I AM...

Woes of the Computer Upgrade

8/07/2009 08:40:00 PM

A few weeks ago I decided to upgrade my Home Theater PC to support BlueRay and replace my dual tuner. This included replacing the processor with a 3.0ghz Core 2 Duo, upgrading the RAM from 2gb to 4gb, replacing the tv tuner with a dual tuner, adding a video card, and replacing the DVD player with a BlueRay Player.

In my initial tests after installing all of these items found that the computer would completely lock up after about 30 seconds to 2 minutes of watching TV, but never when just operating the computer normally. I did extensive troubleshooting of replacing items with the original items. I finally determined that it had to have been that I was pulling too much power from my 270w power supply. I know have a 650w power supply but the issues continue.

Through out this troubleshooting I have tried both Windows Vista and Windows 7 several times. I also tried installing Windows 7 to an external hard drive using eSATA to rule out an issue with the hard drive. And finally I upgraded the firmware of the BIOS.

My last 2 installs of Windows have ended with a message at the point that Windows would be booting for the first time.

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."
3. Click "Repair your computer.:
If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacture for assistance.
File: \Windows\System31\winload.exe
Status: 0xc000000e
Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt.

I am currently running a memory test, which has scanned 25% with no errors.[Edit: memory test completed with no errors] I attempted to run Spinrite, but the computer hangs while loading FreeDOS... hmm.

So where do I go from here? Do I get some thermal paste so I can swap out the CPU to the old one? Might have my motherboard died on me? Help!

Shoot me an email at kellen.butler at okstate.edu and let me know what you think.

UPDATE:

Thank you to everyone who has offered some advice on things I can try.

I have changed my SATA configuration from AHCI to IDE. This didn't fix the problem that occurs immediately after reinstalling Windows which causes Windows to not be able to boot. However, I am now able to get SpinRite running. However, immediately after telling SpinRite to do its magic, I get a message that is constantly scrolling saying:

Invalid Opcode at 7D19 7000 0293 30b3 05DA 002C D190 F000 0203 926F F000 0003 0000

If I restart the computer and try to run Spinrite on a different hard drive, I have the same thing happen, except a different Opcode for that drive.

Opcode?? That deals with the processor? Right?? So maybe it is a bad processor.

As a note to clarify some things, the motherboard and hard drive were in my original setup that was working perfectly for a year. Because of this I have a hard time thinking that it is a driver issue associated with the hard drive or SATA controller.

When I say the computer completely locked up, it was taking about a second clip of both the audio and video and looping them. Like a constant stutter.

Some time today I will switch the processor back out and see if I can go from there. That is about the only item that I upgraded that I haven't swapped out yet. So, we will see.

1 comments

When I Email

2/03/2009 01:22:00 PM

I have a weird obsession with statistics, and Xobni (inbox spelled backwards) gives me some cool graphs to help feed this obsession.

Here is my average mail traffic based on day of week and time of day:

1 comments

For Your Listening Pleasure

1/22/2009 12:44:00 AM

I have had multiple times that I have been asked what podcasts I subscribe to, so here goes:

*I love 'em all, but these are the ones I will listen to above all of the others!

Suggestions? Comment!

0 comments

Suddenlink Changes its Pricing

11/27/2008 09:27:00 PM

While we constantly strive to keep our costs low and maintain
reasonable prices, a number of factors require price
adjustments on certain services, including the high cost of fuel
for our vehicles; the rising cost of cable TV programming
(especially sports programming); the costs incurred to prepare
for the government-mandated digital broadcast transition; plus
increases in what we pay for equipment, insurance, and more.
As a result, starting with your November 2008 bills, high-speed
Internet service will increase $3.00 per month; and taxes, fees,
and surcharges will be adjusted to reflect current assessment
rates.

Does anyone see something funny about this?

First of all, the government-mandated digital broadcast transition has little to do with SuddenLink. If I understand the transition correctly, it ONLY effects over the air signals. Cable companies can still broadcast standard definition signals over their lines. If they are picking up the signal for station over the air and then re-broadcasting on their lines it could have a slight effect on them. But this would be VERY minimal.In fact, here is a quote from their web site:

The digital transition in February 2009 applies only to TV signals that are broadcast and received over the air. In contrast, TV signals that are transmitted over cable lines — namely, the channels on Suddenlink’s basic and expanded basic line ups — will continue to be delivered, from us to you, in a format that works with your current TV sets.

Rising Costs of cable TV programming, ok fair enough.

BUT, wait, both of those items are very specifically pointed towards Cable TV, in which I do not have any Cable TV service... The increase is on Cable Internet. Hmm...

I guess the bright side is they informed everyone through a paragraph of text on the October bill... Guess I should read that stuff.

2 comments