The Curse Continues
My day consisted of driving 180 miles to teach two classes, then driving 180 miles back so I could be at rehearsal. When I got home, though, I found that the power supply I had ordered for my computer had arrived, and I had just enough time to install it. I had never installed one before, and found it surprisingly easy. After a couple of false starts, I got everything hooked up correctly, and now my computer is running again with the new video card.
But my speakers no longer work. They have a loud buzzing noise that continues even if I unhook them from the computer. I've tried plugging their power supply into a different outlet. No luck. These are the Altec Lansing speakers and subwoofer I carried over from my old computer, so now I have the cheap, tinny, pathetic speakers that came with my computer hooked up.
So I bought my new computer when the hard drive crashed on my old one. I couldn't play any games because my video card was too weak. I bought a new power supply to run my new video card. Now I have to buy new speakers. I feel like I bought a fixer-upper.
On the other hand, I feel quite manly for having installed a video card and a power supply with no help.
Comments
Once we bought a new computer so lizzie could play all the barbie games we had. Can't remember the exact reason but looking back it seems extreme.
My laptop has been in the repair shop now for three weeks. I'm about to crack.
Congratulations on manly job well done. Does that count as a manly job? I thought that had to involve a power tool. Or did you use one?
Sales centers also usually don't provide competent professionals who will tell you that the computer you're about to purchase will not work well for the games you want to play. I'm curious to know if you queried the sales staff to find that information out before you bought the PC? Because if you didn't, the curse is really in the fact that you purchased without knowing the video power you were going to need. There are multiple performance bottlenecks on every machine. So when you get a 'bargain' computer, you really need to ask yourself 'why' it is a bargain. Usually, it is because some key components have been downgraded to lighten the price.
Anyways, speaking personally now, when I assemble a pc for someone, I have a very specific hardware expert I use so that I can be confident that my clients get the equipment that will work for them, and that it is equipment that is warranted and intra-compatible within the confines of the machine itself. Time is money is an old cliche, but that doesn't make it any less viable. That said, those clients pay big bucks for that kind of confidence. It's also why, manufacturers and consultants will void any warrantys the second *anyone* opens the machine. Internal components of computers can be sensitive to the most minuscule power fluctuations. There's no telling what kind of damage can be done to a machine without the even knowing it. All one has to do is induce a power surge onto the motherboard via static from walking on a carpet and that alone can fry sensitive components. Truth.
I do think it's great that you are doing things on your own and that perhaps that gives you a sense of accomplishment Pax. If anything it is a great learning experience. But I can't help but say that in the computer world, you pay for convenience. You pay for professionals, and you pay with blood sweat and tears when you take these machines on without the background, tools and know-how of someone who is certified to do so. I can say from many years experience that It is often not the machine that is at fault for the inconvenience that many people purport.
The best way to avoid frustration is to simply return any machine that presents badly, and is riddled with incompatibilities. If it's warranted properly, you should be able to get your money back, and just save yourself any further frustration and maybe opt for a machine with the power you need in the right places. Unless... like those of us who make a living in the technology industry, you simply enjoy the challenge of a good puzzle... in which case I wonder if it's less a curse than a blessing. I personally think you're a closet grease monkey! LOLOL! ;-) xx
Did you install the Altec Lansing drivers?
No, but before I installed the new video card, they were working fine. Now there is a loud buzz eminating from them, almost like they're not grounded, and the buzzing is unaffected by whether or not they're plugged into the computer. My theories are as follows:
1. The speakers were somehow damaged when I installed the video card, though for the life of me I can't figure out how.
2. The video card is throwing off enough RF, and the speakers are so old, that the speakers aren't shielded well enough to avoid picking up interference.
I'm going to plug them into another computer, far away from my desktop, and see if the buzzing continues. If so, the speakers are shot.
Does that count as a manly job? I thought that had to involve a power tool. Or did you use one?
The only tool necessary was a screwdriver. And myself, of course. It still felt manly, however, in a geeky sort of way.
Trust me, 'Chelle, my lesson is learned. I will never again buy a PC off the shelf. The last three PCs I bought were customized on Dell's website, and shipped to me, and I had no problem with any of them. I'll be returning to that model for my next purchase.
And yes, you're right, this all started because I didn't know enough to know that the computer I was buying had a really lousy integrated video card. I just assumed that a computer that came with a 24" monitor would have a card robust enough to handle things at least as difficult as the stuff my previous four year old computer could handle. Obviously, I was wrong.
As far as taking it back... not now, after all the work I've put into it! Besides, I kind of... destroyed the old power supply unit when putting in the new one. I doubt they'd take it. And hey, it's working now. I just have to upgrade the speakers, and I'm done, right?
Right?!
I am computer illiterate and would have been completely useless regarding giving hints. I am completely dependent on my son when it comes to computer related matters. I dread the day when he moves out. I would have to learn then.
Althea