Running Bear's July 2025 Coffee Shop

[Bruette]

In twenty plus years the only thing remotely critical my wife has said to me is, "Superman is dead".

I could count the strange looks I get from her when I tell her "But you still love your trophy husband," But I will let them go.

 

[ctclibby]

Here is a question for our computer experts. I have five Desktop PCs in ATX cases that will not upgrade to Windows 11. Some are faster and better equipped than others, but they all work well enough for me. I'd like to salvage at least two or three of them.

My question is would buying a motherboard and CPU be an easy/economical fix to get them, to accept Windows 11?

My thinking is to reuse the Hard Drives, Video Cards and System Ram. Two of them are identical; each with 1TB NVMe SSD and 2TB SATA HDD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB of GDDR6, and 32 GB DDR4 System Ram.

The other PC is even better, but I don't remember the specifics. My son built that one.

Bruette: Why go to W11 in the 1st place? Just use them with W10. W11 is a bloated mess AFAIK; not quite as bad as W10. Since your machines are behind some sort of firewall, no need to worry about outside stuff getting in and you NEVER click on unknown links in email or in the web browser ... right?

L8r

 

[Bruette]

One battery died a year or so back but I had another and don't use it very often anymore. I went to charge the 1 battery
I have left in June and it indicated it fully charged with the 4 LED dots on the drill but when used would only drive a couple
of screws before being totally dead again. It was going to be $129.00 to replace the batteries.

One of the reasons I shied away from buying cordless tools was the battery life. A cord never runs out of charge.

The older I got the lazier I got. Retrieving an extension cord has become too much of a task.

 

[Bruette]

Bruette: Why go to W11 in the 1st place? Just use them with W10.

I'll avoid the Windows 11 vs 10 debate. I'll simply say, "No more updates means Windows 10 is not an option for me".

I'm using Windows 11 on this PC now, I like it, but I keep everything simple. I use Microsoft Office, visit this forum, MLB.com and Wikipedia. Along with a few other websites like banking and bill pay, that is all I do.

I no longer play video games on the PC. The occasional video game I play is with my grandson and usually on PS5.

you NEVER click on unknown links in email or in the web browser ... right?

No sir, I seldom even read my emails, and I only use links I trust.

For me it is more than security, I like Windows 11's features. I enjoy texting with my grandson using the Phone Link App.

 

[RhB Michael]

I just went through some of that, and it's probable the router's security settings are identifying the laptop as a security risk and is not allowing it to connect. Many routers update automatically, and won't allow outdated OS'es to connect. Since IE is now deprecated, nothing will connect to it even if you do make it to the internet.
I also had a USB card I was trying to use to update my real wifi on my laptop, and it was too old, and the router refused the connection.

I suspected as much. It never had any trouble connecting with Win10. I'm going to load Zorin to both of these machines. Right now, I'm transferring files from the second T510 to my external drive. Some of those files are going to be added to iTunes on my T16 for songs I never loaded to this newer machine. I miss my German brass band music!

I love this T16. My TASCAM Model 16 recorder/mixer has Bluetooth that connects to the T16 automatically on power-up and I can listen to iTunes through the monitors without wires.

 

[DeaconKC]

Good morning folks, 89 here and heading for 97 with high humidity. Gonna go into work today and complete a job I started Saturday. One of our regular customers who takes very good care of his guns brought in a stainless. Taurus Judge that he had loaned to a friend. Sadly the friend didn't take care of the gun and allowing to corrode badly on the exterior by leaving it in a wet nylon holster for a couple of weeks. Put a couple of hours work on it Saturday and need another hour or so today. Still won't be able to get the pitting out of the top strap.

On the subject of battery powered tools, I switched to Ryobi a few years ago. Very good tools, but the reason I switched is that they don't deliberately "obsolete" tools by changing battery designs and their batteries are no more expensive than anyone else's. Been very happy with the changeover.

 

[RhB Michael]

Here is a question for our computer experts. I have five Desktop PCs in ATX cases that will not upgrade to Windows 11. Some are faster and better equipped than others, but they all work well enough for me. I'd like to salvage at least two or three of them.

My question is would buying a motherboard and CPU be an easy/economical fix to get them, to accept Windows 11?

