Random Question Thread: Tech

**Jakson** · 2011-02-21 00:41

Do CAT extenders for HDMI work very well? I have about 75-100 feet from my computer to my living room TV and I bought 100 ft of HDMI from Monoprice but it doesn't work (comes out all sparkly and warped). If CAT extenders transmit 1080 and sound, then I'll give that a try. I didn't ask before about long length HDMI cable because the page on it on Monoprice makes it sound like it'll work when I it didn't

**Isiolia** · 2011-02-21 09:23

Originally Posted by Shadowhusky

So I got a free laptop and there's some weird shit on the screen (no idea what it is). I tried using my soft cloth and cleaner on it but that didn't take it off, even with a bit of force. Is there something else I could use to maybe get it off without destroying the screen?

Is it something actually on the screen, or is it an anti-glare layer starting to scrape off or the like? It's pretty common to see marks from keys on a laptop screen, but they're usually scratches, not gunk you can wipe off.

Normally the only thing I use is diluted isopropyl (which is, effectively, what those tiny bottles of "LCD cleaner" consist of if you read the label), which sounds like what you're already trying.

**Mafai** · 2011-02-21 11:40

Originally Posted by Yabby

What was the program that people used to auto login to POL? I can't find it for the life of me for a project i wanted to try.

http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/889...gin%20automate

**Arximiro** · 2011-02-21 13:04

So I have this monitor.
http://www.lg.com/us/computer-produc...E2350VR-SN.jsp

My question is if I was to use a HDMI cable from my graphics card to the monitor, then plug my speakers into the monitor, would the monitors audio output be powerful enough to power my speakers/sub properly? I'm not sure on anything when it comes to audio, I don't want to pump too much power into it. It has a headphone jack you can plug speakers/headphones in to output the audio from the HDMI.

**Shadowhusky** · 2011-02-21 13:43

Originally Posted by Isiolia

Is it something actually on the screen, or is it an anti-glare layer starting to scrape off or the like? It's pretty common to see marks from keys on a laptop screen, but they're usually scratches, not gunk you can wipe off.

Normally the only thing I use is diluted isopropyl (which is, effectively, what those tiny bottles of "LCD cleaner" consist of if you read the label), which sounds like what you're already trying.

I don't think it's the anti-glare layer.

**Mafai** · 2011-02-21 13:52

Originally Posted by Arximiro

So I have this monitor.
http://www.lg.com/us/computer-produc...E2350VR-SN.jsp

My question is if I was to use a HDMI cable from my graphics card to the monitor, then plug my speakers into the monitor, would the monitors audio output be powerful enough to power my speakers/sub properly? I'm not sure on anything when it comes to audio, I don't want to pump too much power into it. It has a headphone jack you can plug speakers/headphones in to output the audio from the HDMI.

Don't subs usually have their own power source?

At least mine do, then the speakers plug into the sub, which in turn powers the speakers.

**Arximiro** · 2011-02-21 14:23

Originally Posted by Mafai

Don't subs usually have their own power source?

At least mine do, then the speakers plug into the sub, which in turn powers the speakers.

Yeah the speakers hook into the sub which plugs into the wall. What I meant was audio output, would the little headphone jack on the back of the monitor provide the same quality or close to my on-board sound. Not looking for surround sound capabilities of course, just stereo sound. I wasn't sure if the speakers were too powerful for that little jack, or if that is even a possibility.

**Isiolia** · 2011-02-21 14:46

Most likely, it'll downmix to 2 channel output (HDMI conversion usually does). Quality...I dunno. Normally I'd figure that HDMI audio will be better than onboard, since you're using a digital signal out from the PC...but in this case the DAC is whatever is built into the monitor.

In terms of power output, I'd assume that the headphone jack on the monitor is likely within the same general spec as your onboard sound output. If your speakers work fine from that, they should be fine from the monitor's headphone jack. They should only need line-level output anyway.

**Cephius** · 2011-02-22 09:59

I know some people asked about SSDs earlier and Isiolia mentioned the new OCZ drives coming soon, well here is a nice preview of it along with some specs and a sneak peek. Once these come out, the prices of the older ones should see a significant price drop.

**sruon** · 2011-02-22 10:48

It's the same link Isiolia posted. :D

**Cephius** · 2011-02-22 11:06

So it is! Oh well, point remains

**Mici** · 2011-02-22 11:28

Edit: Ok, so just found out AT&T just started having some android phones. So my questions about Windows7 phones are moot.

**Isiolia** · 2011-02-22 11:48

WP7 is supposed to be decent, albeit a work in progress. There should be a couple big updates this year, the first of which is next month. The one later in the year is supposed to be more substantial.

3GS is not worth going for. The main cost with a smartphone is what it costs per month for the plan, not what you can walk out of the store for. A 3GS may only be $49 with a contract, compared to $199 for a 4, but you'll wind up paying what, a couple thousand over the next couple years to carry either one. May as well get the more up to date hardware that's more likely to continue to get updated OS revisions.

Could also consider an Android based phone as well.

Far as I know, most carriers will require a smartphone data plan regardless of the platform, so you'll increase your monthly costs with any.

**bungiefan** · 2011-02-23 00:29

I got a laptop BluRay drive, but I only have a desktop to plug it into. The SATA power plug on it is shorter than the data plug, instead of the other way around. I'm looking for something to adapt the plug so I can attach it to my desktop, which doesn't have BluRay. Does such a thing exist? My Google-fu is failing to return the desired results.

**sruon** · 2011-02-23 05:10

Have a picture? SATA 2.5" (generally one big cable containing both data and power) should adapt just fine on 3.5" cables (1 data + 1 power)

**Isiolia** · 2011-02-23 08:54

Originally Posted by sruon

Have a picture? SATA 2.5" (generally one big cable containing both data and power) should adapt just fine on 3.5" cables (1 data + 1 power)

^ For HDDs it's usually the same connector, the one big cable is just both of 'em fused together.

Laptop optical drives often have a connector on the back that's somewhat specific to the machine it goes into, particularly if it can just pop out. Sometimes it's just an adapter that you can take off the back of it though.

**Aja** · 2011-02-23 11:43

Would an ATI Radeon HD 6850 be a reasonable upgrade from a Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT? Used for FFXI mainly. If pc specs are needed I can post them later when I'm on home pc. Thanks.

**Mafai** · 2011-02-23 11:48

FFXI is processor intensive not video card. I doubt you will see a big performance increase with a video card upgrade.

**Senji** · 2011-02-23 11:50

Yes, but it wont improve ffxi. Your 9800 should be pushing max settings.

**Aja** · 2011-02-23 12:02

ok, thanks^^ I'll just stick with this then. Just a few places where I get a lot of lag from so I'll just have to deal with it.

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