Ahhhhh [PC Problem]

ScaredLittleBoy · 12-05-2007

Okay now its not working again

Switching RAM didn't help. So I guess its not the RAM. Could it be a (over)heat issue? It seems to get hot in there and there's only one fan with a broken plastic heatsink (think thats what it is) and the RAM was hot too.

dong20 · 12-05-2007

I think you've reached the end of the line! You could try a new CPU cooler but...

I suspected a mainboard problem but it could be also have been or could be a simple case of overheating, especially as you say the cooler fan is broken. The heatsink is usually aluminium, the plastic bit holds the fan in place - I assume it's running??

It may be easier to buy a new mainboard and CPU. Try to find on that will run DDR so you can re-use the one you bought though that will be tricky. I was surprised if it had been RAM but as I said, from a distance these things are hard to diagnose.

thediscobiscuit · 12-05-2007

this is a prime example of why splashing out (excuse the pun) on a watercooling system for your PC is definitely justifiable!!!

HazelGod · 12-05-2007

I suspect you have two separate issues...one is a hardware problem, more likely power-related than heat-related. The other is a software problem, and I don't just mean that you're using MS Windows (hah!).

Before you think of buying anything else, go download the Ubuntu linux LiveCD

It'll pull down an ISO image file...burn that to a CD and use it to boot up the machine you're having issues with. When the boot menu screen appears, choose the Memtest86+ option and let it run for a while. This will stress-test your RAM and let you know for sure if that's where the problems are. image. Hit the link, choose Desktop Edition v7.10, choose Standard PC, and pick a download server closest to you.

dong20 · 12-05-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazelGod

I suspect you have two separate issues...one is a hardware problem, more likely power-related than heat-related. The other is a software problem, and I don't just mean that you're using MS Windows (hah!).

Before you think of buying anything else, go download the Ubuntu linux LiveCD

It'll pull down an ISO image file...burn that to a CD and use it to boot up the machine you're having issues with. When the boot menu screen appears, choose the Memtest86+ option and let it run for a while. This will stress-test your RAM and let you know for sure if that's where the problems are. image. Hit the link, choose Desktop Edition v7.10, choose Standard PC, and pick a download server closest to you.

Commendable advice. You have more patience than I do.

With hardware at practically give away prices I'd have consigned it to the bin long ago...diminishing returns etc. I hope SLB can get the thing running long enough to boot the kernel and complete the tests.

I'm off to bed.

ScaredLittleBoy · 12-05-2007

I'll run memtest tomorrow...

I think I will end up just buying a new bastard PC though

Not had this PC long though. Spose its not too bad if I just buy a tower maybe without RAM etc. Are there any sites that custom build PC's for you or should I just mek my own?

sjprep06 · 12-05-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScaredLittleBoy

Not had this PC long though. Spose its not too bad if I just buy a tower maybe without RAM etc. Are there any sites that custom build PC's for you or should I just mek my own?

No offense, but considering your incompatibilty with technology, I think you would be better off buying a pre-made computer. Building your own means two things: a)no customer support for your configuration and b)being even more hands on with your computer...

HazelGod · 12-05-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScaredLittleBoy

I'll run memtest tomorrow...

I think I will end up just buying a new bastard PC though

Not had this PC long though. Spose its not too bad if I just buy a tower maybe without RAM etc. Are there any sites that custom build PC's for you or should I just mek my own?

I say build your own. I got the impression from chatting with you that you're pretty familiar with PC hardware, and you're probably aware of just what kind of "quality" support you can expect from an OEM like Dell or HP...so build your own. Besides, computers are commodity items, not rocket science.

You already have a case, a floppy, an optical drive, a hard drive, and a video card...you'll only need a new motherboard, RAM (maybe), and CPU.

I say a new motherboard, because the SiS chipset on your HP's board sucks. If you choose an AMD processor, go with an AMD or nVidia chipset...and if you choose an Intel processor, use an Intel chipset.

New RAM is a maybe depending on your choice of motherboard. If it doesn't support the type you already have, you'll need new stuff. Memory is the one place you don't cheap out...go with the name brand stuff from Crucial or Corsair.

The CPU is your choice...but the Celeron in your machine now is complete crap. AMD and Intel are in another price war, so take your pick. They both have good lineups...you just have to decide what matters to you: high end performance or power efficiency?

One bit of advice, though...before you install any operating system, boot up Linux from a LiveCD and use this simple command to wipe that hard drive clean:

dd bs=4M if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda

It might take a few minutes...this will write zeros to the entire device, including the boot sector and partition table areas. Everything on it will be destroyed. If there's a virus of any kind on it anywhere, this will get rid of it. The drive will be a clean slate where you can install whatever operating system you like. (Word of caution.../dev/hda references the first IDE drive in a machine, so only run this command with the drive you intend to wipe out attached to the system.)

Personally, I have both Ubuntu Linux and Windows XP on my machine. I use Linux most of the time, but I play games, too, so Windows is a necessary evil.

Seriously, though...don't install Vista.

EDIT:
One more thing...get a new power supply, and get a name brand like Antec or CoolerMaster. Bad PSU's are a nightmare to diagnose, so save yourself the headache up front.

dong20 · 12-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScaredLittleBoy

Not had this PC long though. Spose its not too bad if I just buy a tower maybe without RAM etc. Are there any sites that custom build PC's for you or should I just mek my own?

You could consider a barebones system from someone like Ebuyer or Aria - essentially an assembled case (mainboard/CPU) to which you add RAM/Drives etc. It saves time and often money, especially as you already have most of these. Chances are they will be DDR2 boards though you may get lucky.

Try to avoid low end CPUs as it's a false economy, also these days I'd go Intel. I always used AMD but lately they don't see so good. It would interesting to see how good their quad core chips are though.

ScaredLittleBoy · 12-06-2007

Thanks guys. And despite the impression this thread may give I'm not bad with technology, technology is bad with me!

I have I think exhausted every possibility. I unplugged my Wireless card just to see if it was that, it came on. But it came on when the card was put back in too...

I think I'll get a 'shell' PC or maybe wait til next month and build my own...

Thanks anyway

ScaredLittleBoy · 12-06-2007

Okay...looking at ipconfig there's a teredo tunneling Psuedo-interface thing. That wasn't there before.

Could this be a virus/hacker or is it okay? I've heard its a part of SP2 but not sure.

The problem has been happening again;monitor not turning on. CPU usage has been okay thoughh.

dong20 · 12-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScaredLittleBoy

And despite the impression this thread may give I'm not bad with technology,

.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScaredLittleBoy

Okay...looking at ipconfig there's a teredo tunneling Psuedo-interface thing. That wasn't there before.

OK, teredo is an IPV6 tunneling protocol. As you're very unlikely to be using on your PC I'd ignore it or disable it.