My thinking is to reuse the Hard Drives, Video Cards and System Ram. Two of them are identical; each with 1TB NVMe SSD and 2TB SATA HDD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB of GDDR6, and 32 GB DDR4 System Ram.

The other PC is even better, but I don't remember the specifics. My son built that one.

With all of that newer hardware you have, what generation is the Intel processor?

 

[Bruette]

With all of that newer hardware you have, what generation is the Intel processor?

Good question, I don't remember. I'll need to boot them up and find out.

I have records of the upgraded parts I bought, but I didn't record the CPUs or Motherboards.

One or more of them could be AMD CPUs

 

[RhB Michael]

Good morning folks, 89 here and heading for 97 with high humidity. Gonna go into work today and complete a job I started Saturday. One of our regular customers who takes very good care of his guns brought in a stainless. Taurus Judge that he had loaned to a friend. Sadly the friend didn't take care of the gun and allowing to corrode badly on the exterior by leaving it in a wet nylon holster for a couple of weeks. Put a couple of hours work on it Saturday and need another hour or so today. Still won't be able to get the pitting out of the top strap.

On the subject of battery powered tools, I switched to Ryobi a few years ago. Very good tools, but the reason I switched is that they don't deliberately "obsolete" tools by changing battery designs and their batteries are no more expensive than anyone else's. Been very happy with the changeover.

That's why I would never loan any of my firearms. I've never been asked though either. If someone was to bring back my German Walther PPK/S back in that condition I doubt I would ever speak to them again and probably sue for damages.

 

[TLOC]

Good hot Wisconsin morning.

I edged the sidewalk wearing a black t-shirt. Dumb I know. It’s 85 now heading they say now to 96. Not a cloud anywhere to be seen. The grandson should be here within 15 minutes to cut the grass.

He and I will discuss if he gets too hot and to stay hydrated. Then I will let him decide how long it will take to cut. Just a reminder to him as with no experience at 11 cutting in the sun and heat to be careful

I get very ticked off when I’m told to wear a hat or gloves in the Winter or in a Summer to stay out of the sun or heat. BUT, it just shows she still loves me!

I have not been to the train room yet today but the USPS email telling Terry to hats coming to is interesting. 3 boxes from 1 address and 1 box from another. None of those were expected. The one due here today (my Sd70ace.) is not on the list

I take it Willie is still have Internet issues as I missed his posting this morning.

Stay cooler than you normally are

 

[Bruette]

I switched to Ryobi a few years ago. Very good tools

I have a Ryobi 4-volt screwdriver, it is the best cordless tool I have ever owned!

 

[migalyto]

On the subject of battery powered tools, I switched to Ryobi a few years ago. Very good tools, but the reason I switched is that they don't deliberately "obsolete" tools by changing battery designs and their batteries are no more expensive than anyone else's. Been very happy with the changeover.

I have a Ryobi 4-volt screwdriver, it is the best cordless tool I have ever owned!

Thanks for the suggestions, I will take a look at Ryobi. I think I have seen that brand at HD or Menards. Amazon would probably
be competitive as well and I wouldn't have to go down, though I can always bring home some layout items if I go to one of
them stores.

I like the idea of batteries never going "obsolete"

 

[Bruette]

For Louis' enjoyment

Thank you, Troy, I neglected to comment on this post. But I did click that I loved it, as I always do with your creations.

Did four wounds to it.

I did some damage back. Next round the tubbies got five hits, and I used the special magic power to avoid all of them. There was much grumbling. This was after she needed to roll 3 or less on 15 dice to avoid damage on a different part of the battle... and made all 15 saves! So I wasn't feeling sorry to magically dodge 5 wounds.

How do you or they determine the attributes for these creations?

Just made an appointment with the Vet for the cat.

I hope all is well with the cat.

Stinker (AKA Mr Fuzz, StinkFuzz, Lord Fuzzbutt, and other titles as the need arises)

I've always done the same with my pets. My one and only Cat was named Noel. I preferred Catdog or McCatski, she seemed to be Polish, and, in many ways, she acted like a dog. My Dalmatian Mickey had many names, Bubba was the first and his last was Old McDog. My Cocker Spaniel Bessy was my Baby Bubba. My Beagle Sophie was my Pretty-Little-One, and my Beagle Tucker became simply my Old Friend. When Tucker was young, he was an escape artist and his escapes had me calling him something like Tucker, but I can't repeat that here.

