I am a nobber

Garry Newman

– February 6, 2010

My main computer was partially broken. 90% of the time when I turned it on it would do 6 beeps over and over again. I have been putting up with this for a while. I noticed that when rebooting it came up with an error message for a second, something about failing to load at checkpoint “D0”.

So what is it. I rip my computer to bits. Remove memory, same thing. Remove hard drives, same thing. Remove graphics card, same thing. Remove USB shit, same thing.

Today I decide enough is enough. I set out to buy a new motherboard. I’ve never had much faith in the one I have now, don’t ask me why – I just don’t. If I can get a new motherboard that will surely fix it.

So I waddle off to Currys/PC World. Currys have 2 motherboards, neither of them are compatible. PC World have more, but none of them are Socket 1366. So I have a look at the computers. I really need to get this fixed because it’s interfering with my ability to work. All the computer specs are shit – except for one. It’s an Alienware.

At first I’m weary about buying it because, well, the older I get the uglier these cases look to me. Oh and the box is huge. And I mean huge:

But I buy it anyway. I have to put the seats down in my car to get it in.

Get it open, get it plugged in. All works. Unplug it, take memory, blu-ray drive, gfx card and hard drives from my current one, put them in it. Plug it back in, all good in the hood.

I set up RAID, format and install Windows 7. ( Note: It’s at this point that I realise that I’ve accidentally erased my entire iTunes collection – music, tv shows, movies. The lot. It isn’t automatically backed up by my home server because of the size. I emailed Apple and they triggered it so I can download it all again – for free – I had over 1920 files ready to download).

I start piling shit back on it. Visual studio, Steam, you know – the usual. I start restoring shit from my home server. It’s been about 5 hours now, and I reboot it.

Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep

Oh you fucker. Same 6 beep shit. What the fuck. It’s got to be the graphics card. I remove the graphics card, put the one that came with the PC back – and it works fine, boots up normally. It’s confusing because it did the same thing when I removed the graphics card earlier.. I’m thinking the 6 beeps must mean “no graphics card detected” maybe?

So.. in summary.. Today I wasted the entire day and bought a whole new PC because my graphics card is fucked. I am a nobber.

But on the positive side, this PC is nice. I am impressed with the insides of it. No screws to mess around with, just latches. Lots of room, neat wires. Alien heads everywhere. Nice. And at least I know it’s the graphics card now – even if I don’t know exactly what’s wrong with it.

Orygin

kewl
Orygin

kewl
cs

If you can afford it, Alienware are ace. It must be nice to shit money, Gary.
cs

If you can afford it, Alienware are ace. It must be nice to shit money, Gary.
You

I have a feeling this post is just as much about showing off your pool table as it is about your new PC.
You

I have a feeling this post is just as much about showing off your pool table as it is about your new PC.
http://luaduck.co.uk/ luaduck

So you spent £1,500 on an alienware just to rip the guts out and throw others in
http://luaduck.co.uk luaduck

So you spent £1,500 on an alienware just to rip the guts out and throw others in
http://zedomann.wordpress.com/ Zedo Mann

No, he spent £1,500 on a new GPU.
http://zedomann.wordpress.com Zedo Mann

No, he spent £1,500 on a new GPU.
Inacio

Fuck, I wish I was you, Garry.
Buying a whole PC just to know that your graphics card was the problem? Damn, you’re awesome.
Inacio

HOLY SHI-
http://zedomann.wordpress.com/ Zedo Mann

I had a problem with my Sapphire ATI HD 4850. A wire on the converter cable ripped out, so I tried it after attempting to fix the cable and it still didn’t work so I ended up having to get a new (and better) PSU for my PC.
Inacio

Fuck, I wish I was you, Garry.
Buying a whole PC just to know that your graphics card was the problem? Damn, you’re awesome.
Inacio

HOLY SHI-
http://zedomann.wordpress.com Zedo Mann

I had a problem with my Sapphire ATI HD 4850. A wire on the converter cable ripped out, so I tried it after attempting to fix the cable and it still didn’t work so I ended up having to get a new (and better) PSU for my PC.
http://www.garry.tv/ garry

No I spent £700 on an Alienware so i could do that
Garry Newman

No I spent £700 on an Alienware so i could do that
ProWaffle

Send me anything you don’t want :D
ProWaffle

Send me anything you don’t want :D
DY357LX

Garry, did you buy the Alienware instore at a PcWorld/Curries? (which are the same company apparently.)

