The Great Tree

Durin Mephit · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 1:18 am Post subject:

Right now, computer geek horror story.

Over the past few weeks, my desktop has begun to act strangely.

It would freeze up, then reboot after a few moments. No error in the Windows system or application logs. That was, oh, 5 out of 7 times.

The other two times, I got a blue screen telling me that something had looped infinitely on my graphics card driver, and another time a message that I had a general fault in the graphics card driver. Rebooting manually after this second event gave me a message that my graphics card wasn't getting enough electricity.

With the Uru launch approaching, the prospect of starting the story with an unreliable computer sent shivers through my bones.

But, I finally found the culprit today. Part of the GPU's fan had *broken off* and lodged itself in a way to stop the fan from spinning altogether. It did not generate any noise. There were no complaints from the nVidia driver. No warning of "Hey, mister, your card is running too hot" or "Hey, your onboard fan is spinning at 0 RPM." NADA. ZILCH.

And none of my other temperature or fan monitors in the computer uttered a peep, either.

So... things are running stable again now I believe, though the GPU fan now makes a horrible racket without one of its fins. Time for a new card I guess. Razz

That one is a 6600GT just under 2 years old, which seems like a short life for a graphics card, to me.

A friend suggested that I endure the noise until March because a new generation of cards is due out then, and I should be able to upgrade either more cheaply, or to something utterly kick-ass.

I'm not sure if I can endure the noise until then, though.
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Mystlander · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 2:02 am Post subject:

Right now, I'm wondering if Martin has tried spitting on it. No, you say?
Perhaps I could loan you my Yellow Monster of Spittle Doom...ROTFL

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BladeLakem · Great Tree Member Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 514

Right now, I've been noticing that tempers have been flaring up around the Myst communities lately. Or more so than usual, it seems to me (mine included). It seems to do this periodically. Is it just the anticipation getting to people?
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AztecConsulting · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 2:10 am Post subject:

Right now I agree with Blade that tempers are flaring and it's due to the anticipation. I know I can't wait just to see the Great Zero again! Today I stumbled into a gathering in the cavern and it just seemed like everyone was waiting for something to happen and to complain about the DRC...
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JohnLynch · Veteran Explorer Joined: 17 Sep 2006 Posts: 71

Rils · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:23 am Post subject:

Right now Marten, can't you just get a new fan for the graphics card? Those things are replaceable, afaik...

Right now, ditto on the observation about Uru tempers. It makes me sad, and I tend to withdraw during those (these) times. People yelling at each other for no good reason irritates me and I've got better things to do with my time than read heart-burn-causing forums.

Right now I'm afraid the building I work in will blow away cuz of the all the windiness around here! Other buildings here are losing their roofs, it's funny in a "hope I don't die" kind of way... Shocked

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Durin Mephit · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:53 am Post subject:

The fan on this card is pretty integrated-looking. Can probably be replaced, but I haven't a clue where to start. I'd probably have to call the manufacturer (MSI) and deal with tech support. Bleah!

I agree that the lead up to Uru starting seems very stressful. I don't remember this sort of stress during the original Prologue, but I was a latecomer then, so maybe I missed the worst of it. I am surprised that nothing new was added yesterday.
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Durin Mephit * Member of Guild of Messengers - Unless otherwise stated, opinions are mine only and not Guild endorsed.
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BladeLakem · Great Tree Member Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 514

I remember it happened a few times over the last year, mostly while we were waiting for some sort of announcement from Cyan about what was going on. And I certainly remember it during all of the liaison elections. Maybe we are a community that just needs more to do? Wink

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dcos · Great Tree Member Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1174

CuzinJohn · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:00 pm Post subject:

Watch it with your snarkiness there, Mr. Dcos... you're liable to get my temper flaring...
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dcos · Great Tree Member Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1174

My apologies CJ, the sarcasm comes to me too easily sometimes Razz

CuzinJohn · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:14 pm Post subject:

THAT'S IT!! That apology has pushed me to the brink...

THE BRINK I TELLS YA!!

AAAAARRRRGH!!!

/me searches for a trout with which to give dcos a sound beating...

... as well as a cream to help soothe this Temper Flare-up.

<What's this? Bailey's Irish Cream? Good enough!!>
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KI 182798

Science is how you talk about the universe with words that bind it to a common reality.
Magic is how you talk to the universe with words that it cannot ignore.

dcos · Great Tree Member Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 1174

dcos and CJ have it out on the Ae'gura docks:

http://www.zippyvideos.com/3972018173916286/fishslapping/

Pith helmets ahoy!

...
...
...dear lord pass the Baileys!

CuzinJohn · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:20 pm Post subject:

Right now... I am SO glad that reference was not lost on you.

Laughing

I was about to edit my post... glad I don't have to.
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KI 182798

Science is how you talk about the universe with words that bind it to a common reality.
Magic is how you talk to the universe with words that it cannot ignore.

Moiety Jean · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:25 pm Post subject:

::giggling::
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