 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Mac Forum / Applications / Mac Applications / October 2006Macintosh emits a noise
When a Macintosh emits a loud noise (a steady drone) is it better to turn it off when it's not in use? It's a desktop G4. The sound was ocassional in the past few weeks, but since today it's been steady even when the computer is sleeping. I'm worried that the hard drive won't last much longer. Thanks. Tony > When a Macintosh emits a loud noise (a steady drone) is it better to > turn it off when it's not in use? [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Tony Open it up and have it running. Most of these G4s are dead easy with the side door on a hing revealing all... See what it is, if it is a fan, easy to replace. If it is a HD, again, easy to replace. You backed up I hope?  Signaturedorayme > > When a Macintosh emits a loud noise (a steady drone) is it better to > > turn it off when it's not in use? [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > > > Tony You backed up I hope? Yes. So far this morning the computer is quiet again. Tony > When a Macintosh emits a loud noise (a steady drone) is it better to > turn it off when it's not in use? [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > I'm worried that the hard drive won't last much longer. Could be the hard drive, could be a fan. Can you find out which? Often, the drive will spin down when the Mac is sleeping; the fan will probably keep on running. Isaac > When a Macintosh emits a loud noise (a steady drone) is it better to > turn it off when it's not in use? [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Tony Not likely to be hard drive as that will spin down when sleeping ... as should the fans after a minute. Could be a dying power supply perhaps. Definitely leave it off when you are not there to, err, put out the flames! SignatureAdrian > Not likely to be hard drive as that will spin down when sleeping ... That depends on the Energy Saver settings. Signature<http://designsbymike.biz/macconsultshop.shtml> Mac-themed T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/musings.shtml> Mostly muckraking T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/prius.shtml> Prius shirts & bumper stickers <http://cafepress.com/comedancing> Ballroom dance-themed shirts & gift > > Not likely to be hard drive as that will spin down when sleeping ... > > That depends on the Energy Saver settings. Not on mine. My hard drives spin down when the Mac itself is sleeping. The only energy saver setting which refers to Hard Drives is "Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible." ... which isn't to do with what happens when you sleep the computer ... that's just to allow the computer to temporarily spin down the disks during the time the computer is awake. I specifically don't have this set to happen, yet they still spin down (as they should) when my Mac itself sleeps. I have not used a a Mac desktop or laptop which keeps its hard drive spinning when asleep ... but perhaps you have? SignatureAdrian > > > Not likely to be hard drive as that will spin down when sleeping ... > > > > That depends on the Energy Saver settings. > > Not on mine. My hard drives spin down when the Mac itself is sleeping. At least up until 10.3.9 that has been the behaviour with mine, too. I don't see how it could be called sleep if the harddrive is still awake. Greg > > When a Macintosh emits a loud noise (a steady drone) is it better to > > turn it off when it's not in use? [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Definitely leave it off when you are not there to, err, put out the > flames! Okay. I HAVE been worried about a short circuit or something like that. The noise is pretty loud when it sounds. Right now it's quiet again, probably because I turned the machine off in the middle of the night. Thanks, Adrian. > When a Macintosh emits a loud noise (a steady drone) is it better to > turn it off when it's not in use? [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Tony Would you describe it as a whining or "mooing" sound? If so, it could be the power supply fan. This happened to my G4 last year. The repair shop replaced the fan and all is well. While the G4 was in the shop I had them clean all the dust that had accumulated. > > When a Macintosh emits a loud noise (a steady drone) is it better to > > turn it off when it's not in use? [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > replaced the fan and all is well. While the G4 was in the shop I had > them clean all the dust that had accumulated. I meant a low "moaning" sound (not "whining" sound). In article <nosredna-76DC99.21125612102006@news.isp.giganews.com>, Maybe if I say it again to the OP (as i did right at the start). open the thing and find out, it is easy enough to do, if you need help, ask. Model needed. Signaturedorayme > In article > <nosredna-76DC99.21125612102006@news.isp.giganews.com>, [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > -- > dorayme Thanks, Dorayme. The computer isn't easy to open to troubleshoot; it's wedged into a computer desk that's wedged against a wall. It would be a big struggle to unplug and plug in all of the cables to extract the computer.. Then, if I unplug all the cables and haul the computer out of the desk, and open the computer, I wouldn't know what to do after that and I'm inept at mechanical tasks. Tony > > Maybe if I say it again to the OP (as i did right at the start). > > open the thing and find out, it is easy enough to do, if you need [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Tony OK I understand this problem. When I got my latest G4 I built a small roller tray underneath that lets me roll the show out easily and drop the side panel. If you have a silvery G4 tower with a hinged door, it requires no technical knowledge at all to open the door and have the machine on. All is revealed and it is easy enough to pinpoint where noises are coming from and you can be helped to do this. I mean, if this rather disturbing sound is coming out, you will have to yank the thing out! All this loquacious going on back and forth is merely delaying the final crunch moment. You HAVE to get your hands on the thing Tony. Trust me. You will enjoy it too. Signaturedorayme > > The computer isn't easy to open to troubleshoot; it's wedged into a > > computer desk that's wedged against a wall. It would be a big struggle [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > -- > dorayme If I extracted the computer and opened it and pinpointed the noise, then what? Tony > If I extracted the computer and opened it and pinpointed the noise, then what? I think that if you open it up and pinpoint the noise then surely you will know if it is the fan or the hard drive? You might be very lucky and have the experience I had when my combi-boiler was making a terribly loud noise all of a sudden. I opened it up and discovered that one of the screws holding the fan in place was a bit loose so I tightened it and the noise was gone. So something that seemed like it was terrible turned out to be nothing. Anyway the fan on my combi-boiler is a vast thing compared with the fan in your G4, but you never know, maybe the mounting for your fan is loose? You mention that the computer is inaccessible, but to have it fixed you will have to get it out anyway. So you could get it out, have a look