Project "Board Chow"

[clickclack]

So last night after uploading that B&W pic, my computer seemed to have crapped out.

I am using my gf's computer right now at her place. It works for about 3 minutes then freezes or wont do anything. And is only if it works at all after being turned on.

I am guessing when you are in the middle of doing something and the computer shuts off all by itself and reboots, that's a bad  thing?  
When it came back on it said there was a critical error. And my  Trend Micro said it reverted back to it's last stable point, and I should check to see if my computer is still unstable.

I know i am probably screwed but should my main priority be backing up everything (on to an external) when I can get it to work for brief moments?

[cmr]

could also be overheating. run it with the case open and fans pointed at it. use compressed air to clean out cooling components.

if it's a laptop, kick it to the curb and remember this next time you are tempted to own a laptop. own only desktops, ever.

[timw4mail]

Could be a power supply issue.  They are notorious for causing random shutdowns.  Other idea is to unplug everything.  I had a Das Keyboard once that would do this.

Power supplies should be considered the most important part of a computer, as they can influence the outcome of all of the rest of the components.

[timw4mail]

could also be overheating. run it with the case open and fans pointed at it. use compressed air to clean out cooling components.

if it's a laptop, kick it to the curb and remember this next time you are tempted to own a laptop. own only desktops, ever.

Or get a laptop that actually built well (Not a Dell).

[clickclack]

I figure its not a power supply issue, only because it happened twice doing the same thing. It was when I opened windows media player. So I got rid of the file in the program and now it doesn't randomly shut off after it opens. But the computer only works for about 2-3 minutes after going online, If it works at all doing anything It then  has to be shut off by holding the power button.

[itlnstln]

Or get a laptop that actually built well (Not a Dell).

Both Dells I have owned have been great.  Hardly anybody here at work has had any problems, either.

[timw4mail]

Both Dells I have owned have been great.  Hardly anybody here at work has had any problems, either.

Odd, the Dell laptops I've seen have been overly fragile and troublesome...but that seems to be the case for any company.

[cmr]

i used to support student laptops. i've worked on hundreds, maybe thousands, of individual machines. i learned three things from this experience:

- i hate scissor switches and reduced layouts
- i can't use touchpads
- all laptops are of low build quality. A-L-L ALL.

[erricrice]

Odd, the Dell laptops I've seen have been overly fragile and troublesome...but that seems to be the case for any company.

When did you buy those dells?  They have improved a  LOT over the last few years.  My friend got a dell a few months ago and I almost hit him, lol.  But then I actually used the thing and it was much more well built than I expected.  Very solid laptop!

[erricrice]

i used to support student laptops. i've worked on hundreds, maybe thousands, of individual machines. i learned three things from this experience:

- i hate scissor switches and reduced layouts
- i can't use touchpads
- all laptops are of low build quality. A-L-L ALL.

Compared to Desktops, Absolfreakinloutely!

They're good in their own right though, as long as you treat them like cake

[itlnstln]

In any case, if I were to spend money, I would get a desktop (one I built).  My laptop is free from work, so I don't really care if it breaks; I just get another, better one.
 
In a way, I hope it breaks.

[Rajagra]

Do Dells still come in two flavours - home use (crap parts, lousy support) and professional use (decent build and good support)?

Laptops are always a gamble. Not really user-servicable, and one failed component can put it beyond economic repair.

[timw4mail]

Do Dells still come in two flavours - home use (crap parts, lousy support) and professional use (decent build and good support)?

Laptops are always a gamble. Not really user-servicable, and one failed component can put it beyond economic repair.

Maybe that's what I was thinking of.

As far as quality goes, I think the MacBooks are pretty decently built.

[itlnstln]

Laptops are always a gamble. Not really user-servicable, and one failed component can put it beyond economic repair.

This is the most important part.  When I give advice on computers, I stress this to no end. I tell them that if they are just going to use the thing around the house, get a desktop; only buy one if they need to travel with it ("but I want to sit on the couch and play games...").  The only reason I have one is I need one for work, and my company bought it.  I would not have bought one myself.

[clickclack]

Well....*crosses fingers*.... my computer seems to work-ish atm. I took a vacum cleaner and sucked out the two fans in the back (a ton of dust guck) was in there, and when I turned on the compuer I noticed the exhaust fan was not moving or making any of those odd sounds I was accustomed to!
So I used the back of a paint brush and used it as a "chicken stick" and the fan started moving!!!!! Yipeeeee! Maybe my computer WAS overheating?

In any event now my computer sits backwards with the fans next to my head and if I hear or see the fan stop I will "chicken stick" it again =P
Ghetto FTW!

I hope this works long enough for me to get another computer.

I want to thank everyone for all the advice and trouble shooting! I really appreciate it, and there are some exceptionally generous people on this forum!
I can't thank you all enough!

