Everything looks good from here... Yes. Yes, this is a fertile land, and we will thrive. We will rule over all this land, and we will call it... 'This Land.' I think we should call it 'your grave!' Ah, curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal! Ha ha HA! Mine is an evil laugh! Now die! Oh, no, God! Oh, dear God in heaven!

Wash ,'Serenity'


Buffistechnology 3: "Press Some Buttons, See What Happens."

Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!


Vonnie K - Mar 19, 2007 2:15:22 am PDT #913 of 25496
Kiss me, my girl, before I'm sick.

I was using IR for channel change before, but because it was having trouble changing channels properly, I'd switched to serial cable several weeks ago. So, not the IR.

Hmmm. I'm trying to remember if the problem started before or after I switched to serial cable. Around the same time, I think.


Theodosia - Mar 19, 2007 2:33:36 am PDT #914 of 25496
'we all walk this earth feeling we are frauds. The trick is to be grateful and hope the caper doesn't end any time soon"

The sensor I'm talking about is the "eye" on the front of the TiVo -- the peanut blasts a little IR beam at the eye (which is why it works better if you aim directly at the TiVo). But the serial connector might be somehow messing up the IR eye function, so it would be quite worth it to try reconnecting!


Jon B. - Mar 19, 2007 10:32:08 am PDT #915 of 25496
A turkey in every toilet -- only in America!

Firefox users might like this add-on -- never lose a post again! -- [link]


le nubian - Mar 19, 2007 11:04:11 am PDT #916 of 25496
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."

folks, I have never ever taken apart a computer (except my Tivo), and I am thinking of putting a wireless card in it. I have a Dell Desktop 'puter. Is it difficult to put such a card in?

If I don't want to do it myself, how can I get someone to install the card?


tommyrot - Mar 19, 2007 11:10:34 am PDT #917 of 25496
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

It's not difficult. You need to be a little careful so you don't transmit any static electricity to the card or motherboard. (Generally I turn the computer off but leave it plugged in, and then ground myself to the case before I handle any components. You handle the card by the edge, but not the edge with the contacts on it.) There is a blank metal strip that you'll have to remove to make room for the card - it's either held on by a screw or you'll have to break and pry it out. When you put the card in, you have to make sure it's lined up. Then you push it in - it might take a little force.

I've never put a wireless card into a desktop computer - is there usually an external antenna? The antenna is pre-attached, right?


le nubian - Mar 19, 2007 11:14:28 am PDT #918 of 25496
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."

your guess is as good as mine. I have no idea. maybe this is a bad idea?


tommyrot - Mar 19, 2007 11:17:20 am PDT #919 of 25496
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

OK, i googled - there's a tiny antenna on the back of the card (already attached) - when the card is put in the antenna is outside the computer.

Here's an example: [link]


le nubian - Mar 19, 2007 11:26:09 am PDT #920 of 25496
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."

thanks! hmm.


Typo Boy - Mar 19, 2007 12:31:49 pm PDT #921 of 25496
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.

A super-efficient insulating material has a conductivity of 5 mW/mK.

Does anyone know how to translate that into R value per inch?


Sean K - Mar 19, 2007 1:49:16 pm PDT #922 of 25496
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty

le nub, if you were anywhere near downtown LA, I'd happily come over and install it for you for free.