inside to see if the problem is obvious, if not take it to the nearest Apple repair place and get it fixed. I feel obliged to mention the obvious that if you open up the computer and run it then there's electricity coursing about inside. I appreciate it is rather an obvious thing to write but I should mention it. If you open it up when it is switched off there is probably still a risk of shock but it is very small indeed. When it is switched off if you feel inclined towards touching any of the chips or the motherboard then it's a good idea to touch the chassis first as you might be charged with static electricity and thus do harm. To those tiny circuits in those chips you are like Mighty Thor issuing forth great thunderbolts. However in fact you won't need to touch the motherboard or any of the chips or anything so the Mighty Thor experience isn't one you'll need to have. SignaturePatrick Brighton, UK > > If I extracted the computer and opened it and pinpointed the noise, then > what? > > I think that if you open it up and pinpoint the noise then surely you > will know if it is the fan or the hard drive? What I meant was: If I ectracted the computer from the computer desk it's wedged into and opened it and pinpointed the noise to be either from the fan or the hard drive, then what, other than possilbly tightening a screw on the fan? > You might be very lucky and have the experience I had when my > combi-boiler was making a terribly loud noise all of a sudden. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > and run it then there's electricity coursing about inside. I appreciate > it is rather an obvious thing to write but I should mention it. It's partly because of the dangers that I don't want to try to fix the problem myself. > If you open it up when it is switched off there is probably still a > risk of shock but it is very small indeed. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > To those tiny circuits in those chips you are like Mighty Thor issuing > forth great thunderbolts. I wouldn't know how to identify the chassis. Tony > However in fact you won't need to touch the motherboard or any of the > chips or anything so the Mighty Thor experience isn't one you'll need [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Patrick > Brighton, UK > It's partly because of the dangers that I don't want to try to fix the > problem myself. I feel that if you don't want to look inside then you shouldn't. You could take it to an Apple repair shop perhaps? SignaturePatrick Brighton, UK > > > The computer isn't easy to open to troubleshoot; it's wedged into a > > > computer desk that's wedged against a wall > > If you have a silvery G4 tower with a hinged door, it requires no > > technical knowledge at all to open the door and have the machine [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > is merely delaying the final crunch moment. You HAVE to get your > > hands on the thing Tony. Trust me. You will enjoy it too. > If I extracted the computer and opened it and pinpointed the noise, then what? If it is the fan, you replace the fan, if it is the hard disk, you replace it. If you need instructions on these things you seek them. If you do not know where to seek them, ask. Lets us take one step at a time. But I understand your concern. You do not want to go a lot of trouble and get stuck and nowhere. But you need to be brave in these situations. Think of a whistle blowing and you have to get out of the trench and charge forward. Not all such charges end up in death, a few men get through now and then old boy... Signaturedorayme > > > > The computer isn't easy to open to troubleshoot; it's wedged into a > > > > computer desk that's wedged against a wall [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > If it is the fan, you replace the fan, if it is the hard disk, > you replace it. But I don't have a spare fan or hard disk. > If you need instructions on these things you seek > them. > If you do not know where to seek them, ask. That's what I'm doing here. > Lets us take > one step at a time. We are. >But I understand your concern. You do not > want to go a lot of trouble and get stuck and nowhere. Right. > But you > need to be brave in these situations. Think of a whistle blowing [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > -- > dorayme If only a few men get through now and then, I'd rather send another man in my stead. I'm an artist, not a computer engineer. Tony > But I don't have a spare fan or hard disk. There exist things called "stores" where one can exchange "currency" for "goods and services". But having followed this thread for long enough, I would advise you to do absolutely nothing to diagnose or resolve the problem. Odds are your G4 will continue to run just fine for at least another decade or two. > I'm an artist, not a computer engineer. Yes, it's now painfully clear that you're an artist and likely nothing else. > > I'm an artist, not a computer engineer. > > Yes, it's now painfully clear that you're an artist and likely nothing > else. Dave, do you want to be the one to tell him that the munged address he's using contains a valid domain name, or should I do that? Signature<http://designsbymike.biz/macconsultshop.shtml> Mac-themed T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/musings.shtml> Mostly muckraking T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/prius.shtml> Prius shirts & bumper stickers <http://cafepress.com/comedancing> Ballroom dance-themed shirts & gift > > > I'm an artist, not a computer engineer. > > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Dave, do you want to be the one to tell him that the munged address he's > using contains a valid domain name, or should I do that? You go ahead, I think he's going to be cross with me now. > > But I don't have a spare fan or hard disk. > > There exist things called "stores" where one can exchange "currency" > for "goods and services". Of course, but Dorayme suggested that it should be easy for me to open the machine and fix the trouble myself. Quote by Doryame: > If it is the fan, you replace the fan, if it is the hard disk, you replace it. > But having followed this thread for long enough, I would advise you to > do absolutely nothing to diagnose or resolve the problem. Odds are your [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Yes, it's now painfully clear that you're an artist and likely nothing > else. Then it's just as likely that you're a computer technician and nothing else. No person in his right mind would suggest that if a layman's TV, DVD player, stereo or microwave oven emits a strange drone, that he should open one of those machines and try to try to troubleshoot the problem himself (especially with the electrical current still going through the machine). If you had a damaged painting, I wouldn't expect you a computer technician to have the skills to restore it easily or to restore it at all. Tony > Then it's just as likely that you're a computer technician and nothing > else. That doesn't follow. You made the claim about yourself. I'm many things. > No person in his right mind would suggest that if a layman's TV, DVD > player, stereo or microwave oven emits a strange drone, that he should > open one of those machines and try to try to troubleshoot the problem > himself (especially with the electrical current still going through the