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Question about computers
Posted on 3/4/15 at 3:20 pm
Posted on 3/4/15 at 3:20 pm
I know this may sound far-fetched, but all over my schools campus, people have been attributing their computer issues with the electrical outlets at this school.
Someone said that these problems all caused because the island has an increased voltage in the outlets. I know it sounds stupid, but is it even remotely possible? And its all for different reasons. Some have software issues, some have fried motherboard issues, I have had to change my monitor once due to vertical lines apearing; and lines are back exactly one year later on a new screen.
I guess my question is that is it possible for it to be, like someone said, an increased voltage in the outlets on the island that is screwing up everyone's computer? I'll hang up and listen. TIA
Someone said that these problems all caused because the island has an increased voltage in the outlets. I know it sounds stupid, but is it even remotely possible? And its all for different reasons. Some have software issues, some have fried motherboard issues, I have had to change my monitor once due to vertical lines apearing; and lines are back exactly one year later on a new screen.
I guess my question is that is it possible for it to be, like someone said, an increased voltage in the outlets on the island that is screwing up everyone's computer? I'll hang up and listen. TIA
4
Posted on 3/4/15 at 3:29 pm to jose
The power adapter would fry before it reach the motherboard. Definitely wouldn't cause software issues.
Posted on 3/4/15 at 3:32 pm to MrSmith
We have lost many adapters already. I haven't personally.
Posted on 3/4/15 at 3:50 pm to jose
Like MrSmith said, it definitely wouldn't cause software issues, though it could cause hardware issues that appear to be software related. Unlike MrSmith said, I think poor quality electricity can "jump" the power adapter/supply and damage other components, especially if the adapter/supply is itself of low quality. But yeah, the power adapter for a laptop or power supply unit in a desktop would likely be the first part to go.
And I wouldn't be too worried about the voltage being too high, because if it were there would probably be trouble with more than just computers. Voltage that is too low would be more of a concern, because some devices have to draw more current to satisfy their power requirements, and more current generates more heat. Even so, a steady supply of somewhat low voltage probably wouldn't be too much of a problem, either. If the voltage isn't steady, that could possibly shorten the life of a lot of electronics as they go through more thermal cycles.
Or I could just be talking out of my arse.
And I wouldn't be too worried about the voltage being too high, because if it were there would probably be trouble with more than just computers. Voltage that is too low would be more of a concern, because some devices have to draw more current to satisfy their power requirements, and more current generates more heat. Even so, a steady supply of somewhat low voltage probably wouldn't be too much of a problem, either. If the voltage isn't steady, that could possibly shorten the life of a lot of electronics as they go through more thermal cycles.
Or I could just be talking out of my arse.
Posted on 3/4/15 at 3:53 pm to jose
It depends on the quality of the adapter and how you're connecting it to the power source. A lot of converters that people use are simply not meant to power these types of devices, especially not for any extended period of time. Most decent manufacturers will have adapters that are designed to be able to deal with it, but you can't just assume that it'll function correctly. It's most likely stemming from improper grounding, though. Whether it's some sort of ground loop or just bad converters/adapters, it's not unlikely that it could cause problems. Most modern hardware is built to handle that sort of thing, but again, improper grounding and unclean power could definitely do damage.
Even though most of the adapters are probably capable of dual-voltage, it's very possible to experience hardware issues and strange behavior in these situations. While I doubt it's causing software issues, the issues could just appear to be software related and really be related to an issue with hardware.
Even though most of the adapters are probably capable of dual-voltage, it's very possible to experience hardware issues and strange behavior in these situations. While I doubt it's causing software issues, the issues could just appear to be software related and really be related to an issue with hardware.
This post was edited on 3/4/15 at 3:54 pm
Posted on 3/4/15 at 4:00 pm to Korkstand
quote:
If the voltage isn't steady, that could possibly shorten the life of a lot of electronics as they go through more thermal cycles.
