Darn Computers

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: Darn Computers

Lost my computer monday Mad

. I guess there was a power surge there were some thunder storms and I came home from work and no computer wtf

. So went and got a new one today now I have to figure out this vista wtf

Joe

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Ugh I hate vista... lots of people are "downgrading" their computers back to XP. Dont know if its possible with whatever you just bought.

To fix the power surge problem in the future, concider buying a UPS with surge protection.

-DallanC

1895ss · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject: Re: Darn Computers

The new desk top computer I purchased for at home late last fall is XP and works great and the new Laptop I purchased a month ago, for my travels, is Vista and now that I'm used to it I really like it.

Vince · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject: Re: Darn Computers

1895ss wrote:

The new desk top computer I purchased for at home late last fall is XP and works great but the new Laptop I purchased a month ago, for my travels, is Vista and now that I'm used to it I really like it.

Hey 1895ss...welcome back buddy...we've missed ya.

Did the power spike fry your HDD Joe, or did you manage to save that? As Dallan said...run a Surge Suppressor mate....I had a custom made one back in 1990...before they were on the shelves out here.

My new computer came loaded with Vista...Its not too hard to get used to. A mate in the geek trade said to make sure I have Service Pack 3 loaded and that supposedly fixes most of the glitches that they had with Vista.

I have downloaded and installed EVERY available update that I can from Microsoft to make sure that I am fully up to date.

One of the biggest hassles I have seen with Vista is running peripherals. You need Vista specific drivers and they are not always available. I was lucky with my Canon Pixma MP800 Multi Function Printer...they put out a patch for that.

So far, touch wood (as Vince sticks his hand on his head) everything is running smoothly. Only problem I do have is that I am networked with my daughter's computer that is running XP and now they will not talk to one another, which isn't real handy cause I have the external HDD attached to my computer.

Cheers, Vince

gelandangan · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:48 am Post subject: Re: Darn Computers

Before you write off the older computer, check if it will work with a new power supply.
4 out of five chance on power surges faults, the problem is on the power supply only and to replace it costs only a fraction of a new computer.

Gelan

Vince · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:54 am Post subject: Re: Darn Computers

Good thinking Gelan old mate...never thought of that.

Computer Stores out here often have older style, but new, power supplies stacked up in a box outside the front door for as little as $5.

Cheers, Vince

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

Vince wrote:

Computer Stores out here often have older style, but new, power supplies stacked up in a box outside the front door for as little as $5.

Most computers made in the last 10-15 years run ATX power supplies so just about any will do even the most current ones. Although there will be extra unused CPU 4-pin and SATA etc on the newer ones.

As Gelan said if the computer was off when it happened its probably just the PSU, and even if it was on, trying a new PSU may surprise you as many have built in safeties to protect the rest of the computer. Cause they need to clean up the power anyways for the computer so they can handle some spiking by design.

I have revived a computer that was on when the power died by simply changing the PSU.

Dimitri

RePete · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:06 am Post subject: Re: Darn Computers

+2 on a UPS.

I'm running APC units without incident.

To get the correct size, see what you have hooked up to the computer and then get one rated a bt higher. Also think about if you are going to add peripherals and add that to the last figure.

This is my main unit.

www.apc.com/resource/i..._watts=200

It was on sale for $130 at Staples when I bought it.

chambered221 · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:33 am Post subject: Re: Darn Computers

I have vista and like it !!!
Compared to 2000 and XP, I think its alot easier to navigate through.

When I come across people who say vista sucks, I always ask them what problems they have encountered or why they don't like it.

Most can not give me a honest ansewer !!!
Fact is, for the average user there are no real problems to speak of. ( IMO )
For someone like Dallan who actually works with/on/in computers I understand their discontent.
The compatibility issues with hardware and software.....................

If I had custom software for a business that didn't work or couldn't get a driver for a $2,000 office printer I'd be P Oed also.

I belive alot of it is unjust hype !!!

1895ss, good to read ya again, don't stay away so long the next time !!!

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: Darn Computers

gelandangan wrote:

Before you write off the older computer, check if it will work with a new power supply.
4 out of five chance on power surges faults, the problem is on the power supply only and to replace it costs only a fraction of a new computer.

Gelan

Ya I have a buddy thats pretty good with computers thats the first thing he did and it still wont power up. My hard drive is ok we popped it in another computer and I got all my pictures so that was my main worry. I will keep them on a disc from now on. I'm no computer wiz but so far Im doing alright with Vista. I had everything on a surge protecter but it didn't seem to work, in the same outlet I had a Cable booster for my Tv's and it fryed as well. Whats a UPS is that different then a surge protecter ?
Joe

RePete · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject: Re: Darn Computers

A surge protector is supposed to stop a voltage jump - say from a lightening strike. A strike could jump the protector and still damage the equipment. The more you pay for one the more protection you will get because of the better components and design.

A UPS does a number of things. It gives you up to 20 minutes of power when the power fails. It suppliments the power during a brown out, which is one of the main causes of computer component failure. It is the best when it comes to surge suppression, mostly from design.

gelandangan · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: Darn Computers

Joe, I also wonder if your buddy remove the BIOS backup battery from the motherboard before trying a new PSU.
Removing the backup battery (for a few minutes) resets the BIOS and a lot of other logic switches in the board.
Sometime this can help too..

Gelan

shrpshtrjoe · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject: Re: Darn Computers

gelandangan wrote:

Joe, I also wonder if your buddy remove the BIOS backup battery from the motherboard before trying a new PSU.
Removing the backup battery (for a few minutes) resets the BIOS and a lot of other logic switches in the board.
Sometime this can help too..

Gelan

Yes he did remove the battery for 5 minutes. I do appreciate the help I no nothing about computers wtf

Joe

Vince · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject: Re: Darn Computers

RePete wrote:

A surge protector is supposed to stop a voltage jump - say from a lightening strike. A strike could jump the protector and still damage the equipment. The more you pay for one the more protection you will get because of the better components and design.

Lightning Strikes are naaaaasty. The power pole opposite Mum's place...on the other side of the street!!....took a hit last year. Unfortunately the power lead to Mum's place was the closest to the hit and her house took the brunt of it.

Fried the power board, most of the wiring in the house, the TV, washing machine, freezer, one fridge and her split air conditioner. All up $8000 + worth of damage. I suppose that it didn't help that the wiring was 50 years old either.

Yep...surge suppressors...almost mandatory these days. In fact I am seriously thinking about putting something at the power box to clean up the power as it comes in...depending on the cost.

Cheers, Vince