machine). The advice dorayme's given you is perfectly fine. Your argument was that it's too much bother to extricate the computer from where you've placed it to even determine where the noise is coming from. So I advise you to ignore the problem until whatever component that is failing finally does fail. The you can leave the Mac where it is and go buy a new one, as that will be far, far easier for you. > > Then it's just as likely that you're a computer technician and nothing > > else. > > That doesn't follow. You made the claim about yourself. I'm many things. That doesn't follow. I claimed that I'm an artist. That doesn't mean I can't be other things, but you claimed that I can only be an artist. > > No person in his right mind would suggest that if a layman's TV, DVD > > player, stereo or microwave oven emits a strange drone, that he should [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > that it's too much bother to extricate the computer from where you've > placed it to even determine where the noise is coming from. That's not the point. The point was that even if I opened the machine and determined the source of the noise, I wouldn't know how to fix it unless the problem was a loose screw on the fan. Chances are it's something more serious, so my effort to fix the problem myself would be wasted. Besides, I need the computer this week for an important job, so if I extracted the computer myself and tried to fix the problem myself or take the computer to a repair shop, it would be after that rush job is done. I'm turning off the computer when I'm not using it now, so avoid making the problem worse, so the troubleshooting you suggest may not be as urgent as you think. > So I advise > you to ignore the problem until whatever component that is failing > finally does fail. The you can leave the Mac where it is and go buy a > new one, as that will be far, far easier for you. I didn't write -- or even vaguely imply -- that I would leave the problem unattended indefinitely. Why should I hastily open the machine myself at the first sugestion by a stranger on a newsgroup? It makes more sense to get a variety of advice first and then make a rational decision after mulling over the options. There's always a variety of advice given on issues like this, but not all of the advice is good advice in every instance. Tony > That's not the point. The point was that even if I opened the machine > and determined the source of the noise, I wouldn't know how to fix it > unless the problem was a loose screw on the fan. Chances are it's > something more serious, so my effort to fix the problem myself would be > wasted. This thread started with you looking for advice about an apparent hardware problem. Several people spent time and effort trying to diagnose the problem (secondhand) and provide practical advice ... you then didn't seem to want it! It just seems surprising that if you weren't up for getting in there yourself that you would post the query in the first place! There's no shame in being reluctant to take on your own repairs ... but best call a professional rather than draw us all into thinking we are helping you. SignatureAdrian > > That's not the point. The point was that even if I opened the machine > > and determined the source of the noise, I wouldn't know how to fix it [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > own repairs ... but best call a professional rather than draw us all > into thinking we are helping you. You misinterpet. I DO appreciate the advice. There were two main suggestions: either to troubleshoot the problem myself or to get a technician to fix it. As I've explained, I've decided to follow the second main suggestion (taking the computer to a Mac repair store) so I don't see why I should be criticized. Tony > There were two main suggestions: either to troubleshoot the problem > myself or to get a technician to fix it. Oh, I understand now. THAT's the cause of confusion. Usually what people do without involving the newsgroup is take their computer to a repair shop, and they post here to _avoid_ doing that. Signature<http://designsbymike.biz/macconsultshop.shtml> Mac-themed T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/musings.shtml> Mostly muckraking T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/prius.shtml> Prius shirts & bumper stickers <http://cafepress.com/comedancing> Ballroom dance-themed shirts & gift > > There were two main suggestions: either to troubleshoot the problem > > myself or to get a technician to fix it. > > Oh, I understand now. THAT's the cause of confusion. Usually what > people do without involving the newsgroup is take their computer to a > repair shop, and they post here to _avoid_ doing that. Ah, but Tony's a fine artiste! <http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/window/media/player/0,,71208-449849-WML O,00.html> ;-) > Ah, but Tony's a fine artiste! > > <http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/window/media/player/0,,71208-449849-WML > O,00.html> Oh, you're just evil! ;-) Signature<http://designsbymike.biz/macconsultshop.shtml> Mac-themed T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/musings.shtml> Mostly muckraking T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/prius.shtml> Prius shirts & bumper stickers <http://cafepress.com/comedancing> Ballroom dance-themed shirts & gift > > Ah, but Tony's a fine artiste! > > > > <http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/window/media/player/0,,71208-449849-WML > > O,00.html> > > Oh, you're just evil! ;-) You're not the first to suggest this, but I prefer to be called a cynic. Signature"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it." -- G.B. Shaw > As I've explained, I've decided to follow the second main suggestion > (taking the computer to a Mac repair store) so I don't see why I should > be criticized. Fair enough ... SignatureAdrian > > As I've explained, I've decided to follow the second main suggestion > > (taking the computer to a Mac repair store) so I don't see why I should [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > -- > Adrian Mike, Dave and Doryame don't think it's fair enough. They've hostile and derogatory toward me, even though I've expressed gratitude for their advice and wrote that I would heed some of the advice. I think they need to get out more into the normal world. I am in the majority. For example, yesterday I went shopping the clerk at the store where I shopped asked how I am. I replied that I was stressed because my computer is malfunctioning, and that some techies on the Internet derided me for not wanting to open the machine to diagnose the problem and replace components of it. She agreed with me. "I wouldn't touch that (task) with a ten-foot pole," she said. I'm sure that most normal people feel the same way. I'm only a mid-level technician, and therefore not qualified to do all of the diagnostic and repair work suggested. Tony > Mike, Dave and Doryame don't think it's fair enough. > > They've hostile and derogatory toward me, even though I've expressed > gratitude for their advice and wrote that I would heed some of the advice. I'm not hostile toward you, just to set the record straight... <snip a bunch of whining and self-pity> > I'm only a mid-level technician, and therefore not qualified to do all > of the diagnostic and repair work suggested. My 10-year-old