Raging Computer http://www.ragingcomputer.com Bypass The Binary Code Tue, 15 May 2012 17:34:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Google Chrome Administration Cheat Sheet http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/google-chrome-administration-cheat-sheet?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=google-chrome-administration-cheat-sheet http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/google-chrome-administration-cheat-sheet#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 17:32:53 +0000 Raging Computer http://www.ragingcomputer.com/?p=991 [...]]]> Managing Google Chrome is a lot easier than Mozilla Firefox was! There are quite a few tools and they’re well documented! This is my cheat sheet. It’s based around windows xp and windows 7 since that’s what I mainly support at work.

Manual installation for all users
Chrome Offline Installer – Alternate Installer for all user accounts – .exe file
http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=126299

Install Chrome for all user accounts – Install Instructions
https://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=118663

“After you’ve installed Chrome through alternate installer, users who’ve already installed Chrome in their user accounts will be notified that the browser has updated to a system-wide version the next time they sign in and open the browser. In some cases, they may need to recreate their profile information, such as bookmarks and browsing history, if they were formerly using a more recent version of the browser.”

Silent installation for all users
Chrome Offline Installer – MSI package for all user accounts – .msi file
http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/business/browser/

Just install the MSI
msiexec /q /i “\\server\path\to\GoogleChromeStandaloneEnterprise.msi”

Issues / Gotchas
Unfortunately, nothing is perfect. I had chrome installed under my user before. When I launched chrome after installing the all user version, it removed the install under my user. It did not show a window and would not open when I clicked chrome again. Killing the processes or rebooting fixes it.

Management Templates
Even more fun! Templates for managing chrome settings!

Group Policy Templates
http://support.google.com/a/bin/answer.py?hl=en&topic=1064255&answer=187202

Available Policy List
http://www.chromium.org/administrators/policy-list-3

Automatic Silent Updates

Of course one of the reasons to love Google Chrome is security! Automatic updates for all user administrative installation doesn’t require user privilege escalation!

Installation / Automatic Update Information
http://dev.chromium.org/administrators/common-problems-and-solutions

A little more detail in how the silent updates work
http://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=73176

]]> http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/google-chrome-administration-cheat-sheet/feed 0 Arduino Robotic Directional Wifi Scanning http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/arduino-robotic-directional-wifi-scanning?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=arduino-robotic-directional-wifi-scanning http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/arduino-robotic-directional-wifi-scanning#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 04:47:42 +0000 Raging Computer http://www.ragingcomputer.com/?p=976 [...]]]> 20120513-235231.jpg

I wanted to be able to locate wifi signals, so I built a directional antenna and strapped it onto my panorama robot. The waveguide style antenna built from a used can (explains the name cantenna) looked to be the easiest to build. I bought a pigtail with an N male connector to RP-SMA male connector.  I plugged this into my Alfa Network AWUS036NH. I then fired up inSSIDer and used PuTTY to control the Arduino sketch and aim the antenna.

The signal strength was not what I expected to see at all. I assumed this antenna was directional and would be strongest when I pointed it directly at the AP. It was strongest pointing at about a 45 degree angle to the left of the access point. I’m a complete n00b when it comes to RF, so any feedback on why I’m not seeing what i expected for results would be greatly appreciated.

Note: Will update post if/when I have an answer.

Update:

I am a complete n00b when it comes to build antennas. I goobered another can on there and it works a lot better. I have to give a great thanks to several redditors for pointing me in the right direction. I’m always impressed with how helpful people are. http://www.reddit.com/r/electronics/comments/tmtbi/attempting_wifi_direction_finding_with_a_cantenna/ Even better, I’ve got some reading to do now.

I’ve included links I found useful or interesting and more pictures.


