when the keybosrd problem stsrted about 6 months ago getting another keyboard was the first thing I did and there was no problem with it when I attached an external keyboard. You mentioned smoking being a problem? I've never done that. You wondered about the distro? I run Linux Mint. :-)~MIKE~(-: On Thu, Sep 18, 2014 at 6:08 AM, Lisa Kachold wrote: > Hi Mike, > > In order to work with the technician effectively, you are going to want to > be closely involved with the work process. In this respect, you will ask > him what he thinks the problem is, or what his first actions are, for > instance if he recommends a full diagnostic. > > But first, I would do some diagnostics myself before taking your equipment > to the technician. > > IT IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY THAT THIS IS DUE TO MORE THAN ONE CAUSE (but all > related to your distro or drivers)! > > If you are SMOKING or exposing the laptop to soot of any kind, you will > want to clean the laptop completely FIRST. > > Everyone has issues with the WIRELESS switch on older equipment, just futz > with it, as I have never seen anyone have it STAY BROKEN? But this clearly > would be the technician stage.... > > Various diagnostic programs exist for linux, which you might consider > before spending money on the technician, to verify power supply, bus, and > CPU. > > Intel Proc Diagnostic for Linux: > https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?DwnldID=19792 > PowerTop: > http://xmodulo.com/2013/06/how-to-monitor-power-usage-in-linux.html > > What distro are you running? Known issues with KDE and Chrome with > keyboard I/O are common (which I expect is the cause of your issues after > applying a patch): > > > http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=53398&p=306336&hilit=keyboard+stops+working#p306336 > > Spares are your friend, so try an external keyboard and see if the issue > follows that hardware (kernel driver) switch, then you can be sure that it > is application/distro based rather than hardware based. > > As for fan control, there are various tools and again KNOWN ISSUES > (ArchLinux) with fancontrol under linux: > http://askubuntu.com/questions/63588/how-do-i-get-fan-control-working > Karmic: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/451337 > > You can use a live distro to rule out your keyboard issues - divide and > conquer. > > Using OSI Level debugging, you go to the layer where the issue exists and > traverse up and down to adjacent layers, so clearly there is only the human > level on the other side of the Physical Layer 1, which is where the > problems present themselves, so the other direction would be the drivers in > linux. > > You would rule out issues here with a systematic diagnostic, use of spares > and intelligent research. > > > > > On Wed, Sep 17, 2014 at 8:54 PM, Michael Havens wrote: > >> 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 >>>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >> >> --------------------------------------------------- >> 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 >