You Can't Get That Here

Sometimes you just can't win,

Interesting how they give such a detailed description for something you cant even get at Walmart.

Moved To Mandriva

Well anyone who has read my blog know I built a computer for my mom last week, well she wanted to try Linux or as she put it anything BUT microsoft, so after some research and downloads I installed Mandriva, I started out with Ubuntu but there is an issue with XFX motherboards and sata drives not showing up with it, so after about 3 attempts with Ubuntu and different Bios setting I went strictly with Mandriva, Installed first attempt without a hitch. After fine tuning it and such I decided to replace my Ubuntu with it, I have been using Ubuntu for about three years now and I am very comfortable with it. I do like the Mandriva a little better I think. I think it would be an ideal OS for a new user to the world of open source since it basically updates itself and it auto detected all hardware on both installs without a hitch.


One thing I have noticed over the last few years that I have been using Linux is that its become reasonably Bug Free. My laptop still has XP on it I seldom use it for that reason alone, however I think I see more Bugs on that than I do on recent versions of Linux. I know when I first used Red Hat years ago It had compatibility issues and just plain acted buggy once in a while, but once you cleared all that up it was an awesome operating system. But every time manufacturers upgrade hardware and change things it can change the software requirements possibly requiring a software patch, or rewritten code.
Which leads me to this, Mandriva has a hardware detection GUI under configure my desktop that really makes things simple, It even detected my win TV card.

12 Hour Time MANDRIVA

I have seen a lot of people who have asked how to change the time on Mandriva 2009
from 24 hour time to 12 hour format. It is pretty simple you just need to know where to look. First off its not as simple as going to the clock itself you must go to system tools/configure desktop/ then Regional & Language. there you will find a tab that lists date and time format and you must change the time format so it looks like this (pH:MM:SS AMPM) Then once you log out and back on your time will now be in a 12 hour format instead of 24 hour. Hope this helps someone.

One new Computer

I finally have everything needed to put this computer together, This morning I set out to assemble it.



It went pretty smooth without a hitch, I have it up and running now.

It has an AMD Phenom 9500 quad core in it, I do like that.Now all i have to do is fine tune everything straighten wires up and this system is ready to go to work. Well it probably will only play games and surf the internet this system is going to my mom. One other thing, I got some OCZ SLI-ready memory for this build since the motherboard is equiped with SLI (serial presence detect) .

Led Computer Feet

This is the case from the computer build I am doing, I installed the led feet on it and the fans I got from Xoxide. there is nothing else in the case yet I just wanted to see what it looked like with the lights. the feet give it a cool effect.

I used an old power supply to test the fans and lights out.
Putting a jumper in an old power supply for testing purposes is pretty simple and can be done with any short piece of wire.




Just be sure you jump pins 13 and 14.






Cocoa wanted to be sure everyone knew what a "MOLEX" connector was so here she shows us. Its sort of blurry she was in a hurry.

Computer Mod's

I am putting together a new computer for someone and the case has the side windows so I wanted to get a wire sleeve kit to keep everything neat (the electrician in me I suppose) I found what I wanted at Xoxide. I also got some other stuff for myself, the order was placed yesterday morning and I got an email this morning with tracking numbers. To my surprise the shipments out for delivery already and its standard delivery. KUDO's to Xoxide for super fast shipping! Yes they are not real far away from me but I had expected at least 2-3 days for shipping.





These feet are the coolest and I cant wait to see them.

Win A Laptop

This is NOT a paid post just something I thought was worth posting.

I received an email the other day with information on this sweepstakes on Tiger Direct.
Thought it was worth sharing with everyone. Here is the winners list to check if you have won.
I know I would be happy to win one of these even though it is one of the small Idea pads.