Sorry, got antsy waiting for the last post in the old NC thread.

Windows 8 has an interface that is neither fish nor fowl and can be frustrating. However, it also has much better memory management so figure out how to turn off the new UX and you should be fine.

You can skip Metro for the most part with Start8 or some other app. I disliked that you couldn't boot to desktop as a default option. It's still okay-ish but without the big discount it had I'd definitely go with 7, given the option today.

Mountain Lion seems like a step backwards too while we're on the subject. Wi-fi issues in particular and it's definitely the OS not hardware. Apple asked if I could try switching routers as if it was a problem they hadn't heard of before (as it happens I do use my notebook on a number of networks in any given week, at least 3-4). Turn bluetooth off. Yeah, did that, but I actually use bluetooth at time. How about a working patch already? I can deal with all kinds of minor nits but don't screw with connectivity.

I have windows 8 on both my laptop and most recently my desktop and love it. It is great on the laptop and learning to enjoy it on the desktop as well. I don't understand peoples dislike. Definitely a learning curve and helpful to learn a few short cuts, but over all it seems to be better for productivity.

Didn't hate it, just didn't see much point without a touchscreen. Having to make an extra click or two to do certain things adds up after a while, and I didn't see it as better for productivity. What I don't get is how they made this big fuss about an all-in-one OS, yet threw the very pointless RT out there alongside 8.

I can see the potential and future focus, but I wouldn't make a compelling argument for it over a more seasoned Win 7 today for non-touch enabled users. And certainly not to upgrade from 7. Plus, the new UI looks really stupid.

Anyway, anybody know where I can get an extra Magsafe 2 connector for less than $79? Because I am never paying $79 to buy one unless mine breaks. Ever. I like the design but not so much that I'd pay $79 dollars for a power adapter.

Look for a refurbed old adaptor and get the 10 buck converter.

Been spending the morning getting to grips with 8. I don't like the whole gawdy 'app' layout that is taking over everything but I guess I will have to get use to it.

Also, external enclosures for internal harddrives are awesome. Only £4 to extract everything from my completely broken laptop onto my new one.

Is this the new NC thread?

I'm in the market for a new PC monitor. I currently have a 28" HannsG HG281D. I've been having too many problems with it. When I take my computer out of sleep mode it'll constantly flicker to black, and lately it's been getting worse.

For example, just a few minutes ago I was trying to look at a webpage and out of nowhere the screen went black and never came back. I had to do a hard shut down to get it back.

I'm looking for something similar in size, widescreen (if possible - since that's what I have now), HDMI(?) and I'm budgeting $400-$450. I guess something similar to the HannsG without the problems.

Also, without getting long-winded here, the HannsG doesn't seem to have a good lighting. My monitor sits up high on my desk so I'm looking at it at an angle and it throws the colors off a bit. Which also brings me to another point that it'll need to be able to angle down a bit.

So yeah...any suggestions? I've looked at a couple just randomly and it seems like the ones I looked at have very weak bases/stands and that wobbling may be an issue with them.

EDIT: Apparently on Amazon there is a Repair Kit to replace the capacitors. That is probably my problem.

Had a version of that monitor under their I-Inc name, lasted less than a year. These days you can get 27" Korean import jobs with good 2650x1440 panels for under $400. See Shimian, Yamakasi. Most lack HDMI but I thought I saw one coming that had it. Stands aren't as good but the panels themselves are.

I'm looking for some remote tech help on my PC/laptop, which includes HEM issues. Can anyone help or suggest someone who can?

I have been helped by funkyworms and wellju in the past with a lot of succes. Unfortunately the former is hard to get hold of these, days and the latter is in prison

Thanks in advance

My monitor completely crashed yesterday so I went out to Best Buy and bought what seemed like their best one. I picked up the Samsung Series 5 550, looks like model#S27B550.

It came with a VGA to VGA cable, which my graphics card doesn't support. I ended up trying my old HDMI to DVI and the new monitor wouldn't work. I thought it was the cable then. Then I remembered my PS3 has an HDMI so I hooked that in and it works.

The problem is that I have a black border around the screen that I can't figure out how to get rid of. It's like it shrunk everything to make it HD. So I buy a 27" screen and it turns into 24" going into HD.

I hooked up my old monitor with the HDMI cable and it still flickered so I guess I have to stick with a new monitor, but I'm not very impressed with the black border around the edges.

I tried auto sizing and it says not available because I'm using the HDMI. If I got a VGA to DVI cable it would probably go back, but then the screen wouldn't be in HD?

I'm thinking about picking up a cable after work tonight and then returning it if it's crap.

Also...1920x1080.... I'm so used to 1920x1200 or whatever it is.

It sounds like your problem is you need the proper drivers for the monitor. I don't think the cable should be the issue.

At least 2 times in the past I have downloaded the drivers for the old monitor, but over the last few months it has just gotten progressively worse and worse.

