Direct MP3 Download: Podnutz Daily #50 – Optiplex Power Cord
Dell Computer
Slim design of Dell OptiPlex SX270 due to power supply within power cord.
Symptom: No power to the unit. Is it the cord or the motherboard?
Checked online for what the voltage out leads should be
Tested each lead of the power supply with the Volt Meter
Power supply tested much less or zero
Tip: Tested DC probably should have tested AC
New power supply did not solve the issue.
Compaq Desktop
Fans in high speed and no video.
Removed video card to engage the onboard video
Still no video. No POST
Tip: Strip everything you can off of the motherboard one at a time and by
process of elimination to see if the board acts the same
(swap out RAM, pull out pci modem; ect.)
Check for physical damage of blown capacitors on the board as well
EverNote (Web Version)
Cool feature: Character recognition within graphics
http://evernote.com/
iPod Nano Contest
Get someone to subscribe to the podcast by Friday August 8th!
5 Bonus points: Trivia Question released for more chances to win!
VoiceMail from Simon Zerafa:
(Simon offers LOTS of great help in the Forums)
http://www.podnutz.com/forums/
He calls with help for Dan in New Britian
who has a Dell that cannot find the boot device
Tips:
Change the cable from CS cable to a standard IDE cable
Bios may be confused
Find the latest version flash updates for the drives
Replace the CMOS battery
VoiceMail from Eric with update on Dell Laptop with malware/virus:
He decided not to run drive as slave to clean for fear of infecting his machine
Tried the Ultimate Boot CD for the first time instead.
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
It gives you tools to do anything you need! He loved it!
Email from William covers several topics
Skype:
Try using a static port
Use QOS feature on your router to prioritize Skype traffic.
Alternatives to canned air:
Use a ShopVac to suck out the chunks of dust
and reverse the flow to blow out the machine
Benefit: The air is filtered before it is released
Use a toothpick or pencil to stop a fan from spinning while you blow it out.
Tip: If you blow out the large chunks instead of vaccuming them
you save wear and tear on your filter. Use different sized hoses.
Flashing the BIOS
To flash the bios run flashcd.iso
http://www.bootdisk.com/plan30/flashcd.zip
How to handle co-workers wanting personal tesh support:
Inform them that it is a conflict of intrest with the comapny that you work for
and you are not to work on any systems of co-workers.
However, if they find you on their own via advertising or the web
Treat them as a new customer.
Email from John:
LogMeIn Free not secure for remote tech support??
I explain a little further why I felt LogMeIn was a security risk for this type of use.
http://www.logmein.com
Email from Ray:
How did your Dad use Knoppix to recover data /backup the hard drive?
I explain further why I use Knoppix and how I use it.
http://www.knoppix.net/
Twitter from Fostenics:
Free remote software Team Viewer
http://www.teamviewer.com/index.aspx
Email from Fishy:
Fishy uses a portable air compressor to blow out computers ($60-$80)
Can be noisey when charging but like having five cans of compressed air.
Tip: Set compressor at 35psi for a safe airflow
Skype Call from Joe:
Ease of backing up drivers using net-runna
http://www.net-runna.com/Products/netrunnaDriverBackup/tabid/247/Default…
Easy to use! Backs up all of the drivers to a folder.
Roll them all in via device manager.
