Subj : Re: USB lock up - poo! To : Barry Martin From : Ky Moffet Date : Wed Mar 09 2022 11:22:00 BARRY MARTIN wrote: > KM> Used to be you could just swap the logic board (why Maxtors died) > KM> with any of the same model. Then it got to where it had to be > KM> same batch. And now, because platter densities are so high -- > KM> unique to each. Apparently with the right ROM programmer you can > KM> create a match. > > Probably while drive recovery costs so much: more difficult with higher > platter densities (requires more precision mechanical alignment), plus > each unit is unique, so pretty much starting from scratch with each > repair. The cost there is the clean room. Replacing the ROM is about $100. > KM> Yeah, that kind of parts.... problem is, what died in one > KM> probably died in all of the same model about the same time, so > KM> unless you find new old stock, parts generally don't exist. > Hey: whne recoving the unit may as well build from scratch too! LOL, start over! > KM> That's how most of the "parts only" items are -- $35 shipping for > KM> a two ounce item that sells for some arbitrary price slightly > KM> below used-and-working price. This makes it obvious it's not > KM> actually "parts" but "junk" and either a scam, or drug sales > KM> under cover of "parts". > > "Look inside specially marked packages for a surprise!" https://xkcd.com/325/ Or.... https://xkcd.com/576/ > Right: seems a lot of people are taking advantage of supply chain issues > and so increasing the price on used items which used to be sold at (say) > half the price of new because currently the new is being delayed -- the > used stuff can be had now. Yeah, there was a major spike for a while, but it seems to be leveling out. > > "worked fine last time I used it but unable to test so selling as > > parts-only". > KM> Those exist, but are very rare, and invariably are offered by > KM> people who are NOT regular sellers of whatever-it-is. > That would be me if I ever get into selling off some of the old stuff. Or... powers up, no way to test it. Those rarely sell, tho. > KM> Likewise people who specialize in server parts, or are otherwise > KM> specialized like HDs or RAM, usually legitimately test 'em. (Tho > KM> one is notorious for resetting HD EPROM to show zero hours and > KM> selling as new. Don't really care because they warranty 'em well > KM> enough, and if I buy from them usually I'm looking for something > KM> older anyway.) > > The resetting of the hours seems like it should be a red flag but then > if they're warranting based on their zero hours guess problems fall back > on them. So far seems to be working out for both sides of the cash > register. Yep... just go there knowing it's probably an old used drive, but in good condition. But if you need a known-good IDE drive, there aren't many options anymore. So tested and zero'd and sold as "new" beats not finding if you need it. I've got a few of theirs with mumble-years of service, so can't complain. > > KM> But if it were someone selling random everything out of a > KM> warehouse? nope, won't be tested and would be a crapshoot. (But > KM> probably working just because most computer parts are fairly hard > KM> to kill, so if priced very right, and a tough component like RAM, > KM> might consider anyway.) > > Right: RAM and CPU are more electronic than mechanical and so probably > difficult to damage. Hard drives are more mechanical so more of an > issue with wear. Fans - pretty much pure mechanical and unless > desperate I wouldn't bother buying used. Wear and more, being drop-kicked. Fans get tired and used aren't worth the trouble, agreed there. > > > > KM> Oh yeah, I first noticed this about 18 years ago. Since I was > > KM> getting the occasional inquiry about my Tyan S1830S mainboards... > > KM> I checked prices and found the average was about $250, if you > > KM> could find one (they were a server board and uncommon in the > > KM> consumer market). Except for one vendor who ALWAYS had one for > > KM> sale, for $5000. And it would occasionally be marked "Sold" but > > KM> then would immediately be listed again. This went on for about > > KM> ten years before they moved on to some other item. > > Amazing how all the buyers backed out! > KM> Or that they have dozens available of this very rare board! > > Well y'know that crate that's been sittin' in the corner with all that > dust on it? WEll, someone finally got around to openin' it and guess > wha'?! It's a miracle!! > > KM> There are exactly two listed on eBay right now: > > KM> https://www.ebay.com/itm/185277348567?epid=74079715&hash=item2b236 > KM> 3fad7:g:xB8AA > KM> SwFaNh-J-r > KM> This looks like someone who works off the back dock of an > KM> electronics recycling center. That's about the going price for > KM> this board (even tho it was made in 1998). > > I think the county's electronics recycling facility does recover and > sell some items it takes in, but AFAIK it identifies itself. ...Well, > did a quick search and Scott County Iowa is present and has