FOFC'ers solve Christmas Computer Disaster

[JonInMiddleGA]

Remember that new computer discussed in an earlier thread, the one for my son's Christmas? Remember how I left it with BestBuy to install the new video card, etc?

Guess what doesn't work this morning.

Guess what doesn't appear to be producing any video output at all?

Yep.

I've tried two monitors, two monitor cables, checked, doublechecked, and triplechecked the connection between the monitor & the p.c., appears perfectly normal. I've got power to the p.c., I've got power to the monitor but the monitor never goes from the amber "power" light to the green "working" light, it's as though it has no idea there's even a p.c. attached to the other end. P.C. sounds like it's booting up fine, everything else appears normal ... except that there's not a fucking thing getting to the monitor.

The new video card is a Radeon X700, it was supposedly installed & tested (they've even wrapped the vidcard box in "Inspected By BestBuy" tape).

My best guess is either the connector (where the monitor cable attaches to the p.c.) is bad/loose OR they either didn't install the X700 properly (not to mention that nobody bothered to test it afterwards).

I'm open to ideas that are manageable for a complete hardware inept. Right now the only plan is to greet the fine folks at BestBuy when they open the doors tomorrow morning.

[Coder]

Wish I could help, but it's kind of hard to help from here. But I'm pretty certain that the computer makes a little noise if the graphics card isn't working. A beep of some sort.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Rapid Response. When an emergency strikes, Agents are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 525,600 minutes a year.

The quote above is straight from the Geek Squad website ... it is also straight from the Bullmotherfuckingshit Department. Per my conversation with their so-called 911 Service:
"We don't have any agents working at all today"

Best guesses from two layers of phone tech support:
"They've got a pin setting or software setting for the card wrong"
"It sounds like they didn't install the card at all, that there's just nothing in there"

Right now there's a faint thin chance that I'll get a callback today from their emergency services people, otherwise, the choices are:
-- $318 for 911 service tomorrow sometime,
-- $169 on-site service Tuesday afternoon (next available appt)
-- take it back to the store that screwed up in the first place, lose at least a half day of work & realistically probably most all day tomorrow

And, of course, option 1 & 2 aren't included under anything, not the manuf. warranty, not the $199 3 year service plan, nothing.

Priority #1 is, regardless of cost, get this Christmas present working ASAP.
After that, I want to identify specifically who fucked up Christmas.
After that (actually during those things) I'll be having a conversation with the Georgia Department of Consumer Affairs, with whom I'll discuss the clear cut fraudulent advertising being conducted by GeekSquad. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 525,600 minutes a year my lily white ass.

[Airhog]

Here is something to try. Open you case up Jon. Make sure the power is turned off to the computer completely. I leave it plugged into the wall, so you can ground yourself to the case. Unscrew the video card, and pull it out, then push it back in. Sometimes they can wiggle loose a bit in transport. I have seen cases that were just a tad bit off, and the card would never seat just right.

[Airhog]

dola: but I have never seen a new video card that needed jumper settings to work. Also, it shouldnt matter what software the loaded, the card should still work when you first turn the computer on. If it was bad software install, windows would have the graphics problem. not the blank screen

[Philliesfan980]

Did the computer work before the new video card? Surprisingly, bad ram, CPU, MB, can cause nothing to come up. But like Airhog said, I'd be willing to bet that the video card isn't seated in the AGP or PCI slot correctly.

[Coder]

Here is something to try. Open you case up Jon. Make sure the power is turned off to the computer completely. I leave it plugged into the wall, so you can ground yourself to the case. Unscrew the video card, and pull it out, then push it back in. Sometimes they can wiggle loose a bit in transport. I have seen cases that were just a tad bit off, and the card would never seat just right.

I would have suggested that too, but I have a feeling that the case might be sealed for warranty-reasons.. (like a sticker or something), and that the warranty will be voided would he open the case.

[Dekanth]

Wow, I always though sick family members, deaths in the family, no home, no food, no family, no friends, etc... are a fucked up Christmas, but a computer that won't work for a day or two?

[Philliesfan980]

Wow, I always though sick family members, deaths in the family, no home, no food, no family, no friends, etc... are a fucked up Christmas, but a computer that won't work for a day or two?

