1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Hardware HELL!

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Steve_S, 2010/01/25.

  1. 2010/01/25
    Steve_S

    Steve_S Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2001/12/29
    Messages:
    148
    Likes Received:
    0
    :p Not exactly but I bet I got your attention. :)

    I think it would be interesting and educational to post all the hardware mistakes we have made either inside the case or hanging stuff off of same. Let me start:

    A few weeks ago I decided to replace my very slow 5400 RPM notebook drive with a bigger and faster 7200 2.5 inch drive. Normally an easy task. Stick the new kid in an external enclosure and use something like Acronis to clone and then hold breath and swap out.

    Everything started out dandy, I could see the progress on the screen and since Iv'e done this before I left my second office to take a break.

    About 30 minutes later I walked back into this carpeted room (hint) and took a look at the screen and everything was progressing just fine.

    Then..............................................

    I placed ONE FINGER on the alumanum external enclosure to see how hot the drive was. ZAP! Thats what I did. Lots of static electricity and a caprpet to boot (pun intended) and I actually heard the "zap" and can you guess what happened....

    Farewell HD. A brick. The clone procedure obviously terminated. Next time on the tile floor and grounded before I touch an alumanum external enclosure.

    Back to Frys....:)

    And yours?
     
    Steve_S,
    #1
  2. 2010/01/25
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/27
    Messages:
    15,174
    Likes Received:
    412
    Hmmmmm thinking hard....

    Sorry, nothing that I can remember (tile floors here) :D

    I've build my own PCs for years, but never 'fried' anything.
     
    Arie,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2010/01/25
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Nearest I can get is knocking an external drive off my desk onto the (carpeted :)) floor while it was reading/writing. That killed it :) Fortunately it was a backup drive and the data was also backed up elsewhere.
     
    PeteC,
    #3
  5. 2010/01/25
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

    Joined:
    2008/04/21
    Messages:
    4,649
    Likes Received:
    124
    Forgot to connect the data cable to a floppy drive once...

    Doesn't sound so bad but the case was designed by a particulary evil person and meant stripping the entire machine down again :mad:

    Since then I always power up before putting everything together.
     
    wildfire,
    #4
  6. 2010/01/25
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

    Joined:
    2002/12/17
    Messages:
    6,585
    Likes Received:
    74
    My old BOAC only has USB 1.1 on the motherboard. I have a PCI-card for USB 2.0. Three external ports and a single internal. A 4-port USB hub on the front is connected to the internal port on the PCI-card. Randomly, when inserted, a USB stick is detected in a port in the hub and randomly it isn't. I know that XP SP3 supports USB 2.0 and no drivers are needed but I found the CD, put it in and let it install the drivers (for XP). During the installation, I heard the same sound as when a USB stick is inserted and detected. Next, the computer blue screened. It couldn't be restarted, neither in normal mode nor in safe mode. My guess is that for 99 % (at least) of the users, a reinstallation would be on the agenda but I use Ghost for system backup. Ten minutes later, I had restored the most recent image, created after last "patch tuesday ".
     
    Christer,
    #5
  7. 2010/01/28
    Lukeno1

    Lukeno1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2009/02/06
    Messages:
    482
    Likes Received:
    0
    I got my computer to freeze completely when I moved it back into where it usually lives once. I also remember vividly my old computer attempting to turn itself into some C4.

    EDIT: Wildfire, I've always done that anyway. :p
     
    Lukeno1,
    #6
  8. 2010/01/28
    Whiskeyman Lifetime Subscription

    Whiskeyman Inactive Alumni

    Joined:
    2005/09/10
    Messages:
    1,772
    Likes Received:
    37
    I watched in amazement as my old power supply turned into a plasma cutter and charred my printer sitting a foot away from the back of the PC.
     
    Whiskeyman,
    #7
  9. 2010/01/28
    Ski52

    Ski52 Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/07
    Messages:
    176
    Likes Received:
    1
    New build - just up and running. Noticed 1 case fan not plugged in - plugged it in.... Almost silent 'click'.... fried motherboard and power supply....

    Keep hands out of box when lights are on ;)
     
    Ski52,
    #8
  10. 2010/01/28
    wildfire

    wildfire Getting Old

    Joined:
    2008/04/21
    Messages:
    4,649
    Likes Received:
    124
    What? You always forget to connect the data cable :eek: :D

    Seriously it was a pathetic case (desktop not tower) design, I had to remove memory (to be safe 64Mb was expensive in those days), processor, PSU and HD just to plug the <insert expletive here> cable back in.:mad:
     
    wildfire,
    #9
  11. 2010/01/29
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/30
    Messages:
    12,317
    Likes Received:
    252
    note to self: Self, Avoid contact with most of the members above:eek:
     
    Steve R Jones,
    #10
  12. 2010/01/29
    Lukeno1

    Lukeno1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    2009/02/06
    Messages:
    482
    Likes Received:
    0
    Well, I often forget one cable, or one falls out. But I always boot up to check before putting the side of the case back on. Always have done. :p
     
    Lukeno1,
    #11

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...