|
|
Post by sj on May 26, 2023 7:47:01 GMT -5
From the sounds of it, maybe APC is better than Cyberpower. Guess I'll find out in the future. That was many years ago, I didn't remember the brand or details. I looked it up on my old Newegg account and the replacement order was from 2009. The brand was APC. Back then, it appears that APC had you go through the reseller (in my case, Newegg) for replacement batteries, cuz I had purchased the battery backup UPC in 2005 and then got a battery replacement in 2009 (all through Newegg). The battery was rated as having a 3-5 expected life, so the new original battery included with the unit did last that long. The used replacement battery I got was the one that didn't last long (died in a month or something). I just checked APC's website.. Nowadays, it looks like they have options for doing the exchange through their own website, so probably a non-issue now if you went with that brand. |
|
|
|
Post by Coolverine on May 26, 2023 8:51:34 GMT -5
So far so good with the Cyberpower one, no issues. I heard some reported there being a strange smell (electrical/plastic) from it after using it for a matter of time, but I haven't noticed anything like that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cop on May 26, 2023 10:50:47 GMT -5
Excellent setup, you're ready for anything. Except for Windows Update apparently... Thank god I still have my old PC set up or I wouldn't be typing this. The waiting! Oh god the waiting... Funny, I bought it in Germany, so it was set up in German and the initial introductions and setting up some basic stuff was also all in German (which was no problem), but when I could change the system language, I switched it to English (and Dutch). Which it is in now, except for when you start the PC, it will still show the date in German for a few seconds before switching over to English. All the updating that's going on now is all still shown in German. Lol, why is that? I figured it would switch to English completely once I changed the system language. It's no problem, it's just weird... I'll also need to remove a shelf from my wall if I want to put it where my old PC is sitting now because it is fucking huge. Very tall and even if I could squeeze it underneath, I can't because it has fans at the top and all the USB/headphone ports are also up top, pointing straight up, so even without the fans, I would've needed at least 10 centimeters up top. |
|
|
|
Post by sj on May 26, 2023 14:10:55 GMT -5
So far so good with the Cyberpower one, no issues. I heard some reported there being a strange smell (electrical/plastic) from it after using it for a matter of time, but I haven't noticed anything like that. I remember that plasticy smell some years ago - it may have been from the APC battery backup. Maybe that's just par for the course with the primitive lead acid (car) battery technology they use for these devices. |
|
|
|
Post by Cop on May 27, 2023 9:02:31 GMT -5
Jebus Christ, what a chore setting a new computer up. Everything in Windows 11 looks so counterintuitive. Just copying a file with the right mouse button is weird. It has icons for copy and paste instead of the traditional text. Most likely this is all stuff I'll find out can be changed but it's such a hassle looking for all this crap and try and make it look somewhat normal again. Like having details in explorer windows instead of huge thumbnails and shit, so many changes still to make.
I finally managed to change all the lighting in the case. After several updates of both Windows and the Lenovo Vantage program itself, it finally actually works and I could start changing the lights... ...just not the videocard ones. Apparently that option was removed from the nVidia control panel and people are working around it with a Carsair program, except it doesn't seem to work for me. The program discovers all my hardware sensors for temps and stuff just not the lights. Why would nVidia remove that feature from its control panel?
