The Story of Lori, Chapter 2

[Emma1017]

The last time I got close to a lot of gold was a high school trip to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. It provides storage for central banks, governments, and official international organizations on behalf of the Federal Reserve System.  https://www.newyorkfed.org/aboutthefed/goldvault.html 🔗

Reminds me of the gold vault scene in DIE HARD 3: 🔗

[Lori Dee ✅]

Knock at the door this afternoon.

"Package for you. Sign here, please."

"Is it for Lori?"

"Yes. Sign here, please."

"Is it a subpoena from the DOJ?"

"I don't know. I'm just the UPS driver."

"Well, the uniform is pretty convincing."

I signed it, even though I don't think I am expecting anything.

It was from Pueblo VA Audiology. My hearing aids have been returned!

The factory replaced the batteries, updated the software, and did a thorough functionality test. Then they sent them to our Audiology Clinic, where my Tech rechecked everything, then downloaded my programming into the newly refurbished hearing aids, and shipped them to me.

What is interesting to me is that I don't use most of the new AI-controlled features. I find them very annoying. So I have dumbed down the hearing aids so they do what I want, not what their AI wants. I don't need AI voices whispering political slogans in my ears or telling me I have a call when I can hear my phone ringing. Seriously. Just stop it.

So the result is something like taking a high-end computer, running the fastest CPU and memory, a top-of-the-line graphics card, and a 5 TB SSD drive, with an ultra-nitro-cooled water pump...  and running Windows 5 on it. Or maybe Windows 7. It all went downhill from there.

😆

[Sarah B ✅]

Hi Lori

You said:

So the result is something like taking a high-end computer, running the fastest CPU and memory, a top-of-the-line graphics card, and a 5 TB SSD drive, with an ultra-nitro-cooled water pump...  and running Windows 5 on it. Or maybe Windows 7. It all went downhill from there.

No, that's not quite correct!  At worst the circuits are roughly less than 1/4" and cost more than a brand new computer worth thousands of dollars.

😁

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@Lori Dee

[Lori Dee ✅]

Hi Lori

You said:

No, that's not quite correct!  At worst the circuits are roughly less than 1/4" and cost more than a brand new computer worth thousands of dollars.

😁

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@Lori Dee

That is very true. These things go for $4,385 per pair. For that price, I could buy a Falcon Northwest FragBox. < drool >
https://www.falcon-nw.com/desktops/fragbox 🔗

🙂

[Sarah B ✅]

Hi Lori

Okay I'm definitely Drooling 😋😛🤤

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@Lori Dee

[Lori Dee ✅]

Hi Lori

Okay I'm definitely Drooling 😋😛🤤

Best Wishes Always
Sarah B
Global Moderator
@Lori Dee

I want one SO bad. I used their configuration tool and picked all of the latest and greatest components. The final build was over $5,000. I will get one someday, but right now my money is earmarked for more important things. I seriously thought about dumping it onto my credit card, but I just got it paid down from all the Jeep accessories I bought. So it will have to wait... for now. Now, if Trump comes through with his promised "tariff rebate", my credit score and I will need to have a discussion.

😁

[davina61]

I just ordered a custom fuel tank for the Heferod, good job I will be receiving a £200 fuel allowance from the government!!!

[Emma1017]

Lori, the Falcon Northwest FragBox??? Double drool next to you!

[Lori Dee ✅]

Lori, the Falcon Northwest FragBox??? Double drool next to you!

I have no idea what I would use it for, but I want one. I doubt the hardware would become outdated for at least ten years. By then, the AI robots will be building themselves, so we will be screwed anyway.

😆

[Emma1017]

...and it looks sooo cool!

[Lori Dee ✅]

...and it looks sooo cool!

And it is the size of a shoebox. WHAT?

My current machine is like a small aquarium, complete with tempered glass sides and LED lights everywhere. I could fit two, maybe three Fragboxes in this case.

[Emma1017]

Lori, it is so easy to get my geek on!!!

[Lori Dee ✅]

Lori, it is so easy to get my geek on!!!

Same here.
My current rig is no Fragbox, but it is better than a sharp stick in my eye. 😆

CPU | AMD 9700X CPU with Levelplay SE360-ST AIO Liquid cooler with 3 ARGB fans
GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070
MMR | Memory Team Group DDR5 6000 MHz RGB 16GB CL38-46-46
NVM | Gen4 ADATA Legend 860 2TB
Motherboard | ASUS B650EM MAX GAMING WIFI-GSI CEC D5
CASE | Montech KING 95 PRO White w/ALPHA 750W, 6 white fans(3 ARGB, 3 non-RGB

I had to wait for the LEDs to cycle around to a bright enough color to light up the inside of the case.

