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* Where to buy
Some untested resources to buy laptops or desktops:
- https://starlabs.systems
- https://www.tuxedocomputers.com
FSF's [[https://h-node.org/][h-node]] rates hardware according to its compatibility with free
software.
* LDLC PC Zenifier-SSD
** assembly woes
Lots of impedance mismatches between "documentation" and actual
hardware:
- CPU cooler (fan) has spring screws; diagrams show retention clips.
Had to dig into the [[https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/cpu-7][AMD knowledge base]] to find that some
motherboards come with "speculative" clips, which must be unscrewed
and removed in order to install the spring-screw cooler.
- Diagrams say to add thermal paste, but the fan already comes with a
pre-applied layer.
- Documentation shows RAM clips for both ends of the sticks; the
motherboard seems to only have clips for one end.
- =SYS_FAN1= header has 4 pins; front fan plug has 3 holes. The
Internet[[https://old.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/4139k8/3_pin_sys_fan2_vs_4_pin_sys_fan1/][[1]]][[https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/sys_fan1-and-sys_fan2.3195778/][[2]]] says it's fine.
- Motherboard has [[https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B550M-A-PRO/Specification]["8 mounting holes"]] but covers only 6 of the case's
standoffs; none of the diagrams in the case's manual match the
format of the motherboard.
- The diagram for inserting the power supply unit leaves a lot to the
imagination.
- The [[https://www.snia.org/forums/cmsi/knowledge/formfactors#U2][SSD dimension nomenclature]] is weird as hell. The SSD's user
manual seems to imply that I have a 2.5″ model, but my measuring
tape says the drive is 2.75″×3.875″ (diagonal 4.625″).
- The link to the LDLC guide for mounting the SSD is dead; the page is
[[https://web.archive.org/web/20170901191800/http://www.ldlc.com/guides/AL00000817/comment-installer-un-ssd-dans-un-pc/][archived]], and merely contains a link to a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1dHVb6VuWU][video]]. No matter though,
since it does not describe how to mount the drive on a 2.5″ bay.
- The case user manual says to use specific screws for the SSD drive;
the SSD comes with its own set of screws. Are they meant for the
3.5″ adapter? 🤷
For novices, some steps range from "not very reassuring" to "downright
hostile":
- The amount of force needed to connect the CPU fan's first two
diagonal screws is terrifying.
- The fan's case is asymmetric: one side has a small bump featuring
the maker's brand. If one does not attention when mounting the fan,
there is a 50% chance that this bump will get in the way of a RAM
stick.
- No instruction on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAWNzd-gc3Q&t=74s][how to force that I/O shield in]].
- No instruction on how to snap the motherboard into the I/O shield.
- Holy =$DEITY= that power supply unit has a *lot* of cables. And of
course I enthusiastically passed most of the small-headed ones
through the designated case hole, and had to pass them back out
because there was no room left to pass the 20-pin ATX connector.
- Power supply user manual was taped to the bubble wrap, so part of
the "warnings" section got torn off.
** maintenance
*** Front panel
The case's manual has a terse illustration with two arrows to pull the
front panel "away and up" from the rest of the case.
Here too, the amount of force required to do that is terrifying.
Notice how [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUD0HyzVpLg][our friend here]] cuts abruptly at 8:17; that's because the
levels of violence required to tear that panel off are too graphic for
YouTube.
*** Front fan
Remember that fan from earlier, the one with only 3 holes for the
motherboard's 4 pins? Turns out
1. that last "optional" pin is supposed to allow speed control;
without it, the fan always spins at full speed;
2. the fan itself (ZA1225ASL) is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd6gDY7LPlU][complete and utter crap]]: it cannot be
disassembled, so no cleaning off the dirt, no greasing.
So the thing is loud, it always spins at full speed, and if one day it
decides to become even louder than usual, you're SOL.
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