Antenna Links:
http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html
http://support.jefatech.com/cantenna/
http://sacra33.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/how-to-create-a-wi-fi-waveguide-antenna-booster/
http://dorkbotsf.wordpress.com/2009/05/06/homemade-antenna-redux/
http://hackaday.com/2009/07/07/various-cantenna-builds/
http://hackaday.com/2011/04/15/tactical-wifi-cantenna-needs-picatinny-rails/

Aiming Antenna Links:
http://www.usbwifi.net/wifi-links.php?topic=steercan
http://hackaday.com/2006/08/28/steerable-cantenna/
http://web.archive.org/web/20070324051034/http://www.smithstuff.net/steercan/Steercan.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOcSG-1bjfg

Visualization Ideas:
http://wificamera.propositions.org.uk/
http://hackaday.com/2008/06/10/wifi-telescope/

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]]> http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/arduino-robotic-directional-wifi-scanning/feed 0 Windows 7 HP LaserJet 4000 TCP/IP Printing Driver http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/windows-7-hp-laserjet-4000-tcpip-printing-driver?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=windows-7-hp-laserjet-4000-tcpip-printing-driver http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/windows-7-hp-laserjet-4000-tcpip-printing-driver#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 17:26:05 +0000 Raging Computer http://www.ragingcomputer.com/?p=959 [...]]]> Sometimes you have to support older devices. Sometimes doing so is painful with newer equipment. My latest problem was with Windows 7 32 bit and a HP LaserJet 4000TN. I was trying to set up a TCP/IP connection, but Windows 7 did not have the drivers. If windows update works for you, press windows update and the driver will be in the list. This is clearly the easiest way to install it. Unfortunately for me, something wonky is keeping me from downloading the driver list from windows update, so I did it manually. This is also very helpful for an offline install of the printer.

Open IE and go to the microsoft windows update catalog. This is Internet Explorer 6 and later ONLY.
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/

Search for the printer you want. In my case it was “HP LaserJet 4000″ without the quotes. Exactly what I want, at the top of the list!

Title - Microsoft driver update for HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL 5
Products - Windows 7,Windows Driver Testing Client
Classification - Drivers (Printers)

I went through adding it to the basket, clicking view basket, and downloading. I found the folder “Microsoft driver update for HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL 5″ with the file X86-all-4189_1228a7cf7b1aac21346b20cb6e21db409dde9e72.cab and extracted the cab file to a flash drive using my favorite compression tool, 7zip. http://www.7-zip.org/

From here i was able to use “have disk” to install the driver.

I think I’ll keep a copy of this around. It supports many more printers. I’ve extracted a list from the prnhp001.Inf and included it below.

