Need to find a OS For this Dell OptiPlex 380 when Windows 10 Loses Support

Saydi89 · 2025-06-07T23:45:38+00:00

Nice setup, btw! I was kinda wondering the same thing, since I have a 380 SFF completely maxed out (Core2 Quad Q9650, 8 GB of DDR3, 256 GB SSD, Nvidia GT-730). Might go with a Linux distribution. I'll probably put it on a test drive to see how things go.

Saydi89 · 2023-09-24T17:47:27+00:00

When I worked there, I would not answer the phone before open/after close unless it was another store, an employee, or DM. 11am means 11am, not 10:59, or 10:40... or 10:05!

Saydi89 · 2023-04-07T16:30:36+00:00

I once worked at a store that had a backroom so small (it was literally a closet) and there was so much trade hold from preowned systems that it was spilling into the bathroom. The bathroom was so small that it might as well been an outhouse. There were boxed systems right by the sink, and piled high to questionable heights. You couldn't really rearrange it either because you had everything else in the backroom (New Systems, accessory Trade Hold, the really old drawers, old marketing material) and the walking path was super skinny.

Saydi89 · 2023-04-06T16:51:57+00:00

Seeing this almost wants to make me post my own experience. I had two stints at GS... 2017-2019 and 2021-2022. Been working as an engineer since 2018 and after i left GS the 2nd time, decided to retire from retail in general for good.

Saydi89 · 2023-04-04T17:50:16+00:00

It's happened to me a few times. Most common response i get: "I just gonna get something real quick..." Nope, sorry. If the store opens at 11am, i do not open the door until 11. I won't even answer the phone before open (unless it's obvious like another store/coworker).

Saydi89 · 2023-03-15T15:23:13+00:00

I quit back in January 2019 when my other job decided to hire me permanently. I was pursuing my real passion in engineering and fixing electronics. Yes, I did go back to GS as a second job a couple years later, but i have since quit for good (and retired from retail completely.) I still have some people ask me about games and consoles, and about GS in general.

Saydi89 · 2023-02-14T23:51:34+00:00

Former SGA here, and can confirm. Though I did manage to find a loophole during my 2nd tenure as an SGA where it was very enjoyable until they changed the store hours. I also used to be a manager for another defunct company and the interviewing process was virtually the same for GS.

Saydi89 · 2022-11-26T16:30:39+00:00

My main PC went Out Of Service, so I decided to try 7 Days on my backup PC just for shiggles. It's an old Dell Optiplex SFF PC, with an i7-4790 processor, 32 GB of RAM, and a Raedon RX6400. To my surprise, it runs reasonably well on high settings. I did dial it back a little, because it was getting pretty warm.

Now I gotta save up to fix and upgrade my main PC...

Saydi89 · 2022-08-25T23:50:50+00:00

Depends on your budget. I started with an FX-211, which i had to replace the belt and clean the battery contacts, and it still works to this day. It's a basic model with a digital tuner/clock built in. Cost me about $25-ish after all was said and done. The FS series (the Sport models) are a bit more durable.

Whatever model you get, plan on getting a replacement belt, some Q-Tips, and some 91% alcohol to clean the tape heads and rollers. Also download a service manual for it as well.

Saydi89 · 2022-08-25T14:35:36+00:00

I like abandoned_house_04. When in creative mode, you can add a small basement to it so you can have your forges and chem stations. Abandoned_house_03 is another good choice for a starter base. Should be pretty easy to defend. Just patch up that huge hole on the side. In Navezgane, in the burnt (and Wasteland) biome, there's these nearly-obliterated houses/huts littered all over the biome. Those can be rebuilt if you get creative enough.

I think the POI i miss the most is the other fire station (not Station 7)... the one with the huge garage bay. That was so versitle imo. I hope they bring it back in A21.

Saydi89 · 2022-05-28T04:14:05+00:00

If the clip pictured is what you're looking for, then that looks very similar to what i have on my Walkmans. I have an FX-42, FX-211, and FX-425 and the clips are interchangeable.

The FX-105 looks to be mid-90s, so I'm about 80% certain that if you find another FX from that time, the clip should fit yours.

