Here we go again...
Disclaimer: This is likely to be long, rambling, and wierd. Read at your own risk.
A summary should appear near the end.
See here for the first part:
http://www.techimo.com/forum/t72944.html
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It was a rather great day. I had kept my cool for the most part, even at the SSA and the mall. The weather was pleasant (if a little confused), and the cats were... Well they were cats.
I had thought the computer problems were behind us. After all, my wifes genius hubby had solved that one two days ago. I was so sure that I spent two hours today getting the network fixed (the final little glitch has me temporarily stumpted). I even played games and surfed my fun sites.
Nothing like the random reboots at all all day long.
Then, just a few minutes ago, it happened. And let me tell you, this one will shaock and amaze you. Those of you with heart problems and the little ladies may want to skip this part.
It rebooted.
Scary, huh?
Hit me right out of the blue, while I was reading an article at a news site. No, I had not hit a link. They do not use pop up ads. I had my firewall on, and a pop up stopper running.
But we aren't done with the wierd, so lets not digress into the technical, shall we?
While I was staring at the monitor (test pattern, the one that warns that the cable may be unpluged), the system rebooted AGAIN, without quite getting to the passward screen.
Having seen this enough over most of the weekend, I reached for the power bar (the newer one, the one that did not ever have AC's computer attached to it) and shut it off. Sat back in my chair and recited the Detroit cussing dictionary, backwards, in german.
I looked at AC, said something like "I'm opening the patient up, will you assist?" To which she said something like "Not if it involves getting near you" or words to the effect that some of my cussing had not been entirely silent. Oops.
I disconnected the system, opened the case. Looked at the nearly new, totally clean fans. "Hey, these don't look like they are even working" I said. AC agreed, after seeing the polished, nearly surgical look of the system interior (not a joke, wish a pic could show just how clean this case is) (The cats won't let them stay this way, thats why we have to clean them monthly).
Anyway, I power the case (no other connections) just to check the fans. No go. The system just sat there. Thats when it got so wierd that even those of strong heart should be warned.
Warning: This is so wierd that even I am having trouble with this knowledge.
Warning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AC said "Maybe the problem is the power cord?"
After retracting my jaw, thinking, restarting my brain, thinking, restating my brain, thinking the the reboot may be contagious to humans, thinking some more I came to this understanding:
Blondes are dangerous.
And that it is very possible that the power cord currently on my system is the one from her system prior to the room rearrangement. That the problem might not be (entirely) with the house wiring, but also that one of the felines (who shall remain nameless) might have used the cord as a chew toy. (Unlike a dog, a cats needles would leave very little mark).
I changed the cord with one of the older ones from the parts closet. The system started up no problem.
However the "problem" cord was so nice and new looking that the signs of even a single cat tooth would have shown. Nothing.
But the system works with the older cord, so I rechecked the fans (all good) and reassembled the case. Replugged everything.
Then came the test. I turned on the power.
Boom.
The sight of the monitor test screen was startling to me after such a prolonged absence (nearly fifteen minutes without the use of my own computer).
I started the system.
The lines of that devine opera, "BIOS" were such joy to my eyes.
The password screen was nearly extasy.
And that is how I got to here.
Riding on a cloud of endorphines. Victorious yet again over the gremlins of unjust computer failure.
I AM INVINCABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Summary:
The problem seems to have either been complicated by, fully caused by, or may have caused a faulty power cord. I am still wondering if the damage may have gotten to the power supply.
Finally, just as a service to our very knowledgable techs, I would like to remind everyone of the KISS principle.
Keep It Simple, Stupid!
Twice now I have feared some dread high tech wonder problem, only to have myself dragged back to reality when the answer was simple and right in front of me.
Now to stress test this set up to see if it does it again...
Linear Mode
