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Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 371

post #11101 of 15524
2/24/12 at 4:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scopeyus View Post

I don't understand. It appears that I need to create a Windows user name and password to use the service, but I'm pretty sure you don't want that on an HTPC.

I can't speak to windows 7. But, I have a 10 year old pc downstairs which doesn't have a user, it has a name, say X. So, I bring up rdc and put in X in computer name. I then hit return (for user) and return (for pswd) and voila, I'm in.

You can also config the login from remote desktop to automatically populate user name: machinename\\username, then, at least in remote desktop, you are brought directly into pswd, hit return. You might want to look that up because in mapping network drives from a cmd prompt user requires / not \\ and I'm dyslexic so I frequently get that backwards (actually, 50% of the time!)

Again, I don't know win7 and I don't know live mesh, however, I would be learning right now if I had bought an Assassin PC.... as per page 1. Why is it I'm always going back to page 1?
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post #11102 of 15524
2/24/12 at 4:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Disassembling my 2TB external tonight.

Found this video if anyone is interested...


Will report back what drive is inside...

Thanks for the video just got a 2TB version from Staples. Used a $25 off coupon and got it for $90 after tax. Just what I needed for my first htpc build.
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post #11103 of 15524
2/24/12 at 4:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo_13 View Post

Thanks for the video just got a 2TB version from Staples. Used a $25 off coupon and got it for $90 after tax. Just what I needed for my first htpc build.

No problem. I really am trying to get anyone and everyone I can into htpc.
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post #11104 of 15524
2/24/12 at 4:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

No problem. I really am trying to get anyone and everyone I can into htpc.

Well I'm in. Just registered for your guides and can't wait to start reading. Just wanted to say thanks for all of your hard work.
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post #11105 of 15524
2/24/12 at 5:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scopeyus View Post

I installed Live Mesh on both PC's; however, when I clicked Remote Desktop it wanted me to log in. I didn't create a user when I built it and I was wondering if I go through with the setup, Windows will create one, then I will have the hassle of logging in on reboots.

Use Concurrent RDP Patcher - it allows concurrent remote desktop sessions (useful if you want access without kicking people watching the HTPC off the system) and 'no password' access. This means you can reboot the HTPC and it will fire up bypassing the password screen and allow remote desktop access without a password. Great little app!
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post #11106 of 15524
2/24/12 at 5:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Heuer View Post

Use Concurrent RDP Patcher - it allows concurrent remote desktop sessions (useful if you want access without kicking people watching the HTPC off the system) and 'no password' access. This means you can reboot the HTPC and it will fire up bypassing the password screen and allow remote desktop access without a password. Great little app!

Very nice, does it work with Home Premium or do you need Pro?
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post #11107 of 15524
2/24/12 at 5:37am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattiedread View Post

Very nice, does it work with Home Premium or do you need Pro?

Here you go. Question answered: http://experts.windows.com/frms/wind...4/t/79427.aspx
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post #11108 of 15524
2/24/12 at 7:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo_13 View Post

Thanks for the video just got a 2TB version from Staples. Used a $25 off coupon and got it for $90 after tax. Just what I needed for my first htpc build.

Where are you guys getting these $25 off coupons. I may just buy one at this price.
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post #11109 of 15524
2/24/12 at 7:33am
While on the subject of RDP... I get some very unfriendly comments from the gf if I RDP into the HTPC, and she goes to watch it and has to type in the password. I don't use concurrent RDP, but I do use a little .bat file to "log off" the HTPC when I'm done. I found it somewhere, don't remember where exactly, but it's very useful. It kicks the RDP session off and goes straight to the Desktop.

No more getting yelled at when the gf has to type in the password to log back into the HTPC.

Here's a link to the file if anyone would like to use it.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8701329/remotexit.bat
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post #11110 of 15524
2/24/12 at 7:34am
I've got the PS in the GD 04, wires dangling over the side... at the mobo (ASRock Z68 Pro3 M) phase (although I have meetings from 11-3 so probably won't open the bag until this evening).

1. cpu into motherboard before or after mounting in case? This is the piece that makes me most nervous.

2. In looking at the mobo manual, there are three fan connectors, and three fans in my case. Two connex are called chassis, one power fan. I assume (oh no!) that you connect the closest ones... I'm just not certain.

BTW: Since this is a hot family of cases right now, build photos in this forum begin on pg 143, nMedia and GD case builds 1/2-2/3 of the way down (page takes some time to load) and there are some other good photos here:

http://ksstudios.com/silverstonegd04-html

Still haven't solved the load OS problem, can't seem to confidently get the OS on a thumb, probably end up doing what several people recommended and pop an optical out of another box (the OS disk is here). But, that is at least two questions away! The cables scare me too.
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post #11111 of 15524
2/24/12 at 8:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cburbs View Post

Where are you guys getting these $25 off coupons. I may just buy one at this price.

