theluckyone

Picked up an Ender 3 off eBay after Christmas in an "brand new open box" state. Should be covered under warranty, and I shelled out an extra $6 for the Allstate Protection Plan, so I should have coverage even if the reseller drops off.

During unboxing, almost everything was neatly in its place. I noticed two oddities, however: the anti-static bag for the display panel was unsealed, open at one end; a piece of paper inside the box declared that the previous owner returned it as they had ordered it by mistake.

After assembly, I powered it on, but the display panel won't show anything but a blue screen. Reached out to the eBay store, who shipped out a replacement panel noting my observations above. Replaced the panel today, and there's no change in symptoms.

After powering it on, the extruder's fan spins, as does the power supply fan. The motherboard's fan does not. Display panel goes blue, without text. Pressing the button results in a beep on each press. I pulled the cover off the motherboard, and noted activity on two LEDs. After powering on, one near the fuse (labeled D3) lights up solid blue. The other, near the CPU (labeled O5), blinks twice quickly, then a long pause, followed by three more blinks. No idea if that's meant as a diagnostic code.

Nothing seems out of place when performing a visual inspection of the motherboard. Each connection is glued down, no scorch or blown components. I've tried updating the firmware, to no effect.

Board version: 4.2.2 CPU: GD32F303 RET6 Sticker on the MicroSD slot: H8

Waiting on the reseller to get back to me with their next steps, but I'm not expecting anything until the work week starts up. Any thoughts as to additional steps I might take while I'm waiting?

Update: reseller is shipping out a new motherboard to me.

Final update: new motherboard resolved the issue. I'm printing!

Took the SRV out last night for some bounty fun with the org mates. Never thought I'd have so much fun in an unarmed ship.

A couple of us were in combat ships, taking out the ERT bounties. Another ran a cargo ship. I piloted the SRV. Combat ships would knock down the bounties, preferably soft deathed. Any ships with decent cargo, I'd tow up to orbit and drop the ramp/lift. We'd transfer the cargo over, then make a run over to a salvage outpost and sell it.

Being unarmed put me in a position where I could concentrate on the big picture of the fight, while keeping an eye out for new hostiles. If we ever get the chance, upgrading the sensors on it would be my first component upgrade on it as a result (don't believe that's gonna happen). Towing the ships themselves wasn't complicated, but the mechanics involved mean I couldn't just tractor up to a Connie and horse on it without breaking the connection.

Update: apparently folk don't realize ERT bounty missions aren't players, but instead criminal NPCs. No players were harmed during the evening's events.

At the very least, it's a beautiful video.

Looks like that "owned ships disappearing from the ASOP terminal" is tied to renting ships. Bad bug to be existing as we go into IAE later this week.

Update: allegedly resolved in a deployed hotfix.

Picked up a Force 5 dinghy plus trailer years ago, for the low low price of $100. Prior owner had let water sit in the mast tube, cracking it vertically. Trailer bunks were set up improperly as well, leading to some gnarly cracks in the hull. Without having any sailing experience, I was besotted with her (I can't resist a good project), until I learned the sail slipped over the mast and wasn't raised via halyard. I set her aside for a few years while I worked on other boat projects that fell into my lap (O'Day 19 & Westerly Centaur).

I'm based on a river with height restrictions in both directions, preventing me from actually sailing with the O'Day and the Westerly. The dinghy can make it under with feet to spare. I'd like to get some actual sailing in,, so I've set myself a goal to finish the rehab and get her on the water before the end of the season.

Mast tube has been repaired. Ground out and beveled the cracks in the hull, then fiberglassed several layers over. I hate mixing gelcoat, so I'll be painting instead. PVC replacements for the thwart bits are sitting in the pile, ready to go.

Trailer needs some work as well: bunkers need to be secured better, tires and bearings need inspection.