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{Patrick Tam Dot Net} - Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Patrick's Web and Moblog About Nothing
 
 Wednesday, August 10, 2005

01. Gold and gaurds red model paint and two fine paint brushes can be purchase at your local hobby shop or hobby section of your local store for less than $10.00.
materials.jpg

02. Remove the crests from the wheels and clean the surface thuroughly.
plain_crest.jpg

03. Start by painting the red area first. Mask one section out.
mask.jpg

04. Shake the paint well. Lightly dip the brush into the paint and paint away. Don't use too much paint or else there'll be a blob of paint on that section of the crest. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
paint.jpg

05. When the paint is dry, slowly peel off the masking tape.
mask_removed.jpg

06. Do the same for the rest of the three red sections.
mask_removed3.jpg

07. Now we start painting the gold color. This is a little tricky. There is no need for masking. All you need is a calm and gentle hand. Use the other brush and lightly dip into the gold paint and start painting the gold sections. Take your time here.
gold_paint.jpg

08. This is result when you are done. Repeat the process for the other three crests.
crest_done.jpg

09. What a difference and you just saved $150.00
color_plain.jpg

8/10/2005 9:32:46 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Boxster Hacks and Mods  | 
 Sunday, July 31, 2005

After spending the entire weekend researching on how to open up the HMO feature and install backdoor on Tivo version 6.2, I completed with success. If you are interested in modding your 6.2 Tivo to unlock the HMO feature and install backdoor, check out this guide. The only part I was frustrated most about this hack was the Linux commands. I'm a Windows person and I know the OS in and out but I hate Linux.
To share your music and photos with Tivo, you must install the Desktop media server downloaded at Tivo.com.
A shot of the Music & Photos Tivo menu.







7/31/2005 3:16:45 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Gadget Hacks and Mods  | 
 Saturday, July 30, 2005

This is a little hack sequence I always tend to forget everytime the Tivo is reboot. Enter this request in your Tivo remote and you can forward 30 seconds with each click.

My Tivo just got updated to version 6.2 and my previous Tivoscript mod does not work anymore. I wish DTV hurry and realease the HMO feature. The only improvment in this update is the folder grouping of the recorded shows and faster guide search.

7/30/2005 1:42:25 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Gadget Hacks and Mods  | 
 Wednesday, July 27, 2005

01. This harness allows you to operate your spoiler up or down while you are driving. The rocker switch seemlessly integrates into one of your dummy switch location. You can order the Plug and Play harness kit from www.boxsey.com . The harness kit comes pre-assembled so you just need to drop it into your Boxster. You also need a philips screwdriver. *The 996 spoiler switch comes in gloss and matte finish.
harness_kit.jpg

02. Remove the left switch panel. The piece is a snap on held down by two prongs that is part of the panel. . Get a hold of the lip and gently pull it straight out. Use a butter knife if you don't have long finger nails.
remove_panel.jpg

03. Drop one wire into the opening one at a time or else they won't fit. The wire should fall straight down and through the bottom.
drop_wire.jpg

drop_wire2.jpg

drop_wire3.jpg

04. Remove one of the three dummies switch or what ever is available to be replaced from the switch panel. Push the new rocker switch into the newly vacant switch slot until you hear a snap.
install_switch.jpg

05. Snap the switch panel back into the dashboard.This is what mine looks like after the installation of the spoiler rocker switch.
switch_installed.jpg

06. Now remove the fuse panel on the bottom left of the driver's foot.
fuse_panel.jpg

07. Use a philips screwdriver to remove the four screws that is holding down the carpeted panel.
remove_ft_panel.jpg

08. Once the screws are removed, pull out the carpeted panel.
foot_panel.jpg

09. Where the wires were dropped down, run them across the vent tube and ty-wrap them to the existing cable strap.
strap_wire.jpg

10. Run the wires along the vent tube towards the relay panel and ty-wrap them to the bundle of harnessed.
strap_wire2.jpg

