<VV> computer geek help

[Frank DuVal]

I use a UPS to smooth out the power company dropouts. They work great. 
They can pay for themselves if they prevent computer damage from the 
power line. You can just buy one with enough watts to run the computer 
box, especially if you have a crt monitor. When the power goes off and 
the screen is dark, just remember the Windows shut off routine: 

Windows key, U key, U key will shut off a Windows (XP Home) system 
without you seeing the monitor.

Pushing the power button to shut off can drop file fragments onto the 
hard drive. Computer geeks can give more correct info on this problem.

Frank DuVal

Mark Corbin wrote:
> Thanks to all who volunteered help with my intermittant computer problem.
> Got quite a few responses, and enough advice that I have a good idea where
> to start. Anything with electrical problems is sometimes like nailing jello
> to a tree. 
>
> Anyway, the first thing that quite a few suggested was to check the power
> supply. I'm not sure what supply the builder used, so that's a good place
> to start. I DO know that he used a "supposedly" good brand new motherboard
> and latest available processor, along with a new case. And since the
> problem can happen even on a cold startup as well as after hours of
> running, I don't think it's a heat-related problem.
>
> As it stands, the computer has all the capabilities and components I can
> think of ever using. It has a DVD reader, DVD burner (all formats), 250 zip
> drive, floppy drive, multiple 2.0 USB ports (all the above internal), and
> an external printer. It's an otherwise top-notch machine all around. Why
> spend more money with an off-the-rack machine that probably doesn't have
> the equipment or performance capabilities that this one has?
>
> What I AM stuck with is a sometimes backwoods power supply company, and
> being extremely rural, it's prone to power spikes and drops. So there's
> another possible problem area. And since I'm this far back in the sticks,
> that's why I'm stuck with yesterday's connections (dial-up), unless I can
> spend a fortune every month for satellite or Time/Worthless cable service.
>
> But there were also other suggestions that are good possibilities as well.
> Again, thanks to all for the help.
>
> -Mark
>
>
>