|
|
|
|
Post by sj on May 27, 2023 9:11:15 GMT -5
Jebus Christ, what a chore setting a new computer up. Everything in Windows 11 looks so counterintuitive. Just copying a file with the right mouse button is weird. It has icons for copy and paste instead of the traditional text. Most likely this is all stuff I'll find out can be changed but it's such a hassle looking for all this crap and try and make it look somewhat normal again. Like having details in explorer windows instead of huge thumbnails and shit, so many changes still to make. I finally managed to change all the lighting in the case. After several updates of both Windows and the Lenovo Vantage program itself, it finally actually works and I could start changing the lights... ...just not the videocard ones. Apparently that option was removed from the nVidia control panel and people are working around it with a Carsair program, except it doesn't seem to work for me. The program discovers all my hardware sensors for temps and stuff just not the lights. Why would nVidia remove that feature from its control panel?Because they're nVidiots, obviously.  |
|
|
|
Post by ForRealTho on May 27, 2023 14:43:23 GMT -5
Jebus Christ, what a chore setting a new computer up. Everything in Windows 11 looks so counterintuitive. Just copying a file with the right mouse button is weird. It has icons for copy and paste instead of the traditional text. Most likely this is all stuff I'll find out can be changed but it's such a hassle looking for all this crap and try and make it look somewhat normal again. Like having details in explorer windows instead of huge thumbnails and shit, so many changes still to make. I finally managed to change all the lighting in the case. After several updates of both Windows and the Lenovo Vantage program itself, it finally actually works and I could start changing the lights... ...just not the videocard ones. Apparently that option was removed from the nVidia control panel and people are working around it with a Carsair program, except it doesn't seem to work for me. The program discovers all my hardware sensors for temps and stuff just not the lights. Why would nVidia remove that feature from its control panel? You can turn off the new right click menu and go back to the Windows 10 menu |
|
|
|
Post by Babel-17 on May 27, 2023 22:02:41 GMT -5
StartAllBack is the Windows 11 update to StartIsBack for Windows 10, and imo worth the $4.99 (two bucks if like me you had the previous version) they charge. They've been been very good about having update notifications pop-up when Windows does a major update, and so they did too. It looks like they get the update ready after Microsoft releases the preview, so once the Windows update goes final so too does their update. www.startallback.com/ |
|
|
|
Post by Cop on May 28, 2023 8:45:14 GMT -5
Thanks, I'll have a look into that. That being said, I don't mind the start menu that much. I find I hardly use it anymore anyway. All the programs I use (which aren't that many) have either quick start buttons in the task bar or start as I click a file (or from the file context menu).
|
|
|
|
Post by Coolverine on May 28, 2023 15:16:02 GMT -5
^Found the same with Win11, I do have some stuff pinned to it but still hardly ever find myself using it.
|
|
|
|
Post by ForRealTho on May 28, 2023 15:47:39 GMT -5
StartAllBack is the Windows 11 update to StartIsBack for Windows 10, and imo worth the $4.99 (two bucks if like me you had the previous version) they charge. They've been been very good about having update notifications pop-up when Windows does a major update, and so they did too. It looks like they get the update ready after Microsoft releases the preview, so once the Windows update goes final so too does their update. www.startallback.com/I stopped using these because I work in IT for a living and I ended up getting so used to ClassicShell that I was getting confused how to do stuff in "normal" Windows 10/11. I just forced myself to get used to the new start menus. Also got sick of them breaking with every major Windows patch and having to wait for an update. This is also why I upgraded to Windows 11 instead of holding onto the bitter end. When my org upgrades I'll be used too it. |
|
|
|
Post by Cop on Jun 2, 2023 18:17:47 GMT -5
Ordered me a mouse and keyboard. Kids both have Razer Basilisk mice which they've been using for years and are satisfied with so I went for the same (just a newer version) and I got me a Steelseries Apex 3 keyboard.
Mouse is fine, pretty silly you have to run the software in the background just to have your color scheme show up, otherwise it just rotates the entire spectrum, which it still does, until the software loads on startup and after it closes on shutdown, which is dumb. It has 5 memory slots for configs, which are stored on the mouse, just not the lighting setups. That's really dumb.
The keyboard seemed to work well and looked really nice but the software let me down in such a way that I just packed it all back up and sent it back. While it recognised the keyboard from the cockpit, it nevertheless flatout refused any interaction with the lighting controls. Wasted too much time installing and reinstalling the software and trying desperately to get anything changed within that awful GG software. Before installing the software I still could change the schemes with button shortcuts (none of which were acceptable) but even that ceased to function once it connected to the software. I wanted to overlook the fact the (french) AZERTY layout I ordered and which looked as it should at first glance but later noticed had all kinds of changes in the symbols layout compared to my Belgian one, but the software being a complete pain in the ass was the perfect excuse to get rid of it altogether. I'll try and find something locally I guess, bypassing all the layout shenanigans buying internationally...
