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Cactusbarb
Cactusbarb's stats
- Review count7
- Helpfulness votes18
- First reviewDecember 17, 2010
- Last reviewJuly 21, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.7
- Review comment count1
- Helpfulness votes2
- First review commentDecember 28, 2010
- Last review commentDecember 28, 2010
- Featured review comments0
Questions
- Question count0
- Helpfulness votes0
- First questionNone
- Last questionNone
- Featured questions0
- Answer count2
- Helpfulness votes0
- First answerJanuary 31, 2010
- Last answerApril 8, 2010
- Featured answers0
- Best answers0
Cactusbarb's Reviews
Keep your Wi-Fi connection strong anywhere in the house with this NETGEAR router. Monitor your network with the NETGEAR genie app, keep track of your kids with parental controls, and use multiple devices simultaneously for downloading, gaming and more
Posted by: Cactusbarb
from Tucson, AZ
After updating the firmware, the screen said the parental Genie controls were off. I checked with the open DNS and the device is there. Nothing could bring back the Parental controls that now say they are off.
Reset with a paperclip, powered on and off. Used a different computer Windows 7 instead of 8.1. Nothing worked.
Router was hard wired to the Internet when I did firmware update.
This was very important to me. I need to keep people out of movie and adult sites.
Went on the internet to find a cure... NG. More bull advice on the Internet than on a dozen Texas cattle drives.
Piece of pig offal. Avoid, waste of money.
Piece of pig offal. Avoid, waste of money.
My Best Buy number: 228772244
Mobile Submission: False
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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Bring your audio everywhere with this LG Tone Pro wireless headset. A behind-the-neck design provides maximum comfort, while Bluetooth technology connects your favorite devices. Jog buttons on the exterior of the headset give the user easy control. Equipped with an SMS reader and high-quality microphone, this LG Tone Pro wireless headset keeps you connected.
Posted by: Cactusbarb
from Tucson, AZ
I listen to just about everything and these phones are the best. The bass is there, but not boomy. The highs are perfect.
Easy connect to blue tooth.
Easy connect to blue tooth.
My Best Buy number: 2287722446
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Lenovo K450E-57327818 Desktop: Edit videos, create work documents and catch up on your social media feeds on this versatile desktop. The dedicated graphics card provides 2GB for video memory, allowing for richer images and smoother transitions while you're gaming or watching movies. Learn more about the New Windows ›
Posted by: Cactusbarb
from Tucson, AZ
This computer was on special at BB. It is a good value for the money, when on special.
I disliked the HD light and power button on the top of the case.
It has a graphics card that should give is similar performance to the 5th Generation I-5 processors. This computer has an I-4, 4th generation processor.
I set it up with the Corel Draw! X-7 graphics suit, Roxio and Microsoft Office Professional. The computer handles them well.
I set it up with the Corel Draw! X-7 graphics suit, Roxio and Microsoft Office Professional. The computer handles them well.
The hardware does not support default 8.1 encryption out of box. I use external password protected and encrypted hard drives not a problem for me. But be aware your data on your HD can be hacked. There is a moderate amount of bloatware, but not too difficult to remove.
This is my first Windows 8 computer and I had a minimal hard time going from Windows 7. I worked as an IT person before I retired; you might find the transition a bit rough. But not unsurmountable.
My Best Buy number: 2287722446
I would recommend this to a friend!
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+2points
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This router delivers powerful wireless performance for a range of home network applications, including streaming 3D high-definition video and multiplayer gaming. Four LAN and 1 WAN Gigabit Ethernet ports allow fast wired connections.
Posted by: Cactusbarb
from Tucson, AZ
I use it in...:Small office
The router has been in 24/7 use for about a week; no problems.
I used the manual installation and found, if you are an experienced user, it to be easy and intuitive. For security, I changed all the settings to unique values. I strongly suggest you do the same.
The router needed two firmware upgrades during the set up process. These are important! Wireless security is constantly being improved upon.
Using my smart phone as a SSID sniffer, I chose a 2.4GHz channel that was empty; this will ensure maximum coverage. Be aware the 2.4GHz band is shared with cordless phones, wireless TV cameras, and other devices; the 5.0GHz band and WPA2 protocol is a better bet for supported devices. The router will simultaneously broadcast on both bands, if needed for compatibility with certain devices.
With the router in a “line of sight” location, the range was around a quarter of a mile. This is not a router; it is a radio broadcast station! Be aware that placing the router in a “steel and concrete” building or in a basement will decrease the speed and shorten the range.
I found the “lost password” feature superfluous. Write down the password in several places and you won’t lose it and need to use this, so-called “feature.”
This is a hefty, big, and well constructed unit with a Godzilla grade power supply. It mounts vertically and I used double-faced tape to secure the base.
If you need a mission-critical wireless router, with scads of features, this the router to get.
What's great about it: Range and Connection Speed
What's not so great: Price
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
5
Performance
5
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7of 7voted this as helpful.
