Computer Issues

ronne · Dec 22, 2014

Time to get automating. I just have a standing image for everyones PC that ever bugs me to fix it and preface everything I do with "this is going to delete everything, are you sure it's broken that bad?" then just reload it. Cuts way down on the stupid requests and keeps me from having to actually do any real work to fix actual issues.

Sutekh · Dec 22, 2014

Ronne_sl said:
Time to get automating. I just have a standing image for everyones PC that ever bugs me to fix it and preface everything I do with "this is going to delete everything, are you sure it's broken that bad?" then just reload it. Cuts way down on the stupid requests and keeps me from having to actually do any real work to fix actual issues.

It sounds like you work at Geek Squad.

ronne · Dec 23, 2014

To be fair, I did at one point.

It just makes more sense for people like the uncle in his 70s that does nothing on his laptop but browse Facebook and porn. He has two buttons he uses and doesn't care about anything else on the computer, so easier to just reset him to his Firefox button and nothing else every time he downloads something stupid.

Ao- · Jan 19, 2015

So I've got this weird video card problem... Here is my Card (Twin Frozr II); it's got two fans, and only one of them seems to actually turn. The temp fluctuates pretty hard from 30s when idle to the low 90s when playing WoW (though normally it's in the 80s when playing wow). I've had it spike up above 100 and shut off my desktop. I cant seem to figure out how to get the card to use both fans, and it seems to be a known problem with the card. Given I got the card almost 4 years ago, I'm probably in the market for something new rather than being able to get an RMA from MSI.

Any suggestions on fixes or replacements?
I really only play WoW, D3, HotS, Hearthstone, TF2, and Massive Chalice. I'm mainly looking for cheaper, as I really don't need to do much (though I have a 24" 1080p display and a 19" 1080p display).

chaos · Jan 21, 2015

Not sure where to put this but I don't want to start a new thread and need some help. I just bought an old Dell Poweredge 1950 for fucking around with VMs. I have a DVI-D cable coming off my monitor (an old Samsung Syncmaster 245t) going to a DVI KVM, which I had going to another computer. The 1950 only has VGA ports, so I am trying to find a female DVI-D to male VGA active adapter, because from what I understand that is what I need because a non-powered adapter wouldn't work, correct?

I am thinking I have to be mixed up or something because I can't find a single adapter like that and you would think there would be plenty.

Mist · Jan 21, 2015

Why would it need to be powered? The KVM switch has its own power unit doesn't it?

chaos · Jan 21, 2015

Yeah but since DVI-D is digital only wouldn't you need a powered adapter to convert from analog to digital? Am I smoking crack?

Scaffa_sl · Jan 22, 2015

Correct me if this is wrong.

Your DVI-D connection is only to the KVM, which has a DVI port, so that is DVI-D to DVI (no adapter needed).

The VGA (Dell) to DVI (KVM) connection is never DVI-D - so I do not think you'll need a powered adapter.

chaos · Jan 22, 2015

Well I'll try buying one of the non-powered ones and report back. The KVM basically has 3 DVI-D ports: 2 for the boxes and 1 for the monitor. It's this:Amazon.com: IOGEAR 2-Port USB DVI-D Cable KVM with Audio and Mic GCS932UB (Black): Electronics

Jilariz_sl · Jan 25, 2015

You could probably find a very cheap used low profile video card that has a dvi port. Or just get the server up and running then manage it remotely.

LiquidDeath · Jan 25, 2015

I'm having a strange issue. I built my dad a new rig for his birthday last October and it seems to be having hardware issues but I can't determine what it is. When the computer first boots up, everything is fine. After 10 minutes or so it starts noticeably lagging every minute or so and after a few days running will randomly shut downI'm with a 41 error (kernel-power). I'm thinking it is either video card or cpu overheating, but am not sure. Anyone have any ideas?

Jilariz_sl · Jan 25, 2015

LiquidDeath_sl said:
I'm having a strange issue. I built my dad a new rig for his birthday last October and it seems to be having hardware issues but I can't determine what it is. When the computer first boots up, everything is fine. After 10 minutes or so it starts noticeably lagging every minute or so and after a few days running will randomly shut downI'm with a 41 error (kernel-power). I'm thinking it is either video card or cpu overheating, but am not sure. Anyone have any ideas?

