Author: Dave Farquhar

Atari 800 video cables

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
Atari 800 video cables

The standard for video output on 8-bit computers is there was no standard. Well, oddly enough, a bunch of companies did something super similar, but there are enough gotchas that you have to be careful. At least Atari sidestepped the problem. Here’s my experience with Atari 800 video cables, which also (mostly) applies the XL and XE variants. And you can use the same cable with other machines in a pinch.

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What CVSS is and how to use it

Dave Farquhar security
What CVSS is and how to use it

What is CVSS? CVSS stands for Common Vulnerability Scoring System. It is a method to express the relative strength of vulnerabilities compared to each other. It’s a common statistic in computer security, especially in the field of vulnerability management.

There are two versions of CVSS in common use. The major difference is version 3 allows you to account for environmental factors to adjust it, but both of these versions have one significant weakness.

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7805 switch mode replacement

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing
7805 switch mode replacement

One of the best things you can do for heat dissipation in vintage computers and consoles is replace the 7805 voltage regulator with a modern switch mode replacement. Here’s why that helps and where to get one.

A modern 7805 switch mode replacement regulator runs cooler than the original 7805. This reduces the need for heat dissipation and helps other components, such as capacitors, last longer.

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ETL file: What it is and how to open or read it

Dave Farquhar Windows
ETL file: What it is and how to open or read it

The C:\Windows\Logs directory has tons of useful information in it, but it’s all in the obscure ETL file format. What’s an ETL file, why did Microsoft switch to this format, and how do you open the file to read it?

ETL stands for Event Trace Log, and they contain information from kernel events generated by Tracelog. Windows uses them because they are more efficient than logging in plaintext, and you can open ETL files in Event Viewer, but it’s also possible to convert them into XML, CSV, or plaintext for troubleshooting.

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Why do capacitors fail?

Dave Farquhar Hardware, Retro Computing
Why do capacitors fail?

Bad capacitors are the bane of generations of consumer electronics. They plagued early 90s Amigas and Macs, early 2000s PCs, and cheap hardware even today. So why do capacitors fail? And how can you tell when a failed capacitor is a problem?

Capacitors fail when the electrolyte dries out, or when the gas inside them builds up to a point that it opens a safety valve and the electrolyte leaks out. A good capacitor takes decades to dry out, but a cheap capacitor can leak within a few short years.

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Combining cells in Excel

Dave Farquhar Office
Combining cells in Excel

Combining cells in Excel is something we frequently need to do. And there are multiple ways to do it, depending on what exactly you need to do. One is easier to remember than the others, but let’s step through them.

I find the easiest-to-remember way to combine cells is to use the & operator with the cells you want to combine, along with any additional text. For example, the formula =A1&” “&B1 will combine the cells A1 and B1 with a space in between them.

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What social engineering is and how it works

Dave Farquhar security
What social engineering is and how it works

Thanks to an embarrassing hack where someone gained access to a Twitter administration tool and used high-profile accounts to tweet out a Bitcoin scam in July 2020, social engineering has a lot of attention. But what is social engineering? How does it work?

There’s no need to complicate social engineering. It’s not something new, it’s just an old-fashioned con job in modern times, sometimes using modern technology.

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How to remove tape residue

Dave Farquhar DIY

There comes a time when we have to remove tape from something and don’t want to damage it. It’s not always easy, but it’s possible to remove tape residue from almost anything. Even paper. Here’s how.

Removing tape residue often requires use of several different techniques including heat and chemicals. My favorite is rubber cement thinner, as it will even remove tape adhesive from paper, but different surfaces require different options.

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Job offer acceptance deadline? Proceed with caution.

Dave Farquhar Careers
Job offer acceptance deadline? Proceed with caution.

The topic of the dreaded job offer acceptance deadline came up in my circles this week. Unfortunately I expect these to become more common in the near future. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a red flag. Let’s look at why businesses put deadlines on offers, and what they reveal in doing so.

Job offer acceptance deadlines are a power move, intended to force an individual’s hand. But they are also a sign that the company is insecure.

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Is HGST a good brand? Are HGST drives reliable?

Dave Farquhar Hardware
Is HGST a good brand? Are HGST drives reliable?

Western Digital phased out its HGST brand, but you may still encounter those drives from time to time. So is HGST a good brand? More importantly, are HGST drives reliable? And can you still buy an HGST drive today?

While “Brand X by Brand Y” type brands often indicate something lower-tier, that’s not really the case with HGST. Use of a separate brand was a legal requirement, and there never was anything second-rate about HGST.

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