Everytime I enter a PcWorld I look around but can never bring myself to buy anything because there’s MUCH better stuff online for a (usually) MUCH better price.

But if you have to have the product there and then on that day… well… PcWorld it is then. (Delivery times are the only problem I’ve had when ordering online.)

(overclocks UK are a bit pricey but usually have a great range.)

Also, Garry, did you take a picture of the internals which impressed you so?
DY357LX

Garry, did you buy the Alienware instore at a PcWorld/Curries? (which are the same company apparently.)

Everytime I enter a PcWorld I look around but can never bring myself to buy anything because there’s MUCH better stuff online for a (usually) MUCH better price.

But if you have to have the product there and then on that day… well… PcWorld it is then. (Delivery times are the only problem I’ve had when ordering online.)

(overclocks UK are a bit pricey but usually have a great range.)

Also, Garry, did you take a picture of the internals which impressed you so?
http://strikefear13.deviantart.com/ Chris

On the plus side you have (presumably) a nice new sexy Core i7 cpu :D ….right?
http://strikefear13.deviantart.com Chris

On the plus side you have (presumably) a nice new sexy Core i7 cpu :D ….right?
Zekian

Try putting your graphics card in the oven for a few mins. I accept no responsibility if it breaks it.
Zekian

Try putting your graphics card in the oven for a few mins. I accept no responsibility if it breaks it.
AltF4Dead

waffles
AltF4Dead

waffles
http://www.clavusstudios.com Clavus

Too rich to Google search your mobo’s beep codes? :P
http://www.clavusstudios.com/ Clavus

Too rich to Google search your mobo’s beep codes? :P
http://vladh.net/ vladh

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19262097/19554049.aspx?PageIndex=1

nobber
http://vladh.net vladh

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19262097/19554049.aspx?PageIndex=1

nobber
Alexander

Same thing happened to me, graphics card burned out, gave the same thing with the beeps and everything. Luckily we had an extra computer to look up the problem, though.
Alexander

Same thing happened to me, graphics card burned out, gave the same thing with the beeps and everything. Luckily we had an extra computer to look up the problem, though.
Lee

A nobber you are indeed.

The phrase “more money than sense” comes to mind with this post.
Lee

A nobber you are indeed.

The phrase “more money than sense” comes to mind with this post.
http://www.mzzt.net/ The MAZZTer

You shouldn’t buy prebuilt computers anymore. :( Keep this in mind next time. :P

Some good reasons:
- The retailers are paid to push useless programs preinstalled on there so they can grab $50 more profit. There are even dedicated apps to cleaning that stuff up, but I’d recommend a disk format and Windows reinstall.
- Of course sometimes they don’t even give you a Windows install disc, which itself can cause problems if the hard drive with the “restore partition” they provide you with instead fails. Not to mention the useless programs mentioned before are usually restored along with Windows. You might lose all your data too unlike a properly done fresh Windows install, not sure.
- Sure you get Windows installed and activated, but really, that’s not too hard to do especially with 7. You pretty much click Next until it’s done and enter your product key after 3 days when you’re nagged to activate.
- Prebuilt is insanely expensive. I think it used to be 2x the “built-it-yourself” price, not sure what it is now.
- Some places will build and test the computer themselves for you (to make sure the parts you picked are compatible) before shipping it when you order all your parts online. They’ll install Windows and everything. Much cheaper than prebuilt, and you get more control over the specs. However one computer I got this way had those “useless programs” so beware. Lucky I also got an install CD (for XP).
- I built my new computer by myself and it wasn’t that hard really. Most of the mistakes I almost made (had a friend helping me who had built PCs before) would have just docked performance instead of doing any damage (IE dual channel memory in the wrong slots). For the most part you plug things where they fit but I would recommend finding a friend who has built a PC before to walk you through it. My own tip is when plugging part A into slot B, find the manuals for both and read the bits they provide about that plugging, should ensure you’re doing it right. And some parts have multiple manuals so be sure you read them all (yeah annoying but “Quick Start” manuals have things they leave out of the full manual wtf right?)
http://www.mzzt.net/ The MAZZTer