Lets not derail the thread. The goal here is to be able to give Jon timely advice thats needed to get his son's CHRISTMAS GIFT back in working order. I'm not a father, but I'd be seriously disappointed if I got a gift for my son and it didn't work.

The fact that BestBuy installed something without testing it is a big issue. He has every reason to expect PERFECTION in this installation.

[Sweed]

Lets not derail the thread. The goal here is to be able to give Jon timely advice thats needed to get his son's CHRISTMAS GIFT back in working order. I'm not a father, but I'd be seriously disappointed if I got a gift for my son and it didn't work.

The fact that BestBuy installed something without testing it is a big issue. He has every reason to expect PERFECTION in this installation.

As a father I agree with this 100%.

Sure things happen and sometimes things don't work out as intended. I would be perfectly willing to listen to their side of the story and if it was out of their control then so be it.

BUT if they say they are there 24/7 to at least try to help and I get the "sorry no techs are working today" then I have every right to be upset.

Sorry to hear of you trouble Jon but my expertise would end with the try to reseat the card myself. After that I'd be in the same boat as you.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thanks for all the advice & I'm even willing to take a shot at the "perspective" issue.

As several here already seem to understand, this isn't a crisis because of the computer per se, it's serious because it's not only a Christmas gift but it's THE Christmas gift, the centerpiece of the whole gift bonanza.

And yeah, I'm prejudiced because it's my kid but ... well, through whatever twist of fate worked things out this way I couldn't have a better son. Kind, generous, thoughtful, obedient, smart as a whip with personality to burn. Not a complainer, not a whiner, not a moaner, takes life as it comes & deals with it ... it's like living with a really well-adjusted 47 year old midget.

He's a kid who woke up around 5a this morning ... and waited until 730a to wake anyone else because he "thought I probably needed some more sleep". How many 7 y/o could wait 2+ hours to check under the tree? I dunno, but I know I damn sure couldn't have at that age.

I'd have the same level of distress regardless of the gift, this isn't about the computer per se ... it's about seeing my son be disappointed on Christmas when I've never seen anyone more deserving of having a special day like that work out like he wanted it too.

Okay, proud daddy rant over ... but that's why this is a big deal here, not just because of a computer or whatever.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Did the computer work before the new video card? Surprisingly, bad ram, CPU, MB, can cause nothing to come up. But like Airhog said, I'd be willing to bet that the video card isn't seated in the AGP or PCI slot correctly.

No idea to be honest -- it was bought & then went straight to the comp. service department still in the sealed box.

[Eaglesfan27]

Lets not derail the thread. The goal here is to be able to give Jon timely advice thats needed to get his son's CHRISTMAS GIFT back in working order. I'm not a father, but I'd be seriously disappointed if I got a gift for my son and it didn't work.

The fact that BestBuy installed something without testing it is a big issue. He has every reason to expect PERFECTION in this installation.I agree. I don't have any kids yet, but I would be pissed off at this situation. I don't have any advice Jon, but hope you have success getting things fixed soon.

[Coder]

No idea to be honest -- it was bought & then went straight to the comp. service department still in the sealed box.

Jon, is there anything preventing you from opening the case and see if the card is properly inserted into the PCI-Express slot? (like the sticker or warranty thingie I mentioned earlier?)

Otherwise, try the advice that was offered earlier in the thread.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Here is something to try. Open you case up Jon. Make sure the power is turned off to the computer completely. I leave it plugged into the wall, so you can ground yourself to the case. Unscrew the video card, and pull it out, then push it back in. Sometimes they can wiggle loose a bit in transport. I have seen cases that were just a tad bit off, and the card would never seat just right.

I'll definitely check for any factory/store seals or anything like that as not to screw the warranty in case this is something fouled up in the core parts of the system (motherboard, power supply, etc), but ... what exactly am I looking for here? Sounds silly I guess, but I don't recall ever actually seeing a graphics card, just know what the boxes look like on the shelf basically.

I gather that I'm looking for something that's either connected to a slot like this:http://www.pantherproducts.co.uk/Articles/images/PCI%20slot.jpg

or something connected to a slot like this: http://www.pantherproducts.co.uk/Articles/images/AGP%20slot.jpg

Depending on whether it's a PCI card or an AGP card (which I suspect I can figure out from looking at the Radeon box the card came in).