"HP 2500C Series Printer"
"hp business inkjet 1000"
"hp business inkjet 1200"
"HP Business Inkjet 2200/2250"
"HP Business Inkjet 2200/2250 PS"
"HP Business Inkjet 2200/2250 (HPA)"
"HP Business Inkjet 2230/2280"
"HP Business Inkjet 2230/2280 PS"
"HP Business Inkjet 2230/2280 HPA"
"HP Business Inkjet 2250 (PCL5C)"
"HP Business Inkjet 2300 PCL 5"
"HP Business Inkjet 2300 PS"
"HP Business Inkjet 2600 PCL 5"
"HP Business Inkjet 2600 PS"
"HP Business Inkjet 2800 PCL 5"
"HP Business Inkjet 2800 PS"
"HP Business Inkjet 3000 PCL 5"
"HP Business Inkjet 3000 PCL6"
"HP Business Inkjet 3000 PS"
"hp color inkjet cp1700"
"HP Color LaserJet 2500 PCL 5"
"HP Color LaserJet 2500 PS"
"hp color LaserJet 2550 PCL 5"
"hp color LaserJet 2550 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 2605/2605dn/2605dtn PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 2800 Series PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 3000"
"HP Color LaserJet 3000 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 3700 PCL 5"
"HP Color LaserJet 3700 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 3800"
"HP Color LaserJet 3800 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 4500 PCL 5"
"HP Color LaserJet 4500 PCL6"
"HP Color LaserJet 4500 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 4550 PCL 5"
"HP Color LaserJet 4550 PCL 5"
"HP Color LaserJet 4550 PCL6"
"HP Color LaserJet 4550 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 4600 PCL 5"
"HP Color LaserJet 4600 PCL6"
"HP Color LaserJet 4600 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 4650 PCL 5"
"HP Color LaserJet 4650 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 4700"
"HP Color LaserJet 4700 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 4730 mfp "
"HP Color LaserJet 4730 mfp PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 5/5M PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 5500 PCL 5"
"HP Color LaserJet 5500 PCL 6"
"HP Color LaserJet 5500 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 5550 PCL 5"
"HP Color LaserJet 5550 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 8500 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 8550 PCL"
"HP Color LaserJet 8550-PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 9500 mfp PCL 5"
"HP Color LaserJet 9500 mfp PS"
"HP Color LaserJet 9500 PCL 5"
"HP Color LaserJet 9500 PS"
"HP Color LaserJet Family Driver PCL5"
"HP cp1160"
"HP DeskJet 1000C"
"HP DeskJet 1120C"
"HP DeskJet 1125C"
"HP DeskJet 1220C"
"HP DeskJet 340"
"HP DeskJet 340 (Monochrome)"
"HP DeskJet 350"
"HP DeskJet 350 (Monochrome)"
"HP Deskjet 3500 Series"
"hp deskjet 3600 series (LIDIL)"
"HP Deskjet 3740 Series (LiDiL)"
"HP Deskjet 3840 Series (LiDiL)"
"HP Deskjet 3920/3940"
"HP DeskJet 400"
"HP DeskJet 400 (Monochrome)"
"HP DeskJet 420"
"HP Deskjet 450"
"HP Deskjet 460 Series"
"HP DeskJet 500"
"HP DeskJet 500C"
"HP Deskjet 5400 Series"
"hp deskjet 5550 series (HPA)"
"hp deskjet 5600 series (HPA)"
"HP Deskjet 5700 Series (HPA)"
"HP Deskjet 5900 Series"
"HP DeskJet 600"
"HP DeskJet 600 (Monochrome)"
"HP DeskJet 610C"
"HP DeskJet 612C"
"HP DeskJet 615C"
"HP DeskJet 640C/642C/648C"
"HP Deskjet 6500 Series"
"HP DeskJet 660C"
"HP DeskJet 660Cse"
"HP Deskjet 6800 series"
"HP DeskJet 690C"
"HP DeskJet 691C"
"HP DeskJet 693C"
"HP Deskjet 6940 series"
"HP DeskJet 694C"
"HP DeskJet 695C"
"HP DeskJet 697C"
"HP Deskjet 6980 series"
"HP DeskJet 710C"
"HP DeskJet 720C"
"HP DeskJet 812C"
"HP DeskJet 815C"
"hp deskjet 816c"
"HP DeskJet 820Cse"
"HP DeskJet 820Cxi"
"HP DeskJet 830C/832C"
"HP DeskJet 840C/841C/842C/843C"
"hp deskjet 845c"
"HP DeskJet 870C"
"HP DeskJet 870Cse"
"HP DeskJet 870Cxi"
"HP DeskJet 882C"
"HP DeskJet 890C"
"HP DeskJet 895Cse"
"HP DeskJet 895Cxi"
"hp deskjet 920c"
"HP DeskJet 930C/932C/935C"
"hp deskjet 940c"
"hp deskjet 948c"
"HP DeskJet 950C/952C/959C"
"HP DeskJet 955C"
"HP DeskJet 957C"
