PiKVM v3 Fan Replacement Notes

The fan on my PiKVM v3 started getting noisy so decided to buy a 4 pack of 5v 30x30x5 mm fans to replace it. You need to remove the screws from the top, then unplug the fans. The black wire is toward the "front" of the case where the display would be. Also the fan label faces outward as an exhaust configuration. Make sure to hold down the nuts to unscrew the fan. Tighten it well after replacement too. Found that the screws were loose on the original fan, not sure if it just vibrated out that way.

Windows 11 Update Explorer.com crash due to Explorer Patcher

While patching Windows 11 from 21H2 to 22H2 the first boot would result in Explorer.exe crashing continually and restarting. This makes it difficult to control the computer. If you are lucky you can trigger Task Manager via CTRL-ALT-DEL to kill explorer. Run menu in Task Manager will allow you to run individual programs but do not minimize otherwise you might not be able to reopen. If unable to get to Task Manager, power down three times to trigger the boot up failure menu. Revert the quality update in this menu.

Now you have two options:
1) Patch Explorer Patcher to the latest version available in GitHub: https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases
2) Temporarily Uninstall Explorer Patcher then reinstall after Quality Update is complete.

There is no Auto Update for Explorer Patcher so you have to remember to do this periodically or before each quality update.

YuanLey 4 x 2.5g 2 x 10g SFP Switch Power Consumption Notes

With just the 2.5Gbps ports populated each switch uses this much power:

2.5 Watts Idle
3.2 Watts 2 Ports active

Have not had the chance to try the SFP ports yet.
Extra Notes: 2.5Gpbs is amber light, 1Gpbs is green light, in the past amber was 100Mbps

Comparison of Ergotron HX Heavy Duty Tilt Head vs Original

The Ergotron HX is unable to take the weight of a Samsung G9 while maintaining tilt functionality due to the severe shape and difference in Center of Gravity. Previous to the new Heavy Duty Tilt Head (Part: 98-540-216) users have resorted to ties, jamming screws and retrofited base stand head to affix their monitors.

The new Heavy Duty head can be identified by the more prominent side bolts and screws on the top of the head. It may be a manufacturing variance but this new head also appears generously lubricated and an off-grey color compared to the original.

Tips for Updating Samsung Odyssey G9 Firmware

The exe file that comes from Samsung is compressed with ALZip, which is available from the Windows Store. You can open the file for self-extraction or use that application to decompress the IMG file within. Copy the file to the root directory of a FAT32 (surprisingly NTFS also worked for me) USB stick. Unplug the USB Type B plug from the rear of the monitor if it is attached. Then attach the USB stick to the outermost port on the rear. If you plug into the innermost port it will not update.

Go to the front of the monitor and use the OSD stick to go the the Menu. Choose Support -> Software Update. If you followed the steps correctly the stick will start flashing as it is read. If it does not read it may be you forgot to unplug the USB Type B which causes the monitor to become a hub, stick may be in the wrong USB port, or file is not in root directory. Update should take less than 5 minutes. A progress bar is displayed.

Stripping screws on Omen 15 Laptop

Use a Philips Head #000 (PH000) screw driver to remove the screws. I made the mistake of using #0 and #00, using a common precision screw driver set from Walmart, which stripped it for the tougher front screws. HP uses thread locking glue so it is hit or miss for successful extraction without the proper screwdriver head. If the screw does not come out easily, stop! If this message is too late as you have already stripped it, screwdriver just spins freely and you can see silver, use a Microbit Screw Extractor (the smallest one in the set) with a power drill. Install the bit, set the drill on reverse, set the lowest speed or infinite with a slow press. Pressing down firmly on the screw head start with the side having the big teeth. If it bites the screw will extract. In my case I did not even have to use the other side with more threads. As for replacement screws, there are laptop screw sets you can buy from Amazon and such. For the 2018-2020 Omen 15 the outer case screws are M2x6.0.

Links:
(PAID link) Microbit Screw Extractor (Amazon)
(PAID link) Assorted Laptop Screws (Amazon)
(PAID link) Screwdriver set containing PH000 (Amazon)

Why Is my Mic not recorded on OBS Stream?

So I checked all the usual suspects: Mic audio levels were moving, unchecked exclusive mode on microphone, made sure microphone was not muted in Windows or OBS, verified desktop audio could be heard on the stream. But somehow OBS was not sending my Mic/Aux to either the Stream or Recording. Discord had no issue picking up my voice so it had to be something in OBS. Clicked on Advanced Properties on the Mic/Aux under Audio Mixer. I see that track 1 was assigned to Desktop Audio while track 2 was set for the Mic/Aux. So I clicked Track 1 on the Mic/Aux as well, magically the recording now has sound. I notice that the track selector on Stream is a radio button, only one can be active.

UPDATE: Found a similar issue in the OBS Forum