child can do the work that's been discussed here, and could have done it three years ago at seven. YOU are the one who has decided he isn't capable of using a phillips-head screwdriver, that it's too much trouble to extricate the computer, and that you are "an artist, not a computer engineer" and therefore incapable of doing basic troubleshooting. And that is, in my opinion, deserving of derision, because it's STUPID. > > Mike, Dave and Doryame don't think it's fair enough. > > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > My 10-year-old child can do the work that's been discussed here, and > could have done it three years ago at seven. Replacing a fan, hard drive or power supply and RAM is child's work? Your child must be exceptional. I don't know of any 10-year-olds with those skills. > YOU are the one who has decided he isn't capable of using a > phillips-head screwdriver, Not true. That much I said I could do, as I pointed out repeatedly. But I think that one of the fans needs replacing, and that's more complex than tightening a screw. >that it's too much trouble to extricate the > computer, and that you are "an artist, not a computer engineer" and > therefore incapable of doing basic troubleshooting. Replacing a fan, hard drive or power supply and RAM is not basic troubleshooting, espcially without because I don't have the computer's manual. I have no trainiing in any of those things. The only thing I've done inside one of computers is installing a U.S.B. card and I had a computer manual with diagrams on hand before I tackled that. If you had a damaged painting, would you consider trying to repair it 'basic troubleshooting'? An amateur trying to fix a damaged painting could fail and even worsen the damage. Tony > > > Mike, Dave and Doryame don't think it's fair enough. > > > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > Replacing a fan, hard drive or power supply and RAM is not basic > troubleshooting, Replacing RAM is basic troubleshooting, replacing a harddrive is without a doubt basic repair, and replacing a fan or power supply is a slight step above harddrive replacement. > espcially without because I don't have the computer's > manual. Easily available. Seriously easily available. Greg > Replacing a fan, hard drive or power supply and RAM is child's work? > Your child must be exceptional. I don't know of any 10-year-olds with > those skills. I don't know any children older than seven who couldn't do those things, with the exception of some profoundly mentally disabled ones. > Not true. That much I said I could do, as I pointed out repeatedly. But > I think that one of the fans needs replacing, and that's more complex > than tightening a screw. No, it isn't. > Replacing a fan, hard drive or power supply and RAM is not basic > troubleshooting, Yes, it is. > espcially without because I don't have the computer's > manual. You've been told where to obtain the manual. > I have no trainiing in any of those things. Training is not required. > The only thing I've > done inside one of computers is installing a U.S.B. card and I had a > computer manual with diagrams on hand before I tackled that. Then you're entirely capable of replacing ANY component in a Mac G4. Any. > If you had a damaged painting, would you consider trying to repair it > 'basic troubleshooting'? Of course not. Repairing a damaged painting requires a high level of skill obtained through extensive training and long practice. It's entirely unlike troubleshooting and replacing components in a Mac G4, which is a trivial exercise that you've convinced yourself is beyond your capability. You refused to even pull the computer out to where you determine what component is making the noise, a task that only requires basic hearing ability. I'm not calling you unintelligent, but man, you're sure acting STUPID. > > Replacing a fan, hard drive or power supply and RAM is child's work? > > Your child must be exceptional. I don't know of any 10-year-olds with [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Training is not required. If trainging isn't required then manuals aren't required, because manuals enable training, and I only got access to a manual a few minutes ago. > > The only thing I've > > done inside one of computers is installing a U.S.B. card and I had a > > computer manual with diagrams on hand before I tackled that. > > Then you're entirely capable of replacing ANY component in a Mac G4. > Any. That's encouraging. > > If you had a damaged painting, would you consider trying to repair it > > 'basic troubleshooting'? [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > which is a trivial exercise that you've convinced yourself is beyond > your capability. That depends partly on innate abilities. Some people consider painting repair to be elementary, because they're naturally talented at that. You refused to even pull the computer out to where you > determine what component is making the noise, a task that only requires > basic hearing ability. But it could take half an hour of aerobics just to get my computer out of the desk and open it. The area behind my desk looks like a snake pit with all those cords. An acquaintance of mine who's an expert in The Dark Side has seen my studio and he agreed that it would be a hassle to extricate the computer from the desk. The computer is so close to the wall I have to crawl on my back under the desk while holding a hand mirror to try to see what's plugged in where, and even then I can't see some of the ports and I have a back injury. And I can't move the desk because there's a table next to it with a 200-pound wide-format printer on it and the table with its contents of papers weighs about forty or fify pounds. And right next to that table is a four-level legal-size filing cabinet that's full. And I don't know what to do even if I found out where the noise is coming from. For example, somebody said it could be the power supply that's causing the noise. What's the power supply? Does that mean the battery? Sorry, but I'm not familiar with all of the hardware terms. I'm just an entrepeneur, not a high-level technician. Tony > An acquaintance of mine who's an expert in The Dark Side has seen my > studio and he agreed that it would be a hassle to extricate the computer > from the desk. I've already advised you to do nothing until the computer fails. You don't like that advice. I've advised to extricate the computer and determine what component is failing. You don't like that advice. I've advised you that you can easily replace any component inside the G4. You don't like that advice. So now I am going to offer you one final piece of advice... <http://www.balderstone.ca/stfu.jpg> > > An acquaintance of mine who's an expert in The Dark Side has seen my > > studio and he agreed that it would be a hassle to extricate the computer [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > <http://www.balderstone.ca/stfu.jpg> Well, Dave, from my experiences, sometimes you give very good advice and sometimes you give very not good advice. So don't get strung out if people fail to treat every word from your keyboard as manna from the heavens. It is just a judgement call, and you have got to keep your sense of perspective. We are all human - from the posting schmoes all the way up (or whatever) to you. "Or what?" H. > > > Replacing a fan, hard drive or power supply and RAM