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Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 325

post #9721 of 15479
1/19/12 at 2:56pm
Just noticed the reset switch in the photo on the first page is backwards (polarity). No wonder you would have been happy keeping my first case.

[For those who haven't followed my tales of woe, I discovered the reset switch wire was broken after (natch) installing the PSU, mb, etc. Amazon was very good about replacing it. Then the wireless keyboard didn't work (okay, the RIGHT side didn't work; the left side was fine). Geeks just took that back with no problem.]
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post #9722 of 15479
1/19/12 at 3:38pm
Thread Starter 
Installed the 80GB Intel SATAII SSD into my laptop today that I got for $80 AR.

Its like a whole new machine. In case I forgot how awesome these things are I just reminded myself.
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post #9723 of 15479
1/19/12 at 3:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Installed the 80GB Intel SATAII SSD into my laptop today that I got for $80 AR.

Its like a whole new machine. In case I forgot how awesome these things are I just reminded myself.

I recently put a 64gb Samsung SATA II in a Sony Vaio Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26 GHz laptop. I agree. It's like a whole new machine. Really remarkable transformation.
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post #9724 of 15479
1/19/12 at 5:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Installed the 80GB Intel SATAII SSD into my laptop today that I got for $80 AR.
Its like a whole new machine. In case I forgot how awesome these things are I just reminded myself.

Was that in addition to an internal spinner? Or is that the only storage drive "internal" to the laptop and you're running external spinners?

Sky
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post #9725 of 15479
1/19/12 at 5:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylark View Post

Was that in addition to an internal spinner? Or is that the only storage drive "internal" to the laptop and you're running external spinners?

Sky

Took out a 500GB Seagate Momentus.

Replaced it with the Intel SSD.

This is in my ASUS CULV laptop (1.3 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo)
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post #9726 of 15479
1/19/12 at 5:35pm
Thread Starter 
This is why I recommend the 60-64GB size as the smallest you should get (also that's the smallest SATAIII SSD that is available)

I have Windows 7 x64, all updates, Microsoft Office installed. No HTPC software yet. So as you can see 30GB is too small and 40GB cuts it really really close.

60-64GB is just about right for HTPC.

Edit: Just realized that I have about 7GB of misc. crap from my old drive on the SSD as well. So subtract that from the total above.

Oh, and Windows just found 16 more updates. So apparently I am not done there either.

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post #9727 of 15479
1/19/12 at 5:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Took out a 500GB Seagate Momentus.
Replaced it with the Intel SSD.
This is in my ASUS CULV laptop (1.3 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo)

Quite a difference going from a 500GB to an 80GB. Those Western Digital Passport external drives that get power from the USB port sound like a good way to get the additional storage without too much transporting hassles.
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post #9728 of 15479
1/19/12 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylark View Post

Quite a difference going from a 500GB to an 80GB. Those Western Digital Passport external drives that get power from the USB port sound like a good way to get the additional storage without too much transporting hassles.

Actually I forgot that I have about 7 GB of stuff from my old Seagate drive on the SSD as well.

I don't need a lot of storage on the laptop with my server, desktop, numerous other HTPCs, etc.
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post #9729 of 15479
1/19/12 at 6:24pm
Is the SSD beneficial in a machine running 24/7 as a dedicated media computer / DVR?

Are there any recommended HTPC cases that hold three internal drives (and at least one external bay for a blu-ray)?
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post #9730 of 15479
1/19/12 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShoutingMan View Post

Is the SSD beneficial in a machine running 24/7 as a dedicated media computer / DVR?

Are there any recommended HTPC cases that hold three internal drives (and at least one external bay for a blu-ray)?

SSD is not necessary but is a very nice luxury to have. Once you use one you will never want to go back.

For affordable cases holding at least three drives take a look at the NMedia cases. They are very large.

The GD04/05 Silverstone cases only hold 2 hard drives and 1 ssd.
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post #9731 of 15479
1/19/12 at 6:53pm
Got my motherboard in today. Just finished doing a clean install of 7. Was curious about the stability of Media Center Studio. Last time I installed, it was the messed up version of it, and WMC wasn't the same afterwards.
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post #9732 of 15479
1/19/12 at 7:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by thefever View Post

Got my motherboard in today. Just finished doing a clean install of 7. Was curious about the stability of Media Center Studio. Last time I installed, it was the messed up version of it, and WMC wasn't the same afterwards.

My experience has been variable with it.

