would it be an idea to have an Off Topic forum for HW/software issues like this and the Raid OT mentioned?

Absolutely!

Some of the very best posts and threads on this bbs have (IMHO) been completely off-topic. We have an extraordinary group of users on this board, and I would be in favor of anything that might encourage a broad range of discussion.

tanstaafl.

"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"