wake as in the thing where everyone comes to say how sorry they are your loved one has died, and people you barely remember who havent talked to you and the deceased in decades say how much they miss them despite the fact they havent had any contact in that time? sorry, im not bitter and I am sorry this is happening to you cog, seriously man, your shoes I have already walked in them.
[Rant] Tech Whine Like a baby thread
- Thread starter DarkAudit
- Start date
One of my coworkers asked me if I could look at a computer they had acquired to find out why it wasn't working. It would turn on, but then turn right back off again about 10sec later. Repeated attempts would stay on even shorter until it wouldn't stay on for any length of time, it would just power right back down again. So I open this thing up and discover it has:
--Patrick
- 32GB of RGB-enabled G.Skill RAM
- Asus RoG mobo (with RGB)
- Core i7-9700K
- NZXT AIO water cooling (with RGB of course)
- NVIDIA Titan RTX (!)
- Samsung 970 SSD
- EVGA 1000W PSU
- The front panel has been broken, so the leads for the power switch have been cut and soldered to a momentary SPST switch which dangles out of the front of the case like a booger on a 7yr-old's face.
- The RAM is installed backwards. Yes, really.
- One of the two 4-pin CPU power leads is not connected.
- The front panel fan is not connected.
- The BIOS is two years out of date, and hasn't been updated since release.
- The AIO cooling block is not actually tightened down onto the CPU, it is just barely being held on by the four corner thumbscrews.
- The leads going to the front panel headers on the motherboard (PWR_LED, etc) are all mixed up.
--Patrick
-Not having the front fan connected is more important than usual considering they have a Titan RTX in there. That's like a 2090Ti+ and even at idle it puts out some serious heat.
-There have been 6 BIOS revisions since the one that was on it, saying things like "Improves system stability" and "adds Windows 11 compatibility" and "adds resizable BAR support" and "updates Intel ME to resolve security vulnerabilities" and basically yeah you want all of those things.
The dangling power button is more the initial indicator that this isn't a routine thing, there's gotta be some kind of story goin' on here.
On the plus side, thank goodness the components were robust enough to handle all the abuse and still come out working once they were properly installed.
--Patrick
-There have been 6 BIOS revisions since the one that was on it, saying things like "Improves system stability" and "adds Windows 11 compatibility" and "adds resizable BAR support" and "updates Intel ME to resolve security vulnerabilities" and basically yeah you want all of those things.
The dangling power button is more the initial indicator that this isn't a routine thing, there's gotta be some kind of story goin' on here.
On the plus side, thank goodness the components were robust enough to handle all the abuse and still come out working once they were properly installed.
--Patrick
"So, what did you change before everything stopped working?"
"Nothing, I swear! It worked fine one day, and not the next. I literally didn't do anything at all."
"The RAM is in backwards. It could never have worked like this."
"Oh yeah, I did buy some new RAM."
GasBandit
Staff member
I got two clients that are particularly bad about this sort of thing. Only instead of one PC, it's an entire room full of devices, how they connect to each other, and the code that controls all of it >_<
"Hey after you updated code, X stopped working" "X wasn't working like that in the first place, according to the source code" "Oh yeah I forgot, 6 months after the job was done, we brought in another company to make some changes, but I guess we sent you the original source code and not the new code.... and come to think of it, we were never provided the altered source code... so anyway can you make X work again?"
Sigh, yessss... I can recode X from scratch, just would have been nice to know that was needed in the first place. so that it wouldn't delay completion of the entire project.
It would still power up, it would just halt at the memory testing step (according to board LEDs). He mentioned he had removed all the RAM and reinstalled only one stick as part of his troubleshooting. To his credit, he did have it installed in the correct slot for single-stick operation (though of course there is a 25% chance he could’ve lucked it randomly).
Oh, and when he gave me the computer to look over, he handed me the other three sticks wrapped up in the kind of zipperless plastic bag you might use to hold a sandwich.
—Patrick
GasBandit
Staff member
In fact, literally, I had to send a client an e-mail while on site in The Woodlands "hey, I'm here pushing the new code... and I see multiple PTZ cameras in this room, and the code you gave me did not have any camera PTZ controls AT ALL." "Oh yeah (same thing said above about 6 months later)... anyway, we NEED those cameras to work, can you just real quick update your code to control them?"