I wish the developer would come back or at least hand it off to someone. This is why for some pieces of software I am all for throwing the developer a few bucks to keep them interested. MCS would be one of those pieces of software that's worth a few bucks as gratitude.
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post #9733 of 15479
1/19/12 at 7:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylark View Post

Quite a difference going from a 500GB to an 80GB. Those Western Digital Passport external drives that get power from the USB port sound like a good way to get the additional storage without too much transporting hassles.

I took out a 350gb hard disk and replaced it with a 64 gb ssd, but for that laptop, that's plenty, and I only had about 28gb on it. For another laptop I used a 128 because it had about 70gb of data (my wife's iTunes files). We have plenty of desktops, so our laptops are used for portability and travel and not for data storage so we don't really need that much storage space. If I need temporary storage a big flashdrive will suffice. But a 128 will generally be more than enough for a laptop for me. If you're using a laptop as a primary PC, that's probably not going to work for you.
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post #9734 of 15479
1/20/12 at 1:56am
Excellent thread..will be starting my build soon
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post #9735 of 15479
1/20/12 at 4:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post


Actually I forgot that I have about 7 GB of stuff from my old Seagate drive on the SSD as well.

I don't need a lot of storage on the laptop with my server, desktop, numerous other HTPCs, etc.

I'm down to 2gb remaining in my 64gb SSD
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post #9736 of 15479
1/20/12 at 6:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

I looked at this using Google Chrome and can verify that both of those files are there and functioning as intended. Try a different browser if you can't access them for some reason.

I got them downloaded. Not sure if it was an error on my part or my browser. Whenever I single left click each file it opens a new tab with info like I had mentioned, but once in that new tab I can right click and "save target" and it seemed to have worked. So, I seem to be back on track now. Thanks again for checking!
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post #9737 of 15479
1/20/12 at 7:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Installed the 80GB Intel SATAII SSD into my laptop today that I got for $80 AR.

Its like a whole new machine. In case I forgot how awesome these things are I just reminded myself.

I just put a 120gb in mine as well - it's like a new machine.
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post #9738 of 15479
1/20/12 at 7:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeydrunk View Post

I'm down to 2gb remaining in my 64gb SSD

you might want to clean that up a bit.
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post #9739 of 15479
1/20/12 at 7:25am
OK. I got everything installed and most of the software up and running. Everything looks and works great so far. Thanks to Assassin and his guides!

One "hardware" question. I'm trying to do all my configuring on a monitor rather than using the connected projector. However, I've noticed that if the HDMI cable is connected to the PC, the video automatically switches to the Projector and the LCD monitor just shows the wallpaper. Is there any way to toggle the monitors? I've tried Windows-P but that doesn't seem to do anything.


Software-wise, I'm up to the point where I am setting up Windows Media Center and trying to install the Netflix plugin. I get to the 55% installation and it fails, as reported in Guide #4... however, no matter what I do, Netflix doesn't appear in WMC. I've tried reinstalling, rebooting, installing Silverlight separately, and nothing seems to work.

Suggestions?
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post #9740 of 15479
1/20/12 at 8:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by krooooog View Post

OK. I got everything installed and most of the software up and running. Everything looks and works great so far. Thanks to Assassin and his guides!

One "hardware" question. I'm trying to do all my configuring on a monitor rather than using the connected projector. However, I've noticed that if the HDMI cable is connected to the PC, the video automatically switches to the Projector and the LCD monitor just shows the wallpaper. Is there any way to toggle the monitors? I've tried Windows-P but that doesn't seem to do anything.


Software-wise, I'm up to the point where I am setting up Windows Media Center and trying to install the Netflix plugin. I get to the 55% installation and it fails, as reported in Guide #4... however, no matter what I do, Netflix doesn't appear in WMC. I've tried reinstalling, rebooting, installing Silverlight separately, and nothing seems to work.

Suggestions?

there is a WMC update/download you need to run and then it shall show up. there are two fix options

Open Media Center, choose Settings, General, Automatic Download Options, and ensure that the 'Download when connected' is enabled. The Netflix tile will appear after the next Media Center Guide download time has passed.

2. Open Media Center, choose Settings, General, Automatic Download Options, and select the Download Now button at the bottom. It may take some time depending on your connection speed.
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post #9741 of 15479
1/20/12 at 10:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

This is why I recommend the 60-64GB size as the smallest you should get (also that's the smallest SATAIII SSD that is available)

I have Windows 7 x64, all updates, Microsoft Office installed. No HTPC software yet. So as you can see 30GB is too small and 40GB cuts it really really close.