"hp deskjet 960c"
"HP DeskJet 970Cse"
"HP DeskJet 970Cxi"
"HP Deskjet 9800 Printer"
"hp deskjet 980c"
"hp deskjet 990c"
"HP Deskjet F300 Series"
"hp digital copier 410"
"HP LaserJet 1015"
"HP LaserJet 1100 (MS)"
"HP LaserJet 1150"
"HP LaserJet 1160"
"HP LaserJet 1200 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 1200 Series PS"
"HP LaserJet 1220 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 1220 Series PS"
"hp LaserJet 1300 PCL 5"
"hp LaserJet 1300 PCL 5"
"hp LaserJet 1320 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 2100 PCL6"
"HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 2100 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 2100 Series PS"
"HP LaserJet 2200 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 2200 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 2200 Series PS"
"HP LaserJet 2300 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 2300 Series PS"
"HP LaserJet 2300L PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 2300L PS"
"HP LaserJet 2410 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 2410 PS"
"HP LaserJet 2420 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 2420 PS"
"HP LaserJet 2430 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 2430 PS"
"hp LaserJet 3015 PCL 5"
"hp LaserJet 3020 PCL 5"
"hp LaserJet 3030 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 3050 PCL5"
"HP LaserJet 3050 PS"
"HP LaserJet 3052 / 3055 PS"
"HP LaserJet 3052 PCL5"
"HP LaserJet 3055 PCL5"
"HP LaserJet 3200 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 3200 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 3200 Series PCL6"
"HP LaserJet 3200 Series PS"
"HP LaserJet 3300 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 3300 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 3300 Series PS"
"hp LaserJet 3380 PCL 5"
"hp LaserJet 3380 PS"
"HP LaserJet 3390 / 3392 PCL5"
"HP LaserJet 3390 / 3392 PS"
"HP LaserJet 4"
"HP LaserJet 4 Plus"
"HP LaserJet 4/4M Plus PS 300"
"HP LaserJet 4/4M Plus PS 600"
"HP LaserJet 4/4M PS"
"HP LaserJet 4/4M PS (300 dpi)"
"HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL6"
"HP LaserJet 4000 Series PS"
"HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL6"
"HP LaserJet 4050 Series PS"
"HP LaserJet 4100 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 4100 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 4100 Series PS"
"HP LaserJet 4100 Series PCL6"
"HP LaserJet 4200 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 4200 PCL 6"
"HP LaserJet 4200 PS"
"HP LaserJet 4200L PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 4200L PS"
"HP LaserJet 4250 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 4250 PS"
"HP LaserJet 4300 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 4300 PCL 6"
"HP LaserJet 4300 PS"
"HP LaserJet 4345 mfp PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 4345 mfp PS"
"HP LaserJet 4350 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 4350 PS"
"HP LaserJet 4L"
"HP LaserJet 4L/4ML PostScript"
"HP LaserJet 4M"
"HP LaserJet 4M Plus"
"HP LaserJet 4ML"
"HP LaserJet 4MV"
"HP LaserJet 4P"
"HP LaserJet 4P/4MP PS"
"HP LaserJet 4P/4MP PS (300 dpi)"
"HP LaserJet 4Si"
"HP LaserJet 4Si/4Si MX PS"
"HP LaserJet 4V"
"HP LaserJet 4V/4MV PostScript"
"HP LaserJet 5"
"HP LaserJet 5/5M PostScript"
"HP LaserJet 5000 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 5000 Series PCL6"
"HP LaserJet 5000 Series PS"
"HP LaserJet 5100 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 5100 PS"
"HP LaserJet 5100 Series PCL6"
"HP LaserJet 5200/5200L PS"
"HP LaserJet 5200 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 5200L Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 5L"
"HP LaserJet 5M"
"HP LaserJet 5MP"
"HP LaserJet 5N"
"HP LaserJet 5P"
"HP LaserJet 5P/5MP PostScript"
"HP LaserJet 5P/5MP PostScript"
"HP LaserJet 5Si"
"HP LaserJet 5Si Mopier"