 

[chadbag]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will take a look at Ryobi. I think I have seen that brand at HD or Menards. Amazon would probably
be competitive as well and I wouldn't have to go down, though I can always bring home some layout items if I go to one of
them stores.

I like the idea of batteries never going "obsolete"

Ryobi has basically become a HD store brand. They may be at Menards? IDK. We don’t have Menards here.

You find them on Amazon but not extensively and not all the various tools and items.

The newer coreless pro models are really good. Ryobi has a reputation as a low end, which is true for the non “pro” tools. (I forget what their pro line is actually called). But I know several contractors who use Ryobi because when they wear out or break they just buy another one. They’re so inexpensive.

I have a bunch of Ryobi tools. Especially the ones that you don’t find easily with other tool makers. Ryobi makes a ton of interesting tools that the only other choice is a high end super expensive Milwaukee version. Or whatever. If you use that tool every day then maybe the Milwaukee one makes sense. But if you only need the tool occasionally then it makes it easier to have a tool without the cost. (For example a stainless crimp ring crumpet for PEX).

 

[DeaconKC]

One of my favorite Ryobi tools is a fan that clamps onto my guncart when doing Cowboy Action Shooting.

 

[Bruette]

My Beautiful little wife smoked split chicken breasts on the Weber Kettle. I'll quickly make up for my lack of protein yesterday!

The temperature on my back porch was 108.5 with the new storm door, despite the obviously insufficient ventilation. Another thing to add to my to-do list.

 

[Bruette]

They’re so inexpensive.

I paid $19.99 for my Ryobi cordless screwdriver over five years ago, at Home Depot. I've charged it three times in all those years. I still remember the price because my late mom was with me "don't buy the cheap one" she never bought cheap tools. "I'm not buying it because it is cheap. I like this one, it's lightweight"

It holds a charge for months, sometimes years. It has power far beyond its' 4-volts and I'm still using the same battery. When I use it like I did today and yesterday. I think of my mom and say, "it works good mom"

Mine looks like this one, but it doesn't have a USB charger. Mine came with a wall-charger.

 

[TLOC]

One of the unexpected packages was personally for me.

The Wisconsin Interstate fleet is growing. The 3rd GP40-2 joins but a Wide cab instead of an L this time. It’s in the Mac Transportation corporate colors of Blue and Yellow and I must say it looks superb.

Thank you to painter extraordinaire Sammy Carlile of CARCO Shops Inc of Skiatook, Oklahoma, USA. Decals are from Matt Welke of Circuscitydecals.com

Up next but in a few months time for a return is at least 1 Sd70Ace being sent this week to the CARCO Shops and it will return in the Wisconsin Interstate colors of WC Maroon and Alaska RR yellow.

It only took about 15 minutes to go from the box on the front porch to the pulp wood lead at the Papers of Wisconsin, Inc paper mill on the Wisconsin River Valley and Terminal RR. It took that long because I was dropping off my grass cutting grandson at his house when the package arrived. He does a very nice job.

All 3 Gp40-2L’s and W will be weathered this week!

Exciting times here in Wisconsin

 

[chadbag]

I paid $19.99 for my Ryobi cordless screwdriver over five years ago, at Home Depot. I've charged it three times in all those years. I still remember the price because my late mom was with me "don't buy the cheap one" she never bought cheap tools. "I'm not buying it because it is cheap. I like this one, it's lightweight"

It holds a charge for months, sometimes years. It has power far beyond its' 4-volts and I'm still using the same battery. When I use it like I did today and yesterday. I think of my mom and say, "it works good mom"
View attachment 233734
Mine looks like this one, but it doesn't have a USB charger. Mine came with a wall-charger.

I have a similar one. I ended up buying several of their "USB Lithium" tools including the screwdriver the same or similar to the one above and a couple other ones. I se the screwdriver the most. The air pump is not strong enough for a car tire but is fine for smaller things like bike tires. I have a Cobalt 24V air pump that works with car tires anyway.

 

[bnsf971]

Good afternoon. It's sunny and 98. Feels like 114.