[BC] computer lock up

Thu Nov 17 13:00:36 CST 2005

Word of warning: Consumer-type sound cards do NOT play well together. Do 
this at your own risk. It's been my experience that getting two of them 
fully functional with no problems is truly "black magic".

Jerry Mathis
Clear Channel Radio, Tupelo & Meridian MS

>From: "John Vodenik" <jvodenik at sosinet.net>
>Reply-To: Broadcast Radio Mailing List <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>To: "Broadcast Radio Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>Subject: Re: [BC] computer lock up
>Date: Thu, 17 Nov 2005 09:51:00 -0800
>
>I just took the sides off...what a dirt bunny around the CPU fan and memory 
>chips.  Taking the beast to work tonight and blow it out.  I built this 
>thing maybe, 4 1/2 years ago.  It only runs at 700 Mc, but for e-mail and 
>PSK31, it works fine.  This might be a good time to install the 2nd sound 
>card.  Use the on board soundcard for PSK and the other for music ,etc. 
>Thanks to everyone.  Glad y'all are a lot smarter than me.  Might be back 
>to de-bug the 2nd sound card if it doesn't lite up correctly.
>
>73 all,
>John  WB9AUJ  @ VOA / Delano
>
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Jerry Mathis" <thebeaver32 at hotmail.com>
>To: <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 11:06 PM
>Subject: RE: [BC] computer lock up
>
>
>>A couple of things not mentioned by others....
>>
>>Many have mentioned checking the CPU fan to be sure it's running. ALSO, 
>>check it, and the heatsink, for accumulated dirt. If the fins are clogged 
>>with dirt, the CPU fan cannot do its job.
>>
>>Does the fan stall out once in a while? This is hard to trace, without 
>>leaving the computer case open for quick visual verification. An advantage 
>>here is that, when a fan starts to go, it usually starts making noise.
>>
>>Some have mentioned re-seating the memory sticks. Problems were known to 
>>develop if you have memory sticks with finger plating material that is 
>>different from the socket plating material. Although this is less a 
>>problem today than with older computers (you don't say how old your 
>>computer is), make sure your memory sticks and memory sockets both use the 
>>same material. It's either gold or tin. If they're different, some type of 
>>corrosion sets in, which will eventually insulate the connection. You can 
>>fix the problem, at least temporarily, by buffing the fingers on the 
>>memory stick with a pencil eraser. It's recommended  that you clean them 
>>with alcohol afterwards, and spraying the memory sockets with something 
>>like Cramolin. (This problem is a long shot, but a possibility.)
>>
>>And don't discount problems with the power supply. Especially if the 
>>computer is 4 or 5 years old. If you have a scope, you can look at the PS 
>>outputs. Pay close attention to the 5 volt and 3 volt supplies. More than 
>>about 50mv of noise is a problem. Look for high frequency noise, not 
>>ripple.
>>
>>Look on the motherboard for capacitors around the CPU. Are any of them 
>>bulging, or leaking a brown gooey substance at the base? There was a run 
>>of bad capacitors a few years ago that is just now showing up on some 
>>motherboards. Dell is spending millions on a recall.
>>
>>
>>
>>Jerry Mathis
>>Clear Channel Radio, Tupelo & Meridian MS
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>From: "John Vodenik" <jvodenik at sosinet.net>
>>>Reply-To: Broadcast Radio Mailing List <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>>>To: "Broadcast Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>>>Subject: [BC] computer lock up
>>>Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:39:12 -0800
>>>
>>>Greeting gathered bright minds, and lots smarter than I am type people.
>>>
>>>Not being a computer type person, just use it for e-mail and porn...I am 
>>>having a problem with the machine locking up.  I can only get it to 
>>>operate again by rebooting the thing, with the reset button on the 
>>>computer case. Locks in anywhere between 30 minutes and half a day after 
>>>rebooting.
>>>
>>>That said, our "computer guy" out here at VOA said he thought it was a 
>>>hardware problem.  OK, I have disconnected the cable modem, no change. 
>>>Tried a different mouse, nothing.  Mouse is on USB port., it was on the 
>>>PS2 port, still the same results. Haven't disconnected the keyboard as 
>>>yet.  Scanner not plugged in, printer working OK.  That's about all I 
>>>have connected to the outside world, except for the sound card.
>>>
>>>I had been thinking maybe a virus or spyware.  Daily checks come up 
>>>empty. I did a system restore to about 6 weeks back, when everything was 
>>>fine. Still locking up.
>>>
>>>I need o get this figured out so I can go back on the air with my ham 
>>>station.  By the way..the porno comment was meant to get your attention.
>>>
>>>Thanks for any and all suggestions.
>>>
>>>John @ VOA / Delano
>>>
>>>Just you everyday radio whore.....
>>>my life....eat, sleep, make VERY BIG RF.  Gotta get a life.......
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
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>>>http://www.radiolists.net/
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>
>
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