PC Tech Thread

Short answer. Yes, yes.

Slightly longer

1. Yes... I'm fairly sure Windows 10 allows you to resize the partition without needing any other tools... if it does (i.e. right-click on the Archive partition and see what options you get) then you wont lose any files.

2. Yes. Assuming you installed windows fresh on the new M2, and Disk 1 is just a relic from the prev installation then you can bin the EFI partition.
   To be completely sure, maybe disconnect Disk 1 and check that the machine still happily boots

I'm fairly sure Windows 10 allows you to resize the partition without needing any other tools

It does, do it through the disk management section in computer management

I generally use Minitool partition wizard for all this shit which should let you do all that. (I can't remember exactly why, maybe the Windows tool doesn't/didn't deal with removable drives. It works well though.)

Finally convinced IT to send me a second stand alone monitor to use instead of having to work off my laptop screen. So I'll have two monitors and the laptop shut and off to the side. I'll then need a separate webcam for video conferences since I'll be hiding the laptop one away. What's the best one for that purpose? Budget up to £100 I reckon.

I use have a microsoft lifecam studio, its good for video quality, but I don't use the mic, as have never found a webcam that the inbuilt mic is any good on (I have worked from home for nearly 10 years, so have used and listened to a lot!)
How is the lighting in your work area? there are some with a built in light which is probably good if you have a poorly lit work area.

Lighting is ok, right beside a window during day time and have a soft lamp off to the side for evenings. Anything right in may face would likely reflect off my specs too much or else I iwould have gone with the ring light type ones. Same as you with audio, only ever use my earbuds (jabra 65t active) as the audio on those is great. ms_com uses her laptop audio like some kind of monster.

Just coming up on 3y WFH so learnt the audio thing quickly, just always used the laptop camera. Will also be nice to have the camera on the monitor which has the stuff I'm sharing so I can being looking towards people rather than off to the side.

I'm a big fan of the Logitech Pebble M530 which scrape in just under £20 shipped. I've a few mice out for them. Lots of personal preference involved in mouse shape/function though!

If you want an old Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX Plus I've got one here that came from my FiL that I was going to dispose of.

Massive 640x480 quality but it sits nicely on top of a monitor (I have a similar one), built in mic.

I've no problems with mine for video conferencing. Picture quality is rarely a problem on those anyway.

Yours for a donation to LFGSS. It's in SW15 but I'll post it if necessary.

That would be massively handy. I'm only over in SE19 but not likely to be able to get over that way any time soon if I could cover the postage costs too?

Yes, the best thing about the standalone webcam is the ability to position, my only issue is that I have multiple monitors, so often looks like I am looking elsewhere, which to be fair I am....

How is the lighting in your work area?

I'm pretty sure @stevo_com is just using it for conf calls, not showing his hoohaa.

No judgement if he is though, of course.

I don't mind covering postage costs. Drop me a PM with an address and I can post it later.

I mean, what do you do on conf calls? How else am I supposed to keep people's attention while waffling on about email authentication?

I mean, what do you do on conf calls

Literally typing out this post...

Luckily my camera doesn't work over Citrix, otherwise - be still my colleagues' beating hearts.

'Make any space minimalist, modern, and silent with Logitech Pebble – the portable mouse that fits your curated lifestyle and goes wherever life takes you. '

My lifestyle is exceptionally curated, this should fit the bill nicely

Does anyone want my old GTX 970 for free if they pick it up from SE27?

It's a 'Palit Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 Graphics Card (4GB, GDDR5, PCI Express 3.0)'.

[Edit: has been dibsed]

Need a good dual monitor wall mount

Anyone here using one? Some degree of articulation required

Any thoughts on using a TV as a monitor? I'm looking to buy a new TV and I've thought about using the current one as a monitor. Its a 40 inch 4k would be wall mounted slightly above my desk.

Colour gamut may be more limited and replication more limited than with a monitor. Connections may be worth considering too as some cards only have display port and TVs HDMI, you might wanna check specs that you can use an adapter and still achieve desired frame rate and resolution.

I'm after the same so say if you find anything. Although my mate might be sorting me out with a NBS flo dual +, fingers crossed, which is desk mounted but very nice.

Test it!

Good shout thanks guys, it makes sense to try and repurpose it than get rid.

i'm working in a small space so every bit of desk space counts - so the wall mounted option really appeals

Using my laptop last night and the screen freaked out (multi coloured lines/outlines) and then shut itself off. Now it won't turn on, press the power button and the keys light up, nothing from the screen and then it turns off again after a few seconds.
I'm pretty resigned to the fact that it's kaput but is there anything I can try? It's a dell 7577 so a few years old but it was a decent spec

Try connecting an external display. Then at least you can find out if it's just the screen or something more.
May need to find function key that switches to an external monitor