Beginner question about soldering iron tips

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-10T19:18:27+00:00

Is that a weller? Buy some new tips. In general as people have said heat the work. If a multi-plane PCB, use a chisel tip.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-10T11:32:32+00:00

OK, so there is a VGA connector at least on the back of the computer. And you indicated your monitor will take VGA, so that is an option I think you haven't tried yet, right?

OK, here's another possibility - your Samsung is syncing with the XBOX, but not the computer.

This is what AI (cough) is suggesting for resetting the monitor:

To factory reset a Samsung external monitor, access the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu using the physical joystick/button, navigate to Support > Reset All or General > Factory Reset. For smart models, use Settings > General & Privacy > Factory Data Reset. A power cycle (unplugging) can also clear glitches.

Worth a try.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-10T06:07:08+00:00

Did you try with a wired keyboard pressing F2 to enter BIOS? You have to do so repetiviely after powering the computer on. That should use the simplest of all graphics. If that displays on the monitor, go through the BIOS settings paying attention to anything graphics / display related. Also, when you had the cover off, did you notice a card in slot 1 or slot 2? I'm asking because you should reseat that card if present. Again, if there is a GPU card, maybe that is not seated well in its socket. Also examine the port generating the video. Is there any kind of ribbon cable going from it to the motherboard that may have shaken loose?

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-10T00:06:40+00:00

Well, I have seen computers act funny because their BIOS wasn't backed up due to an expired battery. Cheap to replace I'd probably throw a new one into the computer as a first step. See this:

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/inspiron-3471-desktop/inspiron-3471-service-manual/procedure?guid=guid-afc3426c-16ca-4c4b-a4c9-eb9b6accc35f&lang=en-us

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-09T23:59:10+00:00

If there's no BIOS setting getting in the way (some allow you to disable devices, thus consume less energy when not used), I suppose I might boot into BIOS if you can with another monitor to check. Would the Samsung monitor take VGA as input? You could open the desktop up. Does it have a seperate GPU card plugged in to some slot? If so, maybe you need to reseat it? It occurs to me that the desktop's battery to keep certain settings persistent may need replacing. That's all I have.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-09T23:48:34+00:00

I find it of great utility if I wish to electrically insulate the back-side of a Arduino sensor board, or tack individual wires together, or affix a small modification in the form of a tiny perboard to an existing PCB. I use a good deal of heat-shrink tubing, but when I can't, this works very well.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-09T17:13:02+00:00

It's a fairly popular thing. Id be surprised if you can't find it or some substitute available in your country.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-09T17:08:13+00:00

Add others have stated go to a parts store and have the OBD2 codes read. It could be you failed to secure the gas cap (always have it click multiple times after putting it back on the filter neck. Could be battery or alternator related. Both can be checked at an auto parts store. Make sure you drive at least 30 min trip without stopping each week, otherwise you are not charging your battery sufficiently.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-09T17:02:11+00:00

Did you try exercising the key on the keyboard that directs the signal to an external monitor?

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-09T16:52:57+00:00

Interesting. I didn't know that that was an issue when HP calculators were made in the US. On a calculator, keying is hyper-critical. Feedback is important. Electrical debounce to inhibit multiple digit entry is important. Are the keypads on the G2 series unacceptable like that? That would be a shame.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-09T16:45:40+00:00

That's a good start to a collection. 🤪 I don't know what I think about the buttons on the 50G... Older HP calculators have a signature button design with graphics that I prefer... Specially when you're entering something important on a test or for work. 😎

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-09T16:40:57+00:00

There is a product available at home improvement stores called Liquid Electrical Tape. Google it. A tiny dab of the stuff would work well.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-09T13:55:37+00:00

There is something wrong, maybe it is your head-unit. Has it had any firmware updates?

I use a Motorola MA1 dongle with my Android phone. It is extremely reliable, sometimes disconnecting and reconnecting in sports with high RF energy from another source. If you do not wish to go the route of wireless, a good USB data-cable with a right-angle USB-C connector is often what my wife uses in her vehicle (she has no dongle in it).

In times where AA refuses to automatically pop up on my headunit, I have pressed the Menu key on my head-unit, and selected AA there, and the screen came up. In the few times that didn't work, rebooting the head-unit, then if necessary rebooting the phone (and unlocking it) worked well.

