Ask post: Graphics card conflict?

Possibly a power supply issue? That card needs quite a lot of power.

Whoops, I meant to include that. I've got a brand-new power supply that meets XFX's recommended wattage requirements for non-SLI implementations of this card.

And unfortunately, I can't easily confirm that the card itself works, as I don't have another PCI-e capable computer handy. All I can really say to that end is that the card's fan spins when I boot the machine.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 10:32 PM on March 4, 2008

Also, my PSU has the recommended auxilliary 6v (I think) power jack that the card asks for.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 10:35 PM on March 4, 2008

The long-short-short error usually means that there is no display available. That means that either your card or your slot is fried. If you don't have an AGP card, try using it in another slot. If you have AGP only...then you should try your card in another machine - if it works, your slot is fried.

My board only has one PCI-e x16 slot, so I can't try it in another. But, as I said previously, my previous PCI-e graphics card works fine when I put it... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 10:48 PM on March 4, 2008

Also, on the power issue, the card only needs quite a lot of power under full load; I'm having trouble just booting.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 10:57 PM on March 4, 2008

Maybe try clearing your CMOS?

Tried that, and then some. One of the things I tried previously was updating my BIOS, but the handy-dandy Windows-based BIOS flasher provided by my mobo manufacturer crashed in the middle of programming the main block, corrupting it beyond recovery. So, now I have a fresh new chip, preloaded with the latest BIOS revision, and still the same problem.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 11:35 AM on March 5, 2008

Actually, the idle power for most GPUs is obscenely high.

Doesn't XFX warrantee their cards even if they are used with 3rd party coolers? If so, they might be a little lenient if you bend the shroud back into place.

Still, I meet XFX's recommendations, and it seems safe to assume that those recommendations are sufficient for stability at full load. I know they consume power on a scale rivalling a Vegas casino, but I really... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 11:42 AM on March 5, 2008

By how much does the new power supply exceed your power requirements?

Not much. When I wrote 600 earlier, it was a typo. My PSU is rated at 500 Watts, and XFX recommends 500 Watts or greater for non-SLI, 600 for SLI. I still don't think it should be drawing that much when I'm just starting it up, but maybe I'm wrong.

What is odd to me is that it gives the error, but then does proceed to boot. What happens when it... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 9:19 PM on March 5, 2008

Is the card somehow in SLI mode without a second card being attached?

Given my somewhat limited understanding of SLI, I don't see any way that could happen without the physical SLI connector between two cards. I would think the default would be for non-SLI, anyway.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 9:28 PM on March 5, 2008

As if I didn't expect it already, Abit's forums confirm the beep code I'm getting is a video card error:

7.) 1 long - 2 short(Beep) Display card or monitor connected error

As posted here: http://forum.abit-usa.com/showthread.php?t=97229

Nothing helpful on what the actual problem is, though. This question's probably dead in the water by now, anyway. Arrr.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 12:07 AM on March 6, 2008

If anyone's still following this, I want to mention that the one time I attempted booting it without the auxiliary 6-pin PCI-e power connector plugged into the card, I encountered very different problems, which leads me away from thinking it's a power problem.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 8:26 AM on March 6, 2008

Ask post: How can I speed up my thought processes in a foreign language?

...how would I ever actually get myself to use it comfortably?

Once you're able to speak fluidly and naturally with the more basic vocabulary, slowly start working in a little of the more advanced stuff. Put together a list of words and phrases that are a step above your current comfortable vocabulary level, and make a point to work them into conversation, one at a time. You can continue to repeat this with more and more advanced lists as often as... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 1:38 AM on December 23, 2006 marked best answer

Ask post: Compact flash card capacity

I second mr_silver, counterfeit flash drives that claim to have more space than they actually do are all too common lately. It's a fairly simple trick to make a drive report, say, 256 MB to the OS when it actually has 128. Out of curiosity, where did you buy this drive?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 5:33 PM on December 22, 2006

Ask post: Solution comparable to Windows Media Center

Careful with Beyond TV, it has a nasty reputation for burrowing deep into your system and causing problems.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 5:15 PM on December 22, 2006

Ask post: Linux compatible MP3 player

I can also vouch for Rockbox.

If you're up to the task of making your own, though, this might interest you. Not only Linux-compatible, the player itself is open-source. The kit doesn't come with a screen, but I believe you can rig one up for it.

I swear I saw another one of these somewhere that did have a screen, but I can't find it for the life of me. Sorry.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 6:31 PM on December 21, 2006

Props on swearing off Vista - my SO and I have done the same thing after reading one too many DRM reports.

Good luck with your new player!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 10:38 AM on December 22, 2006

Ask post: How many sides does a circle have?

stevis23: If it only has one side it's a Möbius strip

And if it has a tired sci-fi plot and she-mullets, it's Silent Möbius.

But seriously, I'd say an infinite number of sides is a perfectly acceptable lay description of a circle.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 9:23 PM on December 20, 2006

Ask post: If my computer is a fan heater, when will my fan heater be a computer?