I got mine here: http://www.ezcouponshop.com/staples-coupon.php

I think http://www.e-junkie.com has some as well, but I have not purchased from them.
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post #11112 of 15524
2/24/12 at 8:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattiedread View Post

I've got the PS in the GD 04, wires dangling over the side... at the mobo (ASRock Z68 Pro3 M) phase (although I have meetings from 11-3 so probably won't open the bag until this evening).

1. cpu into motherboard before or after mounting in case? This is the piece that makes me most nervous.

2. In looking at the mobo manual, there are three fan connectors, and three fans in my case. Two connex are called chassis, one power fan. I assume (oh no!) that you connect the closest ones... I'm just not certain.

BTW: Since this is a hot family of cases right now, build photos in this forum begin on pg 143, nMedia and GD case builds 1/2-2/3 of the way down (page takes some time to load) and there are some other good photos here:

http://ksstudios.com/silverstonegd04-html

Still haven't solved the load OS problem, can't seem to confidently get the OS on a thumb, probably end up doing what several people recommended and pop an optical out of another box (the OS disk is here). But, that is at least two questions away! The cables scare me too.

1. CPU mounting before you put it in the case. I also flip over the motherboard and look at the bottom of the motherboard to make sure that each of the 4 pegs on the CPU cooler have expanded correctly and that it's secure after I have it installed. The ASRock boards come with a piece of styrofoam-ish material that I usually put under the motherboard while I am clicking in the stock CPU cooler.

2. The case should have come with a molex adapter to connect the case fans to the PSU. That is what I would use. As mentioned multiple times in this thread recently use my molex trick in the FAQ if the fans seem to loud and you want to slow them down.

Hope that helps.
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post #11113 of 15524
2/24/12 at 8:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

1. CPU mounting before you put it in the case. I also flip over the motherboard and look at the bottom of the motherboard to make sure that each of the 4 pegs on the CPU cooler have expanded correctly and that it's secure after I have it installed. The ASRock boards come with a piece of styrofoam-ish material that I usually put under the motherboard while I am clicking in the stock CPU cooler.

2. The case should have come with a molex adapter to connect the case fans to the PSU. That is what I would use. As mentioned multiple times in this thread recently use my molex trick in the FAQ if the fans seem to loud and you want to slow them down.

Hope that helps.

Very helpful, thank you. Now that I'm holding the molex adapter in my hands your previous posts/pictures make sense... if the fans are spinning too fast I can just swap the position of the hot wire to a lower voltage as long as I use the molex adapter to psu and not mobo connex. Thanks, again.
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post #11114 of 15524
2/24/12 at 10:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

1. CPU mounting before you put it in the case. I also flip over the motherboard and look at the bottom of the motherboard to make sure that each of the 4 pegs on the CPU cooler have expanded correctly and that it's secure after I have it installed. The ASRock boards come with a piece of styrofoam-ish material that I usually put under the motherboard while I am clicking in the stock CPU cooler.

Agree 100%, don't make the same mistake I just did.

Come to think of it, on build 1, I put the CPU into the mobo before putting the mobo into the case. On build 2, where I failed to fully seat 1 of the 4 pegs, I put the mobo in the case first, then installed the CPU. Just can't apply pressure to the pegs as well when the mobo is in the case.

Oh, and Assassin, another "thank you" for the heads-up on the 2TB drives @ Staples. I have one on the way, too -- w/ the coupon, it ended up about the same as Target's clearance price on 2TB WD Elements drives from a few months back... and it looks like I might actually be able to reuse the enclosure, too.
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post #11115 of 15524
2/24/12 at 11:03am
Question regarding setup of movie folders in media browser. I have an SSD and a 3TB HDD. My OS and program files are on my SSD and my Media Files will be on my HDD. My question is if Media Browser is on the SSD and the Media Files are on my 3TB HDD then do I just make my folders all on the 3TB HDD for example F:\\Media\\BluRay Movies\\Terminator\\Terminator1, or do I need to put the media folders on the SDD for example C:\\Media\\Bluray, and then show media browser where to locate the actual MKVs to place in each of the category files? I know I've seen it in Assassins guides, I just wasn't sure if some of the guides were made without an SSD and only a HDD with a partition?
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post #11116 of 15524
2/24/12 at 11:06am
Thread Starter 
Put mediabrowser and all other programs on the ssd (or os partition if you are using a hard drive) like I show you in the guides. Then point mediabrowser to the media files on your storage drive.

