Computer's Power Supply Busted!
Posted by Kevin H in Computers on Friday, July 10, 2009
I'm fairly certain my power supply on my computer burned out. It reeks of burnt computer part. The fan on the power supply is off when I turn on the computer. I keep getting these COMS errors. Right now I have a 350W power supply, which I think is not enough to support for my power house computer. I built the computer about four years ago and the power supply came with the computer case.
I wasn't sure how much power I needed because like I mentioned before the 350w came with the case. So, I did some research and found the below information. I also discovered that it doesn't matter how much power supply you have your computer will only take what it needs.
Power Supplies: How Much Power Do You Need?
Component-Requirement
AGP Video Card [30W - 50W]
PCI Express Video [100W - 250W]
Average PCI Card [5W - 10W]
DVD/CD [20W - 30W]
Hard Drive [15W - 30W]
Case/CPU Fans [3W (ea.)]
Motherboard (w/o CPU or RAM) [50W - 150W]
RAM [15W per 1GB]
Processor [80W - 140W]
For overall power supply wattage, add the requirement for each device in your system, then multiply by 1.5. (The multiplier takes into account that today's systems draw disproportionally on the +12V output. Furthermore, power supplies are more efficient and reliable when loaded to 30% - 70% of maximum capacity.)
Got this from : PC Power
I just ordered a 500W power supply from Fry's. Hopefully, it will be back like before when I install it.
Notes from Into The Wild
Posted by Kevin H in Movies, Personal Growth on Friday, June 26, 2009

Into The Wild is story about Chris McCandless' experiences after graduating from Emory University. Instead of taking the conventional route after graduating college, Chris left his upper middle class family to "LIVE LIFE".
[Chris was] an American wanderer who adopted the name Alexander Supertramp and hiked into the Alaskan wilderness with little food and equipment, hoping to live a period of solitude.
Notable Quotes:
"I read somewhere... how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong... but to feel strong."
"[written into book] Happiness only real when shared."
"Mr. Franz I think careers are a 20th century invention and I don't want one."
-Christopher McCandless
Despite all this jazz by Hollywood, which is extremely convincing while you are watching the movie, I was disappointed to discover that his journey may not have been as remarkable as was presented in the film.
Alaskan Park Ranger Peter Christian wrote: "I am exposed continually to what I will call the 'McCandless Phenomenon.' People, nearly always young men, come to Alaska to challenge themselves against an unforgiving wilderness landscape where convenience of access and possibility of rescue are practically nonexistent [...] When you consider McCandless from my perspective, you quickly see that what he did wasn’t even particularly daring, just stupid, tragic, and inconsiderate. First off, he spent very little time learning how to actually live in the wild. He arrived at the Stampede Trail without even a map of the area. If he [had] had a good map he could have walked out of his predicament [...]
This just brings me back to reality. I was really feeling this movie, but this romanticized Hollywood movie probably isn't what it is all cracked up to be and the above passage helped me see that. Still, there's got to be more than life than working that 9 to 5.
King of Pop: Michael Jackson Dead
Posted by Kevin H in Personal Growth, Quotes from Famous People on Thursday, June 25, 2009
Michael Jackson Dead?
How did this happen?
King of Pop Michael Jackson reportedly died Thursday at a Los Angeles hospital where he was rushed around 1 p.m. PT by paramedics, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The reaper does not discriminate. It doesn't matter who you are.
Life life to the fullest and appreciate every minute of it.
Dumped AAPL (0.62% Gain)
Posted by Kevin H in Gains Lessons Learned on Wednesday, June 24, 2009
I entered AAPL on the 12th of June at $136.44. Exited it today at $137.28. After commissions and fees I ended up with a 0.62% Gain.
Obviously, I would have liked to have squeezed a bigger gain out of it. But, the STO started to change. The first bounce back from the 17th failed.
There are better opportunities out there than for me to "hope" this one will go up.
In Between Chapter 6 (Finishing College) and Chapter 7 (Job)
Posted by Kevin H in Personal Growth, Visual Inspiration on Monday, June 15, 2009
What do I carry in my wallet?
Posted by Kevin H in Finances on Wednesday, May 27, 2009

What’s in my wallet?
Part of maintaining your wealth comes from managing your finances. Some of the wealthiest individuals I know are also the most frugal. Still, you don’t have to be so much frugal, but financially savvy. After all, money is meant for spending.