"Oof, cameras in a workplace/public space environment? Yeah, that's dangerous man, sloppy or quick easy code to control them leaves them open for hacking and abuse and leaves you liable. You know how hackers are these days! Can't trust anyone. Setting it up properly and safely, that's gonna be at least a week or two. Mmmaaybe, for you, look, I can kind of try to rush it, I can cut it down to maybe four or five days. And of course that's time we hadn't scheduled or estimated, so....."
GasBandit
Staff member
Thankfully, I rarely have to deal with security cameras or other types of cameras where privacy is a concern, because usually the cameras I deal with are for incorporation into a videoconferencing solution, and 9 times out of 10 I'm controlling them by directly connected RS-232 and the video is not IP-routable.
I can appreciate trying to pad an invoice, too, but unfortunately at this stage in the project, the labor charge has already been set in stone, so we're to where I get done early and make extra money for the company, or take longer and we lose money.
Also, fortunately, I'm to the point where I can code switchable PTZ camera control of most cameras in about 15 minutes (as long as it is Axis, Sony, Panasonic, Logitech, Aver, QSC, PTZOptics, Huddlecam, Cisco or Vaddio - and these were Vaddio). But I don't tell THEM that.
GasBandit
Staff member
Model?I've heard lots of terrible stories about Bluetooth earbuds and batteries. Mine supposedly last 6-8 hours and I easily get 12 so farreally don't know why but it's one of the very few positives in my life so I'll take it
I appreciate you trying to add even more positivity to his life, but we've seen the pictures.
--Patrick
Trekz air from aftershokz. They're bone conductivity and open-ear so they're specific in what situations you can really use them
GasBandit
Staff member
Huh. You really got lucky then, because all the literature says they're 6 hour... but they also cost 6 times as much! Sheesh.
I'd been holding off because I needed earbuds I could use on my work laptop that didn't have a cord - because Nibbles has been going AFTER my cords - but I needed them to last my whole workday.
Might take a look at the SoundPeats Sonic. Haven't tried'em, but have read generally good things about the brand. Advertised as 15 hrs playtime per charge, around $50.
GasBandit
Staff member
I appreciate the recommendation, but my other requirement is they can't be the kind that plugs up the ear canal entirely.
So more like the fit of the first gen airpod, less the fit of the airpod pro.
I've been looking around for a new set for myself, but so far the only things I've seen (which I would consider worth getting, that is) are models that completely plug up the ear canal BUT which have some kind of passthrough audio mode (which lets your ears hear BUT not breathe), or else are "wireless" ones that clamp around your head like the handle of a plastic pail and are just about as convenient. Apple/Samsung/LG/Sony/Bose or whoever need to get on this, because right now it's pretty much AirPods v. Galaxy buds, with everything else fighting over 3rd place.
--Patrick
...and just a couple hours after posting the above, I discover Sony's LinkBuds, which have "okay I guess" audio quality and a through-hole. They don't support LDAC if that's your thing, so you can't get the really high-quality BT audio, but with the hole in 'em you're not going to be able to get that anyway. Sony says you will get 5-6hrs per charge, but that's still not the whole-day life you were looking for.
--Patrick
--Patrick
It's also worth noting that those earbuds do have some audio bleed and that people close to you will be able to hear what you're listening to because of course they will there's a hole in them
GasBandit
Staff member
It always kinda mystifies me that this is an issue people care about. I don't care how much audio bleed there is on headphones. I'm not listening to porn in a situation I would be using earbuds, and no matter how "leaky" the earbuds are, they're a thousand times quieter than full speakers, so why get worked up about it?
i remember seeing the reviews and thinking there is a multitude of scenarios in which they would be great and if you really need serious battery times and a good seal you get IEMS and the bluetooth adapter(the kind that hook behind your ears.)
I mainly use my earbuds when I'm alone, so it wouldn't be an issue for me either. But people use headphones in different situations, so it's worth knowing. If you're going to be using them in a quiet area with lots of people close by, it might be more polite to those around you to use more traditional earbuds.
If you're using them in public transportation, it can still annoy others.
