talkmagic.co.uk

I normally run my PC without speakers. I just never see the need for them - except when folk post up amusing videos from youtube etc. Then I have to watch them in silence like some orphan and imagine what the people are saying.

So I swiped an old set of speakers from my wife (don't ask) and thought "ha ha! Now I can listen to the words too rather than playing a piano accompaniment" - well, it is the 21st century after all.

So I plugged the speakers into the back of my PC (there are 3 small holes where it's possible to put the thin pointy thing on the end of the rope from the speakers that I think carries the noise). Then my computer broke. I mean it just died. There was no message getting through to the monitor at all. I had to attempt to restart around 3 or 4 times before it started up and went straight to (I think) the registry. I just saved default, and it seems to be working okay now.

Trouble is, now I too scared to plug in the speakers. Zoinks. Anyone have any ideas? BIG CLUE - the whole thing was crackling with static (the monitor mainly) seconds before I plugged in the speakers. I attract static. It's because I'm psychic. Could this be the cause? Or was it just my spirit guide telling me to stop looking at porn and do some bloody work?

it was all those okies and spookies that you keep conjuring up coming back to haunt you for disturbing them.

Lady of Mystery wrote:it was all those okies and spookies that you keep conjuring up coming back to haunt you for disturbing them.

Okies and spookies. How are you aware of these techinical terms? Only those of us in the inner circle should be aware of these words. You quite clearly know too much.

And now the bloomin' thing has just switched itself off and back on again. It is used to do this a few months ago, but it had been behaving itself. I don't think this has anything to do with the speakers. My PC is in my shed which is my office (honest). In the winter it gets very cold but in the summer it gets very hot and humid. I've noticed that when it's hot and humid the PC often switches itself off. I think that's the problem.

Oh well. I shall now attempt to plug in the speakers. Wish me luck.

Sounds like you have a loose cable on the back somewhere (probably one powering your monitor, if you're hearing static sounds). Check they're all in firmly (and when it comes to the monitor, use those screw things)

Or it could be something loose inside your computer

I got a blue screen of death just now telling me that it had dumped the physical memory (sounds painful) to prevent my hard drive being damaged. I think I have one sick little PC.

Oh well, shall soldier on until it's time to consign her to an eternity in the summerlands. Or the nearest land fill.

Have you ever thought of getting a fan for your computer?
During the hot times (when I had an actual PC) I would open up the side of it to allow air to get to it. I would even place a desktop fan next to it, pointing at the inside of the computer. (Though I am sure you could rig up a proper fan, but I was a poor student and had to be inventive.)

Just for further reference, them "3 little holes" that allows your "pointy thing" to go in, should be coloured and are for; microphone (pink), line out (blue) and speakers (green).
Or should have symbols next to them; Two incomplete circles (or 4 half circles) with an arrow going through two is line out, a microphone looking symbol for the microphone and either a pair of earphones or the letters SPDIF for the speakers.

themagicwand wrote:I got a blue screen of death just now telling me that it had dumped the physical memory (sounds painful) to prevent my hard drive being damaged. I think I have one sick little PC.

Might be worth taking it to your local good PC store, who may be able to take a look for you

Thanks for the info. Speakers now working fine even if the computer isn't. Anyway, I do hope it's "only" an overheating problem. There is a fan obviously inside the case, but it seems to be fighting a losing battle against this damned heat. Will it never snow again?!

Hi Magicwand,

It could be anything with those symptons unfortunately.

Extremes of Heat and Cold are never good for a computer, they can cause the motherboard to expand and contract, popping out chips etc. And can cause condensation too, (water is a bad thing with a PC!).

Now for the technical questions:

Have you got anti-virus software?
Have you run an anti-virus check?
Have you run Windows Update and are you patched up?
Have you installed any software after which the problem started?
What Operating System are you running?

BSOD is usually an indicator of a bad driver, but it could be the CMOS battery too. Also it could be the PCs Power Supply Unit as well.

Have you done a back up of your data?

If any of this sounds like rubbish or gobble-de-gook I'm sorry, but I'm the System Admin for a small company and have to do this kind of stuff everyday!

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your advice heronjester. I do have security "thingies" on my pc but to be honest I'm not sure what they actually do. Sometimes little boxes come up and ask me to do things but normally I just click them away. I know I shouldn't but my mind is normally on higher things. Like food.

I don't store that much info on my pc to be honest (apart from my bank details, address, dob, NI number, card details, etc.). I'll soldier on. I'll place my faith in the angels in the hope that one will protect my pc from any nasties out there. I'm very rational like that.

I got a blue screen of death just now telling me that it had dumped the physical memory (sounds painful) to prevent my hard drive being damaged. I think I have one sick little PC.

This kept happening to me when my processor was overheating, turned out the fan had somehow come unplugged.

themagicwand wrote:There is a fan obviously inside the case, but it seems to be fighting a losing battle against this damned heat. Will it never snow again?!

Depending on how it's stored, age, etc., dust and dirt can build up inside reducing a fan's effectiveness. So even if it would *just* be able to keep up, it may overheat anyway.

At any rate, I'd check that all your connections are secure, and pick up a can of air and a fan - hopefully that'll sort you out.

Good luck.

Mage Tyler wrote:
Good luck.

Thanks!

my physical memory dumps all over my computer all the time, its quite annoying..

glad to hear it just needs a breeze of fresh air

i hope thats all it is

Sounds like your having same problems as me Mr Wand..

I hope yours rights itself..