Aside from a twenty dollar bill, a couple I.D. cards, and my grocery savings cards, I keep a debit card and a credit card in my wallet. Nowadays, credit card companies cut a portion of the transaction fee with the consumer. It makes little sense to pay in cash when you get paid to spend.
Not all credit card issuers provide the same type of rewards. Some issuers will have you accumulate points which you can exchange for cash or gift cards. Others will cut you a check for your rewards. If you spend money at a restaurant or a bookstore, you might be rewarded more than if you bought gas at a gas station. For example, the Citi Forward card has been cited as one of the best for eating out. One of the reasons is because you get 3% back in cash back when you eat out and a whopping 5% when you purchase gift cards.
I personally use the Chase Freedom card, which gives you 1% cash back on all purchases and 3% on selected categories. I’ve had it for a while now, but I am currently looking at additional Cash Back Cards, as should you.
One step forward, two steps back.
Posted by Kevin H in Personal Growth on Wednesday, May 6, 2009
There are some days when I feel as if I have taken steps back. I'm not sure what it is, but something is holding me back from growing. It might be school or it might be the fact that I'm living 20 minutes away from school. Whatever it is, I'll have to endure for another month before I can make any major location changes. I know I've progressed as a person this past year, but I feel as if I've hit a road block. It's time to change paths.
I'm taking a detour right now in life, but soon enough I'll have to get back on the main road. I won't get lost. I refuse to lose that edge that hunger.
Sold BBY for 5.05% and 1.77% Profit
Posted by Kevin H in Gains Lessons Learned on Monday, April 20, 2009
Today I completed the second half of my BBY trade.
On April 16th, I entered BBY at $37.83 and exited half of that position a day later at 39.74. The second half of that position was exited when my $38.50 spot was hit.My stop was at 35.80. This was a 1.07R trade.
This is probably a premature exit as STO does not show to be overbought yet. In addition support looks to be at $38.00. I wanted to protect my gains. Given the market conditions (overbought this morning). I thought it was best to keep a tight stop.
To Become a Better Person and More In-Touch With Oneself
Posted by Kevin H in Personal Growth Literature on Sunday, April 19, 2009
Stoicism
For quite sometime, I've always wondered if there was a Greek philosophy that would help explain some of the questions I've had in life. I have been fortunate enough to have stumbled up stoicism.
In my pursuit for true happiness, life fulfillment, and someone to share this with, this is just another chapter in the book. Monks, scientists, psychologists, you name it everyone has tried to study happiness. I now know it is a process and to find it we must look deeper than material things.
Times Are Hard. How Do We Survive This Recession?
Posted by Kevin H in Day to Day Everyday on Thursday, March 26, 2009
Borrowed from: Tom Peters
I am constantly asked for "strategies/'secrets' for surviving the recession." I try to appear wise and informed—and parade original, sophisticated thoughts. But if you want to know what's going through my head, read the list below:
You work longer.
You work harder.
You may well work for less; and, if so, you adapt to the untoward circumstances with a smile—even if it kills you inside.
You volunteer to do more.
You always bring a good attitude to work.
You fake it if your good attitude flags.
You literally practice your "game face" in the mirror in the morning, and in the loo mid-morning.
You shrug off shit that flows downhill in your direction—buy a shovel or a "pre-worn" raincoat on eBay.
You get there earlier.
You leave later.
You forget about "the good old days"—nostalgia is for wimps.
You buck yourself up with the thought that "this too shall pass"—but then remind yourself that it might not pass anytime soon, so you re-dedicate yourself to making the absolute best of what you have now.
You eschew all forms of personal excess.
You simplify.
You sweat the details as you never have before.
You sweat the details as you never have before.
You sweat the details as you never have before.
You raise to the sky the standards of excellence by which you evaluate your own performance.
You thank others by the truckload if good things happen—and take the heat yourself if bad things happen.
You behave kindly, but you don't sugarcoat or hide the truth—humans are startlingly resilient.
You treat small successes as if they were Superbowl victories—and celebrate and commend accordingly.
You shrug off the losses (ignoring what's going on inside your tummy), and get back on the horse and try again.
You avoid negative people to the extent you can—pollution kills.
You eventually read the gloom-sprayers the riot act.
You learn new tricks of your trade.
You network like a demon.
You help others with their issues.
You give new meaning to the word "thoughtful."
You redouble, re-triple your efforts to "walk in your customer's shoes." (Especially if the shoes smell.)
You mind your manners—and accept others' lack of manners in the face of their strains.
You are kind to all mankind.
You leave the blame game at the office door.
You become a paragon of accountability.
And then you pray.