Back to the 14y old Logitech for the time being. I don't need lights to play games anyway, just for typing, and I still keep the old PC (and the cheapo coloured keyboard) around for that for the time being. Until I'm completely set-up I'll keep using this computer for the things I've been using it for for the past 14y, everything except for gaming...
|
|
|
|
Post by sj on Jan 20, 2024 19:02:59 GMT -5
Ordered me a mouse and keyboard. Kids both have Razer Basilisk mice which they've been using for years and are satisfied with so I went for the same (just a newer version) and I got me a Steelseries Apex 3 keyboard. Mouse is fine, pretty silly you have to run the software in the background just to have your color scheme show up, otherwise it just rotates the entire spectrum, which it still does, until the software loads on startup and after it closes on shutdown, which is dumb. It has 5 memory slots for configs, which are stored on the mouse, just not the lighting setups. That's really dumb. The keyboard seemed to work well and looked really nice but the software let me down in such a way that I just packed it all back up and sent it back. While it recognised the keyboard from the cockpit, it nevertheless flatout refused any interaction with the lighting controls. Wasted too much time installing and reinstalling the software and trying desperately to get anything changed within that awful GG software. Before installing the software I still could change the schemes with button shortcuts (none of which were acceptable) but even that ceased to function once it connected to the software. I wanted to overlook the fact the (french) AZERTY layout I ordered and which looked as it should at first glance but later noticed had all kinds of changes in the symbols layout compared to my Belgian one, but the software being a complete pain in the ass was the perfect excuse to get rid of it altogether. I'll try and find something locally I guess, bypassing all the layout shenanigans buying internationally... Back to the 14y old Logitech for the time being. I don't need lights to play games anyway, just for typing, and I still keep the old PC (and the cheapo coloured keyboard) around for that for the time being. Until I'm completely set-up I'll keep using this computer for the things I've been using it for for the past 14y, everything except for gaming... I recently ordered a German brand keyboard "Keychron" from Amazon, but it was no good. I liked the low-profile keys and feel of the keys, however, it had issues the Ctrl and Esc keys not working (breaking Windows shortcut key combos). Laptop's built-in keyboard worked fine, so it was def the Keychron. I messaged Keychron in the Q&A twice, but no solution (other than what I already tried) and then they refered me to call after sales number without providing the number. lol. I even factory reset the keyboard and still no bueno. The Keychron has no 1st party software and I read that the 3rd party software they recommend for remapping keys makes changes in Windows registry, which fucks up key mapping on any other keyboards you might use on the same PC/laptop. Then I ordered a Corsair "Pro" series keyboard and it seems pretty great so far. Software not always loading (without a Windows reboot), but I noticed the same (recent problem) with other apps, so I think it's Windows (10) issue. Apple does the same shit with iOS on their phones.. as the OS ages and they have a newer OS out, they gradually break things on the older OS (and stop supporting more & more apps for the OS) to encourage people to migrate over to the newer OS. They should probably get sued for doing this, but treating consumers like shit is standard MO for US owned corps. |
|
|
|
Post by sj on Jan 20, 2024 19:12:22 GMT -5
btw, the Corsair Pro series keyboard has lots of metal in its base, so it remains firmly in place for active gaming. Heaviest keyboard I've owned so far.
