Guest Posted April 20, 2001 Report Posted April 20, 2001 cc wold, but it generally takes a shorter time to unplug 1 by 1 and test it. One thing to people doing this: GROUND YOURSELVES. Static electricity will and MAY fry your pc components. Do NOT put a card you unplugged on your carpet and NEVER use your vacuum cleaner (depends on brand and model, but most give out a real bad static/EM field) at point blank range from your PC, they WILL screw up your system. "Gateway isn't the only one that formats the drive and reloads to factory defaults...that's SOP for most of those tech support lines"Yeah, its all a SOP (hey, backwards that's POS! Who said there wasnt some irony in that?) of big companies. When you are on the phone, the techs will try to format as a last resort (unless you get a bad tech on the phone.. or you own a compaq/packard bell). But if you take it to a store for service, you can bet your butt it will get formated, even if it was a hardware issue.However, GW and Dell do sell good computers, you just have to specify what you want in them when you buy it. I've had my Dell for 5 years now, and I've only had to call them for support once when my MB got fried after a storm (of course, I didnt tell them THAT, you just play the innocent ignoramus and you will get a replacement.. NEVER say "STORM" when on phone with pc tech support, they will weasel out of a replacement!!!).The good thing about buying systems from GW or Dell is the warranty. GW also has a great plan which you can turn in your old pc as payment for a new one after 2 or 3 years. That is a GREAT idea, most of us have 2 or 3 computers storing dust in the house.
Emmett.hendrick Posted April 20, 2001 Report Posted April 20, 2001 I too am an ex-Gateway tech and I have to say I don't like their pc's, unfortunatly I have one of their machines at home but If I have any problems (and luckly enough so far I haven't) I just ring and demand the part I'm looking for. I would not advise a Gateway PC to a friend who wants a customised system as you are railroaded at every point.Even though they advertise they will build a system with whatever specs you want when I ordered the PC I have now I did not want a soundcard or speakers, when it was delivered guess what arrived with it......My next PC will be built kit wise by myself now that I have control over the PC. My wife made the buying decision last time.
Soback Posted April 20, 2001 Report Posted April 20, 2001 http://www.upgradesource.com/ Check out this site, all you need to build your own pc.
Wold Posted April 21, 2001 Report Posted April 21, 2001 True Tac. But, IMO 80% of the time it's the main board that's fried so that's why I yank everything first.Tac mentioned static and necessity of grounding. He's right. For those who are unfamiliar with how to do that..... A static strap really should be used along with a mat. Most users don't have them laying around and if you don't know what I'm talking about, you won't have one. Use the following method to ground yourself if you don't have a static strap. This isn't the best method, but it is better then none.If possible move the PC to a room w/out carpet. Before touching ANY boards, touch the case on any unpainted metal area. Remove the card and place it face (component side) down preferably somewhere on the case. Touch only the edges of card and the mounting bracket. DONT touch the back side of the card or the GOLD colored edge (contacts)IF ADDING a card: place new card, still in anti-static package, on the PC case. Keeping constant contact with the case, then open the package and remove the card by the mounting bracket.WHY all this headache? Simple movement of an arm w/ certain fabric and one becomes a static stun-gun. Remember: With today's soft-touch power up systems there is ALWAYS power to the systemboard even when it is "off". Which means, NEVER plug anything into the motherboard when the AC power cord is plugged into the PC. Unless of course you are looking for an excuse to buy new hardware. Even better, but a few more steps: Unplug the PC Disconnect the powersupply cables to the motherboard (should be 2 cable bundles) Plug the AC powercord back in. Why? This keeps the PC case truely grounded, assuming house wiring is correct. DO the necessary work, add/remove cards etc, constantly touching the pc case. Unplug the AC powercord Reconnect the powersupply cables to the motherboard (both of them) Install cover and plug the AC power back in. There, if that was as clear as mud I'm sure I can make it worse! [ 04-21-2001: Message edited by: Wold ]
Tyrn Posted April 21, 2001 Report Posted April 21, 2001 Also, with the new ATX boards and power supplies, there is often a power switch on the power supply itselfand there is often a led on the motherboard itself which will remain lit as long the power supply is "on". If the led is lit, DO NOT under any circumstances do anything before you, at the very least, turn off the power supply.
