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Suggestions on new place for questions about CD-ROM failures?

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by SlickRCBD, Jun 30, 2015.

  1. SlickRCBD Gems: 29/31
    Latest gem: Glittering Beljuril

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    Remove all ads!
    I'm starting to show my age and possible obsolescence.
    I used to get help with some hardware issues on Usenet. Then in 2008 Comcast dropped their Usenet server, and when I asked the other broadband ISP in my area if they still had one included with the package, their response was "A what server?" Even when I tried asking for an "Usenet server", "a newsserver", and "a NNTP server".

    I haven't really had a need since then for hardware problems, most of the time I was able to ask people around me if I needed help and couldn't find much with a simple Google search, the latter of which usually solved 99% of issues.

    Now, I just had a strange situation with the optical drives in the two desktops I have active failing at the same time, and I'm wondering what could cause that to happen. They are different brands, and one is SATA while the other is IDE.

    I looked, and according to Google Groups, which makes it really hard to find newsgroups since I can't find the hierarchy listing anymore and the search is imprecise, alt.cdrom hasn't had activity since 2010, comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.cd-rom hasn't had activity since last year and the person didn't get much help, aus.computers.cdrom also hasn't had anything since last year and that looks like 3 spams since 2009, and comp.publish.cdrom.hardware hasn't had any nonspam activity since 2013.

    So, where would I got to get help on this issue these days? It seems the old fashioned place is no longer used.

    I'm also going to post about my issue here, but I'm wondering what the go-to place for this kind of thing is these days. Usenet used to be one of my biggest resources, especially back in the '90s and early 2000's when I was still learning and the web searches were not as helpful.

    P.S. I don't have a newserver, I'm using Google Groups to post.
    DejaNews was SO superior it's not even funny.
     
    SlickRCBD, Jun 30, 2015
    #1
  2. Blackthorne TA

    Blackthorne TA Master in his Own Mind Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    I typically just use a search engine and browse the results for something similar to my problem. There are so many places these days where information is placed; so many forums... it's just too big without a search. Everybody has a forum these days, even manufacturers. If you can't find a solution, at least you might be able to find a place that deals with similar things to ask about your problem.
     
    Blackthorne TA, Jun 30, 2015
    #2
  3. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    http://www.cdrom-guide.com/ would probably be a good place to start, but honestly, with the value of a used drive at about $10, it's probably not worth the time unless it happens again after you replace the failed drives.
     
    Taluntain, Jun 30, 2015
    #3
  4. ConjurerDragon

    ConjurerDragon Ich dien ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    We don´t become obsolete - each year adds to our intrinsic value much like old cheese or wine :geezer:

    My ISP stopped providing a usenetserver too some years ago and since then I´m using one of the free usenetservers still available.
    If you understand german (for the registration the groups offers english groups too!) it´s
    http://tota-refugium.de/Tota/TermsOfUse

    That is to be expected when most users move on to DVD´s instead of CD´s and most newer users look for solutions on Googlegroups without knowing what usenet even is... :rolleyes:

    If one of the drives is SATA which only started 2003 to be available perhaps you could look on the website of the manufacturer. Those sometimes have a forum of their own for technical questions and support.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2015
    ConjurerDragon, Jun 30, 2015
    #4
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