|
|
|
|
Post by sj on Jan 20, 2024 19:41:49 GMT -5
Ordered me a mouse and keyboard. Kids both have Razer Basilisk mice which they've been using for years and are satisfied with so I went for the same (just a newer version) and I got me a Steelseries Apex 3 keyboard. Mouse is fine, pretty silly you have to run the software in the background just to have your color scheme show up, otherwise it just rotates the entire spectrum, which it still does, until the software loads on startup and after it closes on shutdown, which is dumb. It has 5 memory slots for configs, which are stored on the mouse, just not the lighting setups. That's really dumb. The keyboard seemed to work well and looked really nice but the software let me down in such a way that I just packed it all back up and sent it back. While it recognised the keyboard from the cockpit, it nevertheless flatout refused any interaction with the lighting controls. Wasted too much time installing and reinstalling the software and trying desperately to get anything changed within that awful GG software. Before installing the software I still could change the schemes with button shortcuts (none of which were acceptable) but even that ceased to function once it connected to the software. I wanted to overlook the fact the (french) AZERTY layout I ordered and which looked as it should at first glance but later noticed had all kinds of changes in the symbols layout compared to my Belgian one, but the software being a complete pain in the ass was the perfect excuse to get rid of it altogether. I'll try and find something locally I guess, bypassing all the layout shenanigans buying internationally... Back to the 14y old Logitech for the time being. I don't need lights to play games anyway, just for typing, and I still keep the old PC (and the cheapo coloured keyboard) around for that for the time being. Until I'm completely set-up I'll keep using this computer for the things I've been using it for for the past 14y, everything except for gaming... I recently ordered a German brand keyboard "Keychron" from Amazon, but it was no good. I liked the low-profile keys and feel of the keys, however, it had issues the Ctrl and Esc keys not working (breaking Windows shortcut key combos). Laptop's built-in keyboard worked fine, so it was def the Keychron. I messaged Keychron in the Q&A twice, but no solution (other than what I already tried) and then they refered me to call after sales number without providing the number. lol. I even factory reset the keyboard and still no bueno. The Keychron has no 1st party software and I read that the 3rd party software they recommend for remapping keys makes changes in Windows registry, which fucks up key mapping on any other keyboards you might use on the same PC/laptop. Then I ordered a Corsair "Pro" series keyboard and it seems pretty great so far. Software not always loading (without a Windows reboot), but I noticed the same (recent problem) with other apps, so I think it's Windows (10) issue. Apple does the same shit with iOS on their phones.. as the OS ages and they have a newer OS out, they gradually break things on the older OS (and stop supporting more & more apps for the OS) to encourage people to migrate over to the newer OS. They should probably get sued for doing this, but treating consumers like shit is standard MO for US owned corps. "Ctrl + Alt + Del" and closing the app in Task Manager and then reopening it worked, so a reboot isn't necessary. Edit: My only complaint w/ Corsair so far is that they didn't include a paper manual or quick start guide in the box. You have to go online for the manual. The responsiveness and key-press rollover, including in wireless/Bluetooth mode, is excellent. The software allows overclocking the keyboard polling rate. |
|
|
|
Post by Emig5m on Jan 21, 2024 0:03:11 GMT -5
btw, the Corsair Pro series keyboard has lots of metal in its base, so it remains firmly in place for active gaming. Heaviest keyboard I've owned so far. I made the mistake of cheaping out on my first Corsair metal keyboard and the keys were only illuminated in red and didn't want to fork up for full RGB at the time. Years later I see a full RGB Corsair keyboard at Walmart that looks very similar in design to my former one and was about $30 cheaper so I bought it and to my disappointment when I unpacked it, it was all plastic with no metal and didn't have the build quality and absolute feel but it sure does look better being full programmable RGB lol. |
|
|
|
Post by Cop on Jan 21, 2024 11:01:56 GMT -5
Heh, I can have this one be all kinds of colours and effects yet I've defaulted to static red.
|
|
|
|
Post by ForRealTho on Jan 21, 2024 11:45:02 GMT -5
My laptop has full RGB blah blah. I set it to the color of my light strip that changed colors
|
|
|
|
Post by Coolverine on Jan 21, 2024 13:39:13 GMT -5
Was thinking about getting an RTX 4080 Super and a Ryzen 7 5800X3D later this year, the 5800X3D has gone down in price a lot. Hopefully will keep getting lower.
|
|
|
|
Post by ForRealTho on Jan 24, 2024 10:10:03 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by ForRealTho on Jan 24, 2024 10:22:55 GMT -5
Also it should be part of regular PC maintenance to check Event Viewer. Apparently my "Intel Rapid Storage Technology" driver had been crashing over and over hundreds of times, I had no idea.
Did some Googling and the version I had installed dates back to the day I got the laptop, it has no support for Windows 11 because it predates it.
I went and downloaded the latest version of Intel RST straight from Intels website. Crashes gone.
Eluktronics doesn't seem to update their drivers much. I got the laptop in 2020, there were 3 drivers that updated in 2021, no BIOS updates. Ever.
|
|
|
|
Post by ForRealTho on Jan 24, 2024 13:52:23 GMT -5
Apparently that Asus I listed has an absolutely horrible screen and a lot of really pissed off people. They sent reviewers a laptop with a nice screen, then when you order from Asus as a consumer the screen is way worse.
Debating getting this Alienware M18 with the 1920x1200 480hz panel........that isn't a typo. 480hz.