I guess the new monitor was just a snap decision because I 'needed' something. I didn't really take the time to figure out what it was that I wanted and ordering something would have meant a week or so.

I'm considering returning the monitor, though. I don't know.

I recently upgraded to win8, and never had this issue with this PC before when I was on win7, when ever the PC sleeps and then wakes up the sound will not work. I'll go to bed, wake up and have no sound. The only way I can fix it is to unplug and then replug the audio cord that goes back into the back of the PC, the green one.

This does not happen on restarts, and I can't recall if it happens after full shut down.

Any ideas on how to fix this? Audio drivers are up to date fwiw.

Surprised how few responses/PM's I have received from my various posts of this nature in this forum and the HEM support thread.

How is there not a market for remote tech support for poker players? I am offering good $ for the services of the more experienced minds of this forum, hopefully on a long-term basis.

It's that simple. PM me.

That's about as close as you can get to offering money for help in this forum. Please don't get any closer. I'd suggest trying the MarketPlace for help or the Software forum.

ItalianFX: If you paid much more than a typical 24" 1920x1080 just take the thing back. It's huge, but the resolution is the same as your typical 22".

FionnMac: There are some people who can do it but tbh tech support is a PITA at any price, and other those capable and willing you need someone who knows HEM too. The Marketplace or Software forums are your best bet like Ko said. Judging by my inbox there's definitely a market beyond yourself though.

Personally I think wellju took the easy way out.

Thanks, although it's not exactly minimum wage, nor is it 'no fix no fee' deal either. I just feel like if one of you guys were more enterprising you could have made a LOT of money over the years from the high stakes community.

Heh, is there a backstory I don't know? Care to explain?

Just joking that he chose jail over doing tech support.

I randomly stumbled upon the problem and how to fix it. Apparently when I hooked up to the HDMI, the Catalyst settings added an 8% Underscan. All I had to do was reduce that to 0 and it stretched it back to the entire width/height of the monitor.

I'm much happier now...and the resolution is much more clear.

Secondary question: In my Catalyst there is an option for GPU Scaling. If I click that it doesn't allow me to change the settings -- it's still on "Scale image to full panel size." If I click Apply it makes my screen go black and comes back, but I don't understand what it's doing.

Should I use that GPU Scaling or just keep it off?

Corsair HX750 at NewEgg for 109.99 after $10 MIR. Looks like it is the cheapest it has been in a long time. Was thinking about going with a 650 but this is the same price right now. Should I go with it or get something cheaper?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139010

Depends on whether you need to spend that much. By the way I think that model has the same guts as the Seasonic X750, and 95% sure both are made by Seasonic.

Well, decided to pull the trigger on the PSU (along with a lot more!)

Any feedback on the new rig before everything arrives and I put it together? Rig will be used mostly for programming, running statistics simulations, and I plan to learn how to do photo and video editing.

CPU: Intel Core i7 3770k $246.73 (includes tax, in store only) Microcenter
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i $109.99 ($99.99 after rebate) Newegg
Case: Corsair Carbide 500R $115.98 ($95.98 after rebate) Newegg
PSU: Corsair HX750 $119.99 ($109.99 after rebate) Newegg
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 $134.99 (plus free 8GB RAM) Newegg
Ram: Corsiar Vengeance 2x8GB DDR3 1600 $54.99 (1 stick was free with MB, bought the other) Newegg
DVD Drive: Samsung OEM drive $17.99 Newegg
SSD: Samsung 830 256GB $173.62 ($153.62 after rebate) TigerDirect
GPU: Already have 2 XFX Radeon HD 6670 1GB DDR5 that I will be using for now, as I don't game
HDD: Have a 2TB WD Caviar Green that I may put in as a data drive

For displays I have 2x Dell 2007FP and a Dell U3011 along the bottom in PLP, and a 32" 1920x1080 LED TV mounted right above the U3011.

Total before rebates: $974.28
Total after rebates: $914.28

Cross post from programming because I couldn't find the LC thread in this sub forum, but KatoKrazy showed me the way:

I recently ordered an open box Dell U2412M 24 inch from techforless.com, and they sent me a Dell P2412H. The main difference being the vertical pixels...I ordered 1200 and got 1080.

This was my first time with this site. I was suspicious that they sent me the same size and brand monitor...like they hoped I wouldn't notice. Is this possible?

Kato - without comparison shopping, it all looks fine to me. With the MC deal and some of the sales you did fine if not very well.

Mikey - Contact them and send it back immediately. Besides the resolution, the P2412h has a TN panel and not an IPS panel which is night and day. I don't know if it was an honest mistake or not but some reviews online suggest they've received products other than what they've ordered.

@Go Get It

Try upgrading your audio drivers to Win 8 IE are they up to date for Win 8. I've been involved with Win 8 development. Could be an issue with connected standby and how the audio driver handles it.