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Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 11-17-2004 ELECTRON Upgrade to XP MCE View Webcam for 11-17-2004 9 COMMENTS
Today I finally got my ELECTRON machine running Windows XP Media Center Edition properly. I found this list of accepted hardware which saved me TONS of time trying to find a tuner/video card combination that would work. XP MCE has very strict hardware requirements since it's designed to work on $2,000 machines. Not having $2,000 to spend I decided to bastardize my existing media machine into one. Unfortunately, the ATI All-In-Wonder series video/capture card I previously had in ELECTRON is not directly supported by XP MCE without a proprietary MPEG encoder by ATI, and even then it's slow (because it's software encoding). I had to E-bay that card to pay for some new, XP MCE approved hardware. The combination I went with is the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE and the NVIDIA GeForce FX5200. Total hardware cost was $60 for the tuner and $100 for the video card. My recent upgrade of NEUTRON left me with some donor memory and a new processor upgrade as well which I also threw into the mix. After configuring all the hardware and finding the right XP MCE drivers I was still unable to watch Television due to another obscure error. Some more research and I found out I had to purchase the NVIDIA DVD Codec to decode the MPEG stream my tuner was constantly encoding. After this final hurdle came the big payoff. As you can see it's now a very advanced media management device. Although the hardware/software and labor cost was much higher than I expected (still way less than $2,000) it was definately worth it.
User Comments for 11-17-2004:
Sweet, I also have the Nvideo 5200 card. Good 3D video support.
Excelcier
$20 best bang for the buck
Stavos
I WANT ONE!!!!!
Stavos
Hey im Cong Fan's son. I have a FX5200 too, but it kinda stank for me so I overclocked it to 5500 levels and beyond.
Andrew Liu
Hey Andrew, glad to see you're into building computers! I have avoided overclocking ever since I ran my Pentium II 333Mhz processor at 500Mhz for about 15 minutes before it melted. :) I told your mom to buy you all the expensive components for your computer but she just laughed at me.
AtomicInternet
If you ever want to use a FX5200 thru a FX5600 for a performance video card, I wouldn’t. they're basically just re-badged 4900 Geforce cards. However the FX5900 out performed the latest ATI Radon at the time. Visit tomshardware.com for more info do a search for FX5200
Stavos
I just want to watch TV and make websites. You gaming guys are out of my league
AtomicInternet
Then the FX5200 is your card! I'm very sure i'll be getting it for my media machine as well.
Stavos
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
tim

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 11-15-2004 Website Optimization Analysis View Webcam for 11-15-2004 4 COMMENTS
I'm a sucker for online web analysis tools. I have checked to make sure my site is always available, has valid HTML, a valid CSS layout, and a valid RSS feed. Well now thanks to WebSiteOptimization.com I can work on making a fully optimized website, although this latest analysis tool is somewhat subjective, with no real standards in place to uphold it. Nevertheless, it's a web analysis tool and I just can't stand to look bad in the eyes of an automated certification tool.
User Comments for 11-15-2004:
No one made a comment cuz we're jealous.
tim
what he said
Stavos
Yawn...
Excelcier
Yawn...
Excelcier

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 11-10-2004 NEUTRON System Upgrade View Webcam for 11-10-2004 1 COMMENT
After getting my wireless network up and running, my next project was upgrading my average-spec main PC to one better suited for gaming (specifically, Doom 3). I bought my system over a year ago and swore my next purchase would be a 64-bit system, but there still aren't many 64-bit apps worth the upgrade yet. I decided this is my stop-gap until I'm ready to take the 64-bit plunge. Everyone in the geek world knows Doom 3 is the defining game for system performance. It's system requirements are insatiable by any hardware yet available. Previously I could only run it at 640x480 with the lowest detail setting (as low as you can go in the game) but after the upgrade I can now run a respective 1024x768 at medium detail settings. (A "B-" performance machine from a "D+"). If you have used PCMark04 you can use my compare url to see if you are a winner or a loser. Winners are defined as those who own a system that can beat my score, if your system cannot beat my score, you are a loser. I've archived my old system details for NEUTRON (Primary PC) and replaced them with the new system details. I'll again make a claim that "Next year is the year of 64!" and probably retract again when it becomes next year.
User Comments for 11-10-2004:
I'm a loser however for $100 i shall become neutral. and for $300 I shall become a 64bit winner!
Stavos

