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Tizer
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 Posted -
22/03/2010
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11:53
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I wrote some time ago that I was intending to make my first attempt at building a computer and promised that I would relate the story here on OGFB. I bit the bullet about 10 days ago, ordered the components on-line from Dabs, received them last week and dived into action.
I ran into a problem due to being sent a faulty motherboard which Dabs replaced, so the following posts describe a lot of work sorting out what was wrong before we realised it was the motherboard. Read these posts if you want all the details. If you want just the description of how the PC was built without details of the glitch I've now written it up later in this thread. See it on page 8.
Edited by - Tizer on 06/05/2010 10:35:18
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 25/03/2010 : 17:27
If that's right this is 32 bit. Who cares? It's running very nicely thank you.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk  |
Big Kev
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Posted - 25/03/2010 : 18:21
You could still get £85 back for the extra 4GB that's surplus to requirements
Big Kev
It doesn't matter who you vote for, you always end up with the government. |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 26/03/2010 : 05:00
Naaah. Look at this way, it's got built in redundancy, I'm very happy with it. Runs like a high speed train.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Big Kev
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Posted - 28/03/2010 : 16:02
Any progress, Tizer?
Big Kev
It doesn't matter who you vote for, you always end up with the government. |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 29/03/2010 : 05:57
Exactly the question I nearly posted yesterday. Thanks for doing it Kev. Earth to Peter, are you receiving us? We're worrying about you!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Tizer
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Posted - 29/03/2010 : 10:15
I returned the motherboard to Dabs via their returns service last week. It's an automated service on the web site which gives out a returns (RMA) code number and arranges a courier collection. Then I have to wait for them to inspect the board and/or send it back to the manufacturer for inspection. I'll let you know what happens. Otherwise, everything is sitting in a box waiting.
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 29/03/2010 : 15:51
I wish you a speedy resolution...... If it was me I'd be worrying that they might find it was OK and I was back to stage one... The sooner it's running the better!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Tizer
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Posted - 29/03/2010 : 17:00
That has crossed my mind...but it should have at least beeped at me!
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 30/03/2010 : 06:54
Fingers crossed. I am immersed in indexing, DEEP JOY!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Tizer
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Posted - 01/04/2010 : 20:16
Yippee! Two items of good news received today to start the Easter holiday. First, I've received a repalcement for my failed monitor under warranty. Second, Dabs have authorised a replacement of the Asus motherboard and it is on its way!
My LG monitor failed after two and a half years use but I checked and the warranty was for 36 months, so I telephoned LG and explained. The man said the engineers would contact me within 48 hours to arrange a visit to repair it. Half an hour later the engineers called, took down all the details then said a replacement would be sent by courier to arrive the next day, which it did (today). I guess it will be a reconditioned monitor rather than new but I'm more than happy to receive it. Full marks to LG. I've bought their products before and always found them good quality, especially for the price, and this is the first problem I've had so it's good to know how they handled it (especially since I've just bought an LG television because of the digital changeover happening here in Somerset).
You know the story of the motherboard related above and I'm pleased that Dabs accept it was a faulty item. The story will continue once I receive the new one, probably later next week due to the holiday. Keep your fingers crossed that it will work OK this time!
Edited by - Tizer on 02/04/2010 09:26:47
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Big Kev
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Posted - 01/04/2010 : 20:26
Excellent news Tiz.
Big Kev
It doesn't matter who you vote for, you always end up with the government. |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 02/04/2010 : 07:39
Some good news at last. Nice to know you were right about the mboard. Good luck with build II!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Another
Traycle Mine Overseer
6250 Posts
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Posted - 02/04/2010 : 07:49
Tiz, letter to LG to compliment them on their service and offer to provide a testimonial for thier publicity - might get some small consideration back? Nolic
" I'm a self made man who worships his creator"  |
pluggy
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Posted - 02/04/2010 : 09:38
I think I'd wait until the new one is in an and working before writing letters. Don't count your chickens.....
25 years, sometimes bitter, experience. 
Need computer work ?
"http://www.stsr.co.uk" 
Pluggy's Household Monitor |
Tizer
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Posted - 02/04/2010 : 09:47
Thanks for all your support! I'm glad you understood my message, Mrs Tiz read it and pointed out that I'd put `monitor' instead of `motherboard' in the last paragraph about Dabs. I've corrected it now.
An interesting thought Nolic. I believe in credit where credit's due, after all I do make a fuss when I get bad service. I often put my comments, pro or con, in the product reviews on the web site where I bought them. It also helps other people make the right decision when choosing what to buy.
Now I need to get ready for when the motherboard arrives. The trouble with the first one has made me even more nervous about handling all these components. Any more advice on handling would be welcome. For instance, I can see that it is easier to install the processor plus heat sink and the memory chips on the board before putting it into the PC case, but it needs quite some downward pressure. What should I sit the board on to do this? Underneath the board are projections of solder, so if I put it on a solid surface such as my desk it sits on these rather than on the material of the board itself. Can the solder blobs be damaged by this? Furthermore, the four feet on the heat sink have to be pushed through the board until the base of the sink sits on the processor. When fully fitted, the feet project further than those solder blobs, so it's tricky on a solid surface - you end up simply pressing the feet against the surface before they are far enough through the board.
The heat sink originally came with a layer of thermal paste in place and all I had to do was fit it to the processor. When the system didn't work I took the processor and heat sink apart and then put them togther again as part of the testing. There was still thermal paste on them. Now I have to put them together for the third time. Should I be buying some more thermal paste and applying it?
Thanks for your patience!
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Building my own computer
