Panic Mode.

[Inactive]

OK, switched on computer this morning, monitor light goes to amber, no signal.

It has done it before, effective cure, twiddle the connection at the graphics card interface.

Tried that nothing grrrrr.

Connect spare monitor, same......nothing.

Inactive is now using language that he thought he had forgotten..

Disconnect the whole lot, take computer to kitchen, place on worktop, side off..( thinks how can this all function, surrounded by so much crud? )

Remove graphics card, clean all pins gently, take Hoover to the rest of it, well it is nearly Spring..

Take details from Graphics Card, so that I can get a new like for like one.

Thinks... !!!!!   Give it another try, now the pins are all gleaming...Eureka...sorted.

Now I come to the big question... My monitor now actually looks clearer, blacks look blacker.


Is this feasible

[Rik]

It's possible that the GPU was running a bit warm, In, or possibly you just made better connections when you put it all back together. Blacks can't get blacker, but it's possible they have become crisper and so look blacker.

[Inactive]

Right thanks Rik, the power unit was absolutely covered in crud .. 

The GPU has a plastic tube tunnel direct to a dedicated vent on the side of the computer, again, full of crud.


I did remove the Graphics Card and gently cleaned the gold terminals, it seems to have sorted it.


Blacks certainly appear crisper.

[Rik]

An ordinary pencil eraser is quite good at cleaning the contacts, just get the debris off after...

[Inactive]

Thanks Rik, I used a damp cloth, followed by a bit of kitchen roll..

Thanks for the " eraser " tip, will keep that for next time.

[Rik]

You did observe proper anti-static precautions, I trust. Earthing strap round ankle, chassis of computer also earthed, remove food from worktop before putting computer down?

[Inactive]

  Of course Rik..


( I put one hand on the chassis, and one hand on the tap, never failed to work so far. )

Talking of " static ", a little tip I learned when my computer played up a while ago, switch off from the mains, hold in the front button for 20 seconds, static clears, I can actually hear it clearing on my computer.

[Rik]

I suspect that what you're hearing is the power supply completely discharging. The technique is often used when the BIOS scrambles. 

[Inactive]

That was it Rik.. 

[Malc]

Thanks Rik, I used a damp cloth, followed by a bit of kitchen roll..

Damp AND electric 

[Inactive]

Damp AND electric 

I know Malc, you have too live dangerously at times.. 

[Malc]

It's not the danger, I'd be more worried about a £300 graphics card than the small matter of an electric shock.

[Inactive]

It's OK Malc, I put it in the Tumble Dryer afterwards.. 

My Graphic Card didn't cost £300, the whole computer was £499 about 2/3 years ago.

[Malc]

The price we have to pay to see games in all their glory... Thta's what PC's are for, isn't it?

[Inactive]

  Do I need one for Solitaire?

[Rik]

Yes, solitaire is a one person game, so one needs one.

[Inactive]

Yes, solitaire is a one person game, so one needs one.

Erm   ... er... That was surely a ...

[Rik]

 

Good, I felt I was lagging today.

[Malc]

Just hope he put some lagging on that graphics cards before washing it.

[Rik]

A bubble bag with a dash of detergent - perfect.

[Malc]

Let' soap there's no holes in it

[Rik]

 

[Malc]

Yes, my first double     

[Rik]

In which case, didn't you want a  ?

[Inactive]

Let' soap there's no holes in it

And another Malc..