PC issues

[Naki]

My FS PC is gone on the blink again...it doesnt want to boot up and my screen simply says no signal and the screen turns off although the PC itself is running. I've never struck this one before - any clues from you PC gurus out there before I throw the blasted thing in the tip?

[Adamski]

Do you have an old (spare) video card you could swap with temporarily, to see if it's the GFX card that's gone AWOL?

If you still get the problem, the next steps are PSU and/or motherboard ...

[Naki]

No I dont have a spare GPU unfortunately...the current one is not that old as is the PSU so Im wondering whether it is a Mother Board issue (which is sold)

[dart15]

QUOTE (Naki @ Oct 23 2012,12:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No I dont have a spare GPU unfortunately...the current one is not that old as is the PSU so Im wondering whether it is a Mother Board issue (which is sold)

Check that everything is securely plugged in but my guess would be a hard drive controller failure. Can you access the BIOS? If so check to see if you can see your drives?

[Naki]

Yep everything plugged in ....no access to BIOS ..somebody is coming around tonight to have a looksie

[Naki]

My FS PC is poked. I will have to put my flights sim flying on the back burner for a while. Maybe using one or two components from it I will upgrade later this year. Thinking about an I5 2500k with my current GPU 1gb 9800gt

[IslandBoy77]

You might like to add a decent 1500 or 2000VA line interactive UPS to your new setup. We've got pretty duff power in NZ - lots of nasties (both too much & too little power) hitting our lovely simming PCs, day in and day out. I've used UPSes for a few years now and have lost count the number of times they've saved my bacon.

[Ian Warren]

Dynamix UPS650 for the FSXPC .. don't leave home without it !

[Adamski]

QUOTE (IslandBoy77 @ Oct 23 2012,9:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You might like to add a decent 1500 or 2000VA line interactive UPS to your new setup. We've got pretty duff power in NZ - lots of nasties (both too much & too little power) hitting our lovely simming PCs, day in and day out. I've used UPSes for a few years now and have lost count the number of times they've saved my bacon.

I haven't got one - but must admit I've been thinking about one. Even in Auckland, we're plagued by power cuts - and I daren't even think about what they do to the voltage. Forgetting the potentially harmful spikes, I've heard the voltage often dips very low for quite long periods of time - and that not all power supplies handle these low values well.

Hmmmm ... $99 +GST from PBTech or similar.

Luckily, my main work PC is a (permanently plugged in) laptop, so I'm covered with that one.

[IslandBoy77]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Oct 24 2012,1:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I haven't got one - but must admit I've been thinking about one. Even in Auckland, we're plagued by power cuts - and I daren't even think about what they do to the voltage. Forgetting the potentially harmful spikes, I've heard the voltage often dips very low for quite long periods of time - and that not all power supplies handle these low values well.

Hmmmm ... $99 +GST from PBTech or similar.

Luckily, my main work PC is a (permanently plugged in) laptop, so I'm covered with that one.

It's true that the power brick on laptops offer a degree of protection, but if it were me, I'd have that plugged into a UPS as well. The important things to note about UPSes are as follows:
1) Must be line-interactive. Any other form is pointless. Even the LI models aren't TRUE line interactive, but none of us is probably in a position to have the cash free for REAL LI. Since power aberrations occur quickly (in milliseconds), the UPS must be able to compensate as quickly. The power is supposed to pass thru the regulator, to the battery, to the outlets, but I've been told that non LI models don't do it this way and so a good number of the nasties make it thru
2) Voltage. Since a 650VA is really only rated as a 350-400W max power draw, one needs to be very careful that one has a UPS that matches the power draw. A laptop is no prob as even the "big beasts" max out at 150W. But a good simming rig should be busting 400W easily. Like with speakers, I say have a good amount of "head room" so that when those spikes of power occur, the poor old UPS doesn't get maxed out (and the risk of sudden shutdown with it)
3) Brand. Not all UPSes are created equal. I've sold Dynamix, APC, Eaton (Powerware), Blazer and a few others. As with all things, the QTP equation comes into play. At a pinch the Dynamix ones are ok, but I wouldn't seriously consider them for a simming rig. My pick of a great mix of price vs quality is the Eaton Powerware range. Of course if money is no object (suddenly deafened by the howls of laughter and guffawing...) the APC or Liebert are the picks.

Two things I always try to avoid skimping on: a good quality PSU, and a reliable UPS. The number of PCs and laptops I see each year that have been damaged due to cheap PSUs and no UPS I've lost count of...

[Naki]

Thanks for the advice

If I retain my GPU, DVD drive and harddrive - are there any recomendations for the rest ie motherboard, case etc ?

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (Naki @ Oct 24 2012,3:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If I retain my GPU, DVD drive and harddrive - are there any recomendations for the rest ie motherboard, case etc ?

Only one last option ... Sorry Paul .. your going to have to sell one off your kids , .. yeah yeah , .. I no its hard .. but what do 'Hmm' you do it ! its the only solution .. ... < serious

[Adamski]

QUOTE (IslandBoy77 @ Oct 24 2012,8:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My pick of a great mix of price vs quality is the Eaton Powerware range. Of course if money is no object (suddenly deafened by the howls of laughter and guffawing...) the APC or Liebert are the picks.

Thanks for the extensive post ... how much would the cheapest (but capable) Eaton one cost?

[Olderndirt]

QUOTE (Naki @ Oct 23 2012,7:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the advice

If I retain my GPU, DVD drive and harddrive - are there any recomendations for the rest ie motherboard, case etc ?

Here again, depends how much you want to spend. Often you'll find combo offers - board and CPU - ASUS Z77 and Intel i5 or i7 is a good one. Lots of good cases - internal space and fans are a consideration.

[Naki]

Spend as little as possible! - Have other priorties at the moment.

I was pretty happy with my existing system except for some of the more sophisticated Carenado aircraft would not run too well through built up areas. I would like to run FSX with Orbx NZ with fairly simple aircraft (Carenado King Air 200 would be max for me) with the autogen cranked up to dense and achieve around 20 -25FPS in Auckland so Im thinking of an I5 2500k with my existing GPU (9800GT 1gb)?

[IslandBoy77]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Oct 24 2012,6:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the extensive post ... how much would the cheapest (but capable) Eaton one cost?

The smallest one useable on a flight sim rig is the 5110 700VA, which maxes out at 420W. Current list price looks to be around $190 incl GST + freight. NZ support is pretty good - Eaton actually has a tech branch IN New Zealand, unlike some of the cheaper brands. Availability can be a bit patchy due to their popularity. Price varies according to whether a store is selling them as lost-leaders or not (I never do lost-leaders: I hate that business practice) and the exchange rate.