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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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#1
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
Frustration Friday and another great idea trashed by mechanical design
stupidity. The plot started with me inheriting a new in-the-box HP Pavilion 20-F323 all-in-one computah. https://www.google.com/search?q=hp+pavilion+20-f323&tbm=isch The (former) ladyfriend had bought it on Groupon and then decided to buy a Mac Mini instead. I hauled it to my palatial office, where it sat for several months waiting for a victim that will pay real money for it. I wouldn't inflict it upon my customers, so it just sat. A few daze ago, I decide to use it myself as a home internet IP TV computer. The 1600x900 screen is good enough for IP TV, but not really great for computing, where I like to fill the screen with work in progress: http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/crud/desktop.jpg It came with Windoze 8.0 pre-installed. What can go wrong? Here's the blow by blow account. My comments are near the bottom. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_update/failure-configuring-windows-updates-reverting/46f9bc1d-0450-4340-b27a-2d113e40bb5b After about 50+ hours of doing battle with the Windoze 8.0 to 8.1 update monster, it's working. I then burn most of day loading it with the usual collection of IP TV and video software. Amazingly, they all seem to work correctly. After that hassle, what else can go wrong? As I repack the display to haul it home, I notice that the kickstand in back does not allow mounting the display perfectly vertically, as is done with all things TV. It will only tilt back at some angle and will tend to fall forward if positioned vertically. http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/88/81/82/61/0088818261657_AV2_500X500.jpg If I put anything under the rear "foot", the screen will fall over. There are no VESA 75 or 100 mounting screws on the back. Bummer. It appears that I'm stuck and can't use this all-in-one abomination as a TV. Unless someone has a better suggestion, I'll probably fabricate some kind of ugly bracketry to mount it vertically. Grumble... -- Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558 |
#2
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
There must be something you can do with velcro and cable ties. That and some 555s and you can rule the world.
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#4
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
Tap Plastics is a much better way to build a nice stand.
But given the other problems, use it to drive a cheap used 16:9 monitor. e.g., http://www.ebay.com/itm/261534318984 |
#5
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
On 9/13/2014 12:12 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Fri, 12 Sep 2014 22:19:19 -0700 (PDT), wrote: Yet another curiosity is the built in camera. With the computer tilted back on its kickstand in somewhat tilted back operating position, the elevation of the camera is pre-aimed to point to where the users face would normally be expected to appear. However, when operated vertically, as I plan to do, it shows from my neck down to my waist, without any means of adjustment. Probably good enough, as long as you don't have any identifying tattoos! :-) Mikek |
#6
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 13:02:12 -0500, amdx wrote:
On 9/13/2014 12:12 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote: On Fri, 12 Sep 2014 22:19:19 -0700 (PDT), wrote: Yet another curiosity is the built in camera. With the computer tilted back on its kickstand in somewhat tilted back operating position, the elevation of the camera is pre-aimed to point to where the users face would normally be expected to appear. However, when operated vertically, as I plan to do, it shows from my neck down to my waist, without any means of adjustment. Probably good enough, as long as you don't have any identifying tattoos! :-) Mikek Naw, it's the beer paunch that bothers me (except that I don't drink beer). Oddly, I've gained only about 4 pounds in the last 10 years, but my waist has grown about 4 inches. During approximately the same period, I've lost about 1.5 inches in height. I can't believe that spinal compression would have such a big effect, but there it is. Strange, but that also explains why my weight loss program didn't reduce my waist line. I do have some tattooed dots in the camera area. They were targets for the high energy x-ray beam used for cleaning up the mess after prostate cancer surgery. My full length zipper scar from a triple heart bypass is more interesting and photogenic.[1] Back on topic... HP was good enough to supply an animated video of how to tear the computer apart: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03686988&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en The immediate problem is that the rear kickstand is attached only to the plastic case, and not to the main chassis. At 13.2 lbs, I think this is a necessity, especially with only 2 screws holding the rear panel in place. I could add a backing plate, but without a means to secure it to the chassis, it's going to break. This project is not looking good[2]. [1] Standard bad joke: I have no heart... it's been bypassed. [2] Why don't computer "reviews" discuss ergonomic and usability problems like these? At best, I get a description of how difficult it was to extract from the box and packing material. -- Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558 |