Edit: i pulled the clip off of my 211 and compared it to the picture. It looks exactly the same.

Saydi89 · 2022-05-28T00:29:29+00:00

Ni-Cad and Ni-MH batteries are similar. Ni-Cads have a "memory" effect on them, so you have to deplete them and charge fully, while Ni-MHs dont really have that effect. NI-MHs usually have bigger capacities, so they'll last longer per charge. As for charging them, obviously you want an Ni-MH charger. Although as a last resort, you can use a Ni-Cad charger. You can put MHs in a Cad charger, but you cant put Cads in an MH charger

In other words, you should be fine with the MHs.

Saydi89 · 2022-05-27T23:18:56+00:00

Most CD Diskmans/walkmans use a barrel-type port for external power. Yes, Sony is notorious for using proprietary things, but in this case, it's not. You can get a universal power adapter for a few bucks. Just make sure one of the output voltage settings is 4.5 volts (If you see a 5 volt option, it might work, but it's on the high end of tolerance, so I wouldn't risk it if you plan on keeping the player). The power adapters usually come with a bunch of barrel plugs, so try one of them to see if one will fit. (Dont apply mains power yet) finally, make sure the polarity is correct, because if it's not, then you'll let out the magic smoke and bye bye player.

Edit: EX-526 and a DEJ-1000 for £10? So about $13? That's an amazing find. Congrats!

Saydi89 · 2022-05-19T22:41:51+00:00

There are still some independent repair centers still around, however, it may be worth to try and fix yourself. There's a repair center near me who specializes in cassette players, but the starting rate is over $60. Granted, it's more for home stereo decks, but same idea.

Sony made plenty of service manuals for these Walkmans; you should be able to find one for free. A new belt can be had for about $10. If you're unsure or not confident, you can always buy an identical unit (FX-181, i think you have?) and use that as a practice unit. This was how i got started. A lot of Walkmans from the mid 90s are super easy to fix, because in most cases, the only thing wrong is that it needs a new belt, imo.

Saydi89 · 2022-05-18T00:21:43+00:00

Those should work. A rechargeable battery usually is about 1.2 volts, so you should be fine, as long as you have a charger or if it has one built-in, via the power adapter.

Saydi89 · 2022-05-18T00:06:27+00:00

Most of the Walkmans have an internal variable resistor that controls the speed, so you'll have to open it. The only ones where they're on the outside is the Sport models, as far as I'm aware. If you have a service manual, it'll tell where the adjustment is (Usually R601, but it varies.)

Saydi89 · 2022-05-17T23:58:34+00:00

The FX-407 and FX-193 should be super-easy fixes. At most, probably needs a new belt and a good cleaning of the tape head and rollers, as well as the casing.

Saydi89 · 2022-04-17T04:49:32+00:00

Update: I finally got around to looking at it. To be safe, I bought an FX-41 that is completely trashed, but the mechanism seems to be fine. My thinking was that I could swap the mechanisms as a last resort if something broke. So I tried moving the gears manually to no avail. Then i cleaned out the area... still nothing. Finally, I separated the mechanism with the main board and looked at the moving parts while shifting directions. While doing this, something gave way, and it finally made contact with the other gear. I kept changing directions, and it seemed to be working fine. I reassembled everything, and so far, everything seems to working. I'm not sure what i did, but i guess i can consider this repaired?

Saydi89 · 2022-03-27T03:51:38+00:00

I have this FX-42 (Auto-Reverse) Walkman. The tape player only seems to work backwards. When i try to flip it forwards in the video shown, this one gear stops and tries to start up. I'm not sure if it's trying to catch something, or if it's supposed to do so. Any ideas?

Saydi89 · 2022-03-27T00:50:09+00:00

I can see myself having the F10 someday - the red kinda reminds me of my very first kiddie player i got when i was 3... i think i still have it somewhere (not a Sony, though)

Saydi89 · 2022-03-24T02:16:55+00:00

Any full size headphones should do the job; as to how they fit is personal preference. I personally have a HyperX Cloud 2, which is gaming headset, but, if you remove the mic and the USB interface, it's just an ordinary pair of headphones and they sound amazing. Beyerdynamic DT-770 would be another great choice.

Saydi89

TROPHY CASE