This should be pretty straightforward in the guides. Just follow each step.
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post #11117 of 15524
2/24/12 at 11:25am
thanks for the quick reply, I thought I had it figured out, I was just secong guessing myself. Sorry for being a PITA, I'm sure glad you've spent countless hours constructing such great guides for people like me who have no clue how to build a computer and then install and configure all the software to make it run smoothly. I really appreciate evrybodys thoughts and insights, especially you ASSASSIN.
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post #11118 of 15524
2/24/12 at 11:33am
I have about 30 screws which came with this case, but, only two which are hex heads... those are the mobo spacers, correct? Is it possible I only have two?

The mobo is in the case, lined up over 8 holes which all appear they should have a spacer, but I only have two... anyone???

I've grouped the screws together, and, can match them to their types in the manual, and, yes, there are only two of these. I recall reading a few days ago where people had extras. I haven't lost anything, opened the bag of screws and carefully placed in a metal tray.
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post #11119 of 15524
2/24/12 at 11:38am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattiedread View Post

I have about 30 screws which came with this case, but, only two which are hex heads... those are the mobo spacers, correct? Is it possible I only have two?

The mobo is in the case, lined up over 8 holes which all appear they should have a spacer, but I only have two... anyone???

Is the motherboard off the floor of the case? Under each motherboard hole is it sitting on a standoff that is built into the case itself?
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post #11120 of 15524
2/24/12 at 11:44am
yes, perfectly, I can see the standoff's, fits perfectly into the back panel.

I've used the two to anchor the opposite corners.
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post #11121 of 15524
2/24/12 at 11:47am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattiedread View Post

yes, perfectly, I can see the standoff's, fits perfectly into the back panel.

Just make sure that under each screw hole on the motherboard you have either a standoff that is built into the board or one of those hexagonal standoffs as you described that you screw into the case that is then under the board.

You might not necessarily use all the standoffs they give you. You may have extra.

When you put the screws through the motherboard and into the standoffs just "hand tighten" them with your screwdriver. Do NOT overtighten or you will crack the motherboard and render it useless.
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post #11122 of 15524
2/24/12 at 12:13pm
Thanks, got it. They gave me two extra standoffs, 8 holes in the board, 7 standoffs in the box, I needed one more in the box. Everything is very secure, definitely not too tight.

Hey, are those little speakers which used to come with mobo's a thing of the past? I don't see one anywhere... the tiny little post like speaker? Again, it has been a while for me.
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post #11123 of 15524
2/24/12 at 12:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattiedread View Post

Thanks, got it. They gave me two extra standoffs, 8 holes in the board, 7 standoffs in the box, I needed one more in the box. Everything is very secure, definitely not too tight.

Hey, are those little speakers which used to come with mobo's a thing of the past? I don't see one anywhere... the tiny little post like speaker? Again, it has been a while for me.

Some cases include them, some don't.

Not really needed but you can add one if you have an extra lying around if you want.
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post #11124 of 15524
2/24/12 at 1:01pm
Thread Starter 
You guys are going to really like this...

cburbs and I have created a Pandora in WMC guide. Very very cool.

Its Guide #82 in total.

Guide 54: Integrating Pandora into WMC

Enjoy!

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post #11125 of 15524
2/24/12 at 1:07pm
I know you're busy but a Table of Contents to all the guides in all the tabs is getting to be a neccesity.. Or at least a master list of which guides are in each tab.
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post #11126 of 15524
2/24/12 at 1:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

I know you're busy but a Table of Contents to all the guides in all the tabs is getting to be a neccesity.. Or at least a master list of which guides are in each tab.

I agree. Its on my to do list.
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post #11127 of 15524
2/24/12 at 1:11pm
Cool. It may even need a re-organization at this point. Thanks for all you work on the quides.

EDIT: and cburbs too!!!
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post #11128 of 15524
2/24/12 at 1:12pm
I definitely don't have a case speaker lying around. Only one of the two audio case jacks (plugs) is used, correct (HD in Z68's case).

Even though I've been giving it a few minutes here and there, my eyes hurt. I hope I didn't mess up a case plug...

Oh, I have the kids tonight, so this is going to be put on hold.
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post #11129 of 15524
2/24/12 at 1:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Cool. It may even need a re-organization at this point. Thanks for all you work on the quides.

I am not going to re-organize it. It would be a HUGE pita. The blog software is actually quite limiting in what it can do.

Plus by keeping it sequential older users can see what's new. And the people that have supported me the longest are my favorites.
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post #11130 of 15524
2/24/12 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

I am not going to re-organize it. It would be a HUGE pita. The blog software is actually quite limiting in what it can do.

Plus by keeping it sequential older users can see what's new. And the people that have supported me the longest are my favorites.

Well ain't that the truth. Just discoverd the sickbeard guide. Using that has been on my mind recently... Now there's the guide!
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