Computer Crash

[robivi3]

Hi folks,
Well, Windows XP does not like hardware changes, great for software, hardware always somewhat of a problem. I put in a new 450 watt power supply with dual fans and an LG DVD/CD Burner and dumped the old TDK. So XP got funky and I had a near crash.

Next week I'm getting a new ATX case and LCD monitor and upgrading the keyboard /mouse. Theoretically this should not affect my system as this all "external"... but it likely will.

I'm only running an AMD Athlon XP 2200 with a matched ASUS board so that's next, I upgraded that from a P4 1.6 GIG with another board (I forget, it was a "mustang cobra" board, not a "corvette") about 1 and a half years ago. So when that gets trashed, again maybe "Format C:" or try Acronis again.

After having had three pentiums (one Celeron, ok) and two AMD's I prefer AMD Athlon and up, solid stuff, Intel not my bag.

[SinkingFast]

There's something about our digital cable Broad Band cable modem that Windows XP doesn't like. Our comp fried and we spent nearly 2 hours on the phone with our computer Tech Support. We reloaded Windows, did a whole bunch of other things, following the Tech's suggestions. Still couldn't fig it out.

Then the Tech had us unplug everything. The Tech thought it was the printer. Evidently they've had lots of problems with printers and XP. Turned out, unplugging our cable modem fixed the issue. So, every once in a while, when the comp starts to act fritzy, we shut down, unplug the cable modem, reboot, clean up, defrag, shut down, plug the cable modem back in, reboot, and all is right with the world of Windows XP.

Add printers and cable modems to the list of hardware that Windows XP does not like as well.

[Jenny]

Unless you're connecting your cable modem directly to the computer via a USB port, the problem is not Windows XP and the modem drivers. Most computers connect through the ethernet port. No drivers are involved. The majority of the time, the problem is related to viruses or spyware. I leave my computer connected 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and I never have a problem connecting to the internet.

Defragging the hard drive will not have any effect on connecting to the internet. It just rearranges the data on the hard drive. The configuration doesn't change. Someone's handing you a line if they tell you to do this to fix an internet connection problem.

Formatting your hard drive is like demolishing your house, hauling away every bit of debris, and rebuilding it from scratch. You're not refreshing anything. You're replacing absolutely everything. This isn't necessary as long as you keep the computer free of viruses and spyware. Hard drives last either days or years. There's no magic age as to when they'll fail.

[SinkingFast]

The cable modem has been constantly on since we got it. Except when we have to "refresh" its little pea brain. Sometimes we have to unplug from the wall, wait a bit, and plug it back in. There is a Power On/Off switch on the front, but we've never used it. So the cable modem is always on even when the comp isn't. Guess we should turn it off once in a while, but we don't. Son said one of his comp geek friends said a network error occurs and we get the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death".

Some days, the comp is on 24/7. Kids do downloads at night so they will run faster. Some days it gets shut down at night. I usually do clean up and defrag at least once a day. Clean up gets done more if there's lots of web surfing going on. We had a comp crash once when we first discovered the internet. The Temp Internet Files overloaded and exploded. Caused the comp to shut down. Did a clean up in Safe Mode, rebooted, and it worked fine.

No problem with viruses and such, I don't think. We have antivirus software and firewall with anti hacker protections. I can trace pings back to their source. Interesting how people route those around the world to stay anonymous. Comp acted fine before we moved here. We were dial up then. It's fine now, except for the cable modem glitch every now and then. And yep, CH, we do have to refresh the IP when that happens.

[Jenny]

There's nothing wrong with leaving your cable modem on 24x7. It's designed to be on all the time. As long as you're running a good firewall, you won't have a problem. You didn't answer how the cable modem is connected to the computer. Is it connected using a USB cable and port, or is it connected to a network card?

Are you running an anti-spyware application in the background as well as an anti-virus program? They're two different things and look for two different sets of problems. Spyware is the leading cause of computer problems.

CH, I think we're just using different terminology, but I do want to clarify. When you format a hard drive, you're not replacing anything or putting anything on top of programs, drivers, or the registry. Formatting deletes everything on the hard drive. After formatting a hard drive, if you reboot the computer, it will not boot into an operating system. It's completely blank.

The special programs you mention delete everything on the drive and then write over every sector with 1's and 0's multiple times which makes it nearly impossible to recover data from the drive.

[SinkingFast]

We have a debate going if the cable modem is connected via USB or ethernet.

The cable modem it's self says USB Cable Modem. But, supposedly, we've connected the cable modem via an ethernet cable. That's my kids talking, and they are much more technically saavy than I am.

We run McAfee anti virus and firewall plus and iolo System Mechanic 5.5 Pro for spyware. Comp is clean of viruses and spyware. Firewall is set for tight security.

I'd heard the same thing, CH. That you should wipe your drive, reformat, and reinstall software every few years. That over time, programs get fragged, slowing down comp operation. I know that worked for son. He took an old comp that barely ran, cleaned it for viruses/adware/spyware, wiped the drive, reformatted, loaded new programs, and it runs like new.

