An Alternate Re: <VV> computer geek help

[FrankCB at aol.com]

Mark,
    That's another advantage to using a laptop  computer.  Since it works off 
a self contained battery, it's immune to  power line fluctuations and 
dropouts.  When I disconnect the 120 volt AC  line from my laptop, it has absolutely 
NO reaction.  And it can operate up  to 3 hours on a fully charged battery 
with NO 120 volt connection.   The big advantage for travelers is the ability to 
take it with us.  Now  most of the hotels have wireless connections so we can 
walk in, unpack our  laptops, sign on to the wireless and read our email to 
our hearts'  content.  I did that at the Wake Robin Inn when I visited Lime Rock 
for the  two day Corvair event a couple of years ago.  A laptop would be  
ideal for spending all those days at the next Corvair Convention and still  
staying in touch.  I don't think I'll ever buy a desktop computer  again.
    Regards,
    Frank "try it you'll like it" Burkhard
 
    
In a message dated 9/7/2007 8:42:12 AM Eastern Daylight Time,  
airvair at earthlink.net writes:

Thanks  to all who volunteered help with my intermittant computer problem.
Got  quite a few responses, and enough advice that I have a good idea where
to  start. Anything with electrical problems is sometimes like nailing jello
to  a tree. 

Anyway, the first thing that quite a few suggested was to  check the power
supply. I'm not sure what supply the builder used, so  that's a good place
to start. I DO know that he used a "supposedly" good  brand new motherboard
and latest available processor, along with a new  case. And since the
problem can happen even on a cold startup as well as  after hours of
running, I don't think it's a heat-related  problem.

As it stands, the computer has all the capabilities and  components I can
think of ever using. It has a DVD reader, DVD burner (all  formats), 250 zip
drive, floppy drive, multiple 2.0 USB ports (all the  above internal), and
an external printer. It's an otherwise top-notch  machine all around. Why
spend more money with an off-the-rack machine that  probably doesn't have
the equipment or performance capabilities that this  one has?

What I AM stuck with is a sometimes backwoods power supply  company, and
being extremely rural, it's prone to power spikes and drops.  So there's
another possible problem area. And since I'm this far back in  the sticks,
that's why I'm stuck with yesterday's connections (dial-up),  unless I can
spend a fortune every month for satellite or Time/Worthless  cable service.

But there were also other suggestions that are good  possibilities as well.
Again, thanks to all for the  help.

-Mark







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