Category Archives: Tech

Every new custom PC build is a bit of an experiment. You may know all the specs of the components, but once it’s all assembled, it’s time to find out if your expectations were correct, or if there are any hidden issues to work out. The PC I built in the earlier accompanying article began by running completely within my expectations, then quickly exceeded them, and all at a rather reasonable cost for a high-performance computer.

I’ve assembled some more details on the components and choices surrounding them in another article.

Read more in the Tech section…

Late last year, I finally built a new custom PC for sims and gaming based on the latest Intel Z170 chipset and the Intel “Skylake” series I7 processor. The new machine is intended to be cutting-edge now, and should remain upgradeable and provide excellent performance for the next five years or more. There’s been a lot going on with it — not only was I creating a custom build based on some very new parts, but Windows 10 was also new on the scene, so there was much to do in the way of “dialing in” the new system. What follows is the full-step-by step of the hardware assembly. If you’ve never built a custom PC, or if you have and are just curious, have a read in the Tech section.

Click here for the full article…

Not long ago, I detailed a way to fix a broken power switch connector on a Mac Mini. That fix got the computer I’ve been running MSTS and Open Rails on for years back to work, but it was clearly time to replace it. I had actually planned a replacement computer build nearly two years ago but it just never got to the top of the priority list in the budget. With the old computer on its last legs, it was time to move ahead. Continue Reading…

I’ve used a Mac Mini that runs Windows with Apple’s “BootCamp” dual-boot solution for years. In fact, this particular “Late 2009” edition Mini has run Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 10. It runs MSTS and Open Rails, even Flight Simulator 9 and Flight Simulator X. While it’s not the fastest thing on the planet, it’s been surprisingly good. MSTS can run with all settings maxed-out, and Open Rails and the flight simulators give decent performance at moderate settings.

The older original design Mac Mini has a known flaw where the connector for the power switch may separate from the motherboard, rendering the computer useless. The standard (and expensive — around $300 US!) is to replace the motherboard. Not a good investment on an old computer. But here’s how to perform a simple fix to get the Mini back in action, more appropriate for an old machine that’s probably not going to be kept around forever.

Read more in the new Tech section…