"HP LaserJet 5Si Mopier PS"
"HP LaserJet 5Si MX"
"HP LaserJet 5Si/5Si MX PS"
"HP LaserJet 6L"
"HP LaserJet 6MP"
"HP LaserJet 6P"
"HP LaserJet 6P/6MP PostScript"
"HP LaserJet 6P/6MP PostScript"
"HP LaserJet 8000 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 8000 Series PCL6"
"HP LaserJet 8000 Series PS"
"HP LaserJet 8100 Series PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 8100 Series PCL6"
"HP LaserJet 8100 Series PS"
"HP LaserJet 8150 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 8150 PS"
"HP LaserJet 8150 Series PCL6"
"HP LaserJet 9000 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 9000 PCL6"
"HP LaserJet 9000 PS"
"HP LaserJet 9040 mfp PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 9040 mfp PS"
"HP LaserJet 9050 mfp PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 9050 mfp PS"
"HP LaserJet 9050 PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 9050 PS"
"HP LaserJet 9055 MFP PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 9055 MFP PS"
"HP LaserJet 9065 MFP PCL 5"
"HP LaserJet 9065 MFP PS"
"HP LaserJet Family Driver PCL5"
"HP LaserJet Family Driver PS"
"HP LaserJet III"
"HP LaserJet III PostScript Cartridge v52.2"
"HP LaserJet III PostScript Plus v2010.118"
"HP LaserJet IIIP"
"HP LaserJet IIIP PostScript Cartridge v52.2"
"HP LaserJet IIIP PostScript Plus v2010.118"
"HP LaserJet IIP"
"HP LaserJet IIP Plus"
"HP LaserJet IIP PostScript Cartridge v52.2"
"HP LaserJet Series II"
"hp officejet 4100 series"
"hp officejet 4105"
"HP Officejet 4200 series"
"HP Officejet 4300 Series"
"hp officejet 5500 series"
"HP Officejet 5600 series"
"hp officejet 6100 series"
"HP officejet 6200 series"
"HP Officejet 6300 series"
"hp officejet 7100 series"
"HP Officejet 7200 series"
"HP Officejet 7300 series"
"HP Officejet 7400 series"
"HP Officejet 9100 series PCL 5"
"HP Officejet 9100 series PS"
"hp officejet d series"
"HP OfficeJet G55"
"HP OfficeJet G55xi"
"HP OfficeJet G85"
"HP OfficeJet G85xi"
"HP OfficeJet G95"
"HP OfficeJet K60"
"HP OfficeJet K60xi"
"HP OfficeJet K80"
"HP OfficeJet K80xi"
"HP Officejet Pro K550 Series"
"HP Officejet Pro K850 Series"
"HP OfficeJet R40"
"HP OfficeJet R40xi"
"HP OfficeJet R45"
"HP OfficeJet R60"
"HP OfficeJet R65"
"HP OfficeJet R80"
"HP OfficeJet R80xi"
"HP OfficeJet V30"
"HP OfficeJet V40"
"HP OfficeJet V40xi"
"HP OfficeJet V45"
"HP Photosmart 2570 series"
"HP Photosmart 2600 series"
"HP Photosmart 2700 series"
"HP Photosmart 3100 series"
"HP Photosmart 320 Series"
"HP Photosmart 3200 series"
"HP Photosmart 330 Series"
"HP Photosmart 3300 series"
"HP Photosmart 370 Series"
"HP Photosmart 380 Series"
"HP Photosmart 420 Series"
"HP Photosmart 470 Series"
"HP Photosmart 7200 Series"
"HP Photosmart 7400 Series"
"HP Photosmart 7800 Series"
"HP Photosmart 8000 Series"
"HP Photosmart 8100 Series"
"HP Photosmart 8200 Series"
"HP Photosmart 8400 Series"
"HP Photosmart 8700 Series"
"hp psc 1100 series"
"hp psc 1200 series"
"hp psc 1300 series"
"hp psc 1310 series"
"HP PSC 1400 series"
"HP PSC 1500 series"
"HP psc 1600 series"
"HP psc 2100 Series"
"HP psc 2150 Series"
"HP psc 2170 Series"
"HP psc 2200 Series"
"HP psc 2300 Series"
"HP psc 2350 series"
"HP psc 2400 Series"
"HP psc 2500 Series"
"HP PSC 500"
"HP PSC 720"
"HP PSC 750"
"HP PSC 750xi"
"HP PSC 920"
"HP PSC 950"
]]> http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/windows-7-hp-laserjet-4000-tcpip-printing-driver/feed 0 Flash drive repair http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/flash-drive-repair?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=flash-drive-repair http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/flash-drive-repair#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 03:58:03 +0000 Raging Computer http://www.ragingcomputer.com/?p=955 [...]]]> Someone at work broke a sandisk cruzer micro flash drive. It was really broken. It ripped the pads off the PCB.

