Im Scared My PC Might Die

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

  1. Posts : 1,326
    Windows 7 Ultimate x86
    Thread Starter
       #11

    It is the iMedia 2218b case
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Im Scared My PC Might Die-packard-bell-imedia-b2218-0.jpg  
      My Computer


  2. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #12

    Layback Bear said:
    Got to get me one of those table cloths.
    Walmart is your friend.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 26,869
    Windows 11 Pro
       #13

    Actually, that's my table cloth. I just let Wolfgang borrow it.
      My Computer


  4. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #14

    essenbe said:
    Actually, that's my table cloth. I just let Wolfgang borrow it.
    We share this. I get it for the even years.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,133
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SP 1
       #15

    I have had PCs that have run for years with no problem, but the first laptop I bought managed to have the HDD and the LAN port die within 6 months. Fortunately HP repaired it and also paid for shipping both ways.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 548
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #16

    I have a circa 1998 laptop and a circa 1999 desktop both still running very well with no signs of imminent failure, computers will last a long time if you take proper care of them!

    Of the parts you need to be concerned with, you basically need to be concerned with anything that has moving parts. This includes:
    * Hard disk drives
    * Fans
    * CPU heatsink+fan assembly
    * Power supplies (they usually have fans in them!)
    * Video cards (higher-end video cards use a heatsink+fan asembly for additional cooling)
    * Motherboards (some motherboards use a heatsink+fan asembly for cooling)

    You also need to look out for capacitors that might fail and leak, though you can't easily fix this unless you're skilled with soldering electronics.

    Of the parts I listed, the parts most likely to fail first are the fans. If you notice a fan acting funny, look to repair or replace them, their cooling is essential to proper functioning of a computer and to ensure a computer lives for a long time.

    HDDs then follow second. HDD failures are somewhat random, but are more likely to occur if the computer is subject to physical shock (laptops are notoriously vulnerable to HDD failures). HDDs usually fail gradually, showing signs such as giving off clicking sounds and reduced performance. If you find that your HDD is acting strangely, look to backup and replace it ASAP! If you're somewhat knowledgable with computers, you can use software that can read SMART information off your HDDs; SMART is a set of information that users and technicians can use to diagnose the health status of a HDD with some degree of accuracy.

    Capacitor failures and leaks are an evil bunch and depend on the computer and failure itself, but are more likely to occur on older computers due simply to being old. I've also heard that computer components of a certain era also had a bad string of factory-defective capacitors used (it's gotten better now!), which can manifest as leaking and failing capacitors over time. As I said, if you have soldering experience you might be able to fix them, but it's all a guess at best since capacitors aren't usually meant to be replaced.

    Overall, keep an eye on your fans, HDD, and PSU for signs of failure and replace them as necessary. Most other parts besides capacitors shouldn't fail unless they happened to be factory-defective or you did something really bad to your computer.

    And last but not least, you will have to accept the sad fact that computers will die at some point. Whether it be through your own mishandling or something completely out of your control like a power surge or a flood, there's only so much we can do to prolong a computer's life until the world decides to troll you.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,711
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit 7601
       #17

    afaik, the only parts that have a lifespan you can worry about are PSU, fans (any fan), HDDs. Theoretically the capacitors on the mobos (the non-solid-state ones) do have a limited life, but i've seen only a few mobos that died of old age (capacitors showed signs of death) in hundreds if not thousands of mobos that travelled through the shop since I started working here.

    Top killer is cheapo crappy PSU going chernobyl at a random time and murdering everything with overvoltage or whatever. With added smoke, of course.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 233
    W7 Home Premium 32bit
       #18

    Bob is right. Low-spec'd power supplies are main killers. Best to get one 50% more capacity than what you need, with an 80plus rating. It will never be stressed.

    On the other, good, side of the coin, you can have pc's run a long time without a problem.

    I've got a pc museum in my shop; down to 8 running units now.
    One is a 27 year old, $1500 cost, Leading Edge XT - still good. I turn it on every day. Remember MS-Dos 2.0?
    Another has a Gigabyte PII board, 14 years old, that is running W7 with the help of a Power Leap cpu adapter housing a 1.4 Celeron o'clkd to 1.56.
    One 12 yr old Compaq, an old Gateway, 26" high, 486 tower, etc, and on and on.

    I've serviced thousands in my 20 some odd years. PSU's & h/d's go more than anything else.

    Only seen 3 mobo's go on their own.

    You're running seven years - means you have a good one. Stay with it!
      My Computer


 
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 19:32.
Find Us