Whatever the physical appearance of the card, is it reasonable for me to hope that it'll say "Radeon" on it somewhere? I figure that should at least narrow down my choices quite a bit ;)

Now, about that whole "don't electrocute myself" thing -- thanks to that handy dandy article that supplied those pictures, I know that With all ATX model PC's the power still runs through the mainboard even though it is switched off. This is because the power button is not a physical switch it is a soft switch which sends a signal instead of making the connection its self. Anyway its the best idea to make sure that the power is fully disconnected from the PC.

Combining that with what you said, I gather that I should:
a) Make sure the power switch is off (no "blue light" showing, no sign that the computer is anything except "off", except that in this case "off" doesn't actually equal "not powered"
b) Leave the computer plugged into the wall
c) Make sure the computer is OFF
d) Keep one hand on the metal case of the desktop, touching the box helps keep me from getting fried
e) find the card, make sure it is seated properly, especially noting whether maybe one side is sitting a little higher than the other, etc. Don't jam it in there, just make sure it's firmly seated all the way across
f) slip the case back together, step back & fire that puppy up just on the odd chance I might have pulled off a minor Christmas miracle

Did I miss anything there?
(Remember, anything that involves an open case is an on-going panic attack for me so nothing is too obscure to remind me/make sure that I know).

Thanks again guys, I may be a real SOB at times but I'm really trying hard for my kid here, so my intentions are at least (IMO) good.

[Coder]

b - > I usually unplug the computer when swapping cards..
d -> You only need to touch the metal once before working with the card. It's to make sure there's no static when handling the card. The metal will.. oh.. not sure of the translation.. but remove any static from you.
e -> You might want to actually remove the card and re-insert it to be completely sure.

the x700 is a PCI Express card, the new PCI-version that comes with newer computers.

The card itself is easily recognized since it's where you put the monitor cable. The Radeon cards are usually reddish in color if that helps.

[Coder]

dola:

This is how a Radeon x700 looks (with box).

http://www.inet.se/produktbilder/5407599_big.jpg

[MizzouRah]

Yep, sounds like it might have wiggled loose just enough. You are plugging it into the video card connector and not the same looking connector on the system board?

Although you should be getting a beep if it doesn't see the video card as far as wiggling loose goes.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Although you should be getting a beep if it doesn't see the video card as far as wiggling loose goes.

No beeps at all, at least not so far as I've noticed. Before I tackle figuring out how to get this case open, I'll boot it up again & pay specific attention for any beeping though.

(Been delayed on this, I got summoned to lunch while posting last time & just got finished, so now I get the p.c. challenge for dessert)

[DaddyTorgo]

if it doesn't work, and i was you, i'd send the angry wife in to best buy tomorrow (if you don't want to miss work) and point out to them that their "inspected by best buy" thing is full of shit...and then demand they fix it for free or else you'll file a complaint with the BBB.

BestBuy is the fucking devil.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Yep, sounds like it might have wiggled loose just enough. You are plugging it into the video card connector and not the same looking connector on the system board?

MizzouRah, YOU'RE A FREAKIN' GENIUS !!!

Through whatever miracle, that phrase tripped a trigger in my tiny peabrain, something like "Hmm ... I wonder if there's another connector that would accept that monitor plug other than the one that has the idiot-proof picture of the monitor beside it".

"Well I'll be da ... HONEY, I THINK I FOUND IT !"
"HOT DAMN ! "

See, in my simple way, I follow directions. The mouse plugs in the color-coded port with the mouse icon beside it, the keyboard plugs into the color-coded port with the keyboard icon beside it, and of course the monitor plugs into the spot with the picture of the monitor beside it ... except
(I now realize) when you're using a different video device than the original one.

I feel a little like Arthur "Big Guy" Carlson when he said "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." In my whole life, I've never plugged a monitor into anything except the place where the monitor is clearly indicated to go, it didn't dawn on me that there was anywhere else to connect the thing. But the combination of Coder's picture (which seemed to me to clearly show a smaller receiving end for a connector & started me thinking about "what if ...") and the way you worded your question ... well, the two combined & just clicked for me.

No lie guys, you've got a very grateful Dad & Mom here in the heart of Georgia, and you've just unleashed a 7 y/o on Call of Duty 2.
Thanks for putting the "Merry" back in our Christmas.