If you're using them for phone calls, people may be able to hear/understand the other side (which is not always intended or even allowed depending on privacy reasons and job etc)
If you're using them in conjuction with other earbuds (e.g. I wear my personal earphones linked to my phone for music, while using my work's headphones for customer calls - I'm not allowed to have background music in theory which is by now due to WFH after Covid a completely nonsensical rule), people may hear things from the "other" ears that aren't meant to be heard.
And sure, porn, but maybe you're listening to trash metal or anti-establishment punk (YEAAHHHHH KILL THE SYSTEM FUCK THE POLICE WHOOOAAAAAA) which may not be what your colleagues or customers may want to hear. Or maybe you're listening to children's songs or Christmas songs in august or whatever and just don't want to get strange looks or having to explain yourself. Heck, a gaming podcast during work hours might get you very nasty looks from a boss if they hear it.
I mean, I absolutely understand that audio bleed isn't an issue for some, but it really can matter for others, it's worth pointing out and not JUST for "people will hear your porn"
If you're using them for phone calls, people may be able to hear/understand the other side (which is not always intended or even allowed depending on privacy reasons and job etc)
If you're using them in conjuction with other earbuds (e.g. I wear my personal earphones linked to my phone for music, while using my work's headphones for customer calls - I'm not allowed to have background music in theory which is by now due to WFH after Covid a completely nonsensical rule), people may hear things from the "other" ears that aren't meant to be heard.
And sure, porn, but maybe you're listening to trash metal or anti-establishment punk (YEAAHHHHH KILL THE SYSTEM FUCK THE POLICE WHOOOAAAAAA) which may not be what your colleagues or customers may want to hear. Or maybe you're listening to children's songs or Christmas songs in august or whatever and just don't want to get strange looks or having to explain yourself. Heck, a gaming podcast during work hours might get you very nasty looks from a boss if they hear it.
I mean, I absolutely understand that audio bleed isn't an issue for some, but it really can matter for others, it's worth pointing out and not JUST for "people will hear your porn"
GasBandit
Staff member
1) Public Transport - This seems dumb to me, when I can remember when using plain old walkman headphones was considered the height of public transportation courtesy and those things bled sound like a mofo. Also I don't know about you, but all the public transport I've been on has been noisy AF, leaky earbuds would barely register.
2) Phone calls - no matter how quiet your earbuds, your voice is going to be an irritant when you reply. No earbuds are going to make someone making a call on a bus NOT be a douche.
3 ) Dumb work regulations - well, can't really speak to this one, but I guess.
GasBandit
Staff member
We had a HUGE thunderstorm last night and at 1:30am one of my battery backups took a hit. It started flashing the ol' "F-02 CHECK MANUAL" error, which unfortunately can mean just about anything from "you need to turn me off and on again" to "everything is fucked and you have to buy a new me."
Well, I shut it down (because this fault code also sets off a really irritating alarm) and left it for this morning. After turning it back on... everything... LOOKS ok? But I'm still eyeing it askance because I'm not sure I can trust it any more.
Oh and of course the replacement batteries are out of stock. But if something IS fried in it, it might be the actual circuitry and not just the battery.
Well, I shut it down (because this fault code also sets off a really irritating alarm) and left it for this morning. After turning it back on... everything... LOOKS ok? But I'm still eyeing it askance because I'm not sure I can trust it any more.
Oh and of course the replacement batteries are out of stock. But if something IS fried in it, it might be the actual circuitry and not just the battery.
the vacuum tubes I want for my amp are gonna be almost half a grand due to everything going on in russia(WITH RUSSIA W/E) but god damn will it be good to know i wont have to worry about new tubes when the current set dies for a decade when I have to make the switch. I JUST CANT BRING MYSELF TO HIT GO ON THE PURCHASE >_>
Oh Suddenlink...how much do you suck? Let me coun't the ways.
Today's rant: I now have 2 Suddenlink accounts, 1 at the apartment, 1 at the new home. I cannot see both accounts on one login. I have to create a separate login for the 2nd house. How dumb is that?
Today's rant: I now have 2 Suddenlink accounts, 1 at the apartment, 1 at the new home. I cannot see both accounts on one login. I have to create a separate login for the 2nd house. How dumb is that?