Error 41 is related to the system experiencing loss of power. It's rare that the system could be power recycled by a bad video card. I would first try a different motherboard or power supply, or add an appropriate UPS battery bartery backup. You might try to run some sort of system diagnostics program. Unfortunately, when you build yourself, this is what you have to go through.

Ao- · Jan 25, 2015

LiquidDeath_sl said:
I'm having a strange issue. I built my dad a new rig for his birthday last October and it seems to be having hardware issues but I can't determine what it is. When the computer first boots up, everything is fine. After 10 minutes or so it starts noticeably lagging every minute or so and after a few days running will randomly shut downI'm with a 41 error (kernel-power). I'm thinking it is either video card or cpu overheating, but am not sure. Anyone have any ideas?

Is your power supply big enough to push the respective parts?

Aaron · Jan 28, 2015

So a couple of weeks ago I started to get random BSODs, mainly when launching games. They either mentioned some sort of IRQ conflict or a problem with Nvidia's nvlddmkm.sys driver. I eventually Googled it and triedthissolution. That is, copy and replace the driver with an older version. I have been BSOD free for almost a week, but the problem is the old driver for some reason seems not to acknowledge Aero desktop or support games, so it has rendered my gaming rig into an expensive Facebook/YouTube rig. I decided to download again the latest Nvidia driver and do a clean install. Once done and rebooted I loaded up World of Tanks but BSOD'd before I got past the login screen.

It seems pretty obvious that this has something to do with my graphics card (Nvidia 660) or the driver. Does anyone have any recommendations, or does it look like I'll need to fork out some hard earned cash for a new card soon?

Jysin · Jan 28, 2015

I could be waaaay off, but MANY years ago (2007 / 2008 or so) I dealt with a bitch of an issue with nvlddmkm.sys errors. I found that the issue was when installing a new driver, it wouldn't completely remove old driver parts. So using a driver cleaner tool before installation of the new driver was the only way to fix it. It was a fairly widespread issue though and it was shortly after when nVidia added that "clean install" option and had a deeper cleaning cycle with new driver installations.

tl;dr: Uninstall driver, use a 3rd party driver cleaner, then install latest drivers.

Lejina · Jan 28, 2015

Ao-_sl said:
So I've got this weird video card problem... Here is my Card (Twin Frozr II); it's got two fans, and only one of them seems to actually turn. The temp fluctuates pretty hard from 30s when idle to the low 90s when playing WoW (though normally it's in the 80s when playing wow). I've had it spike up above 100 and shut off my desktop. I cant seem to figure out how to get the card to use both fans, and it seems to be a known problem with the card. Given I got the card almost 4 years ago, I'm probably in the market for something new rather than being able to get an RMA from MSI.

Any suggestions on fixes or replacements?
I really only play WoW, D3, HotS, Hearthstone, TF2, and Massive Chalice. I'm mainly looking for cheaper, as I really don't need to do much (though I have a 24" 1080p display and a 19" 1080p display).

I'd wire the fan directly to power on the motherboard. It's going to be running full blast all the time, but at least it will run.

Ao- · Jan 28, 2015

Lejina_sl said:
I'd wire the fan directly to power on the motherboard. It's going to be running full blast all the time, but at least it will run.

I looked at that and I need to find a power extender then... do they even make those?

Lejina · Jan 28, 2015

No idea, I never bothered looking into it. I just pick the fan wires and solder them straight to one available coming out of the power supply.

Dunno how your fan wiring looks like, with some luck you might have been able to hook them to a nearby case fan power source on the MB, but looks like you'll have to go the savage route and do like I said above.

It's not as permanent as it sounds. If you upgrade the video card later, snip snip and electric tape over the remains.

Aaron · Jan 29, 2015

@Jysin: I'll try that this weekend, hope it fixes it.

@Lejina: If the above does not fix it I'll try yours.

Thanks (I hope!)

Lanx · Jan 29, 2015

Ao-_sl said:
I looked at that and I need to find a power extender then... do they even make those?

if you just want a quick and dirty fix (no soldering or finding an extension wire)
Amazon.com: Vantec SP-FC70-BL Spectrum System Fan Card with Dual Adjustable 70mm UV LED Fans (Blue): Electronics

just add a slot fan, note this isn't a slot "blower" where air exits, nope just two fans with a knob adjustment on the back, so there you go.

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