Supreme Cmdr Posted April 21, 2001 Report Posted April 21, 2001 quote:IF ADDING a card: place new card, still in anti-static package, on the PC case. Keeping constant contact with the case, then open the package and remove the card by the mounting bracket.Oh yeah. That makes sense. Lets see, shall we? place new card, still in anti-static package, on the PC case. ...this is easyKeeping constant contact with the case. ...remove shoe from left foot and extend toe so that it touches an unpainted section of the case. Preferably in the inside of the power supplythen open the package. ...while balancing left foot and ensuring that toe is firmly planted on power supply at all times, hold package in left hand, grip with right hand and insert package into mouth. Rip with teeth, taking care not to use a violent yanking motion, which will cause you to lose balance - essentially removing your left toe from the power supply casing.and remove the card by the mounting bracket. ...first shake head slightly, to dislodge static bag from between teeth. Now using both hands (taking care not to touch the back of the board!), insert the AGP board into a PCI slot. quote:WHY all this headache? Simple movement of an arm w/ certain fabric and one becomes a static stun-gun. ...which is why one should upgrade/repair their systems in the nude. Its the only way to be sure [ 04-21-2001: Message edited by: Supreme Cmdr ]
Tyrn Posted April 21, 2001 Report Posted April 21, 2001 quote:Originally posted by Supreme Cmdr: ...which is why one should upgrade/repair their systems in the nude. Its the only way to be sure.Far too funny...I can just see the look on my GM's face now. "How else do you expect me to avoid static when you carpet my blasted work shop?!" - You see we carpet everything in the admin building...don't ask.[ 04-21-2001: Message edited by: Tyrn ]
Guest Posted April 21, 2001 Report Posted April 21, 2001 ZZZZAP!!! Ground your 'nads, we're openening the box!
Wold Posted April 22, 2001 Report Posted April 22, 2001 ROFL!! You 3 are hysterical! Quite the BMP (bad mental picture) you all created there.....
Steve Schacher Posted April 23, 2001 Author Report Posted April 23, 2001 I got a call over the weekend from Gateway telling me that the problem is my video card (I had a Voodoo3 3000 AGP). They said it had a history of running hot. They are replacing it with a version with TV/OUT. That was all the guy was able to tell me about the card at the time. I'm not sure which Voodoo that one is. He said it should be delivered to them in a few days.I guess we'll see, in a few days, if that was really the problem.
Guest Posted April 23, 2001 Report Posted April 23, 2001 AHAHAHAHAAH. I knew it! Read up on my posts Steve, it was NOT the video card, it was the fact that GW gave it to you overclocked so it would make your system "perform".The overclocked drivers probably burned your card out, and that may have caused the POST (aka boot process) lockup.Very very common problem with GW machines.I hope you managed to save your data buddy, I really hate it when they format as a first option.
Wolferz Posted April 24, 2001 Report Posted April 24, 2001 quote:Originally posted by Tac: NEVER use your vacuum cleaner (depends on brand and model, but most give out a real bad static/EM field) at point blank range from your PC, they WILL screw up your system.Actually.... The movement of air is what creates the static discharge when using a vacuum cleaner. The sudden rush of air molecules into the tube causes the atoms to ionize. This ionization is then transferred to your person and anything else that will act like a ground. Thus one invokes the...Homotron Theory which causes... Expletives Deleted Insane Spouse (Due to EQ withdrawal) The Burning of Fossil Fuels Pollution of the Atmosphere Loss of WagesKind of a dominoe effect, eh?But, seriously.... I have never had any problems with sensitive PC circuit boards as long as I touch the power supply case to discharge any static on my person. Just a touch is all it takes, but do it each time,BEFORE you handle anything inside the PC.
Steve Schacher Posted April 26, 2001 Author Report Posted April 26, 2001 Well, I'm pleased to announce that my computer is safe and sound at home again. Gateway installed a Voodoo3 3000G AGP, which they say was released about 6 months after the V3 3000.Otherwise, everything is running as was, and our data is still intact. I will be jumping over the to the CDR topic to pursue backup options. Now if I can just figure out what my scanner is doing...
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