60-64GB is just about right for HTPC.

Edit: Just realized that I have about 7GB of misc. crap from my old drive on the SSD as well. So subtract that from the total above.

Oh, and Windows just found 16 more updates. So apparently I am not done there either.


You can get more space back by turning off hibernate at the DOS promt, reducing the size of the virtual memory, and limiting how much Windows uses for recovery.
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post #9742 of 15479
1/20/12 at 10:54am
Hey Assassin,

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the excellent work on your guides. Huge fan and supporter. I have been looking through various forums discussing Media Browser and XBMC, and notice you have guides that cater to both and each have its merits.

So I definitely won't ask which one is better, but I am curious what your thoughts are on the Aesthetic aspects of both are. From your perspective do you prefer one over the other?

Also just on a side note, are you still using Media Browser as your primary front end?
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post #9743 of 15479
1/20/12 at 11:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cburbs View Post


you might want to clean that up a bit.

Not at all, I know.exactly what's in There
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post #9744 of 15479
1/20/12 at 11:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by joeydrunk View Post


Not at all, I know.exactly what's in There

Edit: cleaning I do periodically but I have every thing there I want
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post #9745 of 15479
1/20/12 at 11:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariob33 View Post

there is a WMC update/download you need to run and then it shall show up. there are two fix options

Open Media Center, choose Settings, General, Automatic Download Options, and ensure that the 'Download when connected' is enabled. The Netflix tile will appear after the next Media Center Guide download time has passed.

2. Open Media Center, choose Settings, General, Automatic Download Options, and select the Download Now button at the bottom. It may take some time depending on your connection speed.

Thanks.... That worked!
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post #9746 of 15479
1/20/12 at 12:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by n3x6 View Post

Hey Assassin,

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the excellent work on your guides. Huge fan and supporter. I have been looking through various forums discussing Media Browser and XBMC, and notice you have guides that cater to both and each have its merits.

So I definitely won't ask which one is better, but I am curious what your thoughts are on the Aesthetic aspects of both are. From your perspective do you prefer one over the other?

Also just on a side note, are you still using Media Browser as your primary front end?

I really like both. I have been using XBMC lately because I have been doing some testing on it.

I have both installed. I think its really a personal preference which you like better. Both are absolutely awesome.
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post #9747 of 15479
1/20/12 at 12:58pm
Was throwing some parts together for an HTPC and want to use for some gaming as well. How does this look so far?

SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 HD204UI 2TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Seasonic SS-560KM Active PFC F3, 560W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91, 80Plus Gold Certified, Modular Power Supply

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 ...

LITE-ON Black 12X Blu-ray Burner with Blu Ray 3D Feature SATA IHBS112-04 - OEM

Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe MKNSSDCR120GB-DX 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

SILVERSTONE Black 8.0mm aluminum front panel, 0.8mm SECC body GRANDIA GD04B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

I Still need to pick a graphics card and maybe a CPU cooler. Anyone have anything they would change? What graphics car would you recommend that will fit in that case?
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post #9748 of 15479
1/20/12 at 1:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mongoosenco View Post

Was throwing some parts together for an HTPC and want to use for some gaming as well. How does this look so far?

SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 HD204UI 2TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Seasonic SS-560KM Active PFC F3, 560W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91, 80Plus Gold Certified, Modular Power Supply

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

ASUS Maximus IV Gene-Z/GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 ...

LITE-ON Black 12X Blu-ray Burner with Blu Ray 3D Feature SATA IHBS112-04 - OEM

Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe MKNSSDCR120GB-DX 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

SILVERSTONE Black 8.0mm aluminum front panel, 0.8mm SECC body GRANDIA GD04B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

I Still need to pick a graphics card and maybe a CPU cooler. Anyone have anything they would change? What graphics car would you recommend that will fit in that case?

Looks like a great build. Just make sure that Seasonic PSU will fit without having to remove one of the fans.

I think the max video card length is 11" with 10" being preferred.
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post #9749 of 15479
1/20/12 at 3:43pm
Thread Starter 
Here is an interesting link with a few videos for those interested.

LINK
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post #9750 of 15479
1/20/12 at 3:56pm
My mouse pointer disappears when i have the Media Center Window maximized. When i have it in windowed mode i can see the pointer fine. I've gone to settings in Media Center and unchecked "always on top" but that doesn't help. How do i get my mouse back with Media Center in a maximized window?
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