Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

[PorscheGuy997]

So, last summer I built my own desktop from scratch. It's been a lot of fun, but lately it's been a pain.

First, the graphics card decided to burn up during Thanksgiving - 8800GTS 640mb. It just started producing artifacts like crazy and eventually wouldn't allow it to post. No problem, just got another one at $250 and RMA the old one.

About a month ago, the whole thing shut down completely - 650i chipset. The motherboard wouldn't post - fans would spin up, but nothing else. So, ordered a replacement from the Egg and sent the old one back for RMA.

Now, it's almost the same thing. The motherboard gets to the post screen and hangs. Plus, the keyboard doesn't respond. Great...


All I can say is that it's time to switch chipsets. I'll probably to go a P35. It's pretty ridiculous to go through motherboards like this.

Anyone else have a bunch of hardware problems?

[Jeepster04]

Re: Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

My bro and I have built many computers over the years and weve had out fair share of problems. Never had a mother board die twice on the same puter though. Is it running hot?

OT: you still got any #16 left?

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

It runs pretty cool. I've got Thermalright coolers on the cpu and northbridge - U-120X and HR-05. I'm running five 120mm fans and one 200mm fan. The cpu would idle at 17c and get up to 38c when gaming.

Neither of them have been overclocked in the last eight months.

The only other thing I can think of is the psu, which has been running fine - 700w Fortron. I tried a spare Antec, but nothing new happened.


I have one last can of #16 left.

[Jeepster04]

Re: Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

Might want to put that antec in there and see how it goes. Ive used antecs for awhile and Ive never had troubles.

I might have to buy that tin if you still have it when taxes come back.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

I'm running an old Soyo Dragon P4S mobo with an Intel P4 2.66GHz, 1.25GB RAM and an ATI 250GB graphics card that I built back in December of 2003. Well, when I built it I used a P4 1.66GHz processor and 512MB ram but I did upgrades along the way. It now also has a pair of 250GB WD hard drives in it. Somewhere along the way I cut a big hole in the side for a window, added a couple extra fans and some interior lights. Then I painted the case orange. I had to replace the power supply a few months ago but overall this has been the most trouble free computer I have ever owned. In fact, that power supply has been the ONLY issue in what is almost 4 1/2 years!!!

Sure, it isn't a rocket by todays standards, but I can run Photoshop & Illustrator CS3, Dreamweaver, Outlook and a couple apps all at the same time without issue. I'm not a big gamer though.... never seem to have the time.

[BlueZero]

Re: Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

That *****!

Over the years I've had a few hard drives fail and one stick of ram. Other than that I've been pretty lucky. My buddy built a computer and has had all sorts of problems.

My biggest complaint now is mine is noisy. The one 80mm case fan seems to make the most noise. It's rated at 20db but maybe mine is defective, someday I'll spend $10 and try a new one.

Good luck Chris!

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

For some odd reason, the desktop decided to run today - don't have a clue why, but that's okay. I'm hoping that I don't have to restart it for the next few days...

I decided to do this year's upgrade now instead of during the summer.

I'll be going from a 650i to a P35 chipset, the processor will be an E8400 instead of the E6600, and the ram will be 2 gigs of OCZ instead of G.Skill.

The old stuff will be sold on Anandtech in a few weeks.

[ZoranC]

Re: Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

There can be a number of reasons for this behavior. Ones that pop up as most common offenders are:

1) Heat

2) Fans being attached to motherboard. They should be attached to power supply and not on dedicated line, not sharing line with other components.

3) Bad power. I use PC Power & Colling only.

4) More of bad power. I don't plus straight into wall, I use UPS.

5) Problems with grounding.

6) Motherboard or one of components itself. I trust only Intel chipsets and motherboards.

7) Cheap memory.

[yalerd]

Re: Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

Well if you are willing to chance your chipset then there is nothing more to say.
If you want to identify your problem then I suggest isolating it.
Boot up your PC only with the VGA, Motherboard and Processor and one memory dimm, test and then chance the memory dimm (if available) and continue adding components.


I had a problem with my new computer, memory was the problem, guess the motherboard was unstable with 4 cores + memory FSB @ 1066. You just have to try finding the right settings to have a 100% stable pc

[Wolf-Strong]

Re: Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

That is the only way to get a desktop IMO; build it!

Personally, this is why I prefer to stay with quality brands, namely Asus being one of the best PC hardware manufacturers I have ever found. The Egg is the only way to go for sure when it comes to technology! ZoranC pretty much nailed it on the head and I really can't think of anything else to add. Good luck!

[ZoranC]

Re: Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

2) Fans being attached to motherboard. They should be attached to power supply and not on dedicated line, not sharing line with other components.

Clarification: I meant ON dedicated line, not "not on dedicated line".

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: Computers: When will the fun ever stop?

Well, I got the new parts in last week from the Egg.

It turns out that the board was the problem AGAIN. Everything else was fine.

I spent a few hours backing up all my files and emails in order to make the swap to the P35 and E8400. I had some seriously good luck and the operating system worked perfectly after the hardware swap. That was extremely lucky!!!

Now, there's another problem... The new E8400 processor has a bad temperature sensor. It constantly reads 40c and doesn't move a bit - ever. This can't be possible because I reinstalled the dual fan setup on the U-120E and it's not overclocked.