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 11-08-2004 Router Upgrade View Webcam for 11-08-2004 2 COMMENTS
After brainstorming various methods to send a network cable through my walls, I was informed by a co-worker that wireless had now reached speeds of 100+ Mbps. Since my main complaint about wireless was the speed (followed by security) I headed to Costco to purchase the Netgear Wireless Firewall/Router. Initial setup was a breeze and it easily has 300% more features than my previous router. Unfortunately I do not yet have a wireless card to test the speed/range with yet, but that should soon be solved. Anyone looking for a cheap RT314 Router to compliment their cheap 60GB hard drive let me know. Additionally, if you are a war driver head on over to my place and hack your way into my brand spanking new wireless network.
User Comments for 11-08-2004:
Your router has variable bandwidth acceleration causing your website to slowdown to MYRN speeds and then jumping up to normal speeds.
Stavos
welcome to the WI-FI club! i like mine
Zac

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 11-07-2004 PROTONX HDD: Bad Block View Webcam for 11-07-2004 NO COMMENTS
Bad Block AlertAfter an attempt to view the contents of the D: drive took over 15 minutes I had a feeling something was wrong with the servers fixed disk. While the Ranger upgrade was in process, I ran a full checkdisk on the drive. Sure enough, I was greeted with a bad block alert and fortunately only lost a temporary video file. To be safe, I cloned the drive to a backup while I shop for a replacement. Anyone looking to buy a cheap 60GB drive with a few bad blocks let me know.
No Comments Entered for 11-07-2004

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 11-06-2004 Ranger Upgrade View Webcam for 11-06-2004 1 COMMENT
Today Ron and Jen came over for a visit. With them came their housewarming gift of pet rats, consequently named Ron and Jen. The rats proceeded to poop smelly poop all over anyone that handled them, which gave Missy an instant bond with them. We started the visit off right with some quality mexican food to give everyone plenty of ammo. While the girls went shopping, Ron tore up the Ranger in his quest to give me the ultimate OEM stereo upgrade. I looked on and helped when I could, documenting the whole process. When he was done, my base model ranger had a 6 Disc MP3 head unit with dual subwoofers and top-of-the-OEM-line speakers throughout. We decided to risk the mexican food and climbed into the enclosed cab for a test drive consisting of various heavy-bass songs. We cranked the subs enough to grow the crack in my windshield and marked the install a success. After a few episodes of Law and Order we saw the original Ron and Jen off, and took the other Ron and Jen out for some more poop adventures. Thanks Ron and Jen! (both sets)
User Comments for 11-06-2004:
Your a redneck if......
Stavos

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 11-05-2004 Shut The Hell Up View Webcam for 11-05-2004 10 COMMENTS
After receiving a forwarded email from an associate (originally from a Michael Moore fanatic) reflecting on the election by naming all soldiers killed in action in Iraq, then receiving this link and this link all within the span of 15 minutes I'm fed up with all this blind hate. When I ask any of these people why they feel the way they do I get a response I can google for and find originating from a media outlet or political extremist website. Have we really turned into puppets? Can we no longer form our own ideas and opinions? Is our only purpose to latch on to the idea best presented to us and fight for it like our life depends on it? There are very few things I am willing to fight for that passionately and none of them are dictated by fanatics. "But now you're just a puppet yourself! Letting people walk all over you!" No, although it's much more dramatic to feel that way this is not the case. I don't pretend I can turn others to my own opinion. Attempting to do so only enrages the person you are trying to convince because they are either confident in themselves or already programmed by another popular idea. Instead, I make personal decisions that are best inline with my own beliefs. To invoke Michael Knight, "One man can make a difference.", but not through bullying other people. Michael Knight spoke with his actions and people followed. He didn't harass people who thought a different way, he just did his own thing and people respected him for it. It's easy to complain about something and not do anything about it (except try to cram your complaint down everyones throat) but difficult to silently work toward that change and make a difference. Now call your representatives and DEMAND they accelerate the space program so I can get away from all you freaks!
User Comments for 11-05-2004:
Yeah, I was surfing one day and got redirected to a site that claimed that there never was a plane that hit the pentagon and it was all a cover up because the pictures they had didn't show a plane...(I'm thinkin Steve was behind it with his Photoshop). These nut jobs have nothing better to do than think the whole world is a conspiricy. I think they watched the Matrix one to many times. As for me, I would have liked to have seen Kerry win so he could have had chance to change things. Seeing the state we are in now it couldn't have gotten any worse. But bush is the Prez again and now we just need to support that. It doesen't hurt that his daughters are hot. Uh Oh, can I say that about them? If you don't hear from me for the next year it means Homeland security has me at Guantanamo Bay. Damn that Patriot Act!
Adam
Kerry had no plan for the war; he made that clear in the first debates. Bush is doing the right thing to prevent more 911 attacks and is doing more then any demarcate would. He also removed a mad man from power in the Middle East. Bush made some mistakes yes, as do all humans. But I'm glad he's president again because he can keep doing what he's been doing to stop these terrorist attacks and to protect us. Having a new president come in during a war isn't good for several reasons; one being it requires some shake down time which opens a hole in our defense. As far as the Patriot Act I have nothing to hide about terrorism and if it means to protect us from outside threats then so be it. Privacy isn't good to us dead. Note: I'll be running for senate in 2008
Stavos
I love beans
James
Uh Steve, I meant the last half of my message satyrically. Let's face it, they are both Politicians and they both B.S. equally. Don't forget I served in the Army and I know how important what we are doing is. Coming from a Prior service stand point it's easy for people who haven't served to say what we are doing is right and just. It's not that it's the wrong war, wrong place, wrong time, it's was just the wrong place. What we did back in 1992 was just. We stepped in because Saddam was invading Kuwait and committing mass genocide. As a superpower we have that responsibility. All I am saying is that this time Saddam was not the most immediate threat.
Adam
hmmm thats funny, I just talked to steve and he didn't write that post.
Adam
I hate politics, and I’m obsessed with beans
The REAL Stavos
I'm suffering from either an Identity crisis or a split personality, and I’m not sure which one is the worst
stavos
i JUST ATE SOME BEANS NAD NOW THEY ARE COMING BACK TO GET THEIR REVENGE ON MY ASS
ADAM
Beans for president in 2008!!!!!
Stavos
This is too deep for me...
Excelcier