You shouldn’t buy prebuilt computers anymore. :( Keep this in mind next time. :P

Some good reasons:
- The retailers are paid to push useless programs preinstalled on there so they can grab $50 more profit. There are even dedicated apps to cleaning that stuff up, but I’d recommend a disk format and Windows reinstall.
- Of course sometimes they don’t even give you a Windows install disc, which itself can cause problems if the hard drive with the “restore partition” they provide you with instead fails. Not to mention the useless programs mentioned before are usually restored along with Windows. You might lose all your data too unlike a properly done fresh Windows install, not sure.
- Sure you get Windows installed and activated, but really, that’s not too hard to do especially with 7. You pretty much click Next until it’s done and enter your product key after 3 days when you’re nagged to activate.
- Prebuilt is insanely expensive. I think it used to be 2x the “built-it-yourself” price, not sure what it is now.
- Some places will build and test the computer themselves for you (to make sure the parts you picked are compatible) before shipping it when you order all your parts online. They’ll install Windows and everything. Much cheaper than prebuilt, and you get more control over the specs. However one computer I got this way had those “useless programs” so beware. Lucky I also got an install CD (for XP).
- I built my new computer by myself and it wasn’t that hard really. Most of the mistakes I almost made (had a friend helping me who had built PCs before) would have just docked performance instead of doing any damage (IE dual channel memory in the wrong slots). For the most part you plug things where they fit but I would recommend finding a friend who has built a PC before to walk you through it. My own tip is when plugging part A into slot B, find the manuals for both and read the bits they provide about that plugging, should ensure you’re doing it right. And some parts have multiple manuals so be sure you read them all (yeah annoying but “Quick Start” manuals have things they leave out of the full manual wtf right?)
stabby

ATi, rite?
stabby

ATi, rite?
blankthemuffin

You realise that those beeps are most likely a motherboard error code and if you looked them up in the manual or the internet it would tell you the exact error right?
kieran

you’re an autist

why don’t you go waste some more of your money

might as well buy a mac
blankthemuffin

You realise that those beeps are most likely a motherboard error code and if you looked them up in the manual or the internet it would tell you the exact error right?
kieran

you’re an autist

why don’t you go waste some more of your money

might as well buy a mac
supa_mario

That’s the problem with being rich. You just go and buy a whole new PC rather than troubleshooting for hours on end.

Also what’s with the pic? Comparison to your case?
supa_mario

That’s the problem with being rich. You just go and buy a whole new PC rather than troubleshooting for hours on end.

Also what’s with the pic? Comparison to your case?
MrBRAD!

Cook the videocard in the oven. http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=f0191b333f63cdedea07437141133a55&t;=1421792

I did it. It worked for me (saved us $400AU too)
I have a FP thread based slightly around it too: http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=885871

DO IT FAGGOT.
MrBRAD!

Cook the videocard in the oven. http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=f0191b333f63cdedea07437141133a55&t=1421792

I did it. It worked for me (saved us $400AU too)
I have a FP thread based slightly around it too: http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=885871

DO IT FAGGOT.
http://squarewheelgames.com/ SquareWheel

Mmmmmm, i7.
http://squarewheelgames.com SquareWheel

Mmmmmm, i7.
Tonic

the beeping is a diagnostic code that tells you what’s wrong. you could have looked it up in the manual online.
Tonic

the beeping is a diagnostic code that tells you what’s wrong. you could have looked it up in the manual online.
http://squarewheelgames.com/ SquareWheel

Yeah, exactly. The beeps tell you what part is causing the problem.
http://squarewheelgames.com SquareWheel

Yeah, exactly. The beeps tell you what part is causing the problem.
http://matt-russell.com Combine Overwatch

6 short beeps
Keyboard controller Gate A20 error
Doc CH000383
http://matt-russell.com ultradude25

6 short beeps
Keyboard controller Gate A20 error
Doc CH000383
http://www.garry.tv/ garry

I did that, and did the BIOS update – was unrelated.
Garry Newman

I did that, and did the BIOS update – was unrelated.
Whitespace

This happens when you have too much money, you can just go buy a new computer instead of fixing the old one.
http://www.garry.tv/ garry

