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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Brought to you each
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
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class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Vol. 9, No. 31<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 3">
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>8-28-09</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>1 The evil that
batteries do </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>2 Let me
guess</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>3 Free=illegal,
steam resurgence, MS Apple?, more workspaces</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>4 Handy
info</FONT></P>
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class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>5 Dead “tower”</FONT></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Every week you see
the stories all over the Internet.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Exploding cell phones, lap burning laptops and smoking AC chargers.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The commonality?</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Lithium Ion
batteries.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Just this year in
Canada a laptop left running on a sofa started a fatal fire, killing a
56-year-old man.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Pilots have also
experienced problems due to battery cargo, leading to at least four fires this
year.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Pilot’s unions are currently
lobbying to ban shipping Lithium Ion batteries in bulk by air.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Lithium Ion
batteries work by encasing “cells” of pressurized flammable lithium-infused
fluid with a fixed ribbon of metal.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>A thin separating membrane lies between the negatively charged side of
the cell, called a cathode, and the positively charged anode side.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>When a battery is
plugged into a circuit electrons move from the cathode to the anode along the
metal ribbon.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That movement creates
electricity.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Electrons are built
up in the cathodes and when operating on battery power they are drawn along the
ribbon via the electrical potential, between the negative and positive
poles.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Once the supply of electrons
run out the battery is exhausted and the device goes dead.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>When charging the
electrons are built up rapidly in the cathodes, greatly increasing the negative
charge and diminishing the electrical potential until it reaches
equilibrium.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That means the charges
are close enough together that the number of electrons drawn equals the number
of new electron coming in.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At this
point the battery is fully charged.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Heat is obviously
generated in this process but usually it isn’t dangerous.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The problem lies with the manufacture of
the metal ribbons.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Any metal work
always results in small bits of the material flaking off and these tiny flakes
just float around in the flammable fluid.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>As with any liquid, the hotter the liquid the more rapid the movement of
any components floating in it.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Think of a pot of
vegetable soup on full boil.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>You
see the boiling water moving corn and peas and bits of cabbage all over the
place.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The metal flakes are
identical, and in this electrically charged chemical environment movement equals
heat.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Increased heat can result in
either increased pressure (if rapid) or a runaway heat “engine” (if
slower).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This can cause either
outright explosion or melting of the batteries.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>The rapidly moving
flakes pose yet another danger.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>They can perforate the separator membranes resulting in the poles making
contact.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As most of found out as
kids playing with scissors, lamp cords and electrical outlets, this results in a
short circuit and spark, which is obviously bad in a flammable
liquid.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>That got a lot more
in-depth than I had intended but regardless, here are some ways you can lessen
the danger to yourselves and your property.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Never use a laptop
or netbook on a soft surface, such as a bed, a sofa or your lap.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Soft materials can block the vents that
dissipate heat from both the battery and the electrical components.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Always use your
portable computers on flat solid surfaces such as tables or desks and, in the
case of full size laptops consider using a cooling pad.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These “pads” are short stands with one
or two exhaust fans that will pull even more heat from the unit and most will
connect to a USB port for power, making them easily portable.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>For all devices just
plug them in long enough to fully charge the battery, then unplug them, and
unplug the charger.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Plugging a
laptop or cellphone in overnight just increases power usage, even if it’s just a
trickle, and a fire while you’re asleep could be catastrophic.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>And always be aware
of how the device “feels”.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If it
starts to feel much warmer than normal or even hot immediately turn it off and
remove the battery.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Be safe, we’ll see
you next week…</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Kevin Mefford,
Editor</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><A
