Computer Questions Not Worth Their Own Thread II

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Is there a possibility that I would be able to salvage parts from my desktop such as the processor, video card, HDD and CD drives to use in my future gaming rig? Or am I better off just getting new parts?
 
Is there a possibility that I would be able to salvage parts from my desktop such as the processor, video card, HDD and CD drives to use in my future gaming rig? Or am I better off just getting new parts?

What happened to it? You could probably re-use parts of it. Like optical drives. And a secondary hard drive wouldnt hurt. But if theyre damaged you should not use them
 
What happened to it?

Let's just say it's a piece of crap Dell prebuild computer that:
Loves to freeze and restart itself on a cold boot (happens within 5-10 minutes after windows is loaded, minutes varies on load. Or freezes during a memtest86+ run after booting from a cold boot with about a 1/5 chance that Memtest will detect errors). After reseting, it works normaly as if nothing happened (minus the notification in the events viewer that the computer has unexpectedly shutdown as if the power was cut off). Adding insult to injury. The geeks at the geek squad are completely oblivious to fixing the problem and always, always claim they found nothing wrong with it. Somehow they can't even swap in a PSU unit (I'm never, EVER going to buy another computer from Best Buy and never EVER use the geeks again. I'm much better of doing my own repairs instead of leaving it in a three ring circus).

I know I am not going to even touch the PSU on my desktop because: 1. It's more than likely a properatity model designed for a Dell case and motherboard. 2. I already have a high suspicions that the PSU is crap. I don't want a crappy PSU that quits out and have to restart it just because it needs a warm up to run properly.
 
Is there a possibility that I would be able to salvage parts from my desktop such as the processor, video card, HDD and CD drives to use in my future gaming rig? Or am I better off just getting new parts?

Some yes, some no. You can reuse the case. Often the power supply if it is in good enough condition and has the power for the new equipment. If it is a substantially newer computer, motherboard, processor, memory aren't going to help. And for gaming you will need a new video card. If the new motherboard said it supported the same type of memory, then you could use it. But I don't think that's too likely going from an old PC to something strong enough for gaming with new games.

Drives you can use up to a point. But look at the size of your old drives to decide if it is worthwhile. And when picking a motherboard, most now will have the SATA cable connection instead of the IDE. So you need to check which connection your drives have against which connections the new motherboard has. You can probably use the same optical drive. But a new one will be faster.
 
Well I can say faster optical drives are much nosier especially with old CDs and are more likely to shatter. So you should decide if the increased speed worth it. Especially since its said you should burn CDs slowly so they dont go bad
 
And for gaming you will need a new video card. If the new motherboard said it supported the same type of memory, then you could use it. But I don't think that's too likely going from an old PC to something strong enough for gaming with new games.
What's wrong with an ATI 5770? I'm not talking about a seven year old GPA here, the video card is perhaps a year and a half old that is an original part to the computer.

Screw it, I'll just throw my money down the garbage then if I can't save or at least salvage some money.
 
It might work for you. But the thing is that new games, particularly action games, are often designed to push the graphics cards to the maximum. An old card often won't correctly display a new game.
 
Let's just say it's a piece of crap Dell prebuild computer that:
Loves to freeze and restart itself on a cold boot (happens within 5-10 minutes after windows is loaded, minutes varies on load. Or freezes during a memtest86+ run after booting from a cold boot with about a 1/5 chance that Memtest will detect errors).
Did you run comprehensive hardware diagnostics that Dell provides for free with every computer on its hard disk, on a CD, and from their web site?

Numerous assumptions are based in popular myths; not found in hard reality. For example, you have assumed a PSU is the entire power system. It is only one component. What determines when a computer starts or stops? Power controller.

Already posted was how to have useful answers from those who better know this stuff.
The foundation for any computer is its power system - more than just a supply. Nobody can provide a useful answer if you do not first provide numbers. That means a multimeter even from Wal-Mart, K-mart, Harbor Freight, or any store that also sells hammers. Measure six wires. Report the numbers. Have an answer without any more doubts. Labor is about a minute - not including the much longer time required to post those numbers.
You have no useful answers due not providing important facts and numbers.

For example, how does a diagnostic find defective or intermittent hardware? Execute diagnostics in a room above 100 degrees F. That is an ideal room temperature for all working PCs. Heat is an ideal diagnostic tool to find defective hardware. Especially to find defects long before those defects become obvious months or years later. This testing best done with comprehensive diagnostics only provided by the better computer manufacturers.

Well, did the Geek Squad provide voltages (to three significant digits) from those six wires? Why not? You paid them to check out the machine. That is the first thing an informed tech does. Where is their report with numbers?

BSoD 1A defines a memory management failure. Where? Well, again, you shorted your help of hard facts including four other numbers and the worded description. BSoD D1 reports details about some code (probably a driver) that attempted to violate memory protection found in better computer architectures. Again, other numbers and text would have resulted in a much more useful reply.