11. Remove the connector that is being plugged into the existing spoiler switch. Gently wiggle it out.
remove_switch.jpg

12. Plug the bypass lugs into the connector you just pulled out accordingly.
bypass_plug.jpg

13. Plug the three blue main lugs into the original spoiler switch accordingly.
og_switch.jpg

14. Ty-wrap the connector to the bundle of harness to secure it down. Strap down any exceeded harnesses. Reinstall the carpeted panel and the fuse panel.
*More precise instruction comes with the kit*
strap_plug.jpg

7/27/2005 9:51:18 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Boxster Hacks and Mods  | 
 Tuesday, July 26, 2005

This is not a mod or hack. It is just a basic oil change instruction. It is best if done with a left.

Tools and material:
8mm hex wrench
new replacement oil filter
9.25 quart of synthetic oil

01. Lift the car up high enough so you can get to the oil pan.
boxsey_life.jpg

02. Use an 8mm hex wrench to remove the drain bolt. Make sure that you have a descent size container to hold the used oil.
drain1.jpg

03. Let the oil drain until the pan is empty. This may take 15 to 20minutes. Remove the oil filter cup to replace the filter.
drain2.jpg

04. Remove the oil filter and replace it with a new one. Replace the rubber seal and re-install the filter cup. Wipe the oil pan clean and screw the drain bolt back on. You may reuse the aluminum seal for the drain bolt, but it is recommended to have that replaced as well. I had to reuse mine because some stupid service guy at CARLSEN PORCH gave me the wrong smash ring even though I specifically asked for it for the Boxster.
filter.jpg

05. Lower the car and open the trunk to fill up with 9.25 quart of Mobile synthetic oil.
fill_up.jpg

7/26/2005 8:20:10 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Boxster Hacks and Mods  | 
 Tuesday, July 19, 2005

I made home around mid-night on Sunday after driving about 14 hours straight from Bryce Canyon, Utah. I was suppose to fly back but I decided to visit Utah's national parks. I stopped by Moab first to witness the delicate Arch up close and personal. It was magnificent! I took these pictures with my SE K750i.

And then I swung by Bryce Canyon to see the Main Amphitheatre. That site really took my breath away. It was so beautiful.

7/19/2005 1:39:49 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      General Blog  | 
 Sunday, July 17, 2005

Another business trip to Salt Lake City. I think this is my fourth time. This time I get to go hiking with a few co-workers. My first time on a ten mile hike to Lake Blanche. It was all worth it.

My previous trip back in February was just as awesome. I got to board Park City ski resort. The snow there was good but not as good as Tahoe.

7/17/2005 1:35:44 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      General Blog  | 
 Saturday, July 16, 2005

This is one heck of an easy and useful hack with a cell phone handsfree headset so you could hook it up to your car's aux imput. I have the SE K750i that plays mp3 with a 1GB memory stick duo pro. I hacked the headset so I could plug the phone into my car's auxillary input to play my mp3 like an iPod which I don't need anymore. If I get a phone call while the music is playing, the music will stop and automatically switch over to voice call. The voice comes out of the car speakers and I just talk normal. The mic in the handsfree picks up my voice just fine.

Tools:
Pocket knife
Soldering iron and solder
wire stripper

Parts you need:
1\8" female jack extention cable from Radio Shack or your local electronic store. ($6.00)

SE K750i handsfree headset.

01. Use a knife to crack open the handsfree mic assembly.

02. Remove the front and back cover and set them aside.

03. De-solder the right ear piece from the solder point on the PCB.

04. Cut the 1\8" femail jack with about 6" of wire and strip 1" of the outter insulation. You'll see a black, red and ground wire.

05. Strip a little insulation off of the red and black wire and tint the ends with solder.

06. Solder the red wire to the +S and ground to the -S solder point on the PCB.

07. Solder the black wire to the hanging black wire to the other end of the mic PCB. You have to remove the heat shrink first.

