The computer interfaces with analytical physical therapy machine call a Cybex NORM.

And trust me I am working on the reengineering part $$$ ;) $$$
but in the interim the machine just has to work it generates enough revenue to defray the expenses quickly.

Its the whole machine that the computer controls that is the big bucks and they are married. Like a computer for a modern engine.

Gotcha - it's what's called a vertical app. That last line reminds me of all the jokes that proliferated when Mr. Gates started saying that Windows would be everywhere - even your car! I'd hate to have to reboot a few times a day while driving my car...

I can only imagine the future Mercedes Shop and the first step to troubleshooting a rough idle will be rebooting.

I've built all my own PCs since the time I put a 30MB HD and 640KB of RAM in my Compaq portable in 1985. Times have really changed. I have run into problems like this. The next go around I think I'll just go with a prebuilt unit.

Whenever you have a problem like that with a hard drive.t he thing I usually do is low level format it then start over.

Some drives have different jumper settings for older bios. I know some IBM Drives do.

I always used Ontrack Disk manager when setting upa drive that needed a bios overlay. it has always worked for me.

My system I have now, is fully custom built, and still runs like a champ.

I just added an 80 GB seagate barracuda drive for $99. in fact I bought 3 drives, and am using them to setup a new server for my father, not a fast processor - 700mhz, as it doesn't need all the power, but its got 512mb ram, and 160 gb of storage space. :)

Its only going to be used for file sharing and calendaring.

Alon

Sounds like a nice setup. I wouldn't really need the power of the new machine if it weren't for the stuff that I do with my CD's. In fact, when I'm not working with my audio stuff, the computer is usually given mundane tasks like the ole checkbook, vehicle maintenance records, internet, and the occasional word document. Whenever I buy a new CD, I burn a copy to put in the case that floats between the cars, then I compile it to MP3 to store and play on the home stereo system. Plans are to add my DVD's and convert my old VHS tapes to MPEG video in the near future.

I will probably try to ressurect the old Pentium to use in the shop for the Mercedes shop manual CD that just arrived in the mail this morning. :D

hey Diesel Power,

how fast does your new rig rip a CD? that's pretty awesome! i picked up a Creative Labs Nomad mp3 player with 20 Gb earlier this year and have already transcribed my entire CD collection and still not anywhere close to half full. i've even started borrowing from the local library since they have some good collectable CD's. i heard that some guys on the board have installed hard drive mp3 players in their rides. i'll have to content myself with an FM setup since i don't have an aux input in my Alpine headunit. still, it's great to be able to travel and have all your music with you...

cheers

Jsmith. My one friend is going even further in his truck than just an added mp3 player.. hehe

I built him a full blown custom P4 system, to put in the car, with sb live audigy platinum ex, 512 mb ram, 160gb storage, geforce 2 video card with tv out, a gerforce 2 pci card, and a 10.4 inch lcd moulded into the dash. The truck is still being built up, the interior is being all redone, and the equipment is waiting to be installed when the interior work and customization to it is done.

The car will use multiple screens as well, and will do real time processing, analysys and auto adjustment of the 170 band eq in the alpine F1 processor and cd player that plays mp3 cds, vcds, hdcd, and most any other type of cd, but not dvd, thats a seperate unit altogether. It s going to be ridiculously sick.

We have already filled up 40 gigs of music, and video files, with everything from classic snl episodes, to tons of music videos.

We are even building a custom floating mechanism for the hard dirve to be able to withstand shock, by being able to have the car move without jarring the drive around. :) Similar to the waya cd changer works, where the inside is suspended in the casing, with springs, and rubber to absorb the shock of bumps in the road.

He is putting in two 18" subs, with 6 batteries, 10 amps or so, and about 4000 or so watts per woofer. then there is going to be tons of interior speakers, full 7.1 surround sound, dolby digital all that good stuff. :)

ITs amazing what you can do with a computer if you put your mind to it.