I'm not tech savvy by any means, nor do I truly understand what you mean by thermal. But I do notice that my computer does remain pretty warm and seems to be making lots of noise sometimes. When this happens, I always try to see what programs are running and shut some down trying to lower the demand.
But based on what you are all saying, is it safe to assume that the voltage could be the reason we are all having computer problems?
Posted on 3/4/15 at 4:06 pm to jose
When you say making a lot of noise, what do you mean? Where is the noise coming from? If it's just loud fans, that's one thing, but if it's a hum from an adapter or something, that's totally different.
Posted on 3/4/15 at 4:09 pm to Korkstand
quote:
I think poor quality electricity can "jump" the power adapter/supply and damage other components, especially if the adapter/supply is itself of low quality.
This is true. Some of them have few or no protection circuits. Ideally, a good quality power supply/adapter, makes dirty power invisible to the user, and worst case scenario OPP/OCP will kick in and shut it off or kill it. But a shitty unit will just as easily continue to heat up for a while until it dies, possibly taking a few components with it. A capacitor on the unit could die at any time, and more noise/fluctuations would be allowed to bypass the unit and stress the hell out of voltage regulators on the motherboard.
Not at all common, since ideally the point of the power adapter/power supply is to prevent this, but you have to consider that $300-500 laptops (and up) don't exactly ship with high-end adapters designed with the absolute worst-case scenarios in mind.
Posted on 3/4/15 at 4:18 pm to Dijkstra
No definitely not from the adapter. It comes from the fans. With my lack of computer knowledge, I always figured that that signaled overworking and that it may have lead to, at least the lines on my damn screen.
Posted on 3/4/15 at 4:19 pm to jose
quote:Thermal just means related to heat. All the parts inside the computer that carry electricity are made of metal, and all metals expand when they get hot and contract when they cool off. Generally, it's not so much the heat that hurts electronics as how often the parts cycle from hot to not-so-hot.
I'm not tech savvy by any means, nor do I truly understand what you mean by thermal.
quote:You're going to have to describe the noise. Is it fans spinning up fast? Is there a buzz or intermittent sound?
But I do notice that my computer does remain pretty warm and seems to be making lots of noise sometimes.
quote:Again, not so much the voltage, but more how "clean" or "dirty" the electricity is. Electronics prefer a nice stable source of power.
But based on what you are all saying, is it safe to assume that the voltage could be the reason we are all having computer problems?
Also, how's the humidity there?
Posted on 3/4/15 at 4:21 pm to ILikeLSUToo
My girlfriend's MagSafe went out not long after spending 6 weeks in Italy. It worked sporadically and occasionally the brick would lightly hum. She neglected to tell me the second part until much later when it finally went out. Apparently, it was going bad when she got there, and it slowly died. What I believe did it in, though, is that she forgot the International kit she bought from Apple here in the States, and when she found an Apple store of some sort in Florence, they gave her some shitty adapter. It may be a coincidence, but her MBP started acting up not long after she got back. A couple of months later, she experienced a full Logic Board failure. Now, I'm not positive that this was caused by her travel, but I would be very surprised if it didn't have a big impact on it.
It's always better to buy an adapter specific to your location if you're going to spend an extended amount of time there. It may be unnecessary in most cases, but the damage that can be done in the instances where shite goes South is usually far more expensive to repair.
That sounds like you're having an issue with overheating. If the fans are spinning up to a loud volume and you occasionally see lines, you could be running into overheating, specifically you GPU overheating. What type of lines are they? Are they more like waves and static on TVs or are they stationary with patterns? The lines could be artifacts indicating GPU issues.
It's always better to buy an adapter specific to your location if you're going to spend an extended amount of time there. It may be unnecessary in most cases, but the damage that can be done in the instances where shite goes South is usually far more expensive to repair.
quote:
With my lack of computer knowledge, I always figured that that signaled overworking and that it may have lead to, at least the lines on my damn screen.