Choose this NETGEAR router and receive high level wireless security, the ability to share photos, music and more, and a way to keep track of your kids’ activity online. Plus, with easy installation for tablets, smartphones and computers, you’ll be able to start enjoying Wi-Fi throughout your home right away.
Posted by: Cactusbarb
from Tucson, AZ
I use it in...:Small home
This would be a great product if it didn’t go South after 13 months.
I have it powered by a UPS and it has adequate ventilation and it is an acceptable environment.
About two weeks ago the power light turned yellow. I rebooted the router and it went back on line. A week later the yellow power light appeared again. I disconnected all the Ethernet cables and plugged the router into another outlet, the yellow power light remained on.
I reset the router and unplugged it; Still the same problem.
I then updated the firmware and reentered all the parameters and reset it. It worked for a few days and the yellow power light reappeared.
I recommend this router conditionally; when it works, it's very good.
What's great about it: Very good performance
What's not so great: Did not last
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
2
Performance
4
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Keep your important computer components running with this 400-watt ATX power supply that features a 6-pin PCI Express connector.
Posted by: Cactusbarb
from Tucson, AZ
Build or modify your own PC:Yes
Level of Expertise:Expert
Primary reason for building/modifying PC:Hobbiest
It is hard to get excited about a power supply, but this one exceeded my expectations.
There is a BIG fan, plenty of power cables that are bundled logically and a "real" on-off power switch.
The IDE and SATA power cables are "daisy chained" which make cabling different drives in the same machine bays easier. Watch the routing of these long power cables to avoid fans.
Mechanically, It fit perfectly into my 5 year old Compaq Pentium D.
Electrically, no problems.
The fan is much quieter than the one in the OEM power supply it replaced, no more 747 take offs.
What's great about it: No Hassel Installation
What's not so great: Nothing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
5
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This 80GB solid state hard drive features a Serial ATA II interface and fast data transfer rates up to 3 Gbps, so you can easily store and access music, movies and other files. No moving parts help ensure quiet operation.
Customer Rating
5
Fast Drive, But Issues With XP
on December 17, 2010
Posted by: Cactusbarb
from Tucson, AZ
Build or modify your own PC:Yes
Level of Expertise:Expert
Primary reason for building/modifying PC:Hobbiest
This is a great drive! But I did have issues with XP.
The "trim" utility (part of the Toolbox) that is on the Intel WWW site did not perform its function with XP.
"Trim" is a utility restores the drive to "out-of-the-box" performance, as SSD's will slow up with use if this utility is not run.
When I file is deleted, is is marked as free space that can be overwritten by the OS. SSD's will not allow this, therefore, the space marked as free needs to be "erased" with the "trim" utility.
This drive would work best with Windows 7, that trims the drive via the OS.
Given the cost and low power comsumption, I would suggest this drive be better suited as a replacement for a conventional mechanical drive in a laptop.
Also, even though this drive has no moving parts, it has a finite life and will wear out.
What's great about it: Speed and Silence
What's not so great: Issues with XP
I would recommend this to a friend!
Ease of Use
3
Performance
5
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Cactusbarb's Review Comments
Keep your important computer components running with this 400-watt ATX power supply that features a 6-pin PCI Express connector.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Piece of junk!!!
By MCissell6201
from Louisville, KY
Bought this for home computer. Used to access internet and banking information. Power supply crapped out after 2 months use. Will not buy anything Dynex again. Not the first time to happen to me.
Cactusbarb
Tucson, AZ
It is Not Always the Equipment
December 28, 2010
I have carefully read the negative reviews and have this to say.
Not singling out any reviewer, I have seen a lot of electronic equipment fail because of misuse. In these cases, I have seen computers sharing power circuits with washing machines, air conditioners, refrigerators and so forth. What do you expect to happen to a delicate piece of electronic equipment under those circumstances?
The “noisy” fan is in response to power being draw by the motherboard, graphics card(s) hard drives, sound cards and so forth. The fan, operating in this manner, is keeping the P/S cool thus extending its life.
Cheap construction? Huh? These are “switching” power supplies. They do not have heavy steel -laden power transformers like linear power supplies from decades ago. They use smaller transformers and smaller filter capacitors because the “switching” power supply’s high frequency operation requires less bulky transformers and smaller filter capacitors.
The heavy parts of the P/S are the aluminum heat sinks for the power transistors.
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2of 3voted this comment as helpful.
Cactusbarb's Questions
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Cactusbarb's Answers
in a small flat screen, approx 24", does it need to be 1080, or is 720 good enough
this will be used in a travel trailer with sat.. At a veiwing distance of probably no more than 10 to 12ft.
720 is OK.
14 years ago
by
Cactusbarb
Tucson, AZ
whats the difference from 60hz to 120 hz
Movies use 24 frames per second. Conventional TV uses 30 frames per second (60Hz). This difference causes problems. In the old days, a special shuttter on TV film to video video pickups would compensate for this. If you are a die-hard movie buff, go for the 120Hz, which is a multple of 24 (5 times).
14 years, 2 months ago
by
Cactusbarb
Tucson, AZ