You won't believe this.
I don't even believe it. I was there and I'm still having trouble believing it.
Yes. Computer faw down go boom AGAIN.
Sunday morning I turned on the computer to check the email. Had to reboot a couple times; system was being bitey (guess it didn't like early mornings any more than I did.) Finally gets started up, and suddenly I hear an odd buzzing, rattling noise from the back of the tower.
Then the screen went blank.
I hastily shut off the power, and assessed the damage. the first thing I noticed was a smell of burning wire coming from the back vent....
Later that day I tried turning it on briefly with the case open-- the fan on the power source no longer turns, and although the internal power indicator on the motherboard lights up, noone seems to be home, digitally speaking. I have the sinking feeling that the CPU cooling fan isn't or wasn't working properly either.... I'm guessing the power source and the board are both fried. I'm pretty sure she's dead for good this time, Jim.
Believe me, I debated on telling you all this... for one thing the humiliation of having my system committing seppuku once again is like lemon juice in a papercut. But I figured it would be best to let you all know what was up so you didn't start wondering.
Don't worry, efforts are in motion to secure a new system. I'll be dipping into the "year of art" fund to purchase a new barebones system online.(Part of that fund was earmarked to eventually upgrade my system; I'll simply be doing so a little earlier than I planned.... so I don't feel too guilty....)
The balance in the fund is currently up to $500; I should be able to get a relatively decent barebones system--- and a warrantee, which considering my track record thus far seems a very, very, very good idea. The sites I've looked into online also customize, So I can get it for less by excluding the components I already have or don't need (CD, CDRW, etc.)
However, it will be about two weeks before the computer is ordered, assembled, shipped and placed into my sweaty palms.... In the meantime, updates on the strips will be once again sporadic. I have access to a local Kinko's, so I'll try to scan and post a strip or two in the interim, but if that's not feasible I hope you'll understand.
Argh. Argh argh argh.
Thank God for library internet access.
Thank God for library internet access.
"What was that popping noise ?"
"A paradigm shifting without a clutch."
--Dilbert
"A paradigm shifting without a clutch."
--Dilbert
Hope ya read this..
Ouch.. Dude.. Seriously.. Get your house wiring checked, and PRONTO! There is *NO* reason a perfectly good system should die like that, except a good, solid power surge. And given the way computers are built nowadays, it has to be a pretty good one to kill it. Going through as many computers as you have, in the time you have, means you have either offended an malevolent extradimensional being or something is wrong with the lines.
If they can't find anything wrong with the lines, get the UPS system, because *something* is messing up your computers, and bad.
Do you rent? Do you have renter's insurance? You may be able to claim the resultant damage with that, save some cash.
If they can't find anything wrong with the lines, get the UPS system, because *something* is messing up your computers, and bad.
Do you rent? Do you have renter's insurance? You may be able to claim the resultant damage with that, save some cash.
*meow?*
Computers.
I know no one here has ever seen me on here before, but I'm a loyal reader of RHj's stuff, and wanted to say my two bits about the computer issue... since I work in the industry, I figured I might be useful. The first thing I wante dto say is, from the sounds of things, the issue is going to be wiring in the house.. the idea of using a Battery Backedup UPS (Preferebly an APC branded one, as they are the industry leader, and are so for a reason) is the best idea, and yes, the Powerstrips do nothing to cover voltage changes, because they only protect against certain types of problems, the type that usually doesn't cause problems.
Also, about buying another computer, I wanted to suggest looking on Dell's site for a new computer... (I know that sounds odd, especially since i hate del PCs.) But if you look in their deals section, they will often times sell a poweredge server real cheap (a 400sc or equivalent) These will double as EXCELLENT workstations... They have the power to run any graphics software you need, enough memory to run quickly, and enough harddrive space to store them in. combine the fact that they often run the deal where they cost only $700 dollars during the right deal, and you have a really nice setup for what you need in a workstation. (It's not the greatest of servers, but it's a GREAT workstation.)
