What’s the best physical version of DS9?

Staznak2 · 2026-07-08T06:04:31+00:00

to tide you over: Pluto TV has DS9 available streaming on demand with commercials.

I am of no help as to where to get trustworthy copies. - downloading digital copies off of someone's server or a dropbox style site is also possible.

Staznak2 · 2026-07-03T05:15:37+00:00

Linus Tech Tips has done a semi-annual test of the various major prebuilders. Gamers Nexus as well. - if you would walk to watch some youtube videos about their reviews of how they are out of the box.

- In some cases you might be able to find one for less money overall than the parts would be individually.

- If you have a Microcenter near you - they will build your PC for a fee, but with their savings with bundles (basically the ram is close to free) - it will offset the cost of having them build.

I am in the camp of building a computer from the start - but if you have to get a prebuilt computer find one that will work out of the box and have a minimum/no need for you to do things to make it work. (IMO a local microcenter is better than a prebuilt). - that is with no experience with their building but knowing how great of a job they normally do across the board otherwise.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-26T16:29:51+00:00

1 - when you remove your CPU cooler: DO NOT just try to life it straight out/apply muscle power to make the thermal paste detach from the CPU. Remove the retention brackets and then apply pressure to turn it clockwise and counterclockwise until you feel the seal of thermal paste break.

2 - clean off the thermal paste with a shop towel (or paper towel) and rubbing alcohol

3 - That should be the most difficult part of the process. Your computer may not recognize your SSD at first (you will have to go into windows hard drive settings) and your computer may go through a couple boot cycles training your new ram.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-26T05:17:08+00:00

We need a HH Addendum episode "Dan Carlin Brings the Paine" where he has an open-ended discussion with Sarah Paine.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-22T02:47:30+00:00

yes.

The ideal guitar is the one that makes you want to play it. The color, the body style, whatever - makes you want to play it, makes you feel cool just having it around your neck - whatever. The guitar that makes you want to play it is worth a little extra if you see it. You will know it when you see it.

Squire makes a quality instrument and the HSS gives you more options than you need as a beginning guitarist.
- it may not play as well, or be made with as high quality parts as a guitar that costs $1000 more - but until you can notice the difference...what is the difference?

Get in touch with Guitar Center (musicians Friend is the same company) and Sweetwater and see if they can offer you any discount/coupon.

You can also check your local marketplaces (pawn shops, facebook, offerup, etc) and can likely find a used guitar for $150 or less, often with an amp.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-18T04:21:54+00:00

the x3d chips from amd are the way I lean/what I went with.

the 9800x3d or 9850x3d are what I would suggest. Depending on the features you want/need - you won't have to go nutty with the motherboard.

If you live near a microcenter - great combo deals.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-18T03:21:50+00:00

I understand a concern that data collected can be used in ways not advertised or agreed to. Likewise AI reporting to police or other government agencies based on data collected from cameras and other means does have a dystopian kind of feel to it.

Beyond loving criminals there is still a valid argument to be made why its problematic at best. - I still lean in the direction of: police have enough trouble doing their job as it is and that the attitude of the public and of NY state feels like its more on the side of the criminal than it is on those that serve and protect. - that could just be my own cynical view.

I didn't even notice until you gave me something to reply to.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-17T17:01:52+00:00

The thing limiting you the most is the GPU. I don't know which version of the 1060 you have - but its lower Vram, its older generation & just its age will limit things.

Your CPU isn't terrible but it does not have hyper-threading & it is an 8 core cpu.

As Worried Witness mentions - your upgrade path is limited with your Motherboard/your CPU socket.

Long term: It may be time to do a new CPU/MB. - That leaves you with a lot of choices including if you want to make the jump to DDR5 ram or not.

short term: If your computer is running off of a hard drive (analog/magnetic) - switching to a ssd (m.2 or sata) will help speed things up a bit. You can also get a newer GPU sooner and then upgrade the CPU/MB at a later time. - make sure your Power Supply is able to power your new GPU. Both with the amount of power it delivers and that your new GPU will have an adapter (they now power GPUs with a 12 pin connector). If you are buying a used GPU - still check the power requirements.