Of course it had the only copy of the data on it.

The power and ground traces were pretty easy to trace and solder onto alternate pads. I didn’t bother to take pics of that. The traces from the USB plug D+ and D- went directly to the tiny chip on the top of the board, as you can see in the second picture. Solder mask is pretty tough so I figured the pins of this chip would be the easiest place to connect.

I used 30 gauge magnet wire to make the connections. It didn’t have to last long, just long enough to transfer data off, so I just held wires in place with masking tape. I didn’t have a spare USB connector, so I rigged up the broken one on a piece of perfboard.

I was able to recover all the data.

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]]> http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/flash-drive-repair/feed 1 Toner Transfer on the Cheap http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/toner-transfer-on-the-cheap?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=toner-transfer-on-the-cheap http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/toner-transfer-on-the-cheap#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 04:00:16 +0000 Raging Computer http://www.ragingcomputer.com/?p=938 [...]]]> I recently made my first PCB with toner transfer using an iron. It was pretty ugly.

I bought a cheap-o laminator from walmart for $25 + tax. It’s a Scotch TL901. I used masking tape to hold things in place. It worked well enough that I’m not going to complain.

I never realized what a difference a laminator makes! It’s hard to mess up now. I also tried using parchment paper.

http://hackaday.com/2012/04/30/etching-your-own-boards-really-really-fast/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Toner-transfer-no-soak-high-quality-double-sided/

The results are so much better with parchment paper and a laminator than proper transfer paper and an iron. At the end I have a pic of transfer using transfer paper. The edges are a lot more crisp, but it costs quite a bit more.

Toner transfer with parchment paper

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Scotch TL901 Thermal Laminator

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I had a slightly messed up print on toner transfer paper that i put on my test board. The lines are even sharper than with the parchment paper.

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]]> http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/05/toner-transfer-on-the-cheap/feed 0 From n00b to Etching an Arduino Shield http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/from-n00b-to-etching-an-arduino-shield?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-n00b-to-etching-an-arduino-shield http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/from-n00b-to-etching-an-arduino-shield#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:30:23 +0000 Raging Computer http://www.ragingcomputer.com/?p=913 [...]]]> First things first, a picture demonstrating success.

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And a video!

Next, a link to the resources I needed http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/arduino-shield-etching-thoughts

After that, pictures. Lots of pictures.

After much cussing at Eagle for having a learning curve, I think I’ve finally settled on a design.

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I want the traces on the bottom of the board, closer to the arduino. I was careful to route the traces and connections around the ICSP header.

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After some futzing, I got it printed.

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And my first 2 attempts were failures. The PCB on the left didn’t completely transfer. The one on the right smudged and smeared.

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The third attempt wasn’t fantastic either, but it looks like it’ll at least function. I’ll take it.

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And into the Ferric Chloride.

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It looks a lot like it did when it went in, but with less copper.

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A quick clean and it looks like something I can use.

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I know the mask is overkill, but it’s the only mask I’ve ever used that fit comfortably. Also note how I’m using these, safety glasses.  Also, why have I not bought a dremel drill press before? I think I’m in love already.

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I must have been having fun, I sure made a mess of my work bench.

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And here she is, all soldered up with pin headers, jumper wires, and a potentiometer.

