Tek7 (Legacy)
CGA & ToJ President
NOTE: This thread is dedicated to posting updates concerning the status of my primary PC. If you are looking for an educational or entertaining thread, this is not the one you want.
To get everyone up to speed, let's review:
1. I first knew there was something wrong when my PC hard-locked and I rebooted to the hideous "Missing or corrupt \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" error message. I was able to restore a nearly-blank registry and re-install my drivers to get back into Windows. When I tried to pull up video files on my 200GB drive, I discovered that whatever had corrupted my Windows registry had also corrupted several of my media files. After freaking out, I got on my backup PC and asked around for online radio stations. I backed up my essential files and burned them to four (yes, four) CDs.
2. When running RAM diagnostics, I noticed the testing utility exhibiting some strange behavior. I opened my case to pull my 256MB stick of RAM. While digging in my PC's innards, I noticed swollen capacitors on my motherboard. I called Crucial to start the RMA process for my RAM.
3. I briefly flirted with the idea of purchasing a new motherboard, then remembered my mobo might be under warranty. I called Giga-byte to start the RMA process motherboard, then ventured back into my PC's case to get my mobo's serial number. I used a compact mirror to read the number without pulling the motherboard (heh) while Ember so kindly wrote it down. I called G-B back, started the RMA process, hung up, and went back to my case to start disconnecting cards and cables. I struggled with the power supply lead to the motherboard for over ten minutes. When I finally disconnected, I found charred pins on the power lead. I would need to RMA my power supply--and possibly my UPS as well.
4. Freaked out and fearing whatever had charred my power lead and motherboard power socket had fried every other component in my box, I called APC and asked if my UPS could have failed and let a surge through. The tech took my information, but I decided to wait on starting the replacement process when I learned that I'd have to pay to ship my 40+ lb. UPS back to the manufacturer.
5. I called Antec to start the RMA process for my power supply. The tech asked if I was using an AMD processor. When I replied "Yes," he told me that AMD processors tended to pull too much power and carmelize the power supply lead. I decided it best to RMA my processor as well.
6. I called AMD to start the RMA process for my CPU. The rep said that she hadn't heard of AMD processor toasting power supply leads, but approved the RMA request anyway.
7. I reviewed the instructions for my four RMA requests.
8. I pulled, wrapped, and boxed up my RAM, motherboard (thanks to the kind people at Computer Concepts for the free large anti-static bag!), CPU (with heatsink and fan), and power supply.
9. I mailed out my RAM, motherboard, and CPU (with heatsink and fan) from a nearby USPS branch.
10. I opened up Ember's PC and removed her CD-R/W. I then pulled my Lite-On 52X CD-R/W drive and 200GB hard drive and installed them both in Ember's PC. After the original 20GB drive in her system and my 200GB drive passed the Western Digital Data Lifeguard diagnostics, I booted the PC into Windows. Win XP ran chkdsk on my 200GB drive and fixed a whole mess of problems.
11. I checked several of my anime files to find they'd been fixed! Unfortunately, I still lost 209 audio files to corruption.
12. I installed a new BitTorrent client, ABC, on Ember's PC. (Azureus was just too resource-intensive to run on her machine and one of the BitTorrent sites I visit blocked BitComet users.) I resumed all the torrents that had been running when my PC flipped out.
That brings us up to the present! I'll ship out my power supply for RMA as soon as Antec approves the request and gives me a RMA number.
So, what does it all mean? It means that I'll be without my primary PC for approximately a month. During this time, I can't play Half-Life 1 or 2, any HL or HL2 mods, UT2004, or any UT2004 mods. Basically, I can't play anything but Starcraft.
I was able to restore all my e-mails to my user account on Ember's PC, so I have access to those again. I'm able to send and receive e-mails, post on the forums, and chat, so I'm still available for discussion and brain-picking.
In short, I'm social, but not gaming. I should be back in the game in about a month, God willing. In the meantime, I intend on spending what time I can with the community and bringing in new CGA affiliates. I'll also be leading ToJ staff meetings, so no worries on that front.
