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Showing posts from 2017

Thrustmaster T300 RS GT Racing Wheel not playing nice with PS4 Pro

For Gran Turismo Sport, I bought a Thrustmaster T300 RS GT Racing Wheel with Next Level Racing Wheel Stand. However, after connecting all the stuff together, it was no dice. The wheel would turn clockwise for a tiny bit and then nothing. After spending a couple of hours, I discovered that all USB ports of our PS4 Pro are kaput, grrrrrr.... Luckily, it was a launch unit (Nov 10, 2016) so it's still under warranty. EBGames quickly replaced with a new unit and all is good now!

Habanero | Cayenne Chilli Powder

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Sliced fresh habaneros for dehydration Dehydrated habanero for grinding Habanero chilli powder Habanero chilli powder Cayenne chilli powder

HDD replaced

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10/5/2017: Western Digital WD Blue 1T B WD10EZEX was delivered overnight by PCCASEGEAR. Using Acronis Rescue Media, I cloned the failing HDD to the new HDD. Process took about 2 hours. Once done, I did another Parkdale test; result is good: Important note: when using Acronis Rescue Media, make sure that 'iGPU Multi-Monitor' is DISABLED in your motherboard BIOS. Otherwise, you'll be staring at a blank screen forever.

Failing HDD (Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB WD10EALX)

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Our HDD (Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB WD10EALX) is acting up this past few days. Access is very, very slow and as it's used for installation of software programs, desktop use is really bad. Example, opening Photoshop takes around 15 minutes, ouch! We got this HDD back in August 2011. I ran a Parkdale program this evening and this the HDD Write/Read result: And from Western Digital's own diagnostic tool which shows a FAIL on SMART status: In contrast, HDD Write/Read from a few years ago: SSD Write/Read this evening: I bought a replacement HDD today, a Western Digital WD Blue 1TB WD10EZEX. It should be with me by tomorrow.

Squealing noise during cold start

Our Kia Sportage 2010 had its 75,000km servicing (major) about a couple of weeks ago. One of the parts replaced is a drive belt. Starting 3 days ago, car emits a squealing noise during cold starts. See sample videos below: The servicing invoice did say that new belt(s) might need re-adjustment within 3-5 days. So I popped in to our local NRMA MotorServe, they did some checks (bolts, pulley etc) and re-adjusted tension, and now no more noise! Of course, no charge for this re-adjustment.