href="mailto:pcguru@microdome.net"><FONT
size=4>pcguru@microdome.net</FONT></A></P>
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class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4><IMG border=0
src="cid:CBE2978C9EA645D091ECC1432180885C@main" width=470 height=365
v:shapes="_x0000_i1025"></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Terry
Wise</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><A
href="http://www.ratland.com/"><FONT size=4>www.ratland.com</FONT></A></P>
<DIV
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<P
style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"
class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>Tech News of the Week</FONT></H1>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Oh boy. The
government is at it again. This time, any music you download from the
Internet is illegal. Doesn't matter if it is released into the public
domain, under a Creative Commons License, or is in any way free of worrying
about licensing or remuneration of the artist. Oh, and you're supposed to
shout at them "That's Illegal!":<BR><BR></FONT><A
href="http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/08/26/1956201/US-Fed-Gov-Says-All-Music-Downloads-Are-Theft"
target=_blank><FONT
size=4>http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/08/26/1956201/US-Fed-Gov-Says-All-Music-Downloads-Are-Theft</FONT></A><BR><BR><FONT
size=4>Old technology is new again, as a steam-powered car has broken a long
held steam engine speed record:<BR><BR></FONT><A
href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17653-steampowered-car-breaks-centuryold-speed-record.html"
target=_blank><FONT
size=4>http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17653-steampowered-car-breaks-centuryold-speed-record.html</FONT></A><BR><BR><FONT
size=4>Microsoft in Poland got a little egg on their face for some horrible
photo editing skills, and what some have perceived as racism. Personally,
I don't necessarily think anything was meant by it, other than they need to
learn to take separate photo sets instead of trying to insert someone in to a
photo. Also of note, the monitor is hooked to nothing, and there's an
Apple laptop on the desk as well:<BR><BR></FONT><A
href="http://gizmodo.com/5345418/microsoft-needs-to-hire-better-less-racist-graphic-designers"
target=_blank><FONT
size=4>http://gizmodo.com/5345418/microsoft-needs-to-hire-better-less-racist-graphic-designers</FONT></A><BR><BR><FONT
size=4>Kevin's workspace and accessory review last week got me in the mood to
look at an upgrade of my own desk as part of a few things I've bought and am
looking to buy. The folks over at Lifehacker often feature reader
workspaces as part of their posts. Take a look here for some of their
best:<BR><BR></FONT><A href="http://lifehacker.com/tag/featured-workspace/"
target=_blank><FONT
size=4>http://lifehacker.com/tag/featured-workspace/</FONT></A><BR><BR><FONT
size=4>Keep us copied in on the good stuff.<BR><BR clear=all>Daniel A.
Williams<BR></FONT><A href="mailto:daniel@thepcgurus.com"><FONT
size=4>daniel@thepcgurus.com</FONT></A></P>
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<P
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class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>Download of the Week</FONT></H1>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><FONT size=4>The Belarc Advisor has been
reviewed in this newsletter in the past, but it merits another mention.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Belarc Advisor creates an HTML report
that not only tells you everything you could possibly want to know about the
hardware on your system, but also what you might need to know about the software
that's installed. Gathered info includes motherboard type and revision, CPU and
GPU info, drive space, Microsoft hotfixes, operating system revision, and Web
browser vulnerabilities, as well as third-party software installs. It is free
and can be downloaded here: </FONT><A
href="http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html"><FONT
size=4>http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html</FONT></A><FONT size=4>
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><FONT size=4>Carlita
Lupino<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><A href="mailto:Cards57@gmail.com"><FONT
size=4>Cards57@gmail.com</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><FONT
size=5>Email Question of the Week<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></H1>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Q:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thank you for the opportunity to ask my
question. One day, I went to turn my pc on and nothing. The monitor came on and
nothing else. Is my tower dead or is there still hope?</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>A:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Generally
speaking the entire "tower" isn't dead, only a part. Unfortunately when
one part fails it can damage other parts (most notably if the power supply fails
and throws off an over-voltage) but usually that doesn't
happen.</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT size=4>The
first thing we'll need is a little more information. I know the monitor
doesn't get a signal and gives that message but what about the PC (tower)?
Do any lights come on on the front? Do you hear a beep or a series of
beeps?</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT size=4>If
you get none of that try unplugging power to the PC and pushing the power button
for five seconds (without power). Plug it back in and hit the power button
and see what happens. Sometimes it's just an overcharged capacitor in the
power supply that causes the problem and that procedure will drain
it.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT
size=4>Aside from that you could start pulling expansion cards (especially
ethernet cards and modems) and RAM modules to see if things
change.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT size=4>If
those few simple steps don't isolate the problem you might want to take it to a
local shop for evaluation. If nothing else they might be able to access
your hard drive and save your important files for you.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><FONT
size=4>Hope that helps and keep us posted...</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=4> <o:p></o:p></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=4>Kevin
Mefford</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><A
href="mailto:pcguru@microdome.net"><FONT
size=4>pcguru@microdome.net</FONT></A></P>
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