That sounds like you're having an issue with overheating. If the fans are spinning up to a loud volume and you occasionally see lines, you could be running into overheating, specifically you GPU overheating. What type of lines are they? Are they more like waves and static on TVs or are they stationary with patterns? The lines could be artifacts indicating GPU issues.
This post was edited on 3/4/15 at 4:25 pm
Posted on 3/4/15 at 4:28 pm to Korkstand
quote:
You're going to have to describe the noise. Is it fans spinning up fast? Is there a buzz or intermittent sound?
Its just sounds like the fans are spinning super fast for far too long. I guess I should say, that I have never noticed this on any computer I have ever owned.
quote:
Again, not so much the voltage, but more how "clean" or "dirty" the electricity is. Electronics prefer a nice stable source of power.
Well this island is shite. So if I had to make a guess, their electricity is shite too. Which is why I found it completely plausible that the voltage differences may to be blame for the computer problems. Just add one more thing that blows about this place.
quote:
Also, how's the humidity there?
The humidity is not an issue, as it doesn't get all that humid most of the time. It does however stay pretty hot day and night. I take good care of my computer as well. If it isn't in my backpack, it's sitting safe and sound on a desk. Not like I throw it, or my bag, around.
Posted on 3/4/15 at 4:31 pm to Dijkstra
quote:
That sounds like you're having an issue with overheating. If the fans are spinning up to a loud volume and you occasionally see lines, you could be running into overheating, specifically you GPU overheating. What type of lines are they? Are they more like waves and static on TVs or are they stationary with patterns? The lines could be artifacts indicating GPU issues.
They are stationary lines on my screen going vertical. At first, they sorta showed up with a light black hue to them and then disappeared. But now a few lines have changed to a white color and stayed for going on over 4 weeks now. And they are slowly multiplying, as I now have about 6 or 7 all bunched real close together.
Posted on 3/4/15 at 4:39 pm to jose
quote:Figured I'd ask, because I went to Jamaica a few years ago and it didn't seem like a very hospitable place for electronics, even indoors. Maybe the A/C units at that particular resort were just total shite, but five minutes after a shower I felt absolutely disgusting again.
The humidity is not an issue
Posted on 3/4/15 at 5:06 pm to jose
Would using a UPS solve this problem?
It should output a constant voltage even with fluctuating input.
It should output a constant voltage even with fluctuating input.
Posted on 3/4/15 at 5:11 pm to ATL-TIGER-732
quote:
Would using a UPS solve this problem?
It should output a constant voltage even with fluctuating input.
I am not sure what that means?
Posted on 3/4/15 at 5:39 pm to jose
A UPS, or uninterruptible power supply, is used to provide necessary power in the case of a problem with the power source. He's saying that it would possibly fix your issue by giving you a stable, clean supply of power regardless of the current state of your power source. Because they're damn near instantaneous in a case in which they're needed, it would compensate and dampen any power fluctuations by "absorbing" it before passing it on.
Posted on 3/4/15 at 5:50 pm to Dijkstra
Do you think the overheating may be causing these lines to appear?
Is there anything I can do to get them to go away without taking the computer to a dealer? I'm kinda about 2000 miles from home at the moment
Is there anything I can do to get them to go away without taking the computer to a dealer? I'm kinda about 2000 miles from home at the moment
Posted on 3/4/15 at 6:02 pm to Dijkstra
Yeah, i would try a conditioner. I have a ups on all my expensive equipment
Posted on 3/4/15 at 6:46 pm to jose
I'm not trying to flame you but to be perfectly honest it is more likely that the problem is the users.
That said, as others have pointed out a good power supply will prevent lots of problems but not all of them. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) might not be a bad investment if you have a desktop. For a laptop you don't need one since you have a battery already.
That said, as others have pointed out a good power supply will prevent lots of problems but not all of them. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) might not be a bad investment if you have a desktop. For a laptop you don't need one since you have a battery already.
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