A Really easy program to use to rip music cd's, is musicmatch jukebox. I use it exclusively for that purpose only, and it works quite well. I can rip an audio cd in my burner at 32x speed, in about 10 minutes or so. I havent done one in a while, but if I rmemeber it was 10 minutes give or take. I think about a minute per song, maybe 2 mins per song.

DP Keep us posted on how your networking works out, the cat 5 in conduit seems like a good idea, as you can use cat 5 up to 1000 feet if I remember correctly, it may be a bit less, but it should be able to span 600 feet easily.

When running the cables, don't run regular cat 5. Gett he good stuff, Cat5e or better, in a well shielded covering. I think plenum, or one good for outdoor use that is top quality will work well for you.

Good luck,

Alon

someday the PDV's (Tivo / Directv) will be on a portable platform and we will have access to limitless storage :p. my Tivo is only 30 Gb and i have to periodically prune it since it gets filled up with x-files reruns that my x-files fanatic kids auto-record :( . i find it interesting that those machines are running linux - and yeah, i never reboot my Tivo unless there's a power outage that causes it...

My system running windows XP is quite stable. Though been having some issues lately, the system has been up for weeks without a reboot, and I only rebooted because I like to reboot it once in a while.

Linux is great, a bit too much for me to use because I am so used to windows, but its been fun playing with it and learning some cool stuff with it.

I still havent found a llinux version that is as user friendly as mac os or windows 9x, me, nt, 2000, or xp. But installation of some linux versions is a snap.

I run virtual pc, and have linux mandrake 8.2, redhat 6.1, dos, windows 95, and windows me, justf or fun. I like using virtual pc, so I can mess with other os's, and still be able to use my computer.

If you like to tinker and learn on different pc operating systems, virtual pc is a cool program to allow you run multiple os's without compromising your main os.

Virtual mac, to run mac os on a pc would be coolt oo, as I would love to mess around with it alot, but I don't think thaey have one to emulate a mac on a pc. but ti would be hella cool.

Ohh DP, if you are setting up your system to run the cdrom manuals, copy them to the hard disk, and make your own index file to be able to click on disc one and disc 2 as you choose. you can also bypass the software checks it does, and the intro pages that slow down getting tot he good stuff, the manual itself.

You can have the index open up the file for your model and year, rather than having to choose it everytimg. I created an index for that purpose for my cd manuals on the harddrive, but I left it with the model and year chooser.

I can send you a link to download my index file if you like, then you can modify it if you want to work on your system.

http://www.a-p-group.com/ashman/file

Give it a check, and see what you think. I modeled it after the cdrom manual itself, so it should have the same look to it. It really is helpful with it on the harddrive to be able to easily choose the disc, without digging in through folders.

Alon

Hello Gentlemen. I have been wanting to upgrade my old PC for quite sometime and realized it's better to just build another one. Just for fun I go to sites and "build" one for me.. last week I got all the up to date options and the total was $900. I saw a similar PC (in specs) on the net that didn't have all the name brand board, drives, video etc. for sale for $1700.. so I think building one is better.. not to mention more fun.

Here's another geek site if anyone is interested: http://arstechnica.com/

Seems like it varies from disk to disk. The one that I'm ripping right now is going at 3.6X normal playback speed. This is due to me using a freeware version of Music Match Jukebox, which would speed up if I bought the full version. I've seen it peg as high as 6.8x normal playback speed, with an average of 4.5X playback speed. With the old pc, I was limited to 1.5x playback speed due to the processor limitations.

is it sharing?
 

DP,

getting back to what you and your neighbor are trying to do - if we wait long enough, all that would be moot:

http://www.nycwireless.net/

BTW in a recent interview a telecomm broadband spokesperson equated this to cable theft. It certainly hasn't stopped these guys...

Gotta love a CEO that thinks his almighty billion dollar bonus might slip away. :D

I like the concept, and hope that they're sucessful.