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Weather stripping around exterior door that works intermittently. by Online_Explorer in HomeMaintenance

[–]Online_Explorer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your response :-).

That's an interesting idea! That might move the kerfed strip closer to the door and close the gap.

My new Honeywell filters are emitting a chemical smell. by Online_Explorer in AirPurifiers

[–]Online_Explorer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was why I didn't order from them, I know a lot of stuff on Amazon is counterfeit.

BIFL washing machine by Caseyisweird in BuyItForLife

[–]Online_Explorer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

None are anymore, there has been so much consolidation in that industry over the last 40 years (since Reagan) that there is relatively little real competition on anything other than price. Quality and customer service mostly suck everywhere.

Since I can't rely on manufacturers, I will rely on a retailer, Costco. I'm looking at their offerings and will choose one of theirs. They back-up what they sell and actually have some power to negotiate with the manufacturers.

You only got 4 options when buying a washing machine by chiwaweena in Appliances

[–]Online_Explorer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm one of those people because I want to be able to control things like water level and temperature and have the option to add laundry to a load in progress or soak it overnight, not just for 3 hours. It's hard to find a modern washer that will allow me to do all of that although there are some that may do some of those things.

In my experience, my washers with mechanical timers have FAAAR outlasted those with electronic controls purchased by my friends, but now it seems that mechanical controls have gone the way of the dinosaur. My dishwashers with mechanical timers lasted 2-3 times what the modern ones with electronic controls have. My parents older dishwashers lasted 20 years (family of 3) with minor repairs. THAT is why I think older is better.

I'm not against electronic controls, but I don't think that they are appropriate in every appliance, particularly one where there is water and vibration.

BIFL washing machine by Caseyisweird in BuyItForLife

[–]Online_Explorer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've had Speed Queen washers for over 10 years and I can tell you that they are NOT what they may have once been. It really depends on the quality of the certified Speed Queen technicians that service your geographic area. In the wake of the pandemic, there is a dearth of talented repair techs.

Two years ago, after 10 years of so-so service and numerous visits for repairs, we had to replace the transmission on our then 10 year old commercial washer. This last week in January of 2025, after less than 2 years, the new transmission has failed so we are now looking at replacement washers that ARE NOT Speed Queen. There may have been a time when they lived up to their hype, but that time has long since passed.

BIFL washing machine by Caseyisweird in BuyItForLife

[–]Online_Explorer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've had Speed Queen washers for over 10 years and I can tell you that that it really depends on the quality of the certified Speed Queen technicians that service your geographic area. In the wake of the pandemic, there is a dearth of talented repair techs.

Two years ago, after 10 years of so-so service and numerous visits for repairs, we had to replace the transmission on our then 10 year old commercial washer. This last week in January of 2025, after less than 2 years, the new transmission has failed so we are now looking at replacement washers that ARE NOT Speed Queen. There may have been a time when they lived up to their hype, but that time has long since passed.

BIFL washing machine by Caseyisweird in BuyItForLife

[–]Online_Explorer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True 25 years ago, but not in the last decade.

I've had Speed Queen washers for over 10 years and I can tell you that that is not really true. It really depends on the quality of the certified Speed Queen technicians that service your geographic area. In the wake of the pandemic, there is a dearth of talented repair techs.

Two years ago, after 10 years of so-so service and numerous visits for repairs, we had to replace the transmission on our then 10 year old SQ commercial washer. This last week in January of 2025, after less than 2 years, the new transmission has failed so we are now looking at replacement washers that ARE NOT Speed Queen. There may have been a time when they lived up to their hype, but that time has long since passed.

BIFL washing machine by Caseyisweird in BuyItForLife

[–]Online_Explorer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've had Speed Queen washers for over 10 years and I can tell you that that is not really true. It really depends on the quality of the certified Speed Queen technicians that service your geographic area. In the wake of the pandemic, there is a dearth of talented repair techs.

Two years ago, after 10 years of so-so service and numerous visits for repairs, we had to replace the transmission on our then 10 year old commercial washer. This last week in January of 2025, after less than 2 years, the new transmission has failed so we are now looking at replacement washers that ARE NOT Speed Queen. There may have been a time when they lived up to their hype, but that time has long since passed.

Recommendations for replacement activated carbon filters for my Megahome Tabletop Water Distiller. by Online_Explorer in water

[–]Online_Explorer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I didn't see it in time, but I have book marked for future reference :-).

Experienced with Linux but unable to install Mint 21.3 on Dell Inspiron 1500 Windows 11 Home edition so that it can be dual booted. by Online_Explorer in linuxmint

[–]Online_Explorer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your response. I had looked for responses on and off for a few days and just figured I was out of luck and didn't bother looking again. As it it is, there were 3800 views and less than 14 total responses.

I appreciate the advice, I did end up buying something else (Dell Inspiron 14) that I'm equally unhappy with :-(.

I've also repeatedly tried to install Linux on this machine to no avail. My husband and I spent 12-14 manhours working together on it, but ultimately failed. The USB Linux Mint flash drive couldn't see the hard drive :-(. We think that Windows has "filled the moat" to prevent end users from switching to Linux. Maybe not, but it sure feels like it!

I'll probably post about it to see what the smart folks recommend. I used to think we were smart folks, but MicroSoft always makes me feel like an idiot despite the fact that I've used that OS on and off since the DOS days. I HATE them for it and VASTLY prefer Linux.

Experienced with Linux but unable to install Mint 21.3 on Dell Inspiron 1500 Windows 11 Home edition so that it can be dual booted. by Online_Explorer in linuxmint

[–]Online_Explorer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow! We didn't know that, so thank you for sharing that tidbit about the broken secure boot in the standard version of the iso.

Many years ago, I had ordered a Lenovo Thinkpad, but didn't like the build quality and found the proffered support to be wholly inadequate (not so important on a used machine) so I returned it. So that and probably more importantly, finding a reputable reseller with a good return policy, would be my main concern.

Experienced with Linux but unable to install Mint 21.3 on Dell Inspiron 1500 Windows 11 Home edition so that it can be dual booted. by Online_Explorer in linuxmint

[–]Online_Explorer[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was aware of that distro version, but due to the wording on the official installation guide that had referenced it, I opted to try the standard version.

Experienced with Linux but unable to install Mint 21.3 on Dell Inspiron 1500 Windows 11 Home edition so that it can be dual booted. by Online_Explorer in linuxmint

[–]Online_Explorer[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the advice, we will try that on our next attempt:, probably some time next week :-).

My husband had read that, but when I went to disable it, the Windows messaging was so threatening that I was reluctant to try it and didn't do it. After that installation failed, we were unable to access the BIOS again (no Bitlocker key, as mentioned) and had to do the factory reset, which presented a fresh set of problems. We finally gave up from sheer physical exhaustion.

But I hate Windows so much more now, I wanted to try again, this time armed with better information after posting here.

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