is child's work? > > > Your child must be exceptional. I don't know of any 10-year-olds with [quoted text clipped - 64 lines] > contents of papers weighs about forty or fify pounds. And right next to that > table is a four-level legal-size filing cabinet that's full. I forgot to mention that I have poor vision, too (as bad as 20/50 in one eye) so every time I try to plug something into my computer or unplug something, I have a hell of a time figuring out what's going on. The icons and words on the cords and back of the computer are so small and dim that they're difficult or impossible for me to discern even when bright sunshine is streaming into my studio which it's ususally not and it takes me longer and more stuggle than it would for a person with normal vision. So when I say it's a frigging hassle to extricate my computer and put it back into place, I mean it's a frigging hassle. Tony > I forgot to mention that I have poor vision, too (as bad as 20/50 in one > eye) so every time I try to plug something into my computer or unplug > something, I have a hell of a time figuring out what's going on. Sucks to be you. > > I forgot to mention that I have poor vision, too (as bad as 20/50 in one > > eye) so every time I try to plug something into my computer or unplug > > something, I have a hell of a time figuring out what's going on. > > Sucks to be you. a.shole. > > > I forgot to mention that I have poor vision, too (as bad as 20/50 in one > > > eye) so every time I try to plug something into my computer or unplug [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > a.shole. Whiny luser. *plonk* SignatureDeeDee, don't press that button! DeeDee! NO! Dee... > > > > I forgot to mention that I have poor vision, too (as bad as 20/50 in one > > > > eye) so every time I try to plug something into my computer or unplug [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Whiny luser. *plonk* As I wrote elsewhere in this thread, I've been proved to be right; the computer noise was a challenge to fix even for a professional computer specialist with a four-year computer diploma, and he agreed that it would have been dificult if not impossible for me to fix the problem because of my lack of knowledge of computers and the complexity of the problem, so instead of being a 'luser' I've been shown to be wise. And I'm not a loser; I'm a celebrity who's increasingly envied by my peers. And by the way, you don't even know how to f.cking spell, moron. You're a presumpuous ignoramus. Tony > ... > you don't know how to spell > ... > presumpuous > ... ??? > > ... > > you don't know how to spell [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > ??? I was in a hurry to send my letter because I was angry at that cynical, self-aggrandizing f.cking a.shole Michel Viain, who called me a 'luser'. Tony > > > ... > > > you don't know how to spell [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Tony <http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=3&oi=define&q=http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Luser&sig=__j3HSH7MoDPqHnDqOUsAUC8IZJvg=> "In Internet slang, a luser is a painfully annoying, stupid, or irritating computer user." Michel's got your number, Slim. > > > ... > > > you don't know how to spell [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Tony I meant "Michale Vain". Tony > > > > ... > > > > you don't know how to spell [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Tony Are you sure you didn't mean "Michael Vilain"? Luser... > > ... > > you don't know how to spell [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > ??? "knumbskulls" too. SignaturePaul Sture > And I'm not a loser; I'm a celebrity who's increasingly envied by my peers. Shouldn't you also remind us of your journalism credentials and IQ? Signature<http://designsbymike.biz/macconsultshop.shtml> Mac-themed T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/musings.shtml> Mostly muckraking T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/prius.shtml> Prius shirts & bumper stickers <http://cafepress.com/comedancing> Ballroom dance-themed shirts & gift > > And I'm not a loser; I'm a celebrity who's increasingly envied by my peers. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > <http://designsbymike.biz/prius.shtml> Prius shirts & bumper stickers > <http://cafepress.com/comedancing> Ballroom dance-themed shirts & gift Well, it was tempting, but we've been through that before, and some of the knumbskulls are too retarded to appreciate those things. And are those journalism credentials and I.Q. less impressive than being a salesman of "mugs, bumper stickers, buttons, and magnets"? Tony > As I wrote elsewhere in this thread, I've been proved to be right; the > computer noise was a challenge to fix even for a professional computer > specialist with a four-year computer diploma, and he agreed that it > would have been dificult if not impossible for me to fix the problem > because of my lack of knowledge of computers and the complexity of the > problem Um, isn't it in this man's vested interest to make people think they depend on him to fix problems they could fix themselves? There's a Mac repair shop in town that takes that approach, so how can you be sure this man is any different? Now, I'm not saying he wasn't telling the truth, because maybe he was, but how can you possibly know? Signature<http://designsbymike.biz/macconsultshop.shtml> Mac-themed T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/musings.shtml> Mostly muckraking T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/prius.shtml> Prius shirts & bumper stickers <http://cafepress.com/comedancing> Ballroom dance-themed shirts & gift > > As I wrote elsewhere in this thread, I've been proved to be right; the > > computer noise was a challenge to fix even for a professional computer [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > this man is any different? Now, I'm not saying he wasn't telling the > truth, because maybe he was, but how can you possibly know? I know because he's a friend who responded to my request for a favour and he probably would have preferred to have been watching his favourite TV show. And he he's smart enough to know that someone that doesn't know the difference between the battery and the power supply couldn't easily fix such a problem on his own. You can never stop being cynical and critical even for a moment, it seems. Tony > You can never stop being cynical and critical even for a moment, it seems. I'm sorry, but I didn't see the post in which you said the man is your friend until well after I had posted. It sounded like you took the G4 into a repair shop. Signature<http://designsbymike.biz/macconsultshop.shtml> Mac-themed T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/musings.shtml> Mostly muckraking T-shirts <http://designsbymike.biz/prius.shtml> Prius shirts & bumper stickers <http://cafepress.com/comedancing> Ballroom dance-themed shirts & gift > > You can never stop being cynical and critical even for a moment, it seems. > > I'm sorry, but I didn't see the post in which you said the man is your > friend until well after I had posted. It sounded like you took the G4 > into a repair shop. Thank you for expressing your humility, Mike. Tony > I forgot to mention that I have poor vision, too (as bad as 20/50 in one > eye) so every time I try to plug something into my