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WFAA's COMPUTER CORNER Blog |
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November 2009
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Regular readers of the Computer Corner Blog will recall my previous two posts about this problem (Aug. 5 and Aug. 11). To summarize, the compact size computer (running Windows Vista) would boot up but then would just shut itself off. Thanks to everyone who sent in helpful comments and e-mail messages with suggestions. I tried just about all of them, including: • reseating the AMD Athlon 64 processor and memory chips • applying fresh thermal compound between the processor and heat sink • providing additional cooling • testing the memory for defects • reinstalling the operating system (both Windows Vista and Windows 7) • reformatting the hard drive and trying again to install the operating system As previously noted, I was able to run the Linux operating system from a USB memory stick successfully on the L100, but Windows would consistently shut things down. There may be a solution to this, but I've run out of patience! So I've decided to build a new replacement computer that will be used as a multimedia machine hooked up to a widescreen TV in the living room. If you've never assembled a PC before, this isn't as daunting as it might sound; there's no soldering or programming required; it's basically just fastening boards and drives to the case and then plugging in a bunch of color-coded cables. I already have a computer case and power supply for this new project (something that was used for my previous home-built PC). I will re-purpose a DVD drive from an older computer and will see if the hard drive from my ailing L-100 can be resurrected for this project. Three big items are still required for this project: a motherboard (the guts of the computer), a processor (its brains) and memory. Because I want this computer to provide good service for at least a couple of years, it will have a "quad core" processor — as the name implies, it has four "brains" inside a single chip (the L100 processor was a "dual core"). My previous PC had 2 gigabytes of memory; the new one will have at least 4. That leaves the motherboard; it will have built-in video with digital outputs for HDMI and AVI for optimal TV hookup. It'll have plenty of USB connections (because that's how almost all accessories plug in). I'm not trying to build the world's fastest computer, just something that's fast and reliable. My budget for all this is under $400 and I'm aiming for $300 (which is about what I paid for the L100). That's probably going to mean an AMD-brand processor instead of Intel, and memory chips that are a step or two below the best in class. But then, top-of-the-line components are generally only necessary if you're playing the most demanding video games. I'll be using this for watching online TV, video recording and editing, photo editing, and also for my work at WFAA.com. More to come... E-mail askwalt@wfaa.com
4 CommentsLeave a comment |
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Kind sir,
If the power supply was what caused your auto-reboot problem previously, then using the same one may give the same results with your new set up.
It will be of personal interest to me to see what happens after your experiment, since someone gave me a computer with the same symptoms, and since my own main computer died of the same cause in summer of 2008.
Paul
Sounds like it could be some bad 'leaky' caps on the motherboard.
Yep, the problem your seeing is probably the two bypass caps near the GPU have failed. Hence the computer BSODs when you try to switch to hi-res mode and demand more power. If you're handy, you can replace the caps. They're 6.3V 1000uF electrolytic. Don't get anything bigger as they will interfere with the CDROM when you try and put it back in the case.
PS I've also just had the cap near Q29 on the board fail, and quite violently too. It's the same as the others so you may want to replace it too while you're in there.
Yep, the problem your seeing is probably the two bypass caps near the GPU have failed. Hence the computer BSODs when you try to switch to hi-res mode and demand more power. If you're handy, you can replace the caps. They're 6.3V 1000uF electrolytic. Don't get anything bigger as they will interfere with the CDROM when you try and put it back in the case.
Look for caps with domed heads. Or search cap plague on google.
PS I've also just had the cap near Q29 on the board fail, and quite violently too. It's the same as the others so you may want to replace it too while you're in there.