[gui-talk] Computer related questions...

[Steve Jacobson]

Cindy,

These are very annoying problems.  The power supplies in computers are a good bit more complicated than even 
those in a monitor.  Therefore, it can happen that a poor electrical supply can affect a computer but not other devices.  
There are times when low voltage can dammage a power supply in addition to a surge.  One thing that I might be 
suspicious of is your surge protector.  Perhaps something is going out there.  Also, is there a pattern to when you hear 
the buzzing?  For example, can you associate it with a particular time of day?  Have you ever noticed if it coincides 
with your refrigerator running?  Because of how electrical wiring works in a building, a heavy load placed on your 
electrical system such as when a refrigerator is running can cause the voltage on other outlets to change.  It can even 
cause the voltage to be raised in some cases.  Have people ecver commented on your lights brightening or dimming?  
Do you have any problems with light bulbs seeming to burn out too soon?  If the answer to all these questions is "no," 
then it seems likely your general power is all right and that you might be suspicious of your surge protector.  You might 
bring that into the store with you and see if they can test that out as well.  I have purchased computers from stores 
that build them and I like that approach.  It really does not seem likely that this problem is something they are doing 
wrong, unless they are using power supplies that are not protected well.  You might ask them if they have other brands 
of power supplies this time, and make sure not to use a reconditioned supply to save money.  Sometimes these are 
offered to save money, and while they can be worth it, given your experience, I think I'd stay away from them and see 
if that makes any difference.  

Good luck.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:46:09 -0500, Cindy Handel wrote:

>About two and a half years ago, I purchased a computer from a local shop. 
>They build computers there, so it isn't a name-brand computer.  I've 
>purchased one or two computers from them, in the past, and have never had a 
>problem.

>For some reason, I've had problems with the power supply in this computer. 
>It's been replaced two or three times, (I can't remember for sure), and the 
>last time was in October.  Now, it's going, again.  When I turn the computer 
>on, I can hear it making a kind of buzzing noise...just like the others did 
>before they failed.

>The last time I had the computer in the shop, they checked it and couldn't 
>find a reason for the power supplies to be going bad.  They wondered if it 
>would be a power surge or something wrong with the outlet where it's plugged 
>in.  The only thing I could tell them is that this outlet was rewired and 
>tested by an electrician, a year or so ago.  Also, I've had no problems with 
>other equipment plugged in, here.  The computer is plugged into a surge 
>protector, along with the monitor, scanner, speakers and printer.  I haven't 
>had any problem with any of these other things.

>I need to get this repaired, again, but would really like to figure out why 
>it's happening, so I don't have to continue to put power supplies in this 
>computer, every few months.

>Thanks for any thoughts.

>Cindy
>--

>"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own 
>understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths 
>straight."
>Proverbs 3:5-6 



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