Well....the fan didn't help and I am pretty sure the power supply is adequate. I can't seem to get anything to work now. Can't download the updates, can't do anything. I give up....going to try another machine for now
Hello Katie-Jo, I would make sure that the RAM modules are properly seated as the contact pressure of many RAM modules is insufficient in the long term and the contacts can become erratic simply due to airborne moisture. Problems downloading often point to this being the problem.
(How much RAM does your computer have, btw?)
So, with the machine switched off and unplugged and disconnected from the modem/DSL internet connection, lay the computer on its right side with the left-hand cover panel off, touch the metal case with your left hand and hold down the power switch for ten seconds.
This is to even out any residual low voltage in the circuitry.
Unclip the RAM modules and ease them out of their bases. Make a note of the part numbers in your work-book in case you want to order more RAM in the future.
Then just put them back in again so that the contacts make a fresh contact. You might want to take them out and put them back in several times. Make sure that they are pushed well home and fully seated and then put the retaining clips back in to hold them in.
You can adopt the same procedure with the video card. (I had a sound card simply fall out once due to the lack of a retaining screw (OEM) after I moved a computer from one room to another.)
To check on the adequacy of your power supply use this site:
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supplyAdd everything, as if it is ALL running at the same time, to calculate the MAXIMUM possible usage.
You should never use the abslute maximum but then it is not a good idea to run a power supply above 90% of its fully rated capacity.
(Computers should probably have a Wattmeter on them so that people can see just how much power they are using.)(Really the power supply should be part of an UPS and be external to the computer to allow more room inside the case, make maintenance easier and to reduce the casing temperature, in my opinion, as a mechanical & electrical Engineer.)
Also make sure that your main power supply is good and that there are no loose connections. ( I had a child user re-booting his parents computer by kicking the loose wiring!)
The wall socket should NOT be shared by any power appliance such as an electric fire or air-conditioner to avoid the possibility of voltage drop or inducing resistance into the wiring by overheating.)
BTW, if you ever use a cable reel, you should always reel out the full length of the cable otherwise the rolled up cable can act as an electro-magnetic coil, overheat, and either melt, or go on fire.