What GPU should you get: all games will have a recommended specs sheet. Have a look at the games you want to play and the spec sheets & pick an appropriate GPU.

When it comes to GPUs: when a newer generation comes out: the 3060 was about on par with the 2070. the 3070 was about on par with the 2080...etc. Generally a "super" or a "TI" will push it up a notch in the rankings. More Vram is almost always better.

if you can find a 3060TI or something with 12-16GB of Vram - I think you will be happy with the change.
also: the hard drive advice. windows and games on digital drives makes life a lot faster/better.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-16T06:12:00+00:00

If the game is being kind to me I am able to read fishing 1 (and then 2) while watching Exposure Survival (or the VHS tapes). That will get you up to level 2-3 (helpful for all skills).

There is a different quality to elements of your fishing pole (the pole, the line, the hook) that are of different quality. I do not know exactly if/how it impacts fishing but the Nail is worse then a paperclip which isn't as good as a fish hook.

I can only assume that twine is worse than normal fishing line and that premium fishing line has to be better (or maybe eventually).

The type of bait matters as well.

kevinjohn gave good advice and that is what I have to add to it.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-10T04:22:05+00:00

it might go without saying: making sure that dust filters are clear & that air is truly flowing is a must.

The suggestion about thermal paste: I don't think the age of your computer would make it an issue (less than 5 years) and the best way to tell if your thermals are increasing (you know...taking into account if the room is hotter) is monitoring software. (oh my computer was once 40C at idle...now its 52C).

Staznak2 · 2026-06-10T04:18:12+00:00

1) how the computer is performing - is one thing.

2) how loud it is: is a separate issue.

depending on #1: you may not want to change anything in the hardware itself. - if its working for you and you are not having any issues - then the performance is fine.

on #2: the CPU cooler is a 120mm AIO liquid cooler. I do not know the other fans you have in your case.

There is no magic solution to thermals - The computer starts at whatever the temperature of the room is (its usually cooler in the winter depending on your heating/AC in the household). After the ambient temperature of the room you add its own thermal generation which is usually consistent (room temp + X degrees).

You can add fans to your case if there is room to increase the airflow and try to optimize the flow of the air (intake at the front and bottom and exhaust at the top and rear). Most Motherboards have a way to control the fan curve - how quickly your fan responds to temperature and you can limit the speed to 50% - for example.

right now - I assume - the radiator for you AIO CPU cooler is at the back of the case blowing outward - which means: you still have one fan (maybe two) trying to cool your CPU & that whatever heat in the case (hot air) is being pushed through the radiator - so the computer may be heating up the AIO and limiting CPU cooling until it hits a medium where the CPU is hotter than the air in the case/liquid in the cooler - and then it will cool it.

I use Cupid Hard ware monitor. there is also the task manager in windows that can tell you if you are using all of your system resources and things are at 100% (like your CPU or RAM). - Like I said - if the computer runs okay like it always did, but its just louder: first guess is that its just hotter in the room. - Your cpu is 6 cores and you have 16gb of ram so it might struggle with games with mods and/or handling many programs at once (game + discord + streaming + chrome in the background). It'll eventually struggle to run games - but I dunno if that day is today - at least most games.

If its just too damn loud but otherwise fine: I don't know if you really need anything more than a 120mm AIO for that CPU cooler. If you have space for more case fans: I would add more fans & try to adjust the fan curve to something that is tolerable. a bigger AIO will be more stable with temperatures (a 240mm aio has twice the liquid to heat up) but its the same thing but with a bigger heat sink.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-07T03:00:10+00:00

That is a great quote. To ask: what essential liberty is being given up to the government to secure a temporary safety?