computer or unplug [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Tony O well, this is different. This is quite different. Why didn't you say... Signaturedorayme > > I forgot to mention that I have poor vision, too (as bad as 20/50 in one > > eye) so every time I try to plug something into my computer or unplug [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > O well, this is different. This is quite different. Why didn't > you say... Why must I explain in detail every aspect of my reasoning? If I say something like it being a hassle to extricate my computer and to put it back into it's place, why can't people take my word for it, instead of picking me apart for everything I say and requriing a detailed explication on every point I make and doubting my rationales on every detail? Why not give benefit of doubt instead of assuming always that I am wrong? Tony > > > I forgot to mention that I have poor vision, too (as bad as 20/50 in one > > > eye) so every time I try to plug something into my computer or unplug [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > If I say something like it being a hassle to extricate my computer and > to put it back into it's place, why can't people take my word for it, I believed you from the start on this particular thing. I know this sort of thing from my own experiences. That is why I build these little trays on wheels. > Why not give benefit of doubt instead of assuming always that I am wrong? I never thought you were wrong about it being a hassle at all... but to a great extent what most people regard as a hassle and what they are prepared to do about it are two different things. Knowledge about your eyesight and nerves puts a different perspective on things. Best of luck to you... Signaturedorayme > > An acquaintance of mine who's an expert in The Dark Side has seen my > > studio and he agreed that it would be a hassle to extricate the computer [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > So when I say it's a frigging hassle to extricate my computer and put it > back into place, I mean it's a frigging hassle. But even though I have a bad back and bad vision, I clearly have a mind as sharp as a screw on a fan, and I don't take sh.t from anybody (including pricks like Dave, who's made fun of my disablities. Dave, I wonder if you're a youth, because you're as mean a son-of-bitch as a schoolyard bully. Tony > But even though I have a bad back and bad vision, I clearly have a mind > as sharp as a screw on a fan, and I don't take sh.t from anybody > (including pricks like Dave, who's made fun of my disablities. I did not make fun of your disabilities, unless you mean your inability to understand advice. > Dave, I wonder if you're a youth, because you're as mean a son-of-bitch > as a schoolyard bully. No, I'm in my late 40s and just enjoy poking at fools from time to time. I've given you solid advice, three different ways for you to deal with your failing Mac, and you've rejected all three as either too difficult or too inconvenient. You've put forward all manner of excuses, and now have escalated those to include bad eyesight and a bad back. Based on all that, I'll say it again. "Sucks to be you." Now stop whining and get on with your life. Go be a fine artiste or something. > > But even though I have a bad back and bad vision, I clearly have a mind > > as sharp as a screw on a fan, and I don't take sh.t from anybody > > (including pricks like Dave, who's made fun of my disablities. > > I did not make fun of your disabilities, unless you mean your inability > to understand advice. I understand advice when it's conveyed clearly and thoroughly. Neither you nor anyone else here explained how to replace a fan, power supply or hard drive -- even cursorily, so you're talking rubbish again. > I've given you solid advice, three different ways for you to deal with > your failing Mac, and you've rejected all three as either too difficult > or too inconvenient. Not so. I told you I agreed to take the computer to a Macintosh store, but you choose to keep ignoring that repeated acceptance of advice. I told you that before I tackle the problem I need to print a job for a customer but you keep ignoring that. (Yesterday I got my printer back from the Epson repar shop and I'm printing the job as we speak.) >You've put forward all manner of excuses, and now > have escalated those to include bad eyesight and a bad back. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Now stop whining and get on with your life. Go be a fine artiste or > something. Well, not everyone agrees with you, Oh Arrogant One. Dorayame agrees with me because he also has visual and computer access difficulties. You have no empathy. Don't criticize a man before walking a mile in his shoes. You don't have a visual handicap, a chronic back and neck injury or a cramped workstation or poor mechanical skills or a rush printing job that takes priority over troubleshooting. Also, one man's pleasure is another man's poison. Some people find driving -- even in heavy traffic -- to calm their nerves. For others, driving jangles their nerves. Can you hike up a 2,800-foot mountain in an hour and-a-half without collapsing of exhaustion at the summit? Most peope think it's an unreasonable expectation, yet there are thousands of people in the city where I live who do it easily every week during the summers and think that if other people can't do it easily, that they're wimps. If it's so easy to do what others do, why can't any of you be internationally recognized, professional fine artists with tens of thousands of fans and a fan base that grows daily, like I have? I bet most of you couldn't do that if your lives depended on it, just as I couldn't be a good mechanic if my life depended on it. I bet that not one of you reading this could achieve my level of success as a fine artist if you tried. Only a small percentage of people who try to make a living as fine artists succeed at it. The point is that everyone has their own skills, and they vary dramatically from person to person and what seems like child's play to one person seems like a huge burden -- or even impossible -- to others. I know a woman who's a member of MENSA, who admits to being hopeless at even simple mechanical tasks. "Sucks to be you." That's not an insult? Why don't you say that to your boss or your spouse, friends (if you have any of those), or relatives and see if they don't think it's an insult? Tony > You > have no empathy. For you, at this time. > Don't criticize a man before walking a mile in his shoes. You don't have > a visual handicap, a chronic back and neck injury or a cramped > workstation or poor mechanical skills or a rush printing job that takes > priority over troubleshooting. In fact, I have a visual handicap, chronic back and neck injuries, and I work in the graphics, print and publishing industry so I ALWAYS have rush printing jobs to deal with. <snip more whining> > > You > > have no empathy. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > <snip more whining> I noticed that in your list of shortcomings, you didn't include "poor mechanical skills" but that's the crucial shortcoming; all the other shortcomings could be tolerated if not for my shortcoming of mechanical skills. Also, my lack of training as a computer technician is a crucial skill that I lack, as I wrote before. I've been contradicted several times by several people about this here, but now I've been vindicated. I got my friend who's an expert in the Dark Side to come over to work on the computer noise problem. It turns out that the fan in the power supply was loose. It took my friend about an hour and-a-quarter to partially fix the problem. He estimated it would have taken another two hours to fix the problem thoroughly, but I told him not to bother. (He has a four-year college diploma in computers.) He agreed that it would have been hard for me to fix the problem. He said implied that the job was somewhat of a challenge to him (but that he enjoys such challenges). I showed him the PDF version of the G4 Qucksilver manual that I was led to by the reference by Dorayme. He got me to print the illustration from the manual on page 16, showing the back of the G4. He tried to reduce the noise by poking a screwdriver through the gaps in the power supply housing to push the fan back, but that didn't work, so he used the screwdriver as a lever to pull the power supply housing forward and away from the fan. He said that to fix the problem thoroughly, he'd have to remove the cover of the power supply first, and that that would take another two hours of fiddling, partly because of all the tiny screws holding the power supply cover in place. But the computer noise is only half as loud as it was before and the pitch is lower, so it's less annoying, and my friend said there's no danger from the noise, because he said there are no wires touching the fan that could be severed by the fan. During the repair he cleaned some of the dust out of the computer and showed me how to install RAM and explained things like the difference between the battery and the power supply. Using the PDF G4 manual, he also informed me that one of my RAM cartridges was the wrong one. The manual says that the RAM should be type 133, but I had a 128-meg RAM cartridge of type 100, so we took it out because he said it was useless. (I might buy another one when I get more money.) So as I said, I've been proved to be right all along. The problem turned out to be a challenge even for a college-trained and profesionally-employed computer team leader with a knack for computers. (He's so knowledgeable about technical issues that he was a computer team leader in the Phillipines, where he climbed 200-foot microwave towers to work on them and is now the head of the technical team at the company where he works.) And so I've shown that I'm smarter than you thought I was, because, as I explained repeatedly, I know what my limitations are, and one of the important lessons I've learned in half a century on this godforsaken world is not to "bite off more than I can chew". And another thing I've learned is that problems are usually more dificult and time-consuming than one anticipates. (That's why, during my training as a business communicator, I was taught to always add about 20 percent to the cost of jobs I would estimate because jobs are almost always more difficult and time-consuming that one would think until one actually starts to work on the project). Tony [snip a load of complete tosh] Oh, thank you so much for all of that. I haven't had such an extended giggle in ages. May you prowl the corridors of usenet forever, amusing those who've never heard of you and aren't really sure whether to believe you're real. Made my day, really. SignatureSara Not sure what happened to Byron, he'll be back as soon as I can find him. > [snip a load of complete tosh] > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Not sure what happened to Byron, he'll be back as soon as I can find him. Who's Byron, and who the f.ck are you, you stupid c.nt, and what the f.ck are you going on about? Tony > He tried to reduce the noise by poking a screwdriver through the gaps in > the power supply housing to push the fan back, but that didn't work, so [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > that that would take another two hours of fiddling, partly because of > all the tiny screws holding the power supply cover in place. This entire post is a joke, right? This must be the best troll in years! Just packed full of goodies! We can't leave this alone, but I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the follow ups. Thanks again! SignatureAdrian > > He tried to reduce the noise by poking a screwdriver through the gaps in > > the power supply housing to push the fan back, but that didn't work, so [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > -- > Adrian f.ck you, dickhead. We don't need trolls here. Tony > f.ck you, dickhead. We don't need trolls here. Whoops, that's me put in my place then! SignatureAdrian > > He tried to reduce the noise by poking a screwdriver through the gaps in > > the power supply housing to push the fan back, but that didn't work, so [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Thanks again! I know! Especially on a Friday afternoon! Pure gold. SignatureSara Not sure what happened to Byron, he'll be back as soon as I can find him. > > > He tried to reduce the noise by poking a screwdriver through the gaps in > > > the power supply housing to push the fan back, but that didn't work, so [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > I know! Especially on a Friday afternoon! Pure gold. The newsgroups are filled with pompous and cynical armchair critics like you, pontificating from afar, making vague insuts and nasty jokes. But what computers have they ever tried to fix? I wouldn't be surprised if the answer is none. What useful contributions do you have? Zilch. It's easy to hide behind their computers and criticize. Tony > But what computers have they ever tried to fix? I wouldn't be surprised > if the answer is none. Fixed many ... over many years ... in fact I've successfully resolved *all* the hardware issues for my computers without ever having to send for repair (not saying it won't ever happen). But, more to the point, your usefully detailed description of the repair techniques employed by your friend (with the "four year college diploma in computers") clearly shows that, well, education isn't everything! A poor effort, to put it kindly. SignatureAdrian > > But what computers have they ever tried to fix? I wouldn't be surprised > > if the answer is none. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > shows that, well, education isn't everything! A poor effort, to put it > kindly. 3.5 hours to fix a loose fan... I suspect a mail-order diploma from a matchbook advertiser. > > > But what computers have they ever tried to fix? I wouldn't be surprised > > > if the answer is none. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > 3.5 hours to fix a loose fan... I suspect a mail-order diploma from a > matchbook advertiser. Typical condescending whining and assumptions from a armchair critics. How do you know what problems were involved? Did you read an inspection report? Nooooooooo.... For example, the computer was asleep part of the time, and the noise usually doesn't occur then, so we had to wait twice for the noise to start again. It's impossible to figure out where the noise is coming from when the noise isn't occurring. But you, bombastic, cynical critics, think you know everything and can do everything better, even though you don't know all the details. It's easy to put others down when you're at a safe distance, but if you were actually put to the test and had to fix the problem yourself, your arrogance would melt away. Tony > It's easy to put others down when you're at a safe distance, but if you > were actually put to the test and had to fix the problem yourself, your > arrogance would melt away. Three and a half hours to fix a loose fan in a G4 Mac is ludicrous. Simply ludicrous. > > It's easy to put others down when you're at a safe distance, but if you > > were actually put to the test and had to fix the problem yourself, your > > arrogance would melt away. > > Three and a half hours to fix a loose fan in a G4 Mac is ludicrous. > Simply ludicrous. I think he may have been exaggerating about the extra two hours. I think he might have been able to do it in two hours total. That's still an significant amount of time and work involved to fix the problem, even for a qualified expert. But of course you would find fault with any repairman who takes a lot of time. For example, I had a paper jam and clogged nozzle on my Epson 7600 and it took the repairman I think eight hours to fix the problem. Naturally, you, being a know-it-all, would say the repairman was obviously inept or purposely working slowly, without knowing the details of the problems. Tony > For example, I had a paper jam and clogged nozzle on my Epson 7600 > and it took the repairman I think eight hours to fix the problem. > Naturally, you, being a know-it-all, would say the repairman was > obviously inept or purposely working slowly, without knowing the details > of the problems. I'd say nothing at all, as I don't know how to repair Epson printers. I do know how to repair Macs, which why I feel confident in my pronouncements in this thread. > For example, the computer was asleep part of the time, and the noise > usually doesn't occur then, so we had to wait twice for the noise to > start again. It's impossible to figure out where the noise is coming > from when the noise isn't occurring. The sleep issue made this problem *easier* to diagnose. Computers are mostly made up of fixed electronic components that don't make any mechanical noise. Normally the only significant moving mechanical parts are the fans and the hard drive. When the computer is asleep the fans and the hard drive stop spinning. The fact that the noise stops at that point makes those 2 things the first to check. Maybe your computer expert did a computer diploma in relation to software and programming rather than anything much to do with hardware. SignatureAdrian > > For example, the computer was asleep part of the time, and the noise > > usually doesn't occur then, so we had to wait twice for the noise to [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > -- > Adrian Yet more erroneous assuptions. The screen was dark but that doesn't necessarily mean that the computer is asleep. Tony > Yet more erroneous assuptions. > > The screen was dark but that doesn't necessarily mean that the computer > is asleep. For goodness sake Tony, it was you who said the noise stopped when the computer was asleep!! I didn't assume anything ... you said: "For example, the computer was asleep part of the time, and the noise usually doesn't occur then" SignatureAdrian > > Yet more erroneous assuptions. > > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > example, the computer was asleep part of the time, and the noise usually > doesn't occur then" You're right. I made a mistake. I apologize. Tony > You're right. I made a mistake. I apologize. So we're all happy, maybe! Just keep your ear open for your fan giving up the ghost completely. Very unlikely to cause anything immediately dramatic but it's there for a reason, so you could have an overheating problem in that event. Just keep using you computer but I recommend shutting down fully overnight and when you are out of the house (we are talking tiny risks nevertheless). SignatureAdrian > > You're right. I made a mistake. I apologize. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > shutting down fully overnight and when you are out of the house (we are > talking tiny risks nevertheless). Thanks, Adrian. So there's a tiny risk even though the fan is silent when the computer and monitor are asleep and even though my computer friend reduced the fan's operational noise significantly? (As you rightly pointed out in correcting my error above, the fan is silent when the computer and monitor are asleep and those times tend to be at night and when I'm out of the office.) Tony > So there's a tiny risk even though the fan is silent when the computer > and monitor are asleep and even though my computer friend reduced the > fan's operational noise significantly? You will be familiar with how your computer sounds now when running normally (with its reduced fan noise). All can be expected to be fine. When your computer goes to sleep there is minimal demand on the power supply and the fan is normally inactive anyway. Nevertheless, being power supply related, and if you want to be especially cautious you may want to shut down rather than sleep the computer if you are going to leave it unattended at home when you are out. This is actually recommended these days for all of us anyway, in the interests of saving energy. My guess is that at some point in the future the fan noise will change again. If it gets particularly loud, or stops completely, I suggest that you ask your friend to have a look/listen. The small risk is of the fan stopping working altogether, and allowing certain components to overheat (either within the fan motor itself or on the power supply which it normally cools). Don't worry, it won't instantly turn into a flaming fireball but if you ever smell scorched electrics simply shut it down and get professional assistance. SignatureAdrian > > So there's a tiny risk even though the fan is silent when the computer > > and monitor are asleep and even though my computer friend reduced the [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > -- > Adrian Thank you very much, Adrian. Tony Winston > Maybe your computer expert did a computer diploma in relation to > software and programming rather than anything much to do with hardware. > > -- > Adrian My computer expert friend built computers when he was in his computer program in college. Also, you're probably overlooking the fact that he's an I.B.M.-compatible p.c. expert, and hasn't worked on Mac p.c.s. Also, part of the reason the repair took so long is because he was answering my questions as I watched him work. Also, he cleaned some of the dust out of the computer. Tony > Also, he cleaned some of the dust out of the computer. I'll give you this, Tony, you're obviously in good hands. Signature^Ï^ > > Also, he cleaned some of the dust out of the computer. > > I'll give you this, Tony, you're obviously in good hands. I think you're the first person to say that. Others such as Dave, Adrian, Dorayme and that mouthy newcomer called Sara (who had only snickering put-downs to contribute) think he's amateurish and/or didn't do the job thoroughly enough. Tony > Others such as Dave, Adrian, Dorayme and that mouthy newcomer called > Sara (who had only snickering put-downs to contribute) think he's > amateurish and/or didn't do the job thoroughly enough. If he's estimating 3.5 hours to replace a fan, then he is less than amateurish. |
Enable EMail Alerts
Start New Thread
Reply to this Message