/r/techsupportmacgyver
Instances of crazy fixes that actually ended up working. Or not working, I'm a description, not the cops.
The premier "slapping a fan on something" subreddit since August 2012.
If you feel a post breaks the rules in any way:
Click on the report button for the submission or comment. It's anonymous and it flags the post for moderator attention.
Copy the link for the reported post (either "# comments" for a submission or "permalink" for a comment) and message it to the moderators. Including a reason why you reported it is helpful.
TSMG Rules:
1) Follow the Rules of Reddit and use Reddiquette.
2) Posts must contain a MacGyver or be a question about a MacGyver. A MacGyver'd solution is defined as fixing something by using parts that are not the intended replacement parts and/or using unorthodox methods to get something working again. A MacGyver'd solution is also improving on something (whether or not it works) by improving existing functionality in an unorthodox way or by using unorthodox parts. It is not about whether the repair works, but the spirit of the endeavor.
Questions can be asked, but the solutions should not be boring.
3) Posts must be relevant. It doesn't have to be a computer or even electronics - it just has to be MacGyver-y.
4) Text posts are allowed, but images are preferred.
5) Please respect the mods. They're moderating this because they want to, not because they have to.
6) Stay safe: MacGyver at your own risk. Any and all repairs, modifications, hacks, changes, etc. made (hardware and/or software) are done at your own risk. We encourage and enjoy modding & hacking, but please do it safely and please remember that things can go wrong!
7) Do not ask for tech support. Unorthodox solutions are what /r/techsupportmacgyver is here for, remember that asking for orthodox solutions is off-topic and belongs in /r/techsupport.
Promoted Subreddits:
Subreddit of the Day (December 1, 2012)
/r/techsupportmacgyver
295,365 Subscribers
The best way to dual boot.
11:18 UTC
Previously car-mounted Mac Mini had no PSU, hacked up a small ATX PSU with a light switch to power it!
06:36 UTC
DIY power bank
We making it through TSA with this one lol
04:59 UTC
Case fan too thin. I think I did pretty well for my second try
21:03 UTC
My friend came over and was arguing with me about how pc's are hard to build and expensive, threw this together out of a full height gpu and a SFF optiplex to prove a point, cost around $160 and runs most any game with settings adjusted
06:49 UTC
24 Port PoE fan replacement.
the 4x 40mm fans were just to loud, replaced them with a 140mm fan. switch stays roughly 4-5c cooler now as well.
23:16 UTC
My right arrow key was malfunctioning, instead of fixing it, I just moved the arrows
21:01 UTC
We needed to bring and power up a router to use somewhere with no outlets for LAN connection. So we brought a SLA battery and made an adapter with a barrel jack connector we found.
18:30 UTC
Would it be possible to add a Thunderbolt 3 eGPU to my laptop by connecting a PCIe to NVME adapter to a NVME to thunderbolt 3 adapter?
UPDATE:
Scratch that previous update! While definitely NOT functional yet I decided to run a test with an old nvidia GTX 1050 (yes I know MacOS does not have nvidia drivers) I just wanted to see if it would detect anything at all.
When I opened System Information I noticed a device called “generic VGA” but I didn’t think much of it until I unplugged the TB3 cable and got a warning from MacOS that the GPU had been improperly disconnected and it should have been disabled in the menu first!!!!
This blew my mind, so MacOS did CLEARLY see a PCIe device and despite not having drivers it actually did detect it as a GPU!!!!! (Just not one it can use because no nvidia drivers)
I have been trying again to repeat this result with no luck yet. I am not sure what exactly I did to get it recognized, but for a brief moment it did actually recognize the card!!!
TLDR: It didn't work.
Despite TB3 and NVMe both basically just being PCIe. There must be something about the nvme enclose that makes it specifically for SSDs, considering it's intended to be portable I bet it's some kind of power saving thing.
No matter what I tried the MacOS System Information was showing that the nvme board was connected via TB3 at full speed with all lanes. Unfortunately nothing in the chain after that was detected. In fact I don't think the hardware was even being initialized. I tested with a PCIe x1 network card, and the lights on the ethernet port didn't even come on.
Im wanting to add an eGPU too my 2016 MBP and I don't feel like spending $250 on a fancy box when the GPU will be hidden anyway.
So I had a thought. I have a portable thunderbolt 3 NVME enclosure that I don't use anymore. I also have some leftover crypto mining GPU risers and a NVME adapter for one of them that I have never actually used.
So the thought is;
- Attach the NVME enclose to the macbook with a proper Thunderbolt 3 cable.
- Put the NVME adapter in the enclousre. (its the kind that uses a USB3 cable to pass the PCIe signals, if you ever did crypto mining you know exactly what I'm talking about)
- Attach the USB3 cable from the NVME adapter to the PCIe X16 riser card.
- Find a sutable PSU to power the Riser and and GPU
- profit...maybe?
- Put the NVME adapter in the enclosure. (t will run the GPU at PCIe X1 instead of X4. But Im not gaming on it so I really dont care.
Links to what I have:
-I cant find a listing for the NVME to riser adapter I bought, but this one is Identical.
14:52 UTC
I FINALLY DID IT PROPERLY!
I finally got the proper hard ware to mount my SSD bracket, no more tape or hot glue!
05:23 UTC
READ RULE #7
Please do not ask for help with anything that does not involve paper clips, duct tape, tin foil, loose wires, etc.
If the object in question does not look like something MacGyver would have engineered, please do not ask for help with it here.
Try r/techsupport instead.
05:02 UTC
Built a computer out of spare parts and put it in a crevice under a counter. Couldn't reach the power button, so I reused the panic button from an old 80s security system! Also featuring too many fans because it's surrounded by wood on five sides.
00:06 UTC
The special "I'm desperate for payday" edition headphone
It.... Works.
04:38 UTC
That's okay, it's a temporary solution, just relax ... 6 month later ...
12:34 UTC
We put a new switch
09:09 UTC
2.5” hard drive adapter becomes a 3.5” hard drive adapter
19:02 UTC
Quick fix for laptop overheating.
Constant thermo-throttling while playing BF 1, so did this. Very inefficient but works.
14:57 UTC
I took an optiplex and an lte modem and made a router. Works, will get an actual laptop plan for it so I can stay on network for more than a few minutes. Windstream can suck it.
02:04 UTC
Found this on an Amazon review of a flash drive and thought it'd belong here
20:36 UTC
when you need another PATA IDE power connector
i have attached a PATA IDE power connector that i get from an old broken PSU, on the SATA power connector cables (2 black GRND COMM 1 yellow 12v+ and 1 red 5v+)
is for an old Windows XP build
don't worry i have maniacally tested the PSU, everything works safe and fine
02:07 UTC
scrapped intel cpu fan on gpu with missing fan
17:11 UTC