Northern Virginia Roll Call

Moving the front bumper mod to top of the list. Almost got my second deer with the Taco this morning. Plus the three fresh strikes I saw coming home. Anyone know of vendors offering discounts right now? Or veteran discounts on bumpers?

 

I’m sure there’s quite a few, but the only one I know for sure based off personal experience is mobtown who offers 10%.

 

Yeah, Microcenter used to be nice and was a place to hang out and chat with the geeks; now its some utter bullshit and the sales people are quick to put on their "salesmen stickers" on all the products. We had experienced a major site failures some years ago and I had to go to Microcenter with my office assistant to grab Switches galore, like we are talking 3000$ worth of switches of various sizes to get my backup site running. When I walked into the store I told her (74 years old, doesnt wanna retire and still plays Tennis) that we will act like robbers: Put the cart next to the shelfs and just drop everything into it and walk up front.

While doing that move with the two carts some salesman came up and started putting stickers on it while we did all the work. I told the manager and the cashier to not scan any of these salesmen stickers and then whipped out my tax exempt form at the end as a new customer.

Salesman got fired for that action.

 

I ordered everything except the cpu and gpu, because backorder, and am going to attempt a build myself. Worse case my dad is in it and can help.

 

I just pull the stickers off as they tag them. There's only one dude I'd let tag things he didn't help me with and that's because he always had my back on stuff with discounts and holding things he wasn't supposed to hold.

 

Worst case you can probably find someone around here to give you a hand. Second worst case you've got a few of us who can walk you through stuff but honestly, it's not at all difficult anymore... nothing like when I built my first in the 90's and there were jumpers fucking everywhere.

 

It's really not that hard. I hadn't built one for years and the technology had changed. My step-kid bought parts and I put that one together and I just put mine together. And as said, there's plenty of folks here to help if you get stuck.

One thing that may not occur to you: don't forget an OS and a way to get it onto your hard drive. I bought all my bits and put it all together and fired it up. Then realized I had forgotten something. Had to run all the way over to Fairfax for the OS and drive.

 

This is the only post in the last three pages I can understand, so I'll reply to it.

I've got a chrome OR bumper I just took off. Bumpers in good shape, hitch is a little crusty buy fully functional.

Rear HC Swingout: Maybe.

Custom Front: Maybe, but less so.

Hit me on the hip.

J/K I don't have a pager anymore. DM would be better.

 

Steel bumpers are always a good option since you can take a hit and hammer it back in position, but make sure the company you buy from (as an example of having them powder coat) does quality powder coat. I bought a $1800 bumper from a company before and the powder coat flaked off within the first winter like sheets of paper (ExpOne). Go with whoever specializes in their craft. Not someone who tries to bring everything in house. My example of good powder coating and specializing is BudBuilt in NC. Whoever he uses for powder....is awesome!
The other option for weight is aluminum (I like Demello) and have purchased them in the past. You really never have to worry about it although there is no hammering back aluminum....

 

Yay #racecage!!!!!

 

So some co-workers have suggested an office camping trip. Yous guys have ideas for sites that are reachable by regular cars? I was thinking Switzer? We're open to area. Most folks would be coming from MD.

 

Green ridge state forest in western Maryland. Mix of easy roads and not as easy roads. Group sites. Super nice staff and military discount (idk if the discount applies to group sites).

 

What all did you order?

Your motherboard selection locks you into your cpu choice especially with Intel. They change sockets constantly, and pretty much every generation cpu is on a different socket.

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/nRdqrr

This setup except with corsair rgb fans and ram. I also bought a mid tower i'm hoping it will all fit in.

Ended up deciding to go with ryzen given the feedback i've been seeing.

 

^^ This... back in the day it was "cable select" for drives after the jumpers, but you could also be as old to remember the HDD type 1-49ish? or enter Cyl,Sec and the other 3rd one I cannot remember. Its ultra easy now; just remember to take time AND ground yourself!

You can get a legit licence of ebay for Win10 pro for like 10$ so go that route for cheap if needed. Dual or triple boot with partitioned ssd depending on what else you want to get "into".

Kid with cancer near Martinsburg WV, loves jeeps and will most likely not see his next birthday. I am aware we are not "jeepahs" but anyways:


https://www.jamesrumsey.com/2020/12/17/jeeps-for-georgie/


Also need some guidance please:
Working in WV for a WV based company but living in VA. How does the tax stuff work? I see a reprocity agreement between VA and WV but having a hard time figuring out the opposite. Can someone either point me in the right direction for this or even better have direct experience with living in the Commonwealth of VA but doing work in WV?

 

@nguyenpatrickt did you go with that group to bald mountain Saturday?

 

You should only pay VA state tax. I work in MD, but live in VA. I only pay VA state taxes.

 

@Darkgoatracer I'd also recommend avoiding OEM or Builder licenses at this point if you see one... Windows 10 is now a rolling release so I've found it easiest to bite the bullet and buy straight from Microsoft so you have a digital record of the code.

 

Never wore a grounding strap for any pc I've ever built. Don't shuffle around on the carpet in your socks and touch the case before touching any components, and you'll be fine.

 

Ditto. And I've built them on a carpeted floor. As in leaning over it and putting parts in.