The Long Road - Part 2 - (Stacked) Peltier Elements

3D Printing

Peltiers are interesting things. Inefficient interesting things.

Plate Lab - X2D / P2S Aruco codes

3D Printing + Plate Lab

With the P2S and X2D Bambu made some changes to the Aruco codes. I couldn't find a detailed description yet (and I don't own an X2D or P2S yet) but this is what I figured out thus far...

Plate Lab - Test Objects for Testing Build Plate Adhesion

3D Printing + Plate Lab

In modern day 3D printers you have a lot of choice in build plates, filaments, temperatures, speeds, making it almost impossible to compare the actual adhesion of the different combinations.

When fooling around with buildplates (see PlateLab) I tried to come up with a way to properly (and objectively) test material / plate adhesion.

Placing a link / shortcut to a web page on your task bar in Windows 11

Windows

Sometimes Windows 11 is sooooooo annoying.

Place a link to a webpage on your desktop... works. Drag it to the taskbar... can't pin it.

Why oh why? Well, here's the work-around...

Jellyfin - Install Server and Client

Datatalk

Jellyfin is a free alternative for Plex (and as you may have noticed Plex has gotten a little top heavy lately).

Unfortunately, the people behind Jellyfin dropped the ball with the latest version - at least for Windows - as it simply doesn't 'auto' install. But fixing it isn't too hard.

Frankenblocks Concept - Part 3

Frankenblocks + Concept

It's time to settle on a specific module size, and decide how a default 'baseplate' should look like.

Frankenblocks Concept - Part 1

Frankenblocks + Concept

So, I decided to create my own STEM system. Step number one was the decision to adapt and adopt Lego bricks. Step number two was figuring out the concept and sizing.

I got some input from an Internet contact who is a teacher, and I used quite a bit of his experience and insight. (He didn't want to be mentioned, but you still deserve the credit, mister X! We'll call you 'Fred' from now on.)

Shrinking an oversized System Volume Information folder

Windows

After an update, I was suddenly left with a 500 GB hidden folder on drive O: (this is my Drivepool storage machine), and I couldn't figure out the owner.

It turns out, the owner might be anyone, and the folder could have gone 'plus-sized' due to a (partially) failed update.

Not all (modular) power supplies are created equal... Not even connectors or pinouts...

Datatalk

Especially not pinouts!

I have multiple modular PSUs in use, and a box full of cables matching these PSUs. You'd expect some form of standardization, but there isn't. Suppliers do deviate, and especially the six pin 12V plug knows lots of variations.

Shortcuts to Windows 11 (and other) settings

Windows

I've updated the old page with some new entries. Go here.

VirtualBox 7.2.4 - Client resolution doesn't automatically adjust to window size

VirtualBox + Windows

VirtualBox has a few more options in its latest incarnation, and a few defaults are different from previous releases.

Auto-adjusting client resolutions is one of those.

VirtualBox - Windows 11 install is stuck at 10% on Windows 11 Host

VirtualBox + Windows

Symptom: stuck at 10% when installing Windows 11 Guest on Windows 11 Host in VirtualBox.

Solution: lots of small things, but mostly Memory Core Integration... I still have some testing to do, but this looks promising!

VirtualBox 7.2.4 - Windows doesn't recognize a (dynamic) .VDI that has an increased max size

VirtualBox + Windows

Situation: You're running out of diskspace in a Windows client. Increasing the size in VirtualBox seems to work, but when you try to use the additional space from within your Windows Guest (via drive management) it doesn't see the larger drive.

This work-around fixes that.

Old Wacom + Old and New Graphical Software + New (Old) PC

Wacom + Windows

(Mostly notes for myself.)

I'm using an old Wacom with some old and new software. These are notes on how to set up and run things.

Wacom Cable Protector for Cintiq 21UX (DTZ-2100D)

Wacom + 3D Printing + DIY

One of those things where there is no good solution, except ordering a new cable... because Wacom decided to permanently attach a multi-cable to the monitor, and (poorly) shrink-sleeved / molded a cable splitter.

Installing OBS, Virtual Webcam, RSTP, Chromecast and what not, in 2026...

OBS + Windows

I'm writing this new OBS install post, as newer releases use different options, and things were getting a little confusing. Unfortunately, not everything works as it did in the past. That might be me, or other stuff may have changed...

Plate Lab - Cool & Cold Plates

3D Printing + Plate Lab

Not all cold plates are created equal. And many are simply not cold plates at all.

Here's a comparison between several (cheap) cold plates. Note: if you want me to test another plate, drop me a line, and send me that plate 😊

WD Colors for Regular Spinners, and Bloody SMR drives

Datatalk

I'm not a data hoarder (well, a bit, perhaps) but I like to keep stuff locally, so I have a few larger drives, and you know what? They're hard to find, and sometimes bloody slow.

There's no absolute fix, but at least I can remind myself not to buy those f* SMR drives!

Remember HWInfo64's Window Positions

Windows

HWInfo64 is a nice program, but it has two disadvantages:

1. It needs to run with Admin rights

2. It sometimes forgets the location of its (child) windows

That second one is a bummer, so here's a desktop link that make it a little easier to restore them.

Countdown to 2026 - #3 - A New PC! Next: Migrating Windows and Office (October 12)

Countdown + Windows

Migrating Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office is an artform by itself. I'm still investigating and messing around, but one thing is certain: Microsoft did their best to make sure it's all as confusing as possible.

I would not go as far as to claim it's done deliberately in the hope you will buy new licenses. But it certainly is not user friendly!