The heat produced by your computer is going to vary depending on what you're doing with it. Right now, doing nothing but reading this question, I can stick my hand behind my box and feel cool air coming out of it. After a few hours of getting my hero on, however, I can reach back there and feel considerably warmer exhaust.

Basically, your two biggest heat-generating components in your computer are your CPU and your video card, and they put out heat proportional to the... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 6:28 PM on December 20, 2006

Ask post: Strange Sensation

I get a sensation very similar to the one you're describing when I first wake up in the morning. If I don't shower within about 15 minutes of waking up, it drives me bloody insane. Might I suggest one of those deep/scalp-cleansing shampoos?

Also, I second the recommendation to read about Trichotillomania. I have an ex who has this, and she always said that's how it felt.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 3:12 PM on December 20, 2006

Ask post: Converting Itunes to non-Apple players

rsanheim has it, pretty much. Hymn first to strip the DRM. Before converting it to, say, MP3 (another lossy format, which will always result in a loss in quality), check first to see if your player can handle un-DRMed AAC tracks. If so, just load up the resulting CRAP-less .mp4 or .m4a file and go. If not, there are plenty of tools for converting AAC to MP3, although the one rsanheim suggested is gonna cost you after 30 days. I use Audacity for a lot of audio-related stuff, but Winamp as well as... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 2:51 PM on December 20, 2006

Ask post: Reading into my cat's nose bumps

Apparently, it depends on the cat. My cat does this all the time, and sometimes she'll actually try to get you to do it back. Unless, of course, she's not in a good mood. Then she'll just bite your nose. I've always interpreted it as a sign of affection; when she wants to sniff something, she just sniffs it. My neighbor's cat, on the other hand, does not do this at all, and had to see it for herself before she'd believe it.

And as long as this is the Happy... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 2:31 PM on December 20, 2006

Ask post: Sharing two monitors with a one-monitor switcher?

Third Synergy, if you don't want to spend money on new hardware. I don't think you're going to be able to do anything with your existing KVM, since it (presumably) has only one video output. I think what krisjohn is describing is hooking two computers up to a single monitor (one via D-Sub and one via DVI), but I'm not sure.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 2:08 AM on December 20, 2006

Ask post: There is one on now! I am sure of it!

Add me to the list of people who may possibly be crazy but hear this noise regardless, even from a considerable distance. Thankfully I've never thought this was a symptom of my dubious mental state, a high school electronics course taught me that this came from the high-frequency vibrations emitted by the flyback transformer, which provides the high voltages needed to operate a picture tube (as well as the origins of its name, and some fun things the school never ought know... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 1:52 AM on December 20, 2006

Ask post: Partitions, windows’ and linux, Oh My!

Alternatively, Ubuntu (with a little tweaking) supports NTFS partitions, though probably not this new Vista flavor. It isn't very stable yet, though. Read more here.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 10:13 PM on December 18, 2006

Ask post: Synch program for iriver T10 2GB

Recent versions of Winamp have fairly diverse PMP support. I still prefer ml_ipod for my iPod, but for other players the default Winamp support works nicely.

On preview, what gergtreble said.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 9:52 PM on December 18, 2006

Ask post: What motivates a person to start an email chain letter?

I was going to comment further on this, but languagehat pretty much summed it up. It's the result of a disproportionately high time:brain ratio. Also boredom.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 9:42 PM on December 18, 2006

Ask post: Name that fish!

A "beta" fish, you say?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 1:04 AM on December 11, 2006

Ask post: Moving Out

The people have asked for more info, and they shall have it!

First of all, yes, I do indeed have a reasonable plan in place for providing for myself.

Secondly, in regards to LeeJay's inquiry, my father and I have a somewhat adversarial relationship. While he'd probably be glad to see me gone, I don't doubt he'd pass up the opportunity to make it difficult. Essentially, what I'm looking for are ways of bringing it up with a relatively low chance of starting an argument.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 9:23 PM on December 7, 2006

Heheh, Justinian, don't think the thought hasn't crossed my mind. I should also point out, as LobsterMitten suggested, my mother is extremely worry-prone. As my relationship with her is not nearly as bad as mine with my father, I'd like not to worry her too much if I can avoid it. (In further response to LobsterMitten, I do have a fairly solid job plan.)

These answers are sounding solid, though, thanks everyone for the help. That said, I'm certainly not closed to further suggestions.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 10:02 PM on December 7, 2006

Ach, this is what the preview button is for, isn't it?

LobsterMitten, yes, I should be able to pack the necessities into my car ('95 Altima, it's no U-Haul but it's got room), and send the rest UPS or somesuch. That said, I wouldn't mind if things went smoothly, since there are a few things I definately won't be able to move right away, and it would be nice if they didn't find themselves on the curb the morning after I left.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 10:09 PM on December 7, 2006

Thanks, everyone, for your advice and input. I plan on trying to talk to them about it this evening, I'll let you know how it turns out.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 3:59 PM on December 8, 2006

Sorry for the delay. Everything went far smoother than I anticipated, thanks for all the advice!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 9:18 PM on December 9, 2006

Ask post: Is it possible to use Skype as a modem?

