Status [loverboy]

[emuler]

That need not be a problem - the warranty is usually linked to the serial number of the item in question. Motherboards usually carry 3 years, HDDs 5 years, CPU 3 years, etc. Make sure the repair shop knows you have the original boxes.

[loverboy]

Interesting.........thanks for that although I'm pretty sure any warranty will be void. I'm guessing the fault is heat build-up related. As explained in another thread (I think it was the 'slippers' one) I have solid wood flooring, animals & a base unit full of fans (most of which suck air in) sitting on the floor. Put another way it's just a giant static vacuum cleaner that hoovers up everything in sight! The intake vent at the front was completely blocked with cat hair, dust & other assorted crap! In future the answer will obviously be to get the base unit off the floor where there is less stuff blowing about.

lb

[Phuzzy4242]

That, or shave the cats... JUST KIDDING! Sounds like motherboard or processor. Heat takes out a lot of computers. I've had very good luck with mWave.com (I repair computers for a living). Getting if off the floor is good - use canned air once a month regardless. Sadly, most custom-built PCs only have 1-year parts warranties unless you pay extra. Hope it works out well (and cheap).

[emuler]

Almost everything has overtemperature shutdown protection, especially the processor. Hard to imagine such a situation causing permanent damage. Might be just the SMPS. Or just the motherboard.


Off the floor.
Clean once a month.
Run a hardware monitoring utility like Speedfan http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php You don't have to play with the fan settings, just let it run in the system tray and keep an eye on the temperatures (sorry for the 'after the horse has bolted' advice).

[loverboy]

Right!.............the diagnosis is a fried motherboard & apparently well fried so not much chance of any warranty claim.
I've instructed the repair shop to replace with identical to (hopefully) remove the need to format & reinstall (again...again...again...again...again...............)

lb

[emuler]

This time, make sure you keep a hardware monitor running in the background and configure audible alerts for overheating. With your cats around this looks like a recurring problem for you. Guys like us can't be relied on to do regular cleaning.

Speedfan, or maybe the motherboard manufacturer has a utility.

[loverboy]

Guys like us can't be relied on to do regular cleaning.

You speak for yourself!............
I regularly clean my house once or twice a year whether it needs it or not!

lb

[emuler]

Guys like us can't be relied on to do regular cleaning.

You speak for yourself!............
I regularly clean my house once or twice a year whether it needs it or not!

lb

once or twice a YEAR!!!

During the British Raj, there was a standing joke about the Englishmen's annual bath. (India is hot and humid. In most parts of India people bathe daily, sometimes several times a day.)

Seriously, once a month if no cats, more often if cats are shedding. Or whenever Speedfan sounds the alarm.

[Guest]

For all interested in Cat's Shedding

http://www.cozycatfurniture.com/cat_new ... ter13.html


Also helpful against cat fluff, shaved in a "Lion cut"

[Image]

[emuler]

LOL That cat does not look happy.