#7
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
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#8
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
On 9/13/2014 1:40 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 13:02:12 -0500, amdx wrote: On 9/13/2014 12:12 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote: On Fri, 12 Sep 2014 22:19:19 -0700 (PDT), wrote: Yet another curiosity is the built in camera. With the computer tilted back on its kickstand in somewhat tilted back operating position, the elevation of the camera is pre-aimed to point to where the users face would normally be expected to appear. However, when operated vertically, as I plan to do, it shows from my neck down to my waist, without any means of adjustment. Probably good enough, as long as you don't have any identifying tattoos! :-) Mikek Naw, it's the beer paunch that bothers me (except that I don't drink beer). Oddly, I've gained only about 4 pounds in the last 10 years, but my waist has grown about 4 inches. During approximately the same period, I've lost about 1.5 inches in height. I can't believe that spinal compression would have such a big effect, but there it is. Strange, but that also explains why my weight loss program didn't reduce my waist line. I do have some tattooed dots in the camera area. They were targets for the high energy x-ray beam used for cleaning up the mess after prostate cancer surgery. My full length zipper scar from a triple heart bypass is more interesting and photogenic.[1] Yours is interesting and photogenic, but this young lady had an artist do a fabulous job on a scar that I don't understand the origin of. http://humorcamp.com/view/6000/ Careful, easy to waste an hour on this site, or has it been two. Mikek |
#9
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 20:13:04 -0500, amdx wrote:
Yours is interesting and photogenic, True, but the shock effect is fading. For some time after the surgery, I was into "flashing" my friends and acquaintances. When the general reaction went from "wow, that's cool" to "yech, that's disgusting", I stopped. I was going to attach a zipper to the scar on the occasion of a follow up visit to the cardiologist, but chickened out when I was warned that he has little sense of humor about his work. but this young lady had an artist do a fabulous job on a scar that I don't understand the origin of. http://humorcamp.com/view/6000/ Spinal fusion surgery for scoliosis: http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/scoliosis/scoliosis-surgery Not fun but often necessary. I know someone that went through it. Careful, easy to waste an hour on this site, or has it been two. Thanks but I only found one item of interest: http://www.amazon.com/Knit-Your-Own-Easy-Follow/dp/1579128939 A friend does knitting and has a cat that hates me. That should get their attention. More of the same: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594745250/ If you don't hear from me for a while, you can guess what happened. -- Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558 |
#10
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
Jeff Liebermann wrote:
After about 50+ hours of doing battle with the Windoze 8.0 to 8.1 update monster, it's working. 50 hours * your standard shop rate = the most expensive 20" LCD TV in the world. I guess you can write some of it off to learning how to do the 8.0-8.1 upgrade, in case one of your paying customers asks you to do that. I then burn most of day loading it with the usual collection of IP TV and video software. I don't know if there is good Linux IPTV software, but somewhere around the 4th hour, I think I would have booted a Linux live CD and tried VLC... VLC can play damn near everything else I've thrown at it. Grumble... I have a new-to-me Dell Optiplex with Win7 that I'm about to bring up to date. Luckily I have the original Win7 install disc and an image backup of the as-installed HD, in case things go completely wrong. Matt Roberds |
#11
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
On Sun, 14 Sep 2014 06:33:24 +0000 (UTC), wrote:
