How do I go about figuring out what is causing my cable (or power) troubles and hopefully fix it? [more inside]
posted by NoraCharles on Nov 6, 2009 - 5 answers

Is it safe to swap the power adapter attachment between an iBook G4 and an intel MacBook? [more inside]
posted by ndicecco on Oct 14, 2009 - 4 answers

October 14 will be the 2nd anniversary of Robert Dziekanski's death. I want to peacefully protest at Vancouver International Airport. Are security / police allowed to remove me? [more inside]
posted by randomstriker on Oct 8, 2009 - 11 answers

Is this a real book? All I remember is that 1 or more characters could activate some kind of special powers or transformational abilities by imagining the shape of a particular object in their mouth. [more inside]
posted by vytae on Oct 3, 2009 - 4 answers

Does anyone know where to find a power cord replacement for a Technics 1200 mk2 turntable European edition? 220v power cord? [more inside]
posted by bravowhiskey on Sep 19, 2009 - 2 answers

How can we present instantaneous stats on our energy consumption and generation in a site with a windmill and possibly other forms of energy generation? [more inside]
posted by advicepig on Sep 18, 2009 - 3 answers

How much will BitLocker eat my battery? [more inside]
posted by @homer on Aug 31, 2009 - 3 answers

What would you do if you were a recent engineering graduate? (What companies would you be looking into across Canada?) [more inside]
posted by MechEng on Aug 31, 2009 - 10 answers

We are a gay couple living in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. We would like to get as much protection as we can to make decisions for each other and visit each other in hospitals. I have been calling around to gay and lesbian lawyers in the area, and no one will give me a 'straight' answer about cost. How much is it going to cost us to get a health care directive, durable power of attorney, and medical power of attorney for each of us?
posted by hworth on Aug 26, 2009 - 11 answers

In order to fix a malfunctioning printer we have been told to unplug it and hold down the power button for one minute to release static. Are we being punked? [more inside]
posted by Tallguy on Aug 18, 2009 - 7 answers

Is there any way to jailbreak / unlock a 2G iPhone that has a busted power button? [more inside]
posted by obiwanwasabi on Aug 9, 2009 - 4 answers

Electricity Filter: Roadtrip starts tomorrow, picked up a 400w power inverter to run laptop in car for road tunes, question... [more inside]
posted by Cosine on Aug 6, 2009 - 6 answers

Do I need a new power supply with the correct connection, or can I get an adapter and not fry anything? [more inside]
posted by ZaneJ. on Jul 30, 2009 - 4 answers

It's time to buy proper power tools and quit borrowing from the neighbors. I would like some recommendations on what has worked well for other people. [more inside]
posted by dness2 on Jul 30, 2009 - 34 answers

If I know my current power usage, how do I calculate my daily kw? [more inside]
posted by matholio on Jul 17, 2009 - 12 answers

My sister and brother-in-law have a large (12) and growing number of desktop boxes at home. They're rightly concerned that they're putting a strain on the electrical circuits they're using. What should they be asking an electrician to do to set them up correctly? [more inside]
posted by skyscraper on Jul 11, 2009 - 10 answers

I installed new RAM, and blew my power supply. Now, after installing a better power supply, the same symptoms which led to the broken power supply are happening again. What is going on? [more inside]
posted by edbyford on Jun 23, 2009 - 10 answers

My printer, an HP PSC 1410 All-in-One, will not turn on after leaving it unplugged for two weeks (I was out of town and always unplug everything to save on electrical costs). It's connected through a power module, and I have tried unplugging the power cord from the power module and the power module from the printer, and reconnecting them all again. I have tried different outlets, and it will simply not turn on. I have also tried disconnecting the USB cable that runs from the printer to the computer, just in case it was interfering in some way. Does anyone know how this could have happened, and what I can do to fix it?
posted by Beep on May 25, 2009 - 5 answers

[ElectricalGeneratorFilter] Does anyone have a spec sheet for an HP9000E generator? [more inside]
posted by trokair on May 20, 2009 - 2 answers

Is my aging iBook about to die? (power management problems inside?) [more inside]
posted by rossination on May 13, 2009 - 2 answers

Looking to power (light) a Himalayan Salt Lamp for about 48 hours, without using an outlet. [more inside]
posted by GJSchaller on Apr 25, 2009 - 12 answers

I have a 850va 425w UPS battery backup with only 2 outlets. There is a small server, speakers, home theater projecter, lcd monitor, and router connected to a power strip. The power strip and a desktop plug into the UPS. Is this setup safe? I am concerned about short 1-second interruptions caused by bad electrical connections rather than power outages.
posted by lpctstr; on Apr 25, 2009 - 8 answers

Can you help me provide a good keynote presentation with your insights and suggestions? [more inside]
posted by RajahKing on Apr 22, 2009 - 7 answers

Received a replacement power supply for my Powerbook G4 today. The Apple power supply stats are "Input: AC 100-240V 50/60HZ 1.5A Ouput: 24.5V === 2.65A" The replacement supply reads "Input: 100-240V ~ 2.0A, 50-60HZ Ouput: 15-24V === 4.3A & 75W MAX". Is the new power supply incompatible with my Powerbook? [more inside]
posted by jofuu on Apr 17, 2009 - 4 answers

Moving a desktop computer internationally - we're moving from Korea (220 V) to Canada (110V). Is it as simple as removing the power "section" of the desktop and replacing it with 110 V at a computer repair place in Canada? Are internal components individually responsive to a particular voltage?
posted by carolekorea on Apr 8, 2009 - 11 answers