A note about digital voice compression and data transmission. I have, in situations where Wi-Fi was not available, used my Bluetooth-enabled phone to establish a dial-up connection on a laptop. The phone does have EGPRS, but as far as I can tell the Bluetooth DUN profile is dialing it as a standard voice call over a GSM network (the EGPRS icon never shows). I get the equivalent of between a 16.6k and a 28.8k modem, depending on conditions.

For what it's worth.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 9:43 PM on December 7, 2006

Err... yeah. That'll teach me to skim. Thanks for the clarification, though.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 10:56 PM on December 7, 2006

Ask post: Microsoft Word File Recovery

Also, Word autosave files are typically hidden files prefaced by a $, and then the first few words from your document, which might help when sifting through results.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 9:26 PM on December 7, 2006

Ask post: What Is This Creepy Site Advertising?

Well, between this and another, unrelated Ask MeFi post, I've finally felt compelled to join you fine folks. I've been following this since Luftmensch first showed it to me not long after it was first posted, and have been "playing along at home" if you will. (I'm also Vicious on Sequential's new forum.)

I agree with previous comments on the Magichal and Wayne trails being worth pursuing, but there's one other angle that seems to have been abandoned. Early in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 10:28 PM on October 6, 2006

For what it's worth, the site has a cgi-bin directory too. It's cordoned off, but the presence of one usually indicates some sort of web app. Could just be something the hosting provider put there, though, like the SSL they aren't using.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 1:15 PM on October 7, 2006

So, have we run out of steam? Or have they gotten to everyone who was posting?

I'm still here, and I think I've discovered someth--
...
*static*
...
//NO_SIGNAL
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 12:11 PM on October 9, 2006

"I would follow JackCrenshaw's advice, as he is obvisouly a plant sent by the developers to re-start interest in their ARG."
*Looks at Jack's profile* Just joined today, as interest was dwindling, and his first post was to this thread, with a new direction for us to look in? Suspicious. (Kidding, Jack. Mostly. But it wouldn't kill you to have an alibi.)

However, the only thing Riemann did in his modification of the SWF, if I... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 2:18 PM on October 10, 2006

I think sportbucket might be getting bored.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 12:27 AM on October 11, 2006

Totally a plant.

Assuming for a moment that he is a plant, shouldn't we be looking into his suggestions instead of calling him on it? Not saying he is or not, just that I'd rather not drive him away, especially if he wants to help us.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 12:06 AM on October 12, 2006

Why can't I see any of the Who/What/Why/When/Where/How clues? Does anybody have the site saved with that stuff on there?

Here you go. You might be interested in this modified version of the flash file, too.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 3:00 PM on October 12, 2006

Oops. I almost forgot about the wiki, which has most of the clues we've uncovered so far, compiled into a convenient, searchable, editable repository.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 3:02 PM on October 12, 2006

Hmm, down twice in 24 hours. Maybe they're upgrading their servers, in anticipation of a heavier load? Has anyone checked to see if they're still on that shared server, or if they've moved?

Also, Riemann, how come I'm suddenly getting a 403 error when I try to go to your modified SWF file?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 5:35 PM on October 12, 2006

Would it be best if someone among us with extra disk space and bandwidth (and interest) hosted it?

I've got server space, if needed. Meanwhile, I've posted this composite image of the suspected final state of the site, which I'd originally created a while ago so I could look at all the clues without having to mouse around. Looks like it might actually be useful, yay.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 8:12 PM on October 12, 2006

(And thanks taosbat, I forgot he said "temporarily.")
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 8:13 PM on October 12, 2006

But thanks for the Flickr photo, Spike.

Quite welcome, I'm always glad to help. As for the suggestion, it seems a bit ominous for a church youth group. Plus, why would they host it in Spain, under the name of an Arkansan trucker? Or hide messages in their HTML saying they knew we were watching?

I don't mean to shoot down your theory, it just doesn't quite add up with what we've got. Unfortunately, that seems to be a recurring... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 9:10 PM on October 12, 2006

That is pretty much the height of our annual tarantula migration.

Did you say... tarantula migration? Oh god, it's this!

Well, it is set somewhere in the Southwest...
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 2:32 PM on October 13, 2006

People getting bored with a viral marketing ploy = bad viral marketing ploy.

Well, like I said before, I don't think they planned for it to go down this way.

Maddcovv, last time someone made a claim like that, they were subject to much scrutiny. I'm not saying I don't believe you, and I welcome new clues, but I'd be ready to back that up if I were you.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 12:36 PM on October 18, 2006

So, Taosbat, you and your cats ready to hit the slopes? I hear there's a great new resort in town...

Man, am I ever disappointed. I'll give them one thing, though, none of us saw this coming.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Spike at 11:35 PM on November 14, 2006