January 7, 2009

So, yeah, my main computer (PRG) took a dump yesterday. Not totally sure why, but apparently it thought the processor was overheated (which it may have been) so it cranked the cooling fan way (way way) up (like a small jet taking off). I thought maybe the fan had died, but swapping that out didn't help, the whole machine just doesn't come back anymore. An autopsy showed at least one bulging capacitor on the mobo, and semi-dry, chunky thermal paste under the heatsink. Don't know if either of those is the actual problem, doesn't matter much anyway, dead is dead.

So for now I'm going to have to use Zephraim (the little 999MHz Epia in the closet) and/or borrow J's laptop until I can figure out how to get a new one. Since J's lappy is XP I'm trying out Portable Apps to keep firefox profiles manageable. We'll see how that goes. I'll probably end up acquiring a bigger flash drive and installing some Linux or another on that. What really stinks is that was the only computer I had capable of using the SATA drive. In other words, I currently have no way of recovering the stuff off that drive. Notes, bookmarks, some coding, datasheets, drawings, photos, all likely safe, just untouchable without buying more freakin parts.

On a positive note, now I have an LCD for my workbench PC, thus clearing up some precious desk space. Too bad I had to lose the "smart" machine to do it...