[Rochelle]

Ok, I'm geek jumping in.  😝

Built in April of this year.

CPU: Intel Core i9-14900K - Core i9 14th Gen, CORSAIR iCUE Link H100i LCD Liquid CPU Cooler - 240mm AIO
GPU: GIGABYTE Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB GDDR7
MEM: CORSAIR Vengeance RGB 64GB (2 x 32GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR5 7000 (PC5 56000)
M.2: SAMSUNG SSD 9100 PRO 2TB, PCIe 5.0x4 M.2 2280
M.2: (Free Gift Item) Team Group T-FORCE G50 M.2 2280 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 with NVMe
Motherboard: MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI II LGA 1700 DDR5 6x SATA 6G PCI-E x16 slot 5x M.2 2.5Gbps LAN Wi-Fi 7
Case: CORSAIR 4000D RS ARGB Frame Modular Mid-Tower ATX PC Case – High Airflow, 3X Pre-Installed RS ARGB Fans (replaced fans for full color)

[Lori Dee ✅]

Ok, I'm geek jumping in.  😝

Built in April of this year.

CPU: Intel Core i9-14900K - Core i9 14th Gen, CORSAIR iCUE Link H100i LCD Liquid CPU Cooler - 240mm AIO
GPU: GIGABYTE Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB GDDR7
MEM: CORSAIR Vengeance RGB 64GB (2 x 32GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR5 7000 (PC5 56000)
M.2: SAMSUNG SSD 9100 PRO 2TB, PCIe 5.0x4 M.2 2280
M.2: (Free Gift Item) Team Group T-FORCE G50 M.2 2280 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 with NVMe
Motherboard: MSI MPG Z790 CARBON WIFI II LGA 1700 DDR5 6x SATA 6G PCI-E x16 slot 5x M.2 2.5Gbps LAN Wi-Fi 7
Case: CORSAIR 4000D RS ARGB Frame Modular Mid-Tower ATX PC Case – High Airflow, 3X Pre-Installed RS ARGB Fans (replaced fans for full color)

Nice rig, Rochelle!

I do like the MSI builds and was looking at them at first. I really wanted to get away from Intel. I was having a lot of issues keeping their software out. I would disable or uninstall components, and Intel would load the drivers right back in without permission and without going through Windows Update. My Dell was an i7, and it was a good machine for many years, but when it died, I was kind of happy to see it go. I have all the disassembled parts on the floor next to my new rig as a warning to it not to cross me. 😆

I wanted to go with AMD Ryzen for a change, and this setup is right off the shelf. I'm not sure what upgrades I will want to do, since the goal is still the Fragbox. So rather than throw money at this, I may just buy the Fragbox and be done.

But that won't happen right away. My focus right now is on finally getting the services done that were not available to me in South Dakota. I've finally started electrolysis, and figuring out budgets and finances for surgery. A lot needs to happen between now and then, but I am trying to stay laser-focused.

[davina61]

Over my head but I did fit a gaming board to the very first tower we had . I keep getting notifications from my security program that I need to run a clearance as my VPN is exposed and my data is being sold. Strange that I have to pay to get this done ( cynical or what!!)

[Lori Dee ✅]

I keep getting notifications from my security program that I need to run a clearance as my VPN is exposed and my data is being sold. Strange that I have to pay to get this done ( cynical or what!!)

Are you getting those notifications now?

What security program are you using?

That is really suspicious, especially if you are not using a VPN. It sounds like ransomware. If so, you will need a good security program to remove it, but there are free versions available that can get it done.

[Emma1017]

I have retired from computer building until I retire.  I have been playing with a 3D printer I bought on ebay.  I haven't used it for anything useful, but fun to play with.

[davina61]

Avast on line security is the one that I have blocked as I have Norton. Microsoft security say no problems.

[Lori Dee ✅]

Avast on line security is the one that I have blocked as I have Norton. Microsoft security say no problems.

I have always had problems with Norton. Avast is good. But Windows Defender is almost all that most people need. For business use, something more robust might be justified, but for just home use, Defender does a good job. If it says you are okay, then you are okay.