I have a computer question

[Piasabird]

I need help!

My home pc wouldn't boot up on Friday. I have gone through a computer at the rate of about one a year, and this one didn't even last that long. This last time I even had my bf run a new electrical line straight from the fuse box to my pc. I can't figure out why my house is so toxic to every computer I have ever had!

My bf says that it's my cat's fault ...... but then, he hates cats.

I'm wondering if I should just give up on having a computer at my house? Or should I sell the house? I draw the line at getting rid of my cat though!

[Bugaboo]

Re: I have a computer question

Hmmmmm....I'm thinking it's blowing up the power supplies being wired like that. My husband isn't here right now but when he comes back I'll ask him.

Definately not the cats fault. Our oldest cat knocked our router off my husbands desk last night and it's still behind it somewhere but I'm still on the 'net. lol!

[Laurenfra]

Re: I have a computer question

I have a cat who thinks my keyboard is a liter box. On my 3rd keyboard. But other then that I think your PC's are cat safe.

My bf says that it's my cat's fault ...... but then, he hates cats. I'm wondering if I should just give up on having a computer at my house? Or should I sell the house? I draw the line at getting rid of my cat though

maybe its time for a new BF(jk)LOL----never get rid of a cat. They are more faithful!

[Bugaboo]

Re: I have a computer question

Lol Lauren!

O.k...here's what Obi-Juan thinks. If it's electrical then you should probably try a UPS that will protect the power supply and etc from spikes and all that. Here's an example... http://www.apcc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=21 He said start with one like the ES because they get expensive really fast. Also he said that if you want you can ship the CPU to us and he can go through it and tell you what's causing them to die. Don't know if it's fixable but he can at least be able to solve your mystery so you can keep your house, cat and boyfriend.

[Perry]

Re: I have a computer question

I say it's the cat.

[2big4mysize]

Re: I have a computer question

yep use a surge protector thingie with a battery.

if you have a phone line hook up use one with the phone to the puter too My dad blew his cause he didn't include his phoneline when lighteneing hit the tree out back it traveled under ground and into the phoneline

IS BF a licensed electrician if so have the power company come out and check your house. if not have an electrician check it and the wiring job from box to puter.

[BikerGoddess]

Re: I have a computer question

UPS, not power strip. Make sure it's getting adequate airflow (may be the cat after all). Try to reboot once a day or less. Set up a temperature monitor. Ground yourself (on something other than the computer) before powering up. Investigate any different sounds as soon as you hear them. Try to run your accessories (printer, lamps, speakers) from a different circuit.

As to your immediate problem of it not booting up, what does it do? If you get nothing when the power button is pressed, check all connections. If you get beeps, write down the pattern. If you get stuff on the screen, note how far it goes into the boot up sequence.

Ideally, you should take the case off periodically to clean out the inside. Dust is not a computer's friend. But don't blow in it. Besides the dust in your face, your breath has too much moisture. Get a can of compressed air (watch for sales when they're free with rebate). Clean off the cards and the fans. Make sure vents aren't clogged.

Even with constant use, computers should last at least 3 years, and most well beyond that. But, as with cars, you gotta maintain them.

Laura

[Piasabird]

Re: I have a computer question

Thanks everyone. Hmm, lot's of good ideas here. I especially like Lauren's.

Here's what my computer is doing this time.

My screen froze one day and the mouse wouldn't work. I turned it off by flipping the switch in the back. Then I turned it back to it's original position. I then proceeded to press the "on" button on the front of the pc. I get the normal starting up stuff, then the "blue screen of death" flashes for an instant. Not even long enough for me to read what it says.

After that I get a screen that tells me that Windows was not shut down properly and do I want to start it up normally, in safe mode, or go by my last known working configurations, etc? I've tried "normally" and "last known configurations" numerous times and it doesn't work. It just does the same old thing, time after time. Like it's stuck on stupid!

Bf suggests that I should stick the XP disk back in it and then start it up. What do you think? I won't be home again until Monday. I know that it's a bugger to try to diagnose problems when you're not there in person, but I appreciate any help.

2big, the bf was an electrician in the Navy and has worked in that field as a civilian, also. I don't think he's licensed though.

BikerGoddess, my bf thinks it's cat hairs and dander that's messing with my computers. I tried really hard this time to keep all cat hairs away from it but I will buy a can of air and give it a good cleaning Monday.

[BikerGoddess]

Re: I have a computer question

Go in to Safe Mode, then shut down normally. It'll screw up your icons, but it may allow you to reboot normally after that.

What likely happened was that a system file got corrupted when it froze. If the Safe Mode trick doesn't work (it loads Windows with a minimum of drivers, and sometimes fixes the problem by rewriting the file that's causing problems on boot up) then you will want to reinstall those system files. It's been my experience that it overwrites data folders, though, like My Documents, when you do it, though.

So, if you can get in to safe mode, back up all your data first.

And it's impossible to keep any computer spotless - the fan just pulls too much air. They're gonna get dirty, and having animals around makes it worse. Absolutely no reason to get rid of the animals though; just clean it out more often. I had 3 cats and lightning took out my last computer.

Laura

[softnred]

Re: I have a computer question

Perry deserves to be "tortured" with rep points for this....heh heh heh

I say it's the cat.

[matawguro]

Re: I have a computer question

O.k...here's what Obi-Juan thinks. If it's electrical then you should probably try a UPS that will protect the power supply and etc from spikes and all that.

I concur with this one. Just to be sure, try plugging-in your PC at a neighbor's house and see if you have the same problems. In my case, plugging it in a different room solved the problem.

If it's the same problem that I've experienced, you need a UPS. A surge protector or an AVR (Auto-voltage regulator) won't cut it. There might be an issue with your electrical system's frequency which a UPS can correct.