pitch black screen).

Everytime I go to buy a Micro however, I stop myself because I have this nagging feeling I should be buying one of the newer consoles. Is the Micro worth getting? Lumines is addictive, should I get the PSP? Animal Crossing is coming out for the DS, perhaps that is worth a second look.

Opinions please!

crackle buzz buzz

jennyjenny — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 13:22:51 -0800

Is there a way to fix a crackly-headphones problem that I always always have with walkmen and mp3 players? I have a creative zen micro mp3 player. If I jostle or jiggle the part where the headphone cord plugs in to the device, half the sound cuts out. I replaced the headphones twice and have the same problem, so I'm pretty sure the problem is with the player. Is there any way to fix this? I've had the same problem with walkmen, but I always assumed it was a headphone issue. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.