What can I tell the service tech so I don't sound too stupid? :-)~MIKE~(-: On Wed, Sep 17, 2014 at 8:03 PM, Michael Havens wrote: > oh.... I forgot to say that none of the other computers in my house seem > to have been affected though it may be that it needs to be power-cycled > and/or it may be something that only affects wireless and something got on > the phone lines (my home is on DSL). > > :-)~MIKE~(-: > > On Wed, Sep 17, 2014 at 7:50 PM, Michael Havens wrote: > >> >> Thank you so much for the detailed explanation, Jon. You know.... I have >> a laptop and I don't have a MAC but I read your troubleshooting >> non-the-less. I got to the last paragraph and realized something that I was >> told happened a couple of days ago that might be relevant. My room mate was >> home when this happened so this is second-hand knowledge. She was watching >> tv when the power went out then, a second later, there was a big POP down >> the street (a transformer maybe?). Everything still worked with the >> computer though; however, maybe it just needed to be power-cycled. >> >> Any other comments will be greatly appreciated! >> >> :-)~MIKE~(-: >> >> On Wed, Sep 17, 2014 at 6:56 PM, Jon Kettenhofen wrote: >> >>> Hello Michael, >>> >>> I'm curious, did you buy this quad new or did you buy it used or is it a >>> work computer owned by a company? I get the feeling that you bought it >>> used. >>> >>> There's almost always a reason for failures and it's usually a problem >>> that can be isolated. If it's a part, it can be replaced. If it's >>> something else, it can be fixed. >>> >>> When stuff like this starts to happen, it may be one of three things: a >>> loose connection or a bad motherboard or a power supply. Apple builds >>> solid hardware but sometimes it gets abuse or just used in a poor >>> environment with too much heat and/or moisture or just takes a physical >>> beating - they are rather heavy. Also quads, I believe, have water >>> cooling. I have seen at least one report of leaks. That's usually easy to >>> rule out if there's no leaks. >>> >>> So where to begin? Well, the pedant is back! >>> >>> You may want to take some anti-static electricity precautions. First, >>> disconnect the Mac completely from all exterior cords, wires, etc. Lay it >>> on its side where there is plenty of light, a clean worktop area and a >>> Phillips screwdriver. As you have seen, it's easily taken apart, at least >>> the easy pieces need only your hands. Pull the fans out, take the video >>> and other cards out, unhinge and pull the memory sticks out and so on until >>> you are puzzled how to get the cooling shrouds out. (Don't do that.) >>> Inspect everything. Look for any corrosion. Remove as much dirt and dust >>> as you can with an air duster can (take care here, the these cans may >>> contain hydrocarbons that are flammable and they should not be inhaled!). >>> If you use an air compressor, be gentle and use lower pressure less than >>> 40psi. What you can't get out with air, start with a clean microfiber >>> cloth and wipe without generating static (i.e. don't rub hard). Make sure >>> all the connectors are clean and shiny before reassembling. >>> >>> We call this clean and re-seat the boards. >>> >>> Make sure you put the same memory sticks back into the same slots - it >>> usually matters or makes a difference. If you don't remember, read up on >>> it from a manual, usually online at Apple.com. >>> >>> Memory sticks are tricky because they often won't reseat properly >>> without strong pressure. First, make sure the middle slot on the memory >>> stick is lined up with the ridge in the bottom of the connector. The slots >>> are offset from the middle on purpose, they are only supposed to go in one >>> way. (Having burned out a memory stick by forcing it in backwards, I can >>> speak from experience! Won't do that again!) The way to handle this is to >>> use two hands, with thumbs or your choice of fingers at each end of the >>> board. Making sure the stick is aligned correctly in the connector; push >>> FIRMLY down until both ends of the connector snap into the stick. Main >>> logic boards are epoxy and embedded fiber, are very strong and can take a >>> little flexing without >>> hurting them. Same with memory sticks. >>> >>> Make sure the memory is seated well - it may take close inspection with >>> a flashlight. If the sticks are all the same size, then no stick should be >>> higher than the lowest one. >>> >>> OK, reassemble the computer. >>> >>> Testing the power supply can be difficult. It's easier with a common >>> desktop PC because the power connector is almost always on top of the board >>> and easily accessible. It's not enough to test a power supply out of the >>> computer because it won't be under load. >>> >>> Here's how an expert taught me to test the power supply on a desktop PC >>> (but not a Dell!) Take a meter and set it to DC volts. There will be a >>> pair of test leads with pointed ends to poke at things. >>> >>> You will push the points into the connector until it connects to the >>> metal of the connector sleeve. Connect the common lead to a black wire's >>> connector. Test all the colored wires with the positive (usually red) >>> meter probe. Here are the correct voltages for a PC: >>> >>> Yellow +12 Volts >>> Red +5 Volts >>> Purple +5 Volts >>> Orange +3.3Volts >>> Green don't test; this turns on the PC when shorted to black >>> White -5 Volts >>> Blue -12 Volts >>> Gray I think this one is for the power-is-on LED >>> Brown Not sure about this one >>> >>> The important thing is that the voltages are nearly correct when the >>> computer is powered on because that shows the power supply to be good when >>> under a load. >>> >>> One other thing - sometimes a part can acquire a static charge which >>> won't dissipate properly. The only remedy for this is to wait until it >>> discharges (unless you are a motherboard repair person). >>> >>> Things that have hurt my equipment is usually near lightning strikes. >>> Lost one treasured Mac to a lightning strike that hit the phone lines. Took >>> out phones for three stories above me. Mac did not fail right away but >>> eventually lost it (sniff :( ). Lightning strikes across the strike have >>> taken out a couple ethernet ports over the years even though my equipment >>> has always been on a UPS. Strong strike will generate an EMP which is >>> sometimes picked up by a network wire of a resonant length. Usually, >>> though, it's not serious but if the storm is bad, we'll turn off the >>> electronics until it's past. >>> >>> I apologize for the length of this, but you get the idea of the lengths >>> I go to fix things. >>> >>> Best of Luck and let me know how it turns out if you have the time, >>> As always, take care. >>> Jon >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On 09/17/2014 06:27 PM, Michael Havens wrote: >>> >>>> first certain keys sometimes don't work unless I hold the key down and >>>> then after a time the character will appear (sometimes multiple times). >>>> So it was recomended I pop the keys off and clean under them. So I do >>>> and it doesn't fix the problem. No problem. I'll stick it under my table >>>> and attach wireless periphiels too it. Then I need to go visit my kids. >>>> So I figure I'll suffer with the keyboard problem. The day I left for >>>> Miami (at the airport) the hardware internet switch would not turn on. >>>> Then, after I arrive in Miami, I turn on the computer and a notice >>>> appears at boot saying that 'the cooling fan is not operating properly'. >>>> What problem do you think is causing this? I called my dad and he said >>>> it sounds like the hard disk is going bad. He also said maybe the >>>> keyboard controller (because of the internet switch). >>>> :-)~MIKE~(-: >>>> >>>> >>>> --------------------------------------------------- >>>> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org >>>> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >>>> http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >>>> >>>> >>> --------------------------------------------------- >>> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >>> http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >>> >> >> >