[cmr]

[size=-3]aha so it was a cooling problem like i said[/size]

[clickclack]

[size=-3]aha so it was a cooling problem like i said[/size]

heehee
And I appreciate it too! If it was not for people bringing it up I would not have even bothered (or known) to check!

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You guys kick ass!

[erricrice]

Hooray for computers working the way they should!  This seems to almost never happen....Lol

Back to the topic at hand.....280 keyboards!!!!!!!!

[cmr]

Two hundred eighty keyboards

[clickclack]

Hooray for computers working the way they should!  This seems to almost never happen....Lol

no kiddin!!!!
Now back to the topic at hand....

Here are those two really, really cool switches that I have!
- first is that medieval one with the metal housing (sex between an ALPS and a Cherry switch). I don't believe it is clicky, its kinda like black a cherry mixed with the white ALPS from a Apple extended keyboard II in feel.

- second is that odd blue one (ALPS?) that is just friggin heaven to type on!
its Girlfriend recomended! haahaa

[cmr]

- first is that medieval one with the metal housing (sex between an ALPS and a Cherry switch). I don't believe it is clicky, its kinda like black a cherry mixed with the white ALPS from a Apple extended keyboard II in feel.

this looks like someone modified an alps switch to take cherry keycaps....

[clickclack]

I gathered up some  of the mechanical keyboards that I could find. If you guys see something and are curious about it just refer to the number and I can get you some info. like If you want to know the switch or model number or name... (you get the idea)

enjoy...

[lowpoly]

The "medieval" switch is probably Mitsumi:

http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~hisao/mousefan.htm

[clickclack]

So which one is the Blue Alps and what is the manufacturer and part number on the label?

The blue (ALPS?) one does not have any info on the outside but an FCC ID no. and a S/N number. ( I can look inside the case later to see if anything is listed there ) It feels wonderful to type on but you have to hit it a bit more dead center or it requires just a teeny, tiny bit more force. oh, and it seems to be a relatively light switch. I can use some nickles and a yen piece to find out later the actual dead weight release.

It is #31 in the pic btw
FCC ID no. HQK RB-2001
S/N 91052361

[clickclack]

The "medieval" switch is probably Mitsumi:

http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~hisao/mousefan.htm

Here is the info for that one (its #30 in the pic above)

FCC ID: F2Q4NEKB 6000M
QTRONIX
Model # KB-6000M
S/N K032954

I looked at your link but it was very difficult to tell (all garbled text) so I just did a page search for Mitsumi. Of the switches I saw none of them were exactly like the one in my pic. If you combined a couple of the ones provided in your link they would be somewhat similar.

I like the switch it is very light, hardly a tactile bump (not really) and very quiet. The switch mechanism is somewhat loose and key wobble is similar to a rubber dome.

[rdjack21]

Comes up in the FCC database as:

Key Mouse Electronic Enterprise Co Ltd     NO.3, WUGUNG 5TH RD.,     HSIN CHUANG CITY,TAIPEI COUNTY

Never heard of em.  Wish they had a less generic name because I'm NOT going to save that one as an Ebay search.

I've seen that one on Yahoo Japan I think I will have to see if I can find one that shows the label (most don't).

EDIT: Not quite the same but similar it does state that it is Alps though. Sorry about that. similar does not cut it I know.

Auction: http://page21.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/j47424701

[huha]

Wow, there seem to be not one, but several model Fs. Do I spot an AT model F?

Also, I'd like to see switch pics of #10.

-huha

[clickclack]

Wow, there seem to be not one, but several model Fs. Do I spot an AT model F?

Also, I'd like to see switch pics of #10.

-huha

I have two model F's from what I can tell, #'s 35 and 34 in the pic.
I dont know what AT is. If it has to do with the cord, both cords are cut and both have a thick black stub of a cord left hanging out.

The number 34 (in the pic) model F is significantly lighter to the touch than the #35 model F, and feels wonderful to type on. I even did a "ripometer" on them and on average one is 10-20g lighter than the other one!

If you go to page 4 in this thread you will see a pic of number 10.
enjoy

[clickclack]

EDIT: Not quite the same but similar it does state that it is Alps though. Sorry about that. similar does not cut it I know.

haahaa...
DAMN RIGHT!
=P

it's an awesome switch though, I wonder if its anything like a blue cherry...

[sixty]

Comes up in the FCC database as:

Key Mouse Electronic Enterprise Co Ltd     NO.3, WUGUNG 5TH RD.,     HSIN CHUANG CITY,TAIPEI COUNTY

Never heard of em.  Wish they had a less generic name because I'm NOT going to save that one as an Ebay search.

What a coincidence! I just happened to get a keyboard by the same brand in the mail. I will leave you with this:

http://clicks.t.oomuch.info/2009/08/26/just-in-east-e-701/