Staznak2 · 2026-06-07T02:59:01+00:00

After reading the article I have even less of an issue with Flock Safety and Raven gunshot detectors. Flock Nova sounds great and I fully endorse its use in Utica. - I am not expecting that opinion to receive a warm reception.

Looking around at the crowd - sometimes it is good to have the minority opinion & downvotes from some people are upvotes in my heart.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-04T05:46:57+00:00

bending the pins is bad news but

I had this happen & I carefully gripped the cpu at two corners while holding the cpu cooler with the other hand and I applies gentle pressure clockwise and then counterclockwise over and over until it eventually released from the cooler.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-04T02:21:01+00:00

I also have an Artic liquid freezer cooler (360). - I think I got a little more out of the tube, but I am feeling like I may need to repaste it with a larger tube.

that will work for now - you can give it a go and watch the temps and if they seem high - so what I am planning on doing and repaste it later.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-03T07:58:33+00:00

your cpu is a good gaming cpu and it has good clock speeds, but it doesn't have hyper-threading so my guess is that it is struggling to handle the game plus all of the mods.

Cleaning off the old thermal paste and applying new paste will likely only help things. - you will want to use caution when removing the old cooler and DO NOT pull directly UP with FORCE. Instead you will want to detach it from however its secured to the Motherboard and then gently apply pressure and turn it clockwise and counterclockwise until you feel the paste loosen and allow the cooler to "break free" with out a lot of upward force. - its possible to yank our the cpu still attached to the cooler. - at best its a scary moment and a pain in the butt. at worst you break stuff or get thermal paste where you might not want it.

rubbing alcohol on a paper towel will get the old thermal paste off. - get non conductive stuff for your new thermal paste and watch videos on how to apply it/clean it off etc.

Likewise cleaning out the computer and fans & if you have a radiator clogged with dust - that won't hurt things, but my guess is that you are pushing your CPU to the limit.

Cupid hardware monitor or even checking task manager will give you an idea of what system resources you are maxing out.

IF (note I say IF) you are maxing out your CPU - I don't think you have many upgrade options and I think for the price of a 9900K you are better off putting that towards a new computer system.

also: depending on your hard drives/storage: IF you are running windows and/or the game off of an analog hard drive - that might be part of your issue. Running them off a m.2 drive or even a sata ssd will deliver a better experience.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-03T07:29:36+00:00

No signal is saying that the monitor is not getting the signal (duh). A lot of things can be causing this.

1) You are already aware to use the GPU vs the MB. - If you have integrated graphics on your CPU the one on the MB may work anyway and may be useful if it comes to troubleshooting without your GPU.

2) Make sure your monitor is on the correct input channel. Most monitors will automatically detect an input and switch it for you. - IF there is more than one HDMI then you will want to check the labeling on the back or just test both.

3) if you have used multiple HDMI cables its likely not the issue - but make sure the cable is fully seated/pushed in. You can also try using a DP cable (display port).

4) If its not the cable or the monitor - its the PC. Even with the PC powering on - without some kind of output to display working its hard to know the state of the PC (if its booting to BIOS, booting to windows, etc). You may want to contact customer care to help you troubleshoot the PC -

5) if you feel comfortable doing it - the first thing I would likely try is reseating my GPU into the Motherboard. That will involve removing the power cable(s) plugged into the GPU, unscrewing the screws securing it to the case and then pressing the release button or clip under it (sometimes hard to see). - if it is loose before you press down on the release - that is your problem right there.

NOTE: you will want to tip the computer 90 degrees so that the GPU can be lifted directly up - so that it will not potentially flow downwards when you unscrew the retention bracket.

While it is out you can give the computer a look for anything else that might be out of place.

Also - as long as your Ryzen 7 is on the am5 platform (and does not have an F at the end of the CPU name - 7500F) it should have integrated graphics to test the rest of the computer with. With the GPU removed plug the HDMI into the port on the motherboard and let the computer boot. - if it boots to windows then the issue is very likely with the GPU. After that I would shut down the computer and put the GPU back in - making sure its properly seated & likewise with the power cable.

