Re: Computer Issue

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Issue

Nevermind. I figured it out but I needed to be able to cycle power really fast so I had to connect it to the switch of the case and I needed the speakers too. With just video and processor and 1 stick of ram it boots up just fine. Now to add a keyboard/mouse.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Issue

Ok everything works just fine outside the case on cardboard. Do I chance putting it back in and forgetting about the RMA? If so, what can I do special to prevent shorting out with the case? I know the supports and the screws shouldn't touch the mobo but how do you keep the mobo in snug otherwise?

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Issue

Ok everything works just fine outside the case on cardboard. Do I chance putting it back in and forgetting about the RMA? If so, what can I do special to prevent shorting out with the case? I know the supports and the screws shouldn't touch the mobo but how do you keep the mobo in snug otherwise?

If you can get it to work for a day or two outside the case, then I'd shoot for getting it to work at least double that inside the case. If you can go a whole week without problems, then maybe forget about the RMA. How much time do you have left?

Well you are just putting standoffs where they go through the holes on the motherboard. Then you use the screws to secure the motherboard to the standoffs. So they should only touch the mobo where it has the metal looking ring

http://biorobots.cwru.edu/server/howto/buildcomp/mountmobo/moboscrew2.jpg

Personally I never use all of them, usually 4 or so. One at the corners and one near the processor. Start with the middle one, then do the corners.

The motherboard should only be touching the standoffs and do not overtighten.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Issue

If you can get it to work for a day or two outside the case, then I'd shoot for getting it to work at least double that inside the case. If you can go a whole week without problems, then maybe forget about the RMA. How much time do you have left?

Well you are just putting standoffs where they go through the holes on the motherboard. Then you use the screws to secure the motherboard to the standoffs. So they should only touch the mobo where it has the metal looking ring

http://biorobots.cwru.edu/server/howto/buildcomp/mountmobo/moboscrew2.jpg

Personally I never use all of them, usually 4 or so. One at the corners and one near the processor. Start with the middle one, then do the corners.

The motherboard should only be touching the standoffs and do not overtighten.

I looked at the picture and compared it to the mobo and I don't have any metal rings. I do have the metal dots though but some look to be worn away in parts. There is a circle around each hole which I figure is where it is safe to touch the board or no?

The RMA expires on 01/23.

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Issue

Maybe this will help, dunno but

Blurry, but you can see the standoff and the screw in the upper right. At the top, middle, you can sort of see I have a standoff but I didn't bother putting a screw in that one.


Similar shot, standoff/screw in the middle below and to the left of the orange heat sink. Also at the bottom I again have a stand off but no screw installed at the bottom. I do this to keep the rigidity on the board. I leave some of the screws off because my hands are too big to get to some of those and 4 or so with screws should hold the board just fine.


Shot of everything, Notice the slots I have the ram in. That's how you want yours because those 2 channels are "connected" for dual channel which gives a speed boost. And notice my wonderful cooling solution of just throwing a loose fan in the case (I've actually got another one near the dvd drive too).

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Issue

I was going to ask about the RAM, that is how I have it set up and I wanted to be sure of it. I think I'll hook it all back together and see what happens. I think I need more cooling compound though because there is a small blank spot now on the heat sink. Or is one little area not going to affect it that much?

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Issue

Hard to say. Depends on how small and where it's missing. If it's rather small, no big deal as the stuff will heat up and melt and spread some.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Issue

I just watch my computer temperature and when it starts to get higher and higher then I need to replace the compound then right?

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Issue

The RMA expires on 01/23.

If you have the time, see what happens over the weekend. I'd do a fair amount of turning it on and off to see if problems come back. It's a tough call because it's one of those things where it could be the motherboard causing the problems, or could be an add-on or installation issue.

I'd say if you can't get things sorted out over the weekend, send it back.

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Issue

I just watch my computer temperature and when it starts to get higher and higher then I need to replace the compound then right?

Mmmm, yeah sort of. The first 200 or so hours are considered a burn in period where the thermal compound will 'settle' and then become as good as it's going to get. Your temps should be around 25 to 45C while the computer is idle depending on ambient temps and case air flow. Under load (running programs), if you start hitting 70+ then you have problems. At some point I believe the intel chip will turn the computer off to avoid damage. If you get to that point, then yeah you'll need to get some new thermal compound.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Issue

Ok I'm going to put it together as is and watch temperature and watch for the USB Overcurrent message.

Thanks again for all your help. I really appreciate it.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Issue

Ok everything has been working ok so far. I have another question. I am trying to set-up the tuner. When I use the Catalyst program I have to set-up two channel lineups, one for the analog and one for the local high def channels I receive just by plugging in a coax cable. My question is this: is there a similar way to do this in Media Center? I tried to set it up but all I see are the analog stations.

Thanks.

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Issue

Ok everything has been working ok so far. I have another question. I am trying to set-up the tuner. When I use the Catalyst program I have to set-up two channel lineups, one for the analog and one for the local high def channels I receive just by plugging in a coax cable. My question is this: is there a similar way to do this in Media Center? I tried to set it up but all I see are the analog stations.

Thanks.

What tuner do you have?

For the ati 650 pci version which has a hybrid tuner, this worked for me

http://www.hdtvtunerinfo.com/vistahdtvinstall.html

I now have both hd digital OTA stations and analog cable stations on the same guide and I can flip between them in media center.

If you are trying to get local HD stations by unencrypted QAM from your cable co with this tuner through media center, it will not work. There is one tuner card that does this (forgot the name right now) and an external solution.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Issue

I have the ATI HD 650 PCI-e version. I get local HD through unencrypted QAM and Catalyst does that fine. I just didn't like how I have to keep switching inputs if I want to watch analog and the HD but that isn't that big of a deal. I figured it didn't work in media center but thought I would check since there is a hotfix but that doesn't seem to help any.

[mudtiger]

Re: Computer Issue

Ok, I'm not 100% familiar with how the cards with 2 tuners on board work (I'd assume they'd be treated as 2 separate tuners), plus I never bothered to install catalyst media center So I guess I'm not much help on this one. All I know is that vista media center will not do QAM with 99% of the cards. Supposedly it's on the list of things to add to vista, but who knows for sure