metaphysics1221

I understand most basic electronics concepts, but the idea of "ground" in a circuit that doesn't actually have a physical earth-ground is just confusing me. I see grounds on circuit diagrams all the time, but how do you actually do this when constructing the circuit!

Say you have a battery in a simple circuit that involves a ground. The plus side of the battery attaches to the +V side of the circuit, but where does the - side attach? Does it hook onto the common ground?

Am I missing something in my understanding of the meaning of "ground"? I'm pretty sure both ends of the battery have to be connected!

I've been building RC robots for years, but never anything that could think for itself. I'm very computer literate but I've never programmed before. Can anyone recommend a brand/model of microprocessor for this application? Please specify what language(s?) it uses. If you have any advice on a compiler, I would love that too!

I've heard that C++ is used on some robots, maybe that would be a good place to start?

Thanks in advance everyone!

I currently have these speakers:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

Which I am fairly happy with. I am running them with my motherboard sound which is ASUS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

However, since there is only one input for the whole speaker system, they are only hooked up to the main channel.

I have been thinking for a while about buying new speakers. I probably want 5.1 sound (I've heard friends sets and like the immersion quality) and I like Logitech. I have been looking at the following speakers:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

$150 is about all I'm prepared to spend right now. However, with the motherboard sound, do you think I'd be better off upgrading to a better sound card? Which do you think will make the most audible difference? I listen to everything from punk rock to opera as well as video games, so something all around is desirable.

Thanks!

Ok, I just finished my first computer build. This is my graphics card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

and this is my PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

The PSU has a connector on it that says it's the "1 x PCI-E" power supplier. This is how I am currently connected and it runs fine.

However, the card came with a power adapter that fits in the same spot and combines two molex connectors. The fan doesn't seem to be running all that fast. Should I try swapping these pieces?

I just completed my first computer build using this case:

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Chassis/Produc...

This case has 2 fans in the rear, 2 on the side and one in the front. The two side fans are working, but none of the rest are.

All the fans power connectors join together to form one 3-pin connector which is connected in the correct place on my motherboard

What could be going wrong?

I just finished building my first PC, and the only problem I ran into was attaching the heatsink. I did away with the cheap intel heatsink and added a big arctic cooler one. However, I couldn't get it to lock in right until I turned it so that the fan was blowing down, towards my graphics card, instead of out the back. My case is HUGE, so airflow is GREAT. Is this going to cause serious issues?

I am building my own computer, and I am stuck between these two operating systems.

I play games, I'll have 4GB of RAM in the computer, etc.

All the hardware I'm getting is from newegg, none of it says "64 bit" compatible anywhere.

I really don't want to have to deal with extra complications while building, this is my first build.

So which should I buy? I'll get 64, but I really, really don't want issues.

Also, how much RAM does vista 32 ACTUALLY support? I've heard everywhere from 2.8GB to 4GB is recognized!

This is my first computer build, so naturally I'm a little nervous about making sure everything works right! I've checked it all through, but having some other eyes go over it would give me a little more peace of mind!

Thanks a lot!

ASUS P5QL PRO LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard

$99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

Processor

Core 2 Duo

$190

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

(65W)

Video Card

Nvidea 8800 GTS

$150

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

RAM

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

$86

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

Hard Drive

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

$75

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

Power Supply

$50

TOPOWER XPT Series TOP-600XPT 600W ATX12V Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

Case

$150

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

CD/DVD Burner x 2

$30x 2 = $60

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

OS

Windows Vista Home Premium 32 Bit

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

$99

Wireless

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

$28

For a project I am working on, I would like to be able to control a simple DC motor over the internet. I don't need to do much, just turn on and off a few of these; variable control would also be nice. Is there a program or chip that, through a common USB port or something, could let me do that?

Thanks!

I have been working on an ambitious science project with two friends for about a year and a half now: we are planning to build a small cyclotron to accelerate particles and do some basic experiments. So far we have written requests for funding to a ton of companies as well as created this website:

http://thecyclotronkids.com/

Does anyone have any ideas on how to help get our project funded?

I am building a remote control underwater probe to explore the bottom of a lake and I need to be able to transmit video from a camera that could be up to 20 feet below the surface.

This is the camera I am looking at:

http://www.raidentech.com/24ghzmiwicoc.html

the video probe is towed of an RC boat. I know that this camera won't transmit through more than probably 5 feet of water, but if I solder on a 20 foot wire antenna that reaches the surface, will that work?

If not, does anyone have another suggestion?

I want to put a wireless camera under water a good bit (more than ten feet) and I want to be able to transmit the signal to a station above water. If I was to extend the antenna until it broke the surface (not a problem with this application) will that work?

I am trying to use this rc switch to operate a circuit: http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/RC-13/s...

but it is not working. The black wires on each channel are labeled "ground" not "negative." When I hook them up to a motor, I am just hooking the ground up to what would usually be the negative pole of the motor. Is there a reason why this shouldn't be?

The power in also has a positive and a ground wire, I have again been connecting this ground to the negative.

Am I doing something wrong? Shouldn't the circuit work that way??

I am building a small rc boat and I want to make a fiberglass hull for it. The boat is only 5'' high, can I use fiberglass tape instead of the cloth?? How does the tape work?

I just recently was forced to replace my laptop's hard drive after it died. The new hard drive works fine, but I now have a new problem:

Entirely randomly, although more frequently now, my laptop has randomly shut down. No matter what programs its running, it has even happened when I was not there. Now it has escalated to the point where, minutes after it is turned on, it shuts down. Nothing is sitting on or in any way touching the power switch. I had a bunch of stuff plugged in, but even when all of that was removed, the problem persisted.

The laptop does overheat, but that has never been an issue before and I am trying to increase the ventilation around it.

What could be the problem? I am getting pretty fed up with laptops and their difficulties, I think a desktop is in my near future...

I am part of a group of three students that is working to do a rather ambitious science fair project. After a year and a half of painstaking research, we have completed a design and are now seeking $6,000 in funding to pay for equipment. My question to you is, how can we do this? We have been turned down a few times by companies, we need to find an option soon in order to be on schedule to get into the science fair we hope to enter.

Your suggestions are appriciated. If you are interested in seeing our design/helping us find funding, please e-mail me at pvheuer@msn.com

I am working on a model rc boat and I want to buy a drive system like this one here: http://www.dumasestore.com/catalog/product_info.ph...

My problem is, I can't figure out how this all goes together. The motors I have are just 1/8th inch shafts, no thick threads like you seem to need? How do you attach the thin motor shaft to the longer shaft that goes out through the stuffing box?

I am building my own model boat, but I am using a small cord instead of an RC system. The cord shouldn't weight too much, I am just planning on buoying it up with some foam pieces.

Can anyone think of a better way to stop the cord from interfering with the boats operation?

I need to permanently construct a LEGO, what kind of glue can I use?

I have a package I should be getting today, however it has started raining and is dark already. Will UPS still deliver? The tracking function on the web page still says "out for delivery."