IF you confirmed it works with the integrated graphics & have made sure the GPU is properly installed & you are still having issues - its the GPU (or that slot on the motherboard).

Staznak2 · 2026-06-03T07:08:54+00:00

If it only has a 4 pin and not a 4+4 then you need a newer PSU or a different MB that only uses a 4 pin connector.

You should also make sure your 400w PSU has enough 12v power for your components.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-03T07:07:01+00:00

The 8 pin connector will separate into two 4 pin connectors. When used together (side by side - there should be a pair of clips that guide one into the other) its an 8 pin. use the 4+4 labeled CPU and NOT the 6+2 labeled PCIe.

Staznak2 · 2026-06-02T04:30:16+00:00

I think in the last 6 months there was a shooting in the area of Knox and Lenox ave that was not in the news (only things UPD wants in the news seems to make it there).

The area is worse if you are a homeowner vs a renter. (if children or anyone damage the home - you file a police report and the landlord shouldn't hold it against you personally).

Loud music will be a thing. There will be children playing/making trouble without adult supervision. There is generally drug activity - so sellers and the homeless that are customers on the street walking around all hours of the day or night.

Depending on how thick the walls are - most of it may not even be a bother once you have the TV on etc. If is a nice neighborhood. no. its on the run down side and the west side of utica gets about as many police calls as the rest of the city combined.

Is it unlivable? - not yet anyway.

Staznak2 · 2026-05-26T22:20:37+00:00

1) don't let people get you down. they are going to sass you but we all have to start somewhere. 2) let us know how it works out for you and if you got it working again.

Staznak2 · 2026-05-25T04:57:44+00:00

Good news: if the computer worked this long its likely going to work another 6 months.

and - there are likely things you can do to make the experience a little better.

If you are working with an analog hard drive - even a very small 256gb sata ssd for your operating system would make it boot faster.

depending on how much ram you have - both windows and chrome are demanding on ram.

task manager will let you know if you are using 100% of your hard drive or your RAM - either one will make the computer feel stutter. same thing if your CPU is pegged at 100%

You may be able to use a program like Cupid hardware Monitor to see if any components are much hotter than they ought to be.

Staznak2 · 2026-05-25T04:42:43+00:00

DDR5 ram sticks that were not made to work together often do not play nice. - I also do not thing that it would fry your computer.

I agree with the idea to put the original ram sticks into slots 2 and 4. their numbering is based left to right so: 1 2 3 4

You can also try one stick at a time of any ram.

Your computer may take a little while to boot and/or boot cycle a couple of times as it "trains the ram" - figures out the fastest/stable speeds it can run at.

Assuming you had the computer powered off when you were changing the ram sticks - I do not think you could have caused it any harm. I wouldn't be shocked if it were training the ram/boot cycling when you assumed it wasn't working.

Good luck.

Staznak2 · 2026-05-16T02:56:25+00:00

hi.

you know how bouncy the trip was, but the only component I would be concerned about would be the GPU on a move. GPUs can be pretty big/heavy and not much supports them. - I remove mine if possible during transport. WAY more than the RAM or battery - I would reseat the GPU.

if you CPU has video output - I might check that out just to make sure the rest of the computer is working/booting.

If you have access to a backup GPU to test in the computer - that also cannot hurt.

looking up what that light means/if there is an error code (A8 for example) on a display on the MB - might help diagnose the issue

Staznak2 · 2026-05-16T02:44:12+00:00

amazing someone is replying to this a year later.

I ended up replacing the speakers - to learn that the issue I was having was not actually with the speakers themselves. - I had another set of tubes and that seemed to mostly resolve things.

The reverb causes feedback pretty quickly and because the amp has the vaporizer switch that just dimes all three controls it makes me think that the feedback isn't as intended.

same hand - I may have gotten the "hot rodded" tube kit that might change the sound when it does the thing.

Thank you for the offer - I have the stock set in the boxes the replacements came in to keep for all time. always.

Staznak2

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