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Next I put connectors on everything I had on the breadboard. The final picture is the one at the top of the post. The software is very rough, but it’s a start.

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]]> http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/from-n00b-to-etching-an-arduino-shield/feed 0 Arduino Shield Etching Thoughts http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/arduino-shield-etching-thoughts?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=arduino-shield-etching-thoughts http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/arduino-shield-etching-thoughts#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:00:30 +0000 Raging Computer http://www.ragingcomputer.com/?p=916 [...]]]> I’ve kept a list of links I found very helpful lately. While I’m no stranger to a soldering iron and I know how to use perfboard, I have never etched a PCB before and I’ve never designed a PCB. I don’t think I would have had much luck at all without the following sites. I still use them quite regularly.

http://www.adafruit.com/tutorials

http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/category/1

http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HomePage

http://tronixstuff.wordpress.com/tutorials/

http://www.ladyada.net/library/procure/partsdistributors.html

For my last round of parts buying, I had excellent service from the following sites. Highly recommended.

http://www.sparkfun.com/

http://www.pololu.com/

http://www.mouser.com/

 

Since I’ve never designed a PCB before, but I’m no stranger to drafting, the following articles were enough to get me started. I think just jumping in and playing with Eagle wouldn’t have ended with much success.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB4C63828A483E756&feature=plcp

http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/108

http://aaroneiche.com/2010/06/24/a-beginners-guide-to-making-an-arduino-shield-pcb/

 

I had never etched anything before. I always wanted to, but never made it a priority. I had no clue what I was doing or where to start even. Luckily the internets are full of awesome people that post really helpful stuff. I eventually bought toner transfer paper from Mouser and used Ferric Chloride from RadioShack, but I also bought UV coated boards and I’m going to try Muriatic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide. These links are full of helpful information.

http://www.getlofi.com/?p=1997

http://fullnet.com/~tomg/gooteepc.htm#1

http://hackaday.com/2008/07/28/how-to-etch-a-single-sided-pcb/

http://hackaday.com/2010/05/07/toner-transfer-explained-step-by-step/

http://hackaday.com/2011/11/25/etching-your-own-pcbs/

http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/PressRoom/makeoneetch.html

http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=835

http://www.instructables.com/id/Stop-using-Ferric-Chloride-etchant!–A-better-etc/

]]> http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/arduino-shield-etching-thoughts/feed 0 Arduino IRremote + Servo Problem http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/arduino-irremote-servo-problem?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=arduino-irremote-servo-problem http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/arduino-irremote-servo-problem#comments Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:02:59 +0000 Raging Computer http://www.ragingcomputer.com/?p=891 I’m having some sort of issue with this. The servo is twitchy. Using https://github.com/shirriff/Arduino-IRremote and http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/Servo

It twitches just by having both enabled. I’ve included the code I used for the first part of the video. If you know why this is happening, I’d love to hear it.

#include <IRremote.h>
#include <Servo.h>

int RECV_PIN = 7;

IRrecv irrecv(RECV_PIN);

decode_results results;

Servo myservo;
int pos = 90;

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(9600);
  irrecv.enableIRIn(); // Start the receiver
  myservo.attach(9);
  myservo.write(pos);
}

void loop() {
  if (irrecv.decode(&results)) {
    Serial.println(results.value, HEX);
    irrecv.resume(); // Receive the next value
  }
}
]]> http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/arduino-irremote-servo-problem/feed 0 Fixing Laser Module http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/fixing-laser-module?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fixing-laser-module http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/fixing-laser-module#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:43:58 +0000 Raging Computer http://www.ragingcomputer.com/?p=871 [...]]]> When I rebuilt the cat laser after the hail storm, I bought a 650nm 5mW laser module.3.2V 12x30mm on eBay from AixiZ Service and International LLC. Shipping speed was great. I would definitely recommend buying from them.

Fast forward a couple months, I broke off a wire from the laser module. This was my own fault and due to rough handling (I dropped it a couple times).

