The Computer Geek Thread....

[milohimself]

I know ubuntu is kind of linux for posers, but I have one on a super old Dell that I ran just to see what it was like getting the various bits of hardware configured and I was curious about the experience cracking WPA2 networks using airodump-ng.

I found cracking WEP networks to be shockingly easy. WPA2 was definitely more involved but doable in most cases.

Turns out keeping a short PSK renew and a 63 character randomized password was the ticket.

[orangepeel]

Originally Posted by MG1968

building a cheap video editing rig for my son

AMD FX-4100 quad core (Bulldozer), mATX motherboard, 8 gigs (2x4) DDR3 1333, 160gb Seagate HDD and Win 7 Home Premium 64-bit.

HDD prices are still through the roof due to the flooding in Thailand. I considered a 60gb Intel SSD drive, but my budget (under $400 including OS) wouldn't allow for it.

That's a good build.Although I've been a huge AMD fan for years,the Core i7 is far superior for video encoding and rendering,but still Bulldozer is a good proc and as long as the software your using is utilizing all 4 cores it will more than do the job.

What video editing software is he using?

As for technology I can't wait for thunderbolt (Intel technology) to get to the PC. I use it with my Thunderbolt equipped Mac and it makes an awesone external disk to run off of with SSD drives 1TB (2 500GB SSD drive array).I'm using this with Final Cut Pro X,but when they make a card for it on the PC side I will probably use it with my Adobe CS5.5 software.

Thunderbolt is screaming fast and runs great daisy chained.I have the above external drive and a 27 inch Apple display running from it.

Check out this guy editing 4K RED video with a MacBook Air.

MacBook Air Thunderbolt editing 4K video shows why the Mac Pro as we know it can die | 9to5Mac | Apple Intelligence

[orangepeel]

Thanks for starting this thread Eric,but honestly I wish Freak would make a forum for us where we could have different topis such as OS's,mobile phone OS's,apps etc.

[rockytop9808]

Originally Posted by milohimself

I know ubuntu is kind of linux for posers, but I have one on a super old Dell that I ran just to see what it was like getting the various bits of hardware configured and I was curious about the experience cracking WPA2 networks using airodump-ng.

I found cracking WEP networks to be shockingly easy. WPA2 was definitely more involved but doable in most cases.

Turns out keeping a short PSK renew and a 63 character randomized password was the ticket.

I'm a poser.

[orangepeel]

Originally Posted by rockytop9808

I'm a poser.

So am I.I have a Dell 4600 with Ubuntu. I have used other Linux distros though.I haven't played with any of the others in a while been busy playing with editing software,but may give some of the others a try like Fedora,Arch,or puppy linux.

[g8terh8ter_eric]

On Thursday, I installed that 990 Optiplex I configured. Got 5 versions of Quickbooks, 3 versions of Peachtree Accounting, 5 versions of Lacerte Tax, configured on the domain, opened files in each of the programs, not to mention broke down the other computer and monitor, and setup the 990 in about 4 hours. What's really crazy, the other computer in the office is an old P4 3.0GHz, and it took 30+ minutes to install 1 version of Peachtree. The 990 Optiplex + SSD = Epic Win!!

[orangepeel]

Originally Posted by g8terh8ter_eric

On Thursday, I installed that 990 Optiplex I configured. Got 5 versions of Quickbooks, 3 versions of Peachtree Accounting, 5 versions of Lacerte Tax, configured on the domain, opened files in each of the programs, not to mention broke down the other computer and monitor, and setup the 990 in about 4 hours. What's really crazy, the other computer in the office is an old P4 3.0GHz, and it took 30+ minutes to install 1 version of Peachtree. The 990 Optiplex + SSD = Epic Win!!

That's some nice business software. SSD's are nice and they are getting cheaper and more reliable. I've had several and have had really good luck with the Samsung SSD.

[milohimself]

Originally Posted by rockytop9808

I'm a poser.

Same. That happens like every third or fourth time I'm talking with somebody I don't know about computers, invariably Linux comes up and I go "Well, not a genius here so I have some limited experience with Ubuntu." And most people either say they've never used it, some are cool and others give me some hipster glare and talk about how Debian and Fedora are superior.

[orangepeel]

Anybody have a ffffound invite for a fellow Vol fan?

[BigAl]

My drive has mysteriously stopped working, and I know nothing about computers. I did manage to go through the troubleshooting wizard and try to get a new driver, but it wouldn't work.

The last time my computer messed up, I called this guy "Geek In A Flash." He knows his stuff, but it would be cheaper if I could do it myself.

[MG1968]

Originally Posted by BigAl

My drive has mysteriously stopped working, and I know nothing about computers. I did manage to go through the troubleshooting wizard and try to get a new driver, but it wouldn't work.

The last time my computer messed up, I called this guy "Geek In A Flash." He knows his stuff, but it would be cheaper if I could do it myself.

Replacing a DVD or CD Drive - Illustrated How to Replace a CD Drive or DVD Burner

the above article deals with replacing an IDE drive, you may have an SATA drive. The procedure is exactly the same, however the connections will be different, SATA connectors are "L"-shaped and the data cables are much smaller than IDE.

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Bump for the new Intel 330 series. It has a Sandforce controller, but it has Intel custom firmware. Sounds like an epic win, hopefully!!

Newegg.com - Intel 330 Series Maple Crest SSDSC2CT120A3K5 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Just got done rebuilding my mom's husband's system....

Intel i3-2120
8GB G-Skill PC3 10600
Plextor M3 Series 128GB SSD
Intel Motherboard
EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti
Rosewill 120mm Case fan
Vantec Dual 70mm PCI GPU cooling card
2 80mm fans (one on side, and one on top)
Sata 3 Cable

He already had...

E-Power 600W PSU
Apeiva Gaming Case
DVD/RW Drive
Old Hitachi Sata HDD

He plays WOW, so processing and rendering of graphics were a big deal.

Window Experience Index as follows....

Processor : 7.1
RAM :7.4
Graphics :7.3
Hard Drive :7.9

Needless to say, this thing screams, and is really cool inside.

[MG1968]

that epower PSU is garbage, I hope it doesn't take down an otherwise nice system

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Originally Posted by MG1968

that epower PSU is garbage, I hope it doesn't take down an otherwise nice system

It's not bad, and we were working with a budget, so kind of have to take what you get.