None of that says memory is defective. Those error codes define numerous potential problems. A list that gets much shorter if you had used the multimeter, viewed the system (event) log, executed comprehensive hardware diagnostics (including at elevated temperatures), and provided BSoD numbers.

Your Dell is literally screaming useful facts. A good computer tech should have been able to list the shorter list of suspects. Using what was provided, this short post is all that can be concluded. Your replies will only be as useful as facts that you first provide.

Step one always starts with getting the meter and asking for instructions on that long one minute of labor.
 
Weston, I am not going to be poking a PSU with a multimeter. Clearly, the fault is IN the PSU. Also, I did not payed them for the repairs, the piece of crap is under warranty. The geeks never, NEVER, even stated anything. When I said they found nothing, it means they found nothing, no voltage, nadda! I've given up trying to fix this piece of crap and wasting my time with the geeks. Again, I'm better off just getting a new computer.
 
I've given up trying to fix this piece of crap and wasting my time with the geeks. Again, I'm better off just getting a new computer.
Strange. From your posts, you did not even start to fixe it. Please post only if you want help. Ranting is best done in Best Buy.
 
Edit: Retracted
 
Well, in-between this silly fighting, I have an issue of my own. I have a Dell Latitude E6400 that's about 2-3 years old at this point, but recently my mouse pad (and that little nipple-looking button in the middle) have just not worked at all. Like literally no response from either thing. I've tried re-installing the TouchPad software/driver from Dell as instructed to, but to no avail so far. A USB Mouse works fine, but it's annoying to have a laptop and then a mouse to the side of it during class, when I'm in the library, etc.

In short, should I just go to my school's tech support (in August) and ask them for a new mouse/computer (which they will do, but that seems like quite the pain) or is there another solution you all can think of?
 
Ok, what in the world is a power controller? Is it in the motherboard or the PSU? Second, can't I use a custom multimeter that just hooks up onto the PSU instead of mucking around with a traditional multimeter? If not, how do I use a multimeter on a PSU safely? What am I looking for in terms of voltage?

Perhaps I should have asked these first instead of flipping out because I am at a month downtime w/o a working desktop.

In short, should I just go to my school's tech support (in August) and ask them for a new mouse/computer (which they will do, but that seems like quite the pain) or is there another solution you all can think of?
Id take it to the school's IT department to have the part fixed.
 
Well, in-between this silly fighting, I have an issue of my own. I have a Dell Latitude E6400 that's about 2-3 years old at this point, but recently my mouse pad (and that little nipple-looking button in the middle) have just not worked at all.
Two suspects explain the problem. Hardware failure or software problems. Your Dell has comprehensive hardware diagnostics (as described earlier). If diagnostics do not see the touch pad, et al, then you know hardware needs to be replaced (or a loose cable). Available from Dell and other third parties.

If diagnostics see responses, then a problem is in drivers or in setup information (see Control Panel). Before fixing anything, first use diagnostics to locate the problem.
 
Ok, what in the world is a power controller? Is it in the motherboard or the PSU? Second, can't I use a custom multimeter that just hooks up onto the PSU instead of mucking around with a traditional multimeter? If not, how do I use a multimeter on a PSU safely? What am I looking for in terms of voltage?

If anything inside is dangerous, then nine volt batteries and 12 volt car batteries are also electrocuting people.

Listed were multimeter marketed to every layman and 12 year old. Any digital multimeter will do.

Set the meter to 20 VDC. Connect its black lead to the chassis. Locate the nylon connector where PSU cables connect to the motherboard. Push the red probe into where a purple wire enters. The meter will read about 5 volts. Record and report that number to three digits.

Do same measurement for a green and gray wires both before and when the power switch is pressed. Report those four numbers to three digits.

Finally, get the computer to search the disk drive while simultaneously reading a CD-rom, while downloading from the internet, while playing complex graphics (ie a movie) while powering a USB device, while ... Now the computer is drawing near maximum power. Measure any one red, yellow, orange, and the purple wire.

If any power system component is defective, then numbers will say so in the next reply. What is a power controller? Also will be defined.

These most useful numbers require no changes, no removed components, and no disconnected wires. Leave the PSU as installed and connected. Nothing inside that computer is a threat to you. No damage can result as long as you disconnect nothing. All six wires are measured where each enters the motherboard nylon connector.
 
One of my games has very annoying music you cant turn off. But you need the audio on to play it properly. I noticed in a game folder the audio files that are the annoying songs. Could I break the thing if I replaced the files with a blank audio stream?
 
One of my games has very annoying music you cant turn off. But you need the audio on to play it properly. I noticed in a game folder the audio files that are the annoying songs. Could I break the thing if I replaced the files with a blank audio stream?

(*)Make copies of the files (or folder). Before you do anything.

- you can try blank copies of audio files w/ the same name, I guess.
- try deleting the files
- try deleting the folder

* I am not accountable for any problems you may incur for not following this step.
 
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