I'm sleeping on it tho. Probably wait a week, don't make major purchasing decisions when you are really annoyed at your current system.
|
|
|
|
Post by sj on Jan 24, 2024 14:50:39 GMT -5
Apparently that Asus I listed has an absolutely horrible screen and a lot of really pissed off people. They sent reviewers a laptop with a nice screen, then when you order from Asus as a consumer the screen is way worse. Debating getting this Alienware M18 with the 1920x1200 480hz panel........that isn't a typo. 480hz. I'm sleeping on it tho. Probably wait a week, don't make major purchasing decisions when you are really annoyed at your current system. I looked at the Dell/Alienware laptops not long ago. I think they went the way of Apple with integrated batteries. Batteries can fail early sometimes, so if it's not under warranty, you'd probably have to pay Dell to replace it. Call them before purchase, if you're unable to confirm integrated battery on the product page. If that doesn't bother u, know that Dell has built-in diagnostics in BIOS settings & software, which pushes u to get your laptop serviced through Dell. I recommend disabling these immediately because it tries to lock up your system and hard sell/direct you to call Dell for service. The OS will boot just fine though once you figure out how to escape the diagnostic screen & disable their diagnostic tools (in BIOS and the associated Dell Service apps in Windows Services - if either one wasn't deactivated/stopped, it seemed to reactivate the other). I was getting blue screens more & more, starting at around the end of year 1. Issue may have been a cheap brand m2 SSD though and triggering the Dell diagnotics. imo, regardless of laptop brand, I'd open it up (except for MSI brand, because that voids the warranty) and see what brand of SSD. If not Samsung SSD already installed, buy a Samsung M.2 SSD to replace whatever crap brand that's in there, and reinstall Windows. /my 2 cents |
|
|
|
Post by ForRealTho on Jan 24, 2024 19:27:51 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by ForRealTho on Jan 24, 2024 21:37:38 GMT -5
Well I had an interesting evening. I got home from work and decided to repaste my laptop one last time since it has been since April 2023. I have done this multiple times using liquid metal.
I am at the end of the process and as I am putting everything back together somehow I got a little glob of liquid metal above the CPU. Fuck. The stuff is like trying to clean up the T1000, its ridiculous. So I use rubbing alcohol and qtips and manage to clean up most of it.
Eventually I get it all....I can still see a tiny little bit of it tho in the cracks of the motherboard. Like too small to stick the edge of a tweezer in.
So I use compressed air and blast it. THAT knocks it out of place. I clean up the remainder.
As I am going to put the bottom on I notice a drop of liquid metal on the ethernet port....lol.
Clean everything. Do one last check and put the back back on and screw everything down, laptop boots up.
Temps are a little bit better, same thing that happens every repaste.
So I play a little bit more of the Black Parade.....Blue Screen AGAIN.
Someone else was having a similar issue and they ran Crystal Disk Mark and it wouldn't finish. I run Crystal Disk Mark..... Blue Screen.
I ordered a 4 tb SSD, will be here tomorrow. If that doesn't solve my issue will look at a new system.
|
|
|
|
Post by Coolverine on Jan 24, 2024 21:43:42 GMT -5
I vaguely remember they make some kind of tool you can use to suck up liquid metal paste, like a syringe kinda thing
Hope everything turns out okay.
|
|
|
|
Post by ForRealTho on Jan 24, 2024 23:30:02 GMT -5
I've wanted a new laptop for a while. There was an amazing deal I spotted in December and now I am kicking myself for not taking it.
I'm taking my time looking at some different systems.
|
|
|
|
Post by sj on Jan 25, 2024 0:18:56 GMT -5
My (main) laptop SSD just died about a month ago. It had occasional blue screens for years before finally dying (and no use of liquid metal or anything, just a crummy SSD apparently). The Dell built-in diagnostic tool (which evidently runs outside of Windows, when Windows won't boot) does id the SSD as failure point, so it's not completely useless.. just annoying in some aspects, like pushing you towards the Dell service.
yeah, posting this from a backup laptop that my father gifted me years ago before he passed. I repaired his PC and he gifted me this laptop (which was also broken at the time and I replaced the SSD & better/faster RAM to repair and improve it as well). I typically have two working systems in case one fails.