items but > they're generally vintage postcards, maps, etc. > > > KM> And here's one for 20x the price: > KM> https://www.ebay.com/itm/400329643563?hash=item5d3581962b:g:vGAAAO > KM> xy~iJRAWeb > > "Seller refurbished" might mean they tested and replaced some parts > like aging electrolytic capacitors or could just mean they air dusted > and dipped in solvent to make shiny and pretty again. "Seller refurbished" means just made-shiny or nothing much, it never means what it's supposed to, ie. made good as new including accessories. So unless it's the original vendor doing it (like the Huion lightbox I bought for cheap) it's just noise for "probably works". > KM> Note that despite listing all sorts of electronic junk (some at > KM> fair prices, some at ridiculous prices, like a $900 battery that > KM> goes for $50, or a server rack for $700 that's basically scrap > KM> iron) they've only got two feedbacks less than a year old. > KM> Whether this is the actual company > KM> https://berkcom.com/pages/about-us or someone piggybacking on the > KM> name and not legit? Hard to say. I sent 'em an email and asked. So far no response. > I might also get a little suspcious when seeing a thousand ratings at > 5.0 -- _everybody_ is perfectly happy?? Haha, yep. So I mostly read the negative feedback, it's a lot more informative. > > KM> But I've seen probably a dozen vendor names over the years, > KM> offering this particular board for $5000ish. > > So you're picking onn this one seller with super-low overhead as he live > sin his parents' basement, works at the recycling facilty, snuck out > this board.... LOL, that. > > > > Now nor that heatsink.... Spray paint and make a paperweight? If the > > > fins are long enough could hold up notes! > > KM> I was thinking use 'em as caltrops, but that works too. :) > > My little AMD ones aren't even going to tickle! > KM> I'm sure they can be sharpened.... > > Watch where you're stepping, it's pokey down there. > > "He was born on page 34"..... > KM> LOL, something like that. > KM> http://www.doomgold.com/writing/characterchart2.html > Aiy! I'd need a chart to read the book! Well, mostly there's no more than 3 or 4 present at a time... and frequently just one. > > KM> And that's not complete, just who I remembered off the top of my > KM> head when I took a notion to do this. Reload to return it to > KM> default order. Some of the weird entries are to force sorting > KM> since blanks don't work right. > > I scanned through and say "zzz" which I figured was a placeholder. Some Yep, cuz otherwise blank lines sort first and that's not useful when a whole bunch of 'em would otherwise be blank. > sort utilities don't always play nice with blank fields, or like the > incident I had in college doing keypunch: my cards were right (well, for > this example!) but the programmer didn't put in the 'clear field' so if > Card #1 had a second address line ("Apartment 123") it would print out > (correct), but if Card 2 did not have a second address line (because it > was a house) then it would print out with "Apartment 123". Computer guy > said it was me, I checked and tested, then proved to him it was his error, > he still said it was me. I got a meeting together with him, my boss, > his boss's secretary (a V.P.).... It did not turn out well for the > computer guy. OOOPS!!! > > KM> What's that tool for showing all the IP addresses on the local > > KM> network? > > nc / netcat ? > > nmap -sn ? > KM> Well, not in Windows... > ipconfig /all should work for starters. ...Though the way things are > phrased in the summary doesn't seem right Only provides info for the local machine. I've tried the map network tool and it's goofy. > arp -a ...This sounds familiar. Not to me! > > KM> Techhole video (linked): "I'm not a production environment, I'm a > > KM> basement." > > Not all discoveries are made in formal settings! > KM> Sometimes the discovery is "The Closet is Full." > ..Argh! I can't recall the name of the storage company: they'll put a > metal storage container on the property. They'll also ship the > container to another site. Pods. Looked into 'em when I moved. Storage was all done in Seattle which meant too much risk of mold if the container isn't perfectly airtight. Customer service was crap, tho I hear it's since improved. The problem with shipping to another site is that you still might need to contract with a local trucker... that wasn't included when I checked into it. > > > Haha! A nice bit of humour with the cartoon of the strongman bending the > > > pipe. > > KM> Just don't wrap it around yourself. > > Do not wrap in something your assistants can not unwrap you out of! > KM> Hahaha nope, don't do that. Even if you're an Evil Overlord. > > I'm not evil, I just had a bad day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gaqHi6--U8 :D þ RNET 2.10U: ILink: Techware BBS þ Hollywood, Ca þ www.techware2k.com --- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462 * Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com | 856-933-7096 (454:1/1) .