->  WC> I'd like to upgrade the SFX power supply here to a stiff ATX,
->  WC> Guess there's only a single wire difference in the lack of SFX
->  WC> -12 volt rail.

-> SFX is the newest standard? Without a -12V... That would only be used in the MB
-> anyway, no?                                      

Found in a lot of micro-tower - micro-ATX boards, H.P., Compaq, some
Gateways, ect.
The -12 volt was usually only used in the input - output circuits   
at the back of the computer for external peripherals.

->  WC> Then I could then fearlessly load up this H.P. with two hard
->  WC> drives and a CD-ROM writer.

->  -> That was the ground-centre tap you touched then.

->  WC> Ground on the the base of the flyback trnasformer
->  WC> and oscilator 11 amp supply driving the external coil.

-> OUCH! That'll do it.                              

It did.

->  WC> Shock was quite severe and I recall an extremely pure blue
->  WC> lighting bolt like flash directly in my brain
->  WC> that bypassed my eyesight.
->  WC> It was then that I disassembled the infernal device.

-> LOL! You bypassed the hand-ground circuit, and went straight to the hand-hand,
-> with the heart and brain inconveniently in the way. O-8=

Ground on leg, one hand on side of head.

-> Like most kids that loved to do things they weren't supposed to, the worst
-> shock I ever gave myself was 120V AC hand to hand. It threw me, so the heart
-> didn't get much.
                                        
I've gotten worse, still here.

->  ->  ->  ->  WC> I've heard Antec  spoken well of.
->  ->  ->
->  WC> www.pricewatch.com
->  WC> offers up some interesting bare bones systems
->  WC> with a variety of non-proprietary name brand Motherboards.
->  WC> Asus, Abit, Gigabyte, ect.

-> Ya, the PCChips MBs here have lost their novelty, and the Matsonic with the
-> buggered BIOS needs to go too. Maybe next year. We have to watch up here with
-> our exchange rate and duty surcharges. We used to have an advertiser sponsored
-> publication that usually could fess up pretty competitive prices, but I haven't
-> seen it on the stands for some time now. )-:

->  WC> You can purchase ANTEC cases with and without PS at
->  WC> www.compusa.co, but that sourvce is pricey.

-> Ah, that's it! The 3 cases here are pretty good. I'd like a front panel USB
-> connection or four, but I can purchase a kit to give me that through a floppy
-> panel. Nothing a Dremel couldn't fix. 

My kind of tinkering.

->  -> Figured as much. My Spaniel-Terrier had a busted tenon
->  -> when he chased a shepard
->  -> pup, and the pup stopped running. When he put the brakes on so hard, the
->  -> passenger side-rear line let go.

->  WC> Heard that's painful and painful to treat as well.

-> It was an ordeal. Poor fellow had a floppy leg until we wired him up to a piece
-> of silastic (or some such) material. He was hobbled for about a week, but
-> recovered faster and better than I expected. This guy was like a cinder block
-> on four legs.     

And you think a Pit Bull isn't 

->  ->  WC> I eat a lot of rehydrated beans, rice, dried peas, carrots
->  -> prepared in a
->  ->  WC> pressure cooker with a bit of sausage and soy sauce for flavor.
->  ->  WC> Nariety I don't get much of due to the carry weight travel
->  ->  WC> factor.

->  -> That's right. You're on the bus! It sounds like you're eating
well enough
->  -> though. Simple prep too, no less.

->  WC> That's a big deal too, if it can't be prepared fast in either
->  WC> the pressure cooker or the iron skillet it doesn't get
->  WC> prepared. Standing up isn't too fun there last few years.
->  WC> Not weight related just spinal damage.

-> Dad took over an hour to prep some liver the other day. If I couldn't spend
-> most of that time on a couch, it just wouldn't be done. I too have rediscovered
-> a few rice dishes. Simmer some water, and remove it 40 minutes later. Just my
-> speed. Love to toss all sorts of stuff into it, and rarely does it not taste
-> better than a restaurant.  

You can do baked potatoes in a pressure cooker in 30 minute that'll
fall apart at the touch of a fork.
Energy efficient too, high heat for a few minutes until pressure builds,
turn it way back down than depressurise with the burner off when done
and you're good to go.
I like the Presto brand for their fail safe safety system.
Never had a problem with one.

-> Besides, to sit at a table is out of the question, on all but my best days, and
-> I hate to squander that time doing nothing but eating. I went to the library
-> yesterday, and I asked if there was a place I could lounge a little. I was
-> forced to stand the whole time.
   
Same here, standing preferable to sitting but neither is much fun.

->  -> there lately. My current work-boots and walking shoes
->  -> were from dumpster dives.
->  -> Those were the days. 

->  WC> Bet I'm harder to fit than you, size 15's 

-> Bet you're right too!  I'm an average size 10. You'd have
to custom order
-> then?

Used to buy from King Size Corp in Brockton Mass but now they're
available in many shops.
Got the last two pair at Payless.

->  ->  WC> Saw a B&W LASER printer somewhere for 200 new.

->  -> Wa? Must be a "Win-printer". Everything on a consumer
->  -> grade level just seems to
->  -> be built to last through the warranty. 

I think it's a real printer that does postscript, if it does that it'll
do DOS and Linux.

->  ->  -> Sure glad we have a free recycling program here! [-|{

->  ->  WC> This machine is a recycle from an aggrevated owner who tossed

-> Well, we tend to owe a great thanks to Bill Gates really. If it wasn't for the
-> Blue Screen of Death, we might NEVER upgrade. [-;

Seen the last of that, thanks Linus T. 

->  WC> Since the economy took a dive I'm not seeing them tossed
->  WC> anymore :-( Last catches were a 19 inch CRT monitor with
->  WC> nothing wrong and dirt simple onscreen setup
->  WC> Another 17 inch Compaq CRT has one of the most PITA interative
->  WC> on screen setup arrangement I've ever seen.
->  WC> It's setup pretty well but needs tweaking.

-> Nice!!! I picked up a couple of dinosaur 21" second hand.
They'll burn a bit of
-> juice, but the last one also takes RGB input. I just wonder how much they were
-> new. I think I payed $60 for the newer of my two, an Hitachi. The other is an
-> NEC.                               

Hitachi is well made, I'll spare you my views on NEC.
Hit, might be worth the effort to remove the case and see if the foam
pad on the back of the circuit board mounted CRT socket is distorting
the shield. ( caused lethal shorts)
I lost one that way but cut the pad in half on the second saving it.
You'll need a long reach phillips screw driver.
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