[JonInMiddleGA]

BestBuy is the fucking devil.

I won't disagree (since their 24/7/365 thing is full of crap) BUT it's hard to hold them fully responsible for me being an ignorant slut.

[Coder]

Glad you got it working :D

[Airhog]

Damn I totally forgot about that one Mizzou. Since there is two video ports in the machine :D

[Eaglesfan27]

That is great news! :)

[st.cronin]

It's a Christmas Miracle!

[RPI-Fan]

I think rather than being grateful that your son is able to play the computer today, you should instead be grateful that you didn't walk into Best Buy so the pimply-faced 17-year-old could fix the problem and make some comment, ruining the bulk of your diginity for a while. :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think rather than being grateful that your son is able to play the computer today, you should instead be grateful that you didn't walk into Best Buy so the pimply-faced 17-year-old could fix the problem and make some comment, ruining the bulk of your diginity for a while. :)

Oddly enough, my BB is staffed by a lot of guys in the later stages of middle-age & not the usual compliment of Oxy-Clear consumers. But I hear ya, it probably wouldn't have been pretty.

[GrantDawg]

What you were connecting to orginally was the onboard card they disabled when they installed the new card. I wish I was home to see this because I would have gotten you to call me and saved you a few hours grief. It was the first thing I thought of since I know someone who did the same thing after I installed a new card for them.

[MizzouRah]

Great news!! I thought I read the pc you bought had on-board video. Carry on with Christmas! :)

[SackAttack]

...and you've just unleashed a 7 y/o on Call of Duty 2.

Not entirely sure that game is appropriate for a 7 year old, but it beats GTA, I guess.

[stevew]

They could have capped the old unusable connector. Glad it worked out for ya.

[Marc Vaughan]

Glad you've got it working ...

:D

[JonInMiddleGA]

Not entirely sure that game is appropriate for a 7 year old, but it beats GTA, I guess.

That was discussed a bit before it went on the list & it probably came down to furthering his interest in history (vis a vis WWII) winning out over content concerns.

Like most kids (AFAIK), he seems to go on almost binge-like interest in a particular subject. When Ronald Reagan died, I guess it was the ceremony that surrounded the death that began a fascination with all things Presidential that is really only starting to cool now after about 18 months. The latest thing on his radar seems to be WWII -- somewhere between visits to sites like Patriot's Point and several History Channel programs that have captured his attention, it looks like that era has moved into his current most-interesting slot. I remember going through the same thing with WWII at around 8 years old myself, and I remember a good bit of play activity associated with it.

Between an assortment of green army men & GI Joe's, the small amount of woods around the house I grew up in, a sturdy plastic M-16 (not era-accurate but you make do as a kid), a steady supply of pine-cone grenades, and some very creative use of extra baseball cards, I stormed the beach at Normandy, island hopped in the Pacific, raided research labs deep behind enemy lines, and fought house to house across Europe. And I played what I was reading, and I read more about what I played.

Somewhere along the way between back when & today, most of those things have been supplanted by video games, so I see this as a fairly predictable evolution of play & one where the benefits outweighed the negatives.

He's also got a similar/parallel interest in the War of Northern Aggression ;)
Unfortunately for him, I haven't seen anything good in the way of FPS set in that era & the tactical/company-level computer games seem a bit much for his gaming skill set right now. Instead, there are a couple of good bookcase games that have at least provided a little hands-on play for him, although far less than what he (or I) would really like.

[Anthony]

God bless us every one

indeed.

[Airhog]

That was discussed a bit before it went on the list & it probably came down to furthering his interest in history (vis a vis WWII) winning out over content concerns.

Like most kids (AFAIK), he seems to go on almost binge-like interest in a particular subject. When Ronald Reagan died, I guess it was the ceremony that surrounded the death that began a fascination with all things Presidential that is really only starting to cool now after about 18 months. The latest thing on his radar seems to be WWII -- somewhere between visits to sites like Patriot's Point and several History Channel programs that have captured his attention, it looks like that era has moved into his current most-interesting slot. I remember going through the same thing with WWII at around 8 years old myself, and I remember a good bit of play activity associated with it.



I would suggest the game Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. It is an older game, but I believe that the beach landing at Omaha level, is probably the best WW2 level ever created. It is faithful to the scene in saving private ryan.