08. Now tape up the bare solder of the black wire with electrical tape. Keep is thin or else it won't fit back into the covers.

09. You're done with the hack. Put the mic PCB back into the covers you removed in step 02.

10. Once the covers are re-installed, cut the left ear piece off.

12. Here is the completed mod.

Now mount the phone on the dashboard, plug the hands free into the phone and the other end to the car's auxillary input.

The sound quality is just as good as any MP3 players. I love the voice calling because the I don't need the headset in my ear.

7/16/2005 12:59:03 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Gadget Hacks and Mods  | 
 Friday, July 15, 2005

WOW! This thing is gorgeous. Think of it as having a full blown PC in your dashboard. I wonder how much it will cost when it comes to our shore. I'm willing to give up a limb for this.
Infill Media Center PC HU

7/15/2005 12:45:26 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Computer and Gadgets  | 
 Thursday, July 14, 2005

01. Buy a can of Rust-Oleum Hard Hat V2115 Silver Aluminum from Home Depot or your local paint store ($4.00).
rustoleom.jpg

02. Remove the wind stopper meshes and thuroughly clean them of dust and lint. Remove the rubber paddings from each of the three flanges. You may reuse them if you don't have replacement.
black_mesh.jpg

03. Start by paiting the top side of one mesh. Hold the can 12-16 inches from the surface of the mesh; spray in a steady back and forth to avoid runs and sags. Allow to dry and apply a second coat.

paint_top.jpg

04. Turn the mesh over and repeat the process. Once done, allow it to dry and repeat the process for the other mesh.

paint_bot.jpg

05. Here are the completed meshes.
paint_done.jpg

06. Apply new rubber paddings to all the flanges. In this case, I got them replaced.
padding.jpg 

07. Re-install the meshes back onto the rollbar.
mesh_reinstalled.jpg

08. Here is a before and after shot.
b4_after.jpg

7/14/2005 9:27:19 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Boxster Hacks and Mods  | 
 Tuesday, July 12, 2005

in America. As usual...

7/12/2005 12:43:21 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Rant  | 

It is horrible what the Japanese government is condoning their fishermen; killing thoudsands of intelligent dolphins each year. These people are insensitive and have no respect to these adorable living creatures.

Please visit Sea Shepherd and read more about the senseless killing by the Japanese murdurous thugs and it's government.

7/12/2005 12:40:12 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Rant  | 
 Monday, July 11, 2005

I mentioned to my co-worker that I want to setup a dual LCD side by side for my PC but the 19" LCDs are so expensive. He mentioned slickdeals.net sometime post deals on Dell's UltraSharp LCDs. Bam!!! There it was. Dell had two thoudsand 20" UltraSharp wide screen on sale at $440.00 each from roughly $650.00. These monitors are sharp and quality is top notch. I snatched up two and got the setup I'd always wanted. They showed up right on my birthday too.

7/11/2005 12:37:54 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Computer and Gadgets  | 
 Friday, July 08, 2005

My wait was finally over when I found out the black market phone shops got the Sony Ericsson K750i mobile phone in stock. Although I had one month left on my Cingular contract, I switched over to T-mobile anyway to get this phone for free and keep my number. I'm telling you, this phone kicks ass.

It has a 2MP digital camera, an awesome MP3 player, accepts up to 1GB memory stick duo pro, bluetooth, infrared, tri-band and many features. I had to retire my SE K700i.

dsc00014.jpg (467.26 KB) was the acutal picture taken by this phone.

7/8/2005 12:34:06 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Computer and Gadgets  | 

I'm beyond upset after wasting $9.50 and over two hours of my life on this movie. The special FX is cooler than I expected but the story telling was horrible. Why does Hollywood always pick a disfunctional family to talk about? This movie should have gone straight to video. I will never pay to watch another Spielberg movie again except The Transformers.

7/8/2005 12:29:52 AM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)  #      Rant  | 
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