A possible end to FS for me

[falcon409]

I knew this was always a possibility, but this afternoon, with the winds reaching around 45mph at times, there was a quick power outage at my apartment, didn't last 30 seconds really, but since that time, my main computer has not worked, as in it doesn't recognize anything. . .turn it on and the DVD light comes on briefly and then that's it. . .nothing.
I'm dropping it off tomorrow with the Geek Squad to see if they can track down the problem. My hope is that it's something simple. . .my honest opinion however is that it won't be. Given that scenario, I will be out of the FS world. I don't have the funds any longer to "keep up with the jones's", and so I must look to life without FS I'm afraid. I have this computer (the one I'm typing from), but it is not even close to something that will work for even FS9. I can continue to stop by from time to time, but beyond that, unless a miracle happens, This is it for me.

[Quicksand]

Falcon, I sure hope things are not as bad as you think.. I know all about not being able to afford stuff, so I'm praying you get things sorted out, buddy....

[GZR_Sactargets]

Waugh! That is terrible news! I really hope the Geeks can get you running again. :faint:

[dandog]

Hey Falcon409, I suggest Ebay and huevos. Computers are alot less mystical than you think. I picked up an Emachine, abandoned, non functional, at a house (I'm a Realtor). I bought a used motherboard on Ebay for $15 dollars, and shazzam. I working computer complete with operating system. Even got Microsoft to let me be the new owner. My main rig died. Went to Ebay and bought a replacement motherboard (retail over $100.00) for $20.00 including shipping. The owner could not make it work. Here I am emailing you on the machine. Personally, I think he bought it to upgrade, and did not do a repair install of his operating system. His operating system did not recognize the board. All he was able to get was the blue screen of death. I can't make a plane model or do a repaint, but I can make computers work (self taught, no money). Let me know if I can be of assistance.

Dandog aka Daniel

[Naismith]

Can you not claim on your home insurance?

[mrogers]

It may still be fixable, Falcon, you never know..

[Lionheart]

This happened to me 2 computers back.. Power outage.. 30 min's. Power came back on, computer was absolutely dead.

Took it to geeksquad. They saw that all the capacitors were bubbled on top (expanded, overheated, overloaded, blown). This meant the motherboard was fried from a quick, sharp jolt of lightning or power.

My power supply unit 'should' have covered it. Also my power bar (plugin power bar on the carpet).

I was pretty set back and let down. All that work. But my HD was saved and some other parts like the GC made it. So I wasnt too bad off. I got a new tower for very little and had things running again. vista was then the only bad thing in the way after that.

Falcon,

dont let the demons of demise shut you down. When one door closes, another door opens. Keep in the positive man. Just when things look worst ever, victory is around the corner.

Watch and see.... Your new i7 might be there waiting for you.



Bill

[minuteman10]

~S~ Falcon...I recently had to replace my MB....found a new one on eBay for $100...popped it in and was back up and running. Don't give up hope...it was about 8 screws and just a matter of mapping all of the plugs as I dismantled them...and then just reversed the process. It's really not as daunting a task as it might look! Good luck, Sir!

[Planes-11]

Falcon,

I wish you the best of luck in sorting this out. The best news at the moment is that there is no need for the "missing man formation". By this I mean there is the likely chance that whoever is looking at your Rig may well sort it for you. Failing this, please PM me and we will look at options.

Best Regards,

Mike

[Richard Westcott]

I hope you get things going again Falcon, I know what it is like to be low on funds you have to watch every penny you spend.

I don't know much about how these things work but if I can be of any help please let me know.

All the best

[Blackbird686]

Like Lionheart says, unpleasant things have an unusual way of resolving themselves in a positive manner, almost all of the time. So don't give up just yet, mate.


BB686

[Buddha13]

Hi Falcon,
I think a quiet word with Hey Moe and Ickie might set you in the right direction.I am sure they will be able to point you in the right direction for a fix or spare parts.As mentioned Ebay is a really great place for cheap spares.The most you should have to replace is,
Mobo
Graphics card
Processor
Hard drive
Memory
The power spike should not have blown the other components such as optical drives.So you should be able to use them.
Remember that yesterdays super dupa kit is now available at much cheaper prices and will run FS9 like a dream.

Buddha13

[TomSteber]

Don't worry Falcon, with all this positive energy things will work out. They always do. Sometimes not the way hoped they would but they still work out.
It's all about timing. I want it fixed now! Most of the time that doesn't happen. Things are going to work out for you. Sounds like there's a lot of good people here ready to step up and help (at least with advice of what you can do).

Where there's a will...

Tom

[Mithrin]

Yeah let's hope it's only the motherboard! If that's the case then that's not going to cost you too much. Anyways I really hope you'll get it back working. Stupid power outages!

[Cazzie]

Keep a chin up Falcon, sounds like a power supply most likely. I had to go two months without FS9 last year, didn't have a computer for FSX. Turn of luck and sold some old stuff and bought all my supplies from Tiger Direct in Durham and built me a computer that would make FS9 work at the speed of light and FSX, now with tweaks, work just about as well.

But I tell you what, I am not about to give up FS9, it is still the best playform for my simming, I know where I am, I never have one hitch from take-off to landing and my designation, and it records in FRAPS real-time, something I still cannot do in FSX.

Caz