It’s cheaper to buy a prebuilt
Garry Newman

It’s cheaper to buy a prebuilt
Dlaor

Never buy a Medion PC. I made the mistake, it’s all good except that I can’t goddamn overclock it >:(
(blocked feature in the BIOS)
Dlaor

Never buy a Medion PC. I made the mistake, it’s all good except that I can’t goddamn overclock it >:(
(blocked feature in the BIOS)
http://charliesomerville.com/ turby

hey vlad
http://charliesomerville.com turby

hey vlad
http://x.zb.ly/ Mellow

Show us some more pictures of it! and post specs :)
http://x.zb.ly Mellow

Show us some more pictures of it! and post specs :)
pipodebeuker

If you buy your computer at ALDI, it can’t be much.
pipodebeuker

If you buy your computer at ALDI, it can’t be much.
http://sekcobra.net/ SEKCobra

Alienware stuff is premium n quality, but the prize is fucking high.
http://sekcobra.net/ SEKCobra

Alienware stuff is premium n quality, but the prize is fucking high.
Nutnoze

Geforce 9800 GT is what I have, it’s relatively cheap (With rebate usually a bit lower than $100), and it will play any ep2 game with maxed graphics (including AA and filtering maxed). I highly recommend it if you ditch the old card.
Nutnoze

Geforce 9800 GT is what I have, it’s relatively cheap (With rebate usually a bit lower than $100), and it will play any ep2 game with maxed graphics (including AA and filtering maxed). I highly recommend it if you ditch the old card.
Kenjirus

Check the mother board manule to see what the beeps mean, there is somthing wrong in the POST test when the pc starts and it should tell you what the problem is

google the mother board and see what it means if you cant find it

if not buy a PCI POST test card
Kenjirus

Check the mother board manule to see what the beeps mean, there is somthing wrong in the POST test when the pc starts and it should tell you what the problem is

google the mother board and see what it means if you cant find it

if not buy a PCI POST test card
http://www.clavusstudios.com/ Clavus

Garry had a Nvidia card if I remember correctly. Unless he upgraded last year.
http://www.clavusstudios.com Clavus

Garry had a Nvidia card if I remember correctly. Unless he upgraded last year.
fenwick

You know, the motherboard probably came with documentation that tells you what 6 beeps means. And you can probably find that documentation easily on the internet.
fenwick

You know, the motherboard probably came with documentation that tells you what 6 beeps means. And you can probably find that documentation easily on the internet.
http://daveoh.info/ Daveoh

PC World, Currys and Dixons are owned by DSGi (Dixons Store Group).
http://daveoh.info/ Daveoh

PC World, Currys and Dixons are owned by DSGi (Dixons Store Group).
Some Guy

>>It’s cheaper to buy a prebuilt

In what world, Garry?

l2beepcodes
Some Guy

>>It’s cheaper to buy a prebuilt

In what world, Garry?

l2beepcodes
Zeddy

Same thing happened to me just over a year ago. Graphics card shorted out and I was getting those beeps. Fortunately, I was actually in the process of building a new one, so I just finished it up and moved all my stuff over. Only problem I have now is BIOS trying to find a floppy drive every time I boot up when there isn’t one, so it gets stopped part way and I have to tell it to continue the boot process.
Zeddy

Same thing happened to me just over a year ago. Graphics card shorted out and I was getting those beeps. Fortunately, I was actually in the process of building a new one, so I just finished it up and moved all my stuff over. Only problem I have now is BIOS trying to find a floppy drive every time I boot up when there isn’t one, so it gets stopped part way and I have to tell it to continue the boot process.
Fatal_Error

This has recently happened to me aswell, my motherboard wouldnt even post, three beeps and it restarted. I only had it for 2 days aswell.
Fatal_Error

This has recently happened to me aswell, my motherboard wouldnt even post, three beeps and it restarted. I only had it for 2 days aswell.
Fatal_Error

Just dissable the Floppy Drive in the BIOS and change the boot device priority.
Fatal_Error

Just dissable the Floppy Drive in the BIOS and change the boot device priority.
http://www.gamers4life.org/ Mastermind

those alientware cases are awesome!
http://www.gamers4life.org Mastermind

those alientware cases are awesome!
DEADBEEF

The MAZZTer, when I bought my past PC a couple of years ago it cost maybe an extra £50 for a pre-built as opposed to buying all the parts individually from the same company and putting it together myself.

