Tek's computer goes "pop"

As mentioned in the "Motherboard shopping, Act II" thread, my primary PC is currently out of commission until I purchase, receive, and install a new motherboard.

Until my main system is back up, I won't be able to do any gaming. I'm also far less inclined to work on my many administrative duties on my backup PC (a Compaq Presario 5000, clocking in at 667MHz).

On a side note, I think the devil's out to destroy my computer. Eight months ago, near the end of the spring semester, a mysterious power surge trashed my PC. Swollen capacitors and a burn mark on the motherboard forced me to RMA my motherboard, my CPU, my RAM, and my power supply. Four RMA shipments and returns, a video card purchase, and a month later, I was back in business.

Fast forward to earlier today: With two days of classes left in the semester, a capacitor blows, leading me to shut down my PC and pull all components. After realizing that my motherboard fell victim to capacitor drama near the end of a school semester again, I examined my mobo more closely. My previous check of the serial number had been wrong: it did not end in "888." *dramatic pause* My motherboard serial number ends in "666." And no, I'm not lying. I have photographic evidence to support my claim.

So, I'm without a gaming computer for a few days AND when I do get the motherboard in the mail, I have to re-format my C drive and start all over again. (Windows XP doesn't take kindly to motherboard swaps, or so I hear.)

This also means that I have to delay my venture into the wonderful World of Warcraft (originally planned for Dec. 8-17) until after my system is back up and running.

That concludes my whining. For now. If anyone would like to post a virtual hug to cheer me up, I am not beyond receiving your pity with grace.

*HUGS*

I have some real ones for you too. ^_^

Tek7 said:

As mentioned in the "Motherboard shopping, Act II" thread, my primary PC is currently out of commission until I purchase, receive, and install a new motherboard.

Until my main system is back up, I won't be able to do any gaming. I'm also far less inclined to work on my many administrative duties on my backup PC (a Compaq Presario 5000, clocking in at 667MHz).

On a side note, I think the devil's out to destroy my computer. Eight months ago, near the end of the spring semester, a mysterious power surge trashed my PC. Swollen capacitors and a burn mark on the motherboard forced me to RMA my motherboard, my CPU, my RAM, and my power supply. Four RMA shipments and returns, a video card purchase, and a month later, I was back in business.

Fast forward to earlier today: With two days of classes left in the semester, a capacitor blows, leading me to shut down my PC and pull all components. After realizing that my motherboard fell victim to capacitor drama near the end of a school semester again, I examined my mobo more closely. My previous check of the serial number had been wrong: it did not end in "888." *dramatic pause* My motherboard serial number ends in "666."

Click to expand...

Actually, as I'm sure you're well aware, the actual Mark of the Beast is a bit contested. Recent evidence would seem to support the theory that the actual mark is 616.

That's not too terribly important right now though. It's odd this would happen again at the end of the semester. Maybe aliens are tampering with your PC, or someOne is trying to tell you to stop playing violent videogames .

At any rate, while I can't offer a virtual hug (Sorta' icy, I am), I can offer a virtual cookie...it's a gingerbread man!

*virtual hug*

<_<

>_>

*hug*
hope you get it running soon
i hate it to when compters mess up its the only thing that make me go crazy

*does manly handshake* men dont hug...




lol jk, hope all goes well

Update: After a brief nap this afternoon, I woke up, checked outside my apartment, and was thrilled to find my motherboard waiting outside!

I installed the motherboard, ate dinner, rebuilt my computer, and found the right CPU voltage and multiplier settings. I'm currently writing zeroes to my primary hard drive. After that finished, I'll run an extended test on the drive, install Windows XP, and start installing software.

I hope to be back in action Friday morning.

Thursday, Dec. 8 9:44 a.m. update

I've installed Windows XP, Windows XP SP2, all critical updates, Office 2003, Office 2003 SP2. Now it's on to other installs. My day will consist mostly of watching a blue (install) bar move from left to right.

If you are lucky it will move across the screen....

<still fears the blue screen of death>

lol never had that proplem when installing, though i think i did freeze it once

Icthus said:

If you are lucky it will move across the screen....

<still fears the blue screen of death>

Click to expand...

No BSODs yet.

Though I did have to re-install Windows XP when the first install designated my primary drive as "F" and my secondary drive as "C." Windows doesn't allow you to rename the boot drive, so I had to install XP aaall over again. That cost me roughly 45 minutes.

Thursday, Dec. 8 12:00 p.m. update

The essential software has been installed and I'm creating the Ghost image of the C drive now. Once it's finished, I'll burn the image to DVD and re-image the hard drive from the image on the DVD. After that, I'll restore my personal documents, configure my messaging programs, and start installing games.

Thursday, Dec. 8 3:36 p.m. update

I'm back! My primary PC is up and running again and I'm back on Trillian. I just finished installing Warcraft III and I'll be installing a few more games (including World of Warcraft, for my 10-day trial, w00t) this evening.

lol great

Thursday, Dec. 8 6:51 p.m. update

Starcraft, Brood War, Warcraft III, WC3: The Frozen Throne, Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Half-Life 2, Counter-Strike: Source, and Unreal Tournament have all been installed and patched. World of Warcraft has been installed and patched to 1.8.0. I plan on creating the account either later tonight or tomorrow afternoon.

Phew. I've spent roughly 10 hours at the computer today. I need a break. >_<

ah well ateslt you can install a os when i install red hat i get the red scrren on deth

Friday, Dec. 9 10:53 a.m. update

All major programs and games are re-installed, I'm back on Xfire and Trillian, and my e-mail accounts are set up again. I'm baaa~ck!

I plan to create my World of Warcraft trial account after returning from lunch and grocery shopping today. I was originally planning on creating it last night, but after spending so many hours at the computer, I just had to get away from my desk and relax for a while.

I'm off to lunch!

Side note for Redeemed members: I plan on joining you all for the in-game Bible study tonight. w00t!

666?!?! YOUR COMPY IS THE ANTI-CHRIST!!! RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!!! *in defense, throws Bill Gates in the path of Tek's motherboard*