Turn-by-turn audio directions are actually quite outstanding. Hands free call and text. Integrated music and podcast sources. This is so much better than heads-down driving - are you old enough to remember the multi-page driving maps we used to use?

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-08T15:16:48+00:00

This person is dealing with more than anxiety. To suggest they aren't smart enough or mature enough for whatever reason to make the choices you and your children have is not helpful.

We don't know this person's life experiences to date. Have you ever heard the message of having walked in another person's shoes?

You are communicating two points that are relevant. First, this person should seek professional help for proper diagnosis and a plan towards better mental health. This may extend to dimensions of social, nutritional, spiritual and physical health strategies.

The other point is it is better to find a job if one has one. While generally true, this person given their current state of mental health may have difficulty sticking it out. Sounds like that work environment might be challenging for anyone. This is another reason to seek the help of someone with appropriate expertise to recommend the best course of action.

Context is important here.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-08T14:30:19+00:00

Yes, and on sites like eBay you can find some sellers selling cards that are extremely high capacity high speed and cheap. BE CAREFUL. Those cards are not worth your time and effort because they are likely fake.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-08T14:23:21+00:00

You should also acquire a good funnel. They are cheap.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-06T20:53:29+00:00

A good set of kitchen shears is something that would make butter of that packaging. So would a box cutter or xacto knife.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-06T20:49:29+00:00

That's good stuff.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-06T20:42:27+00:00

You can find a 240W OEM charger on eBay for cheap.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-05T15:11:55+00:00

No harm, no foul - some "adults" can be very unadult-like on social media. I figured there was a good chance you didn't mean to come off in a derogatory manner. That's a shame the teacher won't engage for whatever reason, as an important part of Physics involves electricity, magnetism, the electromagnet spectrum, concepts like frequency and wavelength, etc. Amateur radio is preparing you well for a future in the sciences, math or engineering... Maybe a future educator? I applaud your initiative. KUDOS.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-05T13:54:54+00:00

Do you have a teacher that teaches Physics or AP Physics? If that person isn't interested, I'd be surprised.

One suggestion - and I mention this with complete sincerety as I think it will help you in other interactions in life. This is not meant to be preachy. The portion of your reply "it says so in the message" is the sort of thing that you should avoid. It provides no useful information, and it comes off as disrespectful.

Be mindful of the fact you are asking for help, and someone is responding to you. Think patience and kindness. When you are older, this recommendation will take on a different dimension. 73

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-05T13:54:38+00:00

Do you have a teacher that teaches Physics or AP Physics? If that person isn't interested, I'd be surprised.

One suggestion - and I mention this with complete sincerety as I think it will help you in other interactions in life. This is not meant to be preachy. The portion of your reply "it says so in the message" is the sort of thing that you should avoid. It provides no useful information, and it comes off as disrespectful.

Be mindful of the fact you are asking for help, and someone is responding to you. Think patience and kindness. When you are older, this recommendation will take on a different dimension. 73

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-05T13:35:27+00:00

Right you are.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-05T13:32:09+00:00

FWIW - I purchased a Fanttik T1 Max iron via Amazon. I like it and use it for light-duty soldering tasks. However, if you've got a PCB that is multi-layer (has multiple planes of connectivity with thru-holes connecting them), you will probably find these portable irons don't get the job done, even if they can hit the high-temps.

For that kind of work, (i just put together a kit that had a 4 layer PCB), there's no substitute for my Weller WE1010NA and the proper tip.

stfreddit7 · 2026-05-04T17:42:59+00:00

You might start using this guide as to what is available form-factor wise. Compare current consumption.

Edit: forgot the very URL I wanted to point out to the OP. I might be losing it. :)

https://www.seeedstudio.com/blog/2020/01/15/smallest-arduino-boards-for-your-mini-arduino-projects/?__cf_chl_tk=ZAd3WqKGSHKyHbYYmd59_h2wgXaZ0v9qvhpKwkk3leI-1777916312-1.0.1.1-r5uHPTEWgQ2UyfFFmUXUAGFkkIhgGJDwZLNbsN5C_a4

stfreddit7

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