Otherwise, if you're not gonna do that, the best way to do things is buy the parts you need. (You should already have a computer case, so buy all the new parts you want, and a new ENERMAX or Antec powersupply, and the UPS, and you should be 100% AOK.)
And, uh... I guess i'm done rambling now... I do hope that I might have possibly been a small and.or tiny help.
Also, about buying another computer, I wanted to suggest looking on Dell's site for a new computer... (I know that sounds odd, especially since i hate del PCs.) But if you look in their deals section, they will often times sell a poweredge server real cheap (a 400sc or equivalent) These will double as EXCELLENT workstations... They have the power to run any graphics software you need, enough memory to run quickly, and enough harddrive space to store them in. combine the fact that they often run the deal where they cost only $700 dollars during the right deal, and you have a really nice setup for what you need in a workstation. (It's not the greatest of servers, but it's a GREAT workstation.)
Otherwise, if you're not gonna do that, the best way to do things is buy the parts you need. (You should already have a computer case, so buy all the new parts you want, and a new ENERMAX or Antec powersupply, and the UPS, and you should be 100% AOK.)
And, uh... I guess i'm done rambling now... I do hope that I might have possibly been a small and.or tiny help.
Re: Computers.
I can second the general idea of looking in the Dell outlet store for deals.refuge wrote:Also, about buying another computer, I wanted to suggest looking on Dell's site for a new computer...
Most of the stuff there was never broken, just people exercising their 30 day right to return stuff. It comes with their full warranty and is treated the same as a new unit, except for price. (Note: some of their bottom end units only come with a 90 day warranty - avoid these or upgrade to a minimum of 1 year warranty.)
Take a look at http://www.dell.com/outlet to see what they have in stock - it varies from day to day.
(BYW - I think that a PowerEdge server would be overkill for your needs. Most likely a mainstream desktop with at least 512MB RAM and enough disk space to meet your needs would be best.)
One final note: for a UPS/surge protector to help you (and for the insurance that the better units offer for damage to be valid), it should be plugged directly into a properly grounded wall outlet and everything attached to your PC (modem, printer, phone line, scanner, etc) should be plugged into the UPS. Many UPS units come with several blackout protected outlets and several additional surge only protected outlets. They main thing is to be certain to get a unit that includes insurance to repair/replace any equipment that it fails to protect.
TGIF
Dell Poweredge server.
The only reason why I suggested that server, is because it isn't a server. It's desktop that Dell calls a server. I know, because I work on the day to day. It's a standard PC with a fancy name (If you get a 400sc. It is literally only a desktop.. It's in a desktop case, with a desktop motherboard, standard IDE hard drives, standard CD-RW. with a Pentium 4 standard edition. if it was a real server, it would cost more, have SCSI hard drives, and a real server processor. (Pentium 4s were designed specifically for the use of desktop systems, NOT servers. if you want a server proc, they have low end Xeons, and Pentium 4 server chips available.)
the real reason for suggesting that system is because it's a good performing system, with decent specs, at a good price. I would also suggest against buying a standard Dell Dimension, especially their low end systems, as they are as unstable as you can get, and come with some of the most bloated software ever made.) If you want a good deal, get the 'poweredge', because it's the best bang for the buck.
I suggest following this link: http://outlet.us.dell.com/Dispatcher?ta ... 6&tgtSeg=B
and look at the systems for around $600 - $750. They are all you really will need.
the real reason for suggesting that system is because it's a good performing system, with decent specs, at a good price. I would also suggest against buying a standard Dell Dimension, especially their low end systems, as they are as unstable as you can get, and come with some of the most bloated software ever made.) If you want a good deal, get the 'poweredge', because it's the best bang for the buck.
I suggest following this link: http://outlet.us.dell.com/Dispatcher?ta ... 6&tgtSeg=B
and look at the systems for around $600 - $750. They are all you really will need.