For the extra £50 I got got the PC vuilt for me, but more importantly I also got 12 months on-site warranty, followed by 24 months RTB. I figured that this alone was worth the extra charge.

The pre-built PC market is extremely cut-throat and margins are razor thin. This is why many manufacturers take a fee from software companies for installing their crapware trial programs. Otherwise they’d make no profit at all.
DEADBEEF

The MAZZTer, when I bought my past PC a couple of years ago it cost maybe an extra £50 for a pre-built as opposed to buying all the parts individually from the same company and putting it together myself.

For the extra £50 I got got the PC vuilt for me, but more importantly I also got 12 months on-site warranty, followed by 24 months RTB. I figured that this alone was worth the extra charge.

The pre-built PC market is extremely cut-throat and margins are razor thin. This is why many manufacturers take a fee from software companies for installing their crapware trial programs. Otherwise they’d make no profit at all.
http://daveoh.info/ Daveoh

Yeah, it looks like he’s using the pockets as a drinks holder though.
http://daveoh.info/ Daveoh

Yeah, it looks like he’s using the pockets as a drinks holder though.
Blarg190

You have a forum with a dedicated technical support section, did you think maybe going there first. That is the first thing we would say.
Blarg190

You have a forum with a dedicated technical support section, did you think maybe going there first. That is the first thing we would say.
The Pervert Doctor

ONE SHOT FATALITY
The Pervert Doctor

ONE SHOT FATALITY
http://luneair.webs.com/ Sheridan McMillan

ha! my computer is way shitter than yours your lucky you have such a computer mine is one of the oldest pieces of shit in the world all I need is another 512Mb DDR ram module and a better graphics card and I can run garry’s mod properly. im not lucky the only lucky thing about my computer is that I got it for free

my specs are?

pentium (R) 4 2.40Ghz

724Mb DDR ram

intel (R) 845G 16Mb integrated graphics

ubuntu (linux) 9.04

how shit is my compute right now

im lucky I can even run gmod at this rate :(
http://luneair.webs.com Sheridan McMillan

ha! my computer is way shitter than yours your lucky you have such a computer mine is one of the oldest pieces of shit in the world all I need is another 512Mb DDR ram module and a better graphics card and I can run garry’s mod properly. im not lucky the only lucky thing about my computer is that I got it for free

my specs are?

pentium (R) 4 2.40Ghz

724Mb DDR ram

intel (R) 845G 16Mb integrated graphics

ubuntu (linux) 9.04

how shit is my compute right now

im lucky I can even run gmod at this rate :(
Dylan_94

Buying a prebuilt is not cheaper. Better trying to diagnose the problem via the internet would have been cheaper.
Dylan_94

Buying a prebuilt is not cheaper. Better trying to diagnose the problem via the internet would have been cheaper.
RavMahov

Yeah, bios beeps throught “PC Speaker” (Beeper) to give you info about current status of your stuff…
RavMahov

Yeah, bios beeps throught “PC Speaker” (Beeper) to give you info about current status of your stuff…
Thf

No, just no
Thf

No, just no
Hivemind

Perhaps it’s different in the US, but in the UK it is often quite alot cheaper to buy a prebuilt than building it yourself, especially when they’re on offer.

It used to be cheaper but that’s not the case any more.
Hivemind

Perhaps it’s different in the US, but in the UK it is often quite alot cheaper to buy a prebuilt than building it yourself, especially when they’re on offer.

It used to be cheaper but that’s not the case any more.
Charles

I lold at that.
Charles

I lold at that.
http://www.sjackm.wordpress.com/ SamuraiJack

If you had the motherboard’s manual you could just check for the beeping pattern. For me that was successful when I had a similar problem.
http://www.sjackm.wordpress.com SamuraiJack

If you had the motherboard’s manual you could just check for the beeping pattern. For me that was successful when I had a similar problem.
MonkeyHood

It is very different in North America. It’s usually cheaper by several hundred to build your own gaming computer. A work computer may cost the same but it’s still usually cheaper.
MonkeyHood

It is very different in North America. It’s usually cheaper by several hundred to build your own gaming computer. A work computer may cost the same but it’s still usually cheaper.
http://justextreme.blogspot.com/ JustExtreme (Justin Clarke)

To everyone saying prebuilt is more expensive than building your own.