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 11-02-2004 PROTONX Transfer Complete View Webcam for 11-02-2004 5 COMMENTS
This server resumed connectivity as of 3:24pm, EST. So far the connection seems to be an improvement over the old location. Consequently, the Gnome Cam does not yet have a gnome to observe. Rest assured this situation will be remedied quickly (along with the crappy reception). If you spot any other problems with the server shoot me an email.
User Comments for 11-02-2004:
OMG WTF! that's weird after all these years, the locations changed.... Oh and is it on because I haven't seen any movement in the past hour
Stavos
Yup... trippy, the last gnome shots from Beech Daly road and then messed up reception. Funny thing is I know exactly what window the new cam location is in! It's in the castle room looking out over the right side driveway.
Excelcier
I don't have a clue
tim
Actually I had it in the castle room and couldn't get a signal. Now it's in the living room spying on my neighbors. I ALMOST SPELLED NEIGHBOR WITH A U! WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?!?!?
AtomicInternet
You're just jealous of the superior system that you ran away from!
Excelcier

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 10-28-2004 Strange Noise View Webcam for 10-28-2004 3 COMMENTS
The last two nights at my new house I've spent in the master bedroom (first two were on the living room floor) and both of those nights I hear a sound similar to that water pipes make when recoiling from a valve shutting off quickly. The strange thing about the noise is that it happens almost exactly every 55 seconds. I never heard the noise in the living room, and when I stand in the hallway waiting for it I never hear it. It only comes through clear when I'm in the bedroom. The predictability makes me think it's something automated, but none of my appliances are on when I hear the noise. Sometimes it sounds far away like it's from an industrial complex nearby (there are at least three in the area) but other times it sounds like it's coming direct from the walls. It's a known fact that we have a mouse problem so maybe there is a mathmatical genius mouse trying to tell me something. More updates as my research continues.
User Comments for 10-28-2004:
Time to hire a pest and Ghost exterminator. Who you gonna call!?? Ah yes I’m a walking time capsule for 80's entertainment. I still haven't lost it!
Punk Rocker Stavos
what about the furnance? by the layout of the house from that hallway and bedroom you would be standing almost above it.
Zac
Good call Zac, I finally did some more research and I believe it's a water line leaking onto the an air duct. It only happens after I've had the hot water turned on so it might just be condensation. more on this as it develops.
AtomicInternet

Rating: 3 - Link to this Article 10-27-2004 Server Downtime View Webcam for 10-27-2004 NO COMMENTS
This server will be down on November 2nd from 1:00pm - 5:00pm during transfer to my new location. All hosted domains and web apps will be unavailable during this time. Webcam and Blacknova updates will also be suspended. Email atomicinternet@gmail.com with any concerns.
No Comments Entered for 10-27-2004

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