Anyway, to open the laser, the casing screws apart. If you care about not scratching it, remove cut the label and wrap it in tape before unscrewing with pliers. The inside was covered in a rubbery adhesive. I cut that out with an x-acto knife.

I have decided that my new Weller WESD51 was a good choice. Between that and the helping hands, this was one of the easiest soldering jobs I have done.

I covered the exposed wires with hot glue before closing the module back up and hot gluing the wires to the hole they pass through. All in all, a quick repair.

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]]> http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/fixing-laser-module/feed 0 Panorama Thoughts http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/panorama-thoughts?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=panorama-thoughts http://www.ragingcomputer.com/2012/04/panorama-thoughts#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2012 17:51:27 +0000 Raging Computer http://www.ragingcomputer.com/?p=838 [...]]]> I thought gigapixel panoramas (or gigapans) were the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~globalconn/gigapan.html

I wanted to make a gigapixel panorama. I’m still a bit short of this goal, but I’m having fun and learning a lot in the process.

The easiest way to make a gigapixel panorama is buying a gigapan or using a telescope mount that runs papywizard.
http://www.gigapan.com/cms/shop/store
http://www.kolor.com/buy/photo-hardware/motorized-head/kolor-panogear-motorized-panoramic-head-gigapixel-3.html
http://www.papywizard.org/

That doesn’t quite appeal to me. I want to be more involved. So of course I hit YouTube to find more information. I was not disappointed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3AoUL4t2OI – Gigapan Homemade

I’m a regular reader of hackaday.com and these posts earned a spot in my bookmarks. Especially the last post.
http://hackaday.com/2008/12/10/gigapixel-panorama/
http://hackaday.com/2010/07/14/panoramic-and-spheric-tripod-rig/
http://hackaday.com/2011/03/15/tilt-and-pivot-camera-base-uses-just-two-servos/

I have an iPhone 4 and it is stupid simple to make a panorama with the photosynth app.
Photosynth for iOS
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photosynth/id430065256
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XYSJPbwBT4 – Mastering the Photosynth App – Episode 1: Great Indoor Panoramas

I was quite pleased to discover that Microsoft ICE (Image Composite Editor) was free for noncommercial use and stitched a lot faster than hugin. I bought a cheap tripod from wal-mart and went out to take pics of the flooding with my cheap-o Nikon S220.

I learned a thing or three about taking panoramas manually. The first is that water makes a terrible subject. In order for it to stitch you need to have something identifiable in all corners of the picture.

I’ve upgraded slightly since then, I bought a Nikon L120 and an aluminum tripod. If I were to do it over again, I would probably buy a Canon camera that can run CHDK

I’ve tried a few other panorama stitching programs, but I have the best luck with hugin or Microsoft ICE.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_photo_stitching_applications
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/groups/ivm/ICE/
http://hugin.sourceforge.net/

After all of this, and the success with servos in the cat laser toy, I decided to build my own. I hit youtube once again for inspiration. Once again, I wasn’t disappointed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JXtnEVdu98 – DIY Gigapan testing 11/09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-aLj4TZWIw – Pan Tilt Panoramic Robot head (version 2.0)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgFEY7lAnaA – Panoramic MERLIN HEAD – Tête panoramique motorisée Merlin – Papywizard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obRiQJ27BoY – PanoBot motorized panorama pan head
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNIvJlx0E4U – Gigapan Tutorial – 1 of 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p83lZeiGc68 – GigaPan Pro Epic Quick Guide

I’ve made a few other posts about this, and I hope to make more.
http://www.ragingcomputer.com/category/panorama

I’ve got a few pictures of the panorama robot and pictures I’ve taken
http://pictures.ragingcomputer.com/index.php/Panorama

I’ve uploaded a few panoramas to photosynth.net (Requires Microsoft Silverlight)
http://photosynth.net/userprofilepage.aspx?user=RagingComputer

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