True in terms of money, but think! Garry does pretty everything that makes him money on his PC, a while without a computer could mean potential losses or delays and time is money.
http://justextreme.blogspot.com JustExtreme (Justin Clarke)

To everyone saying prebuilt is more expensive than building your own.

True in terms of money, but think! Garry does pretty everything that makes him money on his PC, a while without a computer could mean potential losses or delays and time is money.
BmB

You’re not exactly helping the image that you have too much money from gmod sales. :P
BmB

You’re not exactly helping the image that you have too much money from gmod sales. :P
FreeBee

A quick google search returned that 6 short beeps stands for a motherboard chip error. Specifically a chip that controls the keyboard. But that’s hard to imagine since you replaced the whole computer.
FreeBee

A quick google search returned that 6 short beeps stands for a motherboard chip error. Specifically a chip that controls the keyboard. But that’s hard to imagine since you replaced the whole computer.
http://pointlessramblings.com/ Fizzadar

Alienwares are a huge waste of money, you can build your own one for pretty much half price same spec.
http://pointlessramblings.com/ Fizzadar

Alienwares are a huge waste of money, you can build your own one for pretty much half price same spec.
Arch

Ohoho, shit bro.
You got a fuckin’ hex error on your drive somewhere. You better have backed up your shit, ‘cus it looks like you might have to reformat.
Arch

Ohoho, shit bro.
You got a fuckin’ hex error on your drive somewhere. You better have backed up your shit, ‘cus it looks like you might have to reformat.
Crater

Let Garry do whatever he wants, he has the money. He doesn’t need a Mother watching over him moderating how he spends it.Quit whining about how he bought a prebuilt computer. IMO, good job Garry.
Crater

Let Garry do whatever he wants, he has the money. He doesn’t need a Mother watching over him moderating how he spends it.Quit whining about how he bought a prebuilt computer. IMO, good job Garry.
Sean

Expensive pre built do have nice case desgin when it comes to screwless. You should have googled mobo name post 6 beeps, atleast you now know what it it. ALSO WHAT ON GODS EARTH MADE YOU GO TO PCWORLD FOR A MOTHERBOARD ! Atleast you didnt try the maplin across the street, one its expensive and crappy for componenets , two the staff are shit.
Zack

Try it in another power outlet. I've had this happen once or twice
Agun

6 beeps:

The chip on your motherboard that controls your keyboard (A20 gate) isn't working. First try another keyboard. If it doesn't help, reseat the chip that controls the keyboard, if it isn't soldered in. If it still beeps, replace the chip if possible. Replace the motherboard if it is soldered in.

According to:
http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml

Google could of saved you 700 pounds that you could of used for the new canon 550D. An awesome DSLR.
weetbix

You have too much money.
Roystenn

Mine is from LIDL, works like a charm :)
º.o

that's pretty funny, what are the specs of it?
http://twitter.com/Conor956 Conor Spencer-Hansen

Garry, check out Novatech.co.uk

>> Amazing site for computer parts. You should probably check with Novatech Support if all of your monkey parts are compatiable.
Nicklas

Garry. Will there ever be support of Multi-core CPU's in GMOD? I have a Q9450 and my god it sucks with only one core..
http://www.facebook.com/LeYang Jason Liang

I found it easier to get a cheap prebuilt and built my computer from that prebuilt as a base.
Got a Monitor with the deal as well, pretty sweet.
http://www.facebook.com/MulleDK19 Morten Torndahl Pedersen

lol, I would have laughed my ass off if it had been that simple, rofl.
Tyler

Indeed, but they certainly do perform, and look purdy.
Alienware is part of Dell though, and that's why they are costly.
Flapadar

IIRC, 6 beeps is a processor fault.
GMAN

hey build your own its much cheaper and its better

I am a nobber

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