Are there power outlets on International United Airlines flights? My mother is wanting to be able to charge her laptop on a plane ride to Bejing, and wants to know if she is able to either plug her laptop in on the flight, or bring a cigarette lighter power inverter in order to charge it. Does anyone have any input on this that I can tell her?
posted by linzenoonoo on Apr 8, 2009 - 7 answers

I'm too ignorant to properly evaluate a historical claim that I just read. [more inside]
posted by prefpara on Mar 28, 2009 - 34 answers

What would happen if the United States defaulted on all of its debt, or simply said 'Screw off, I ain't payin!'. I know nothing about global finance, economics and power, but would like to understand what would happen if the U.S. could or would not repay its debt. If I default on a loan, someone is going to kick me out of my house. If the U.S. defaults on its loan, who would do the taking away, and what exactly would they take? [more inside]
posted by kaizen on Mar 25, 2009 - 19 answers

I'm kicking around a concept for a theoretical piece I hope to work on in the near future, dealing with the way "femininity" and the "female" category are conceived of linguistically. Help me find some empirical data! [more inside]
posted by parkbench on Mar 24, 2009 - 24 answers

What has caused a sudden failure of my wife's laptop? [more inside]
posted by gene_machine on Mar 23, 2009 - 5 answers

Construction electrical: why is this service panel on sale at more than an 80% discount? [more inside]
posted by XMLicious on Mar 16, 2009 - 5 answers

I want to only have my screensaver come on during certain parts of the day, but still want to have JKDefrag running. [more inside]
posted by edbyford on Mar 15, 2009 - 4 answers

Would hiring a publicist help me to transform my podcasting and entertainment work into a full time gig? If so, how would I find one? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 11, 2009 - 4 answers

Help! My SO is leaving for Mexico (work-related) in the AM and needs to know what the deal is with electronics (i.e., laptops, digital camera, cell phone, etc.) w/r/t converters or adapters for power cables and so forth. [more inside]
posted by joe lisboa on Feb 28, 2009 - 6 answers

what are the fat round things sometimes found inline on various types of electronic cords? [more inside]
posted by karl88 on Feb 19, 2009 - 10 answers

Help me find a power adapter for my Roland A-33 keyboard. I've tried what seemed obvious and haven't made much progress. [more inside]
posted by larsks on Feb 1, 2009 - 10 answers

Just returned from fabulous 2 week holiday in New York. I Brought back Epson Artisan 800 All-in-One Printer from Staples costing $230. Unfortunately, I cannot use it in U.K., unless I plug voltage converter/transformer products. Has anyone else bought this set over there with more success? Any advice \ information appreciated. Please specify me What exact voltage converter product to buy & where to buy it from USA online store. Thanks. [more inside]
posted by omaralarifi on Jan 28, 2009 - 4 answers

Where can I refill compressed natural gas tanks? [more inside]
posted by Ekidnagrrl17 on Jan 23, 2009 - 2 answers

How do I prevent lightning strikes on my old Singaporean building from killing my electronics? [more inside]
posted by jimdanger on Jan 18, 2009 - 9 answers

What percentage of U.S. power plants can run on either natural gas or residual fuel oil? Please cite source.
posted by zembla3 on Jan 16, 2009 - 4 answers

My dog chewed the power cable on my vacuum. Not realizing this, I turned it on and burnt a fuse. Is there any option other than replacing the vacuum? Would it be safe to wrap it with electrical tape?
posted by matkline on Jan 14, 2009 - 15 answers

i had power go out to a portion of the house because a pump was running and pushing against water that couldnt move because ice was in the outlet pipe. i turned off the light switch and shut the pump off. i came back 4 hours later and there was no power from that switch. it was 12 degrees out. 2 days later it warmed up and all of a sudden i had power again. any ideas, i am worried
posted by blizzardm17 on Jan 3, 2009 - 11 answers

After the recent issues with running a gas generator for emergency power backup, I was going to make the plunge and purchase a propane generator. The question is, should I plan on having a couple propane appliances installed as well? [more inside]
posted by inthe80s on Dec 23, 2008 - 10 answers

Electricity theft. This is particular to NSW Australian law and energy theft. I can't imagine that anyone has experienced it, but on the off-chance and input from other people that have been victims, can you give me some advice? [more inside]
posted by tellurian on Dec 23, 2008 - 6 answers

Looking for community shelter in case of power outage in Greenlake/Ravenna area of Seattle this weekend. [more inside]
posted by mumstheword on Dec 20, 2008 - 10 answers

My old laptop blew the motherboard after 3 years of great use (Acer Aspire 5670). I just bought a new laptop (Acer Extensa 5630Z). Can I use the power charger/AC Adapter from my old on my new without doing damage? The new one is rated 19V 3.43A. The old one is 19V 4.4A. (plugs are the same). Long live the hive mind!
posted by bytemover on Dec 20, 2008 - 10 answers

Where in Los Angeles can I buy a travel adapter THAT WILL POWER MY LAPTOP in other countries? [more inside]
posted by drjimmy11 on Dec 19, 2008 - 14 answers

I need just one portable, reusable, near-silent, non-dangerous kilowatthour. [more inside]
posted by felix on Dec 4, 2008 - 15 answers

Building a uber powerful gaming pc, what parts to buy as I don't want to be a sucker. Need your help. Intel Core i7 [more inside]
posted by spinko on Nov 22, 2008 - 26 answers

Can I damage my laptop by using a power adapter that has a slightly higher wattage than the original adapter? The original adapter was 65W, and the aftermarket one is 70W. The voltage is switchable. My original adapter had a voltage of 18.5V, this one says that if I need 18.5V, I should choose 18V. Any chance of damaging the computer by using this one? [more inside]
posted by leticia on Nov 13, 2008 - 8 answers