Eh, another computer problem thread

[Phoenix Dark]

Specs:
http://www.emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=T6534

So last month I had a technician come over and install a new motherboard. This was in response to a problem I had run into where my computer screen would flicker whenever I moved the mouse, and it usually wouldn't turn on after I pushed the power button. After reading up on the problem and talking with tech people I came to the conclusion it was a motherboard issue.

After the motherboard installation the computer worked perfectly for more than a month. Yet just a few days ago it started running into the exact same problems. The flicker is back, and it took around 30 tries for the damn computer to boot on this morning. Usually the fan will come on, sometimes the Nums/Caps lock lights will light up on the keyboard, but nothing appears on the monitor.

More research has suggested that this could be a power supply issue. What do you guys think? Is there any way I can test this before having stuff fixed by technicians? The computer is under warranty so I can get a new PSU, but of course if there's anything I can do to fix the problem that would rock.

[demi]

More research? I already suggested it was a power problem

[Phoenix Dark]

Well...is getting a new one my only option?

[demi]

Fuck off

[Phoenix Dark]

I liked your 14yo sister more  :'(

[TVC15]

Get a new power supply.  PSU issues can cause all sort of issues, whether it's underpowering, overpowering, or whatever.  It could even be killing the mobo.

[Phoenix Dark]

Alright, I'll call the tech people tomorrow.

btw when I opened up the CPU today I noticed it was 300 watts. Damn that makes it hard for me to considerably upgrade my graphics card lol

[TVC15]

Yeah, I think you'd need at least 350, if not 400 for something in the 7600-7800 range.  My desktop has 2 PSUs, one at. . .I think 320 and the other at 200 or so.  Because of the staggered approach, it's as if it's a bit more powerful than the numbers added up, but it's difficult to really compare it to things and know if something will work in my system.

[Phoenix Dark]

Hmm the PNY GeForce 7600 GS AGP has a minimum requirement of 300w. But now that I'm looking at PSU prices, they aren't high at all. I could upgrade up to 500w for less than $100. I'll open the CPU again tomorrow and have tech help determine what PSU I can get.

fuck i'm tired. my head has been killing me all day.

[brawndolicious]

if you're going to upgrade to nvidea 8XXX level eventually you may want to look at 700+ watt PSU's so that you're safe for other parts too.

[Phoenix Dark]

So I called the tech guy a couple hours ago...

The guy was extremely rude and slow. Anyway he said that it didn't sound like a PSU issue because the computer still turns on (every now and then); he claimed that if the PSU was the issue, the computer would never turn on. After deliberating with his superiors he told me that it was a problem with my graphics card, the shitty GeForce 6100; they're shipping a new one to me.

Does this make sense to you guys? I have gotten display errors before, but everything I've read online suggests that the power supply is at fault. I'm going to be extremely annoyed if the computer fucks up again shortly after getting the graphics card.

Meh. Once I get a job I'll get a Dell, and give this computer to my brother. All he does is play Starcraft anyway.

[Phoenix Dark]

Well that's what he told me. When I called him the computer was on, and after I mentioned that he was like "oh well it's not a power supply issue then." Like I said, the dude was pretty rude.

[brawndolicious]

do they send you a 6100 equivalent in price or do they keep 6100's?  they're supposed to send you something that costs as much as the 6100 did when you bought it (at least if you bought the card alone.)

[Phoenix Dark]

An equivalent from what I understand. Since it's under warranty I'll bite the bullet and just take the 6100 they give me. My next project will be to get a 400-500w psu for a better graphics card. I could upgrade to the 7600 with the psu I have, but I've heard that card isn't worth the money

[Synbios459]

One thing PhoenixDark forgot to mention was that his "tech" was from compusa. Explains all.

[Synbios459]

One thing PhoenixDark forgot to mention was that his "tech" was from compusa. Explains all.

I'm not familiar with COMPUSA.

They're as bad as the geeksquad. Funny story: when I first moved and got cable i was having an issues with my network router and called the geek squad, needless to say they couldn't figure out what was wrong, after messing with it for awhile I figured it out. They didn't realize you can't have it hooked up via USB and have the ethernet cable hooked to the LAN port, which is what the cable installers did.

[Synbios459]

They're as bad as the geeksquad. Funny story: when I first moved and got cable i was having an issues with my network router and called the geek squad, needless to say they couldn't figure out what was wrong, after messing with it for awhile I figured it out. They didn't realize you can't have it hooked up via USB and have the ethernet cable hooked to the LAN port, which is what the cable installers did.

I'm no familiar with geeksquad either.

you don't want to be.

[Synbios459]

I never let other people hook up shit. That's your problem, bro. Just read a manual and you can do everything yourself.

That's the thing I did, but it didn't say you couldn't do it with USB, which I learned after calling linksys tech support about 5 times.