It could just be bad coincidence in the timing of your laptop (SSD?) failure and hopefully not the liquid metal having shorted something. In my experience, one of the first things to go in a computer is the SSD.
Overall, I think the old Dell XPS 15 has been a good laptop, but suspect that the factory SSD was a crap brand. I'll know the brand soon when I get around to opening it up and replace the SSD. Dell leans hard into selling their repair services (at checkout w/ warranty and beyond with paying out of pocket, if it's not under warranty). imo, they designed that philosophy into their hardware & software ("planned obsolescence" is the business term), now more than ever with introducing the integrated battery bullshit. I wouldn't be opposed to buying one of their desktops, but i doubt I'll buy another one of their laptops.
|
|
|
|
Post by Coolverine on Jan 25, 2024 0:26:04 GMT -5
My (main) laptop SSD just died about a month ago. It had occasional blue screens for years before finally dying (and no use of liquid metal or anything, just a crummy SSD apparently). The Dell built-in diagnostic tool (which evidently runs outside of Windows, when Windows won't boot) does id the SSD as failure point, so it's not completely useless.. just annoying in some aspects, like pushing you towards the Dell service. yeah, posting this from a backup laptop that my father gifted me years ago before he passed. I repaired his PC and he gifted me this laptop (which was also broken at the time and I replaced the SSD & better/faster RAM to repair and improve it as well). I typically have two working systems in case one fails. It could just be bad coincidence in the timing of your laptop (SSD?) failure and hopefully not the liquid metal having shorted something. In my experience, one of the first things to go in a computer is the SSD. Overall, I think the old Dell XPS 15 has been a good laptop, but suspect that the factory SSD was a crap brand. I'll know the brand soon when I get around to opening it up and replace the SSD. Dell leans hard into selling their repair services (at checkout w/ warranty and beyond with paying out of pocket, if it's not under warranty). imo, they designed that philosphy into their hardware & software ("planned obsolescence" is the business term), now more than ever with introducing the integrated battery bullshit. I wouldn't be opposed to buying one of their desktops, but i doubt I'll buy another one of their laptops. Whoa I've been getting random BSOD's very rarely, been wondering if it has to do with my SSD.
Funny thing is I bought a brand-new 2TB Samsung SSD a while back to replace my primary 1TB SSD months ago, been too lazy to swap it out though. |
|
|
|
Post by sj on Jan 25, 2024 0:36:33 GMT -5
My (main) laptop SSD just died about a month ago. It had occasional blue screens for years before finally dying (and no use of liquid metal or anything, just a crummy SSD apparently). The Dell built-in diagnostic tool (which evidently runs outside of Windows, when Windows won't boot) does id the SSD as failure point, so it's not completely useless.. just annoying in some aspects, like pushing you towards the Dell service. yeah, posting this from a backup laptop that my father gifted me years ago before he passed. I repaired his PC and he gifted me this laptop (which was also broken at the time and I replaced the SSD & better/faster RAM to repair and improve it as well). I typically have two working systems in case one fails. It could just be bad coincidence in the timing of your laptop (SSD?) failure and hopefully not the liquid metal having shorted something. In my experience, one of the first things to go in a computer is the SSD. Overall, I think the old Dell XPS 15 has been a good laptop, but suspect that the factory SSD was a crap brand. I'll know the brand soon when I get around to opening it up and replace the SSD. Dell leans hard into selling their repair services (at checkout w/ warranty and beyond with paying out of pocket, if it's not under warranty). imo, they designed that philosphy into their hardware & software ("planned obsolescence" is the business term), now more than ever with introducing the integrated battery bullshit. I wouldn't be opposed to buying one of their desktops, but i doubt I'll buy another one of their laptops. Whoa I've been getting random BSOD's very rarely, been wondering if it has to do with my SSD.
Funny thing is I bought a brand-new 2TB Samsung SSD a while back to replace my primary 1TB SSD months ago, been too lazy to swap it out though. I suspected it was the SDD for a while too and felt like I should've done a backup and SSD swap, but was too lazy also. At least you still have time. I bought a m.2 SSD enclosure as well, so I can see if any files are recoverable. The enclosure (connect your old drive to PC via USB) technique to recover files worked in the HDD days. It'll be the 1st time I try it with SSD. |
|