Jeff Liebermann wrote: After about 50+ hours of doing battle with the Windoze 8.0 to 8.1 update monster, it's working. 50 hours * your standard shop rate = the most expensive 20" LCD TV in the world. Yep. However, that was about 50+ hours elapsed time. I was working on other stuff at the same time. If I had to bill for that wasted exercise, it would be about 20 hrs at $75/hr. I guess you can write some of it off to learning how to do the 8.0-8.1 upgrade, in case one of your paying customers asks you to do that. I've done the 8.0 to 8.1 update at least 10 times without incident. This one was unusual. What apparently happened was that the original factory 8.0 install didn't have any updates installed. The computer then sat in it's box for about 4 or maybe 5 months during which time Microsoft had issued a fairly large number of updates. When it came time to do the 8.0 to 8.1 update, it first insisted that I catch up on all those missed updates before allowing me to install 8.1. Mine is not to reason why but my guess(tm) is that when Microsoft discovered that many users either didn't bother updating to 8.1 or couldn't figure out how because it initially required logging into a Microsoft account on the computer in order to do the download. So, they just kept issuing updates for 8.0 as if it were a separate product instead of a long forgotten early release. So, instead of a few updates to the original install, the number of updates was far larger than expected. I guess(tm) that Microsoft hadn't bothered to test if such a large number could be installed at one time. Oddly, it didn't break during the actual install. That went smoothly. It was after the reboot, when it was "configuring Windoze" that the problems appeared. I then burn most of day loading it with the usual collection of IP TV and video software. I don't know if there is good Linux IPTV software, but somewhere around the 4th hour, I think I would have booted a Linux live CD and tried VLC... VLC can play damn near everything else I've thrown at it. I have a really awful combination of media players and computers running media player and server software. For Linux, I use XMBC and Plex. For Netflix, I use a Roku 2 XS. I also have an MVIX Utlio Pro, an old Roku 1, and two WD Media Players. Throw in several NAS boxes, a pile of 1GB USB drives full of videos, and various DVR's, and we have a media mess. Also, a Raspberry Pi running XMBC and a promising experiment at turning a Chromebook into a Linux based media player. The search for video nirvana never ends. I have a new-to-me Dell Optiplex with Win7 that I'm about to bring up to date. Luckily I have the original Win7 install disc and an image backup of the as-installed HD, in case things go completely wrong. Dell installs are very easy as long as you have the original Dell install DVD. The big problem with media players and servers for me is the noise made by the fan and hard disk(s). The large box Dell Optiplex 755 and 960 machines are my favorite because of the single humongous fan they use, which rotates slowly and makes hardly any noise. However, the video cards are a problem. I've had to settle on slow and inferior video cards in order to get one that doesn't have a fan. Good luck on your setup. -- Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558 |
#12
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
On Sat, 13 Sep 2014 19:30:36 -0400, "Maynard A. Philbrook Jr."
wrote: In article , says... There must be something you can do with velcro and cable ties. That and some 555s and you can rule the world. now wait a minute, it is most likely more energy efficient over the old antique computers, so this would constitute using a 7555 timer. Jamie You're behind the times. Every generation has it's own universal solutions. During the tail end of the 19th century, everything was held together with baling wire. When the automobile appeared in the beginning of the 20th century, they were held together with sticky goo commonly called "bubble gum". During WWII, advances in consumer chemistry allowed everything to be held together with Scotch tape and cellophane wrap. After WWII, duct tape appeared as the universal fastener. During the space race, Teflon everything was the universal solution. We even had a Teflon president (Reagan). At this point, consumer analog electronics took off, and soon everything had to have a 555 timer inside. That worked well until microprocessors became cheap enough replace analog sub-systems, resulting in the PIC controller becoming the universal solution to all things electronic. That will probably remain true for a few more years, when SoC (system on a chip) devices start to take over. However, none of that will help support a computer that can't be mounted vertically. -- Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558 |
#13
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Using an all-in-one computah as a TV
On Saturday, September 13, 2014 10:12:17 AM UTC-7, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
This looks to be a job for Unistrut, scrap metal, 2x4 lumber, and duct tape. Amen to that. You left out coathanger wire, though... Yet another curiosity is the built in camera. With the computer tilted back on its kickstand in somewhat tilted back operating position, the elevation of the camera is pre-aimed to ... my neck down to my waist, without any means of adjustment. That, there's a solution for. Get one of those Fresnel sheet magnifiers, and experiment. Any non-central portion of the magnifier acts like a prism. Find the right region, snip out a small section, and slap it over the tiny little lens. |
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