12-22-2009, 05:34 PM
Well thanks for the feedback from everyone. I tossed in my thumb drive and backed up all of my documents and media today. I have all of my programs and OS stuff anyway in case I need a new hard drive. I know you guys are convinced that elevation makes no difference, but I just want to run through a list of oddities:
1. While in Reno, the computer originally booted into Windows, stayed on for fifteen minutes and was able to run internet browsers and MS Word, and then was stopped by a clicking/grinding/halting sound. The screen froze for about 15 seconds, followed by the blue screen.
2. When I immediately tried to turn on the computer again, the clicking/grinding occurred immediately. I couldn't get into windows. If I waited 10 minutes, I could get back into Windows, but after about thee minutes, again everything failed. When I shut it down for hours, it would boot up normally again, just as the first time, and again let me use it for 10-15 minutes before the grinding and blue screen. This led me to believe it was a heat related issue, possibly the fan.
3. I was able to restore the OS to the previously working version. It didn't work and I still got the grinding and blue screen. Probably not a software issue.
4. Since leaving Reno, it's now been over six hours of use and absolutely no problem with clicking, grinding, or blue screens. No strange sounds, no freezing. The only time I've ever had this problem in thousands of hours of use has been at a 5,000 ft. elevation.
5. I read that elevations could affect the hard drive and/or fan. Perhaps the fan had trouble with different air pressure?
Oh well, I just hope this continues to work smoothly. All I'm saying is it is bizarre. I realize most of you know a lot about computers, but I'm telling you that the conditions in Reno may have had an affect on the hardware. If I get the blue screen again, or new problems at a normal elevation, I will post for an update.
1. While in Reno, the computer originally booted into Windows, stayed on for fifteen minutes and was able to run internet browsers and MS Word, and then was stopped by a clicking/grinding/halting sound. The screen froze for about 15 seconds, followed by the blue screen.
2. When I immediately tried to turn on the computer again, the clicking/grinding occurred immediately. I couldn't get into windows. If I waited 10 minutes, I could get back into Windows, but after about thee minutes, again everything failed. When I shut it down for hours, it would boot up normally again, just as the first time, and again let me use it for 10-15 minutes before the grinding and blue screen. This led me to believe it was a heat related issue, possibly the fan.
3. I was able to restore the OS to the previously working version. It didn't work and I still got the grinding and blue screen. Probably not a software issue.
4. Since leaving Reno, it's now been over six hours of use and absolutely no problem with clicking, grinding, or blue screens. No strange sounds, no freezing. The only time I've ever had this problem in thousands of hours of use has been at a 5,000 ft. elevation.
5. I read that elevations could affect the hard drive and/or fan. Perhaps the fan had trouble with different air pressure?
Oh well, I just hope this continues to work smoothly. All I'm saying is it is bizarre. I realize most of you know a lot about computers, but I'm telling you that the conditions in Reno may have had an affect on the hardware. If I get the blue screen again, or new problems at a normal elevation, I will post for an update.
75 credits in four months using InstantCert.
B.S. Liberal Arts, Excelsior College, cum laude.
Plus, one Washington Post blurb here.
B.S. Liberal Arts, Excelsior College, cum laude.
Plus, one Washington Post blurb here.
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