I believe that about covers it. Phew. Aren't your eyes sore yet?
Stay tuned to this thread for updates!
To get everyone up to speed, let's review:
1. I first knew there was something wrong when my PC hard-locked and I rebooted to the hideous "Missing or corrupt \WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM" error message. I was able to restore a nearly-blank registry and re-install my drivers to get back into Windows. When I tried to pull up video files on my 200GB drive, I discovered that whatever had corrupted my Windows registry had also corrupted several of my media files. After freaking out, I got on my backup PC and asked around for online radio stations. I backed up my essential files and burned them to four (yes, four) CDs.
2. When running RAM diagnostics, I noticed the testing utility exhibiting some strange behavior. I opened my case to pull my 256MB stick of RAM. While digging in my PC's innards, I noticed swollen capacitors on my motherboard. I called Crucial to start the RMA process for my RAM.
3. I briefly flirted with the idea of purchasing a new motherboard, then remembered my mobo might be under warranty. I called Giga-byte to start the RMA process motherboard, then ventured back into my PC's case to get my mobo's serial number. I used a compact mirror to read the number without pulling the motherboard (heh) while Ember so kindly wrote it down. I called G-B back, started the RMA process, hung up, and went back to my case to start disconnecting cards and cables. I struggled with the power supply lead to the motherboard for over ten minutes. When I finally disconnected, I found charred pins on the power lead. I would need to RMA my power supply--and possibly my UPS as well.
4. Freaked out and fearing whatever had charred my power lead and motherboard power socket had fried every other component in my box, I called APC and asked if my UPS could have failed and let a surge through. The tech took my information, but I decided to wait on starting the replacement process when I learned that I'd have to pay to ship my 40+ lb. UPS back to the manufacturer.
5. I called Antec to start the RMA process for my power supply. The tech asked if I was using an AMD processor. When I replied "Yes," he told me that AMD processors tended to pull too much power and carmelize the power supply lead. I decided it best to RMA my processor as well.
6. I called AMD to start the RMA process for my CPU. The rep said that she hadn't heard of AMD processor toasting power supply leads, but approved the RMA request anyway.
7. I reviewed the instructions for my four RMA requests.
8. I pulled, wrapped, and boxed up my RAM, motherboard (thanks to the kind people at Computer Concepts for the free large anti-static bag!), CPU (with heatsink and fan), and power supply.
9. I mailed out my RAM, motherboard, and CPU (with heatsink and fan) from a nearby USPS branch.
10. I opened up Ember's PC and removed her CD-R/W. I then pulled my Lite-On 52X CD-R/W drive and 200GB hard drive and installed them both in Ember's PC. After the original 20GB drive in her system and my 200GB drive passed the Western Digital Data Lifeguard diagnostics, I booted the PC into Windows. Win XP ran chkdsk on my 200GB drive and fixed a whole mess of problems.
11. I checked several of my anime files to find they'd been fixed! Unfortunately, I still lost 209 audio files to corruption.
12. I installed a new BitTorrent client, ABC, on Ember's PC. (Azureus was just too resource-intensive to run on her machine and one of the BitTorrent sites I visit blocked BitComet users.) I resumed all the torrents that had been running when my PC flipped out.
That brings us up to the present! I'll ship out my power supply for RMA as soon as Antec approves the request and gives me a RMA number.
So, what does it all mean? It means that I'll be without my primary PC for approximately a month. During this time, I can't play Half-Life 1 or 2, any HL or HL2 mods, UT2004, or any UT2004 mods. Basically, I can't play anything but Starcraft.
I was able to restore all my e-mails to my user account on Ember's PC, so I have access to those again. I'm able to send and receive e-mails, post on the forums, and chat, so I'm still available for discussion and brain-picking.
In short, I'm social, but not gaming. I should be back in the game in about a month, God willing. In the meantime, I intend on spending what time I can with the community and bringing in new CGA affiliates. I'll also be leading ToJ staff meetings, so no worries on that front.
I believe that about covers it. Phew. Aren't your eyes sore yet?
Stay tuned to this thread for updates!
Last edited:
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