[robivi3]

Ya gotta remember I still think in terms of the 8080 based systems that run trains. Our system is 8 bit, I'm used to doing Analogue, Hex to Binary conversions in my head so I think is a bit archaic. We have ten heatsink assembly that use thyristors (on/off diodes) that weigh about 15 pounds each and we rebuild them with manual guages. Our "bugs" are real bugs and our PC Boards are 18 inches high, 10 inches wide. We have five analogue and digital IO boards all of which depend on signals that come in millivolts and milliamps, some of which can cause a runaway or a train to go forward when it should go backwards and such. Our CPU fan is 12 inches in diameter and if it dies or the massive semi-conductor cooling motor under the vehicle dies (the box for the semi cunductor compoinents is eight feet long) everything overheats in minutes or seconds. To us, a "crash" can cause a CRASH. So, you'll have to bear with me if some of that lingo carries on into my "PC on the desk" lingo.

When I blue screen and see the HEX codes on my desk that to me is a craaaash! I immediately want to grab a Microsoft Manual and work it into Binary, I know some book must exist for that. No, this one wasn't letting me reboot so i just went through the command lines after downloading the istructions from MS on the kids PC. And I was so proud of my self for using "Safe Mode" last time! Seems I made afew to many HW changes and the system was probably already a little funky. I don't want to muddy through MS's compatability list, there are to many good sales and the list seems restrictive. I don't have the business anymore and everything is backed up so the PC at home is just a hobby for me now. If you place it alongside model railroads or boating it is a dirt cheap one I guess.

[FilingOnMyOwn]

I believe the modern trains have massive diesels that run generators to electric motors. So its still basically internal combustion.

[Jenny]

CH, you're correct in the literal sense that data is overwritten when a hard drive is formatted, but it just sounds a bit confusing. There are to ways to reinstall an operating system. One way is to reinstall over the top of the existing system. System files and the registry is overwritten, but it's not done cleanly. Formatting a hard drive erases everything. Then the sectors that once held that data are overwritten with new data, but it's done cleanly.

SF, it's easy to tell how the cable modem is connected. Follow the cord from the cable modem to the computer, and look at the end that's plugged into the computer. Is it a flat rectangle? That's a USB connector. Or does it look like a large phone cord plug? That's an ethernet connector.

[robivi3]

Filing, that statement to be honest is somewhat laughable. No Inner City Commuter Train runs on Diesel Electric. I've worked here for 24 years. I know quite well how our system runs, it is electric. Now, that is not to get off of the subject at hand but that comment deserves a reply. Our system, and most around the world run nearly exactly as i stated. And please understand that if you work in public transit and get involved with special projects you meet alot of people from around the world and walk along with alot of tours and meet alot of vendors, you pick up alot along the way. These jobs are generally closed to the public and some of us do jump City to City and right now DC is trying to lure a bunch of us, they have had ads posted in our shop for then last week, so there is a massive amount of networking along with National Rodeos, meetings, etc... that go with the job.

Now, as to Cross Country Rail and Inter City Commuter Rail, yes most of those do run on Diesel Electric. However, they are not "basically internal combustion". How can you please explain could you link say, four Locomotives with maybe 16 MTU's at opposing ends and achieve constant acceleration/braking rates in forward and reverse without a very complex computer system? I have nothing to do with those in my work but did manage to get offered a job from Tri-Rail working on the computers (because of my diesel experience). I did it as a trial run for work after retirement. We get around alot in this business, you get to know alot of vendors, managers, etc...

In fact since we run 22 six car consists per day I'll have to report those 44 missing Locomotives tomorrow. Please take this LOL, it's all for fun.

[FilingOnMyOwn]

Didn't know they were talking about transit. I thought of real trains, in response to someone saying something about coal and heavy loads. And, even a hybrid setup has an internal combustion engine, does it not? Where does all the power come from

[Minnymouth]

Robivi3,

You need to to change your name to "locomotive man".... is would fit you better.... or did I mean "loco-man", lol...
You guys are talking WAY ABOVE my little old white head....

You said you used an Athlon pc..... my brother had a terrible time getting any kind of software or new drives to run on his.... most were not compatable.... he kept it less than a month and sent it back.....

We had one here at the office, couldn't run anything on it hardly.... Lots of software would not load on it etc...... We also ended up sending it back... All office equipment is now HP and Compaq .... All Intel Pen 4's... all heavy duty equipment...

My first pc in 1984 was an old IBM.... a real workhorse that ran nothing but DOS.... (course if you didn't "speak" DOS, you couldn't use it)....

Times have changed!!!

[robivi3]

On Transit trains it come straight from the electrical plant near the yard, through the third rail to the collector shoe on the train. On Locomotives its diesel to generator, In the basic sense. Just to resolve the slip-slide issue on a large locomotive is fairly complex though, everything has to react in unison in forward and reverse. They have some nice setups. What we are dealing with at this point is old technology, but it works.