Redwall Abbey

General Boards => Cavern Hole => Topic started by: Luftwaffles on February 12, 2017, 11:12:13 PM

Title: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Luftwaffles on February 12, 2017, 11:12:13 PM
Well, this existed on the old forum so I figured that it would be nice to bring it here as well.

Basically... do you have any kind of problems/questions regarding your computer, tablet, console or phone? Post it here and we'll help you out!

I just hope it won't end up like this:

Spoiler
(http://i.imgur.com/fdmvXam.gif)

;D ;D ;D
[close]
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Groddil on February 12, 2017, 11:37:52 PM
/me can help too!

I've been having some troubles with GPU temperature recently. Normally, it'll cap at around 65oC when overclocked and in-game, with an idle temperature of 30-35oC, but recently it caps at about 98oC when in-game.

Obviously, this ain't good, 'cause I don't want the GPU to burn itself out, but after some research, I managed to find a fix. I'll include it for anyone else who suffers the same problem.

Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Feles on February 12, 2017, 11:41:33 PM
well obviously you have solution right in that video  ;D
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Luftwaffles on February 12, 2017, 11:48:25 PM
That is awesome, @Groddil. Thank you for making the very first contribution to this topic. I'm sure many will find it useful ;D

Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Groddil on February 12, 2017, 11:51:14 PM
You're welcome. ;D
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Luftwaffles on February 12, 2017, 11:54:56 PM
Now, that should be the LAST step don't you think ;D

And now, please, let's keep the topic serious. Because, at this rate, if someone actually needs help they just won't get it due to craziness. Not what we want, right? ;)
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Jukka the Sling on February 14, 2017, 12:25:43 AM
Okay, I have a serious problem with my laptop.  It's a Lenovo IdeaPad 100S.  Ever since June, it consistently won't boot.  For a while before that, whenever updates were waiting to be installed and I happened to do a shutdown, it would fail to boot several times before finally getting into gear, installing the updates, and working normally.  But in June, I shut it down at a time when no updates were waiting to be installed... and it's never been able to boot since.

After turning it on, I get the message "Windows Boot Manager boot failed."  Hitting 'enter' gives me "Default boot device missing or boot failed.  Insert Recovery Media or select any key.  Then select 'Boot Manager' to choose a new Boot Device or to Boot Recovery Media."  The next menu gives me only Windows Boot Manager as an option, and of course selecting that gives me the initial failure message all over again.  It's a never-ending cycle.

Maybe this problem was caused by my computer being banged and bumped once too often.  (The plastic frame surrounding the keyboard actually has a couple of cracks.)  Does anyone know of any way I can fix this problem myself?  At this point, I'm gonna try and pop the battery out and hope desperately that that'll somehow solve the issue.
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Groddil on February 14, 2017, 12:35:13 AM
If you don't mind losing your files, there should be a factory reset option in the boot manager, which could fix the problem. The issue is most likely caused by some sort of virus or major bug from a new update.

Or... If you still have the Windows Repair Disc that should come with your copy of windows (or just the computer, if it already had windows installed, which it probably did), you could try launching windows from the repair disc. That shouldn't delete everything, and might work.
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Hickory on February 14, 2017, 12:37:54 AM
In addition to what Groddil said, you should be able to back your files up to an external drive. They're expensive, but well worth the price.
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Jukka the Sling on February 14, 2017, 12:45:03 AM
I kinda do mind losing my files... I think.  (Can't remember what exactly I had on there.)

...Okay, apparently there's some kind of recovery button on the actual keyboard?  Weird.  Maybe I can try that, 'cause my computer doesn't have a disc drive (it's only 11.6 inches).

I hope it doesn't necessitate losing files.
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Hickory on February 14, 2017, 12:54:35 AM
...I just realized, for the photo and text files, you can put them in Google Drive, which is totally free and accessible on literally every smart device conceivable.
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Groddil on February 14, 2017, 12:59:35 AM
Buy an external disc reader. They're about 10 bucks (in other words, cheaper in American money), and they'll save you alot of hassle in the future.

Quote from: Sagetip on February 14, 2017, 12:54:35 AM
...I just realized, for the photo and text files, you can put them in Google Drive, which is totally free and accessible on literally every smart device conceivable.

She kinda needs to be on the computer to do that, though, doesn't she?
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Luftwaffles on February 14, 2017, 01:23:42 AM
Did you notice any kind of strange behavior on your laptop before this happened? I highly doubt an update would be able to wreck your computer this much, but a virus is highly possible.

QuoteMaybe this problem was caused by my computer being banged and bumped once too often.  (The plastic frame surrounding the keyboard actually has a couple of cracks.)

That DID affect the display on my old laptop (my mom used to put stuff on top of it when it was closed *facepalm*) but I think that you would be hearing an actual concert of beeps and disk readings if the problem was physical.

I'll look into your problem and see what else can be done, dear Jukka.
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Jukka the Sling on February 14, 2017, 01:32:22 AM
@Sierra:  I don't remember anything too weird.  Y'know, I'm not sure, but I *might* have interrupted updates a couple of times before the weird shutdown issue started, and I got a message about them not finishing properly... and that was probably really stupid of me. :P  But I believe the updates installed properly the two or three times the computer started up to finish them.


Okay, the little recovery button gives me more options - Normal Startup, BIOS Setup, Boot Menu, and System Recovery - but with the exception of BIOS Setup, they all bring me straight back to the "Windows Boot Manager boot failed" thing.

I have no clue what the different options on the BIOS Setup menu will do.  Secure Boot is toggled to On, Secure Boot Status is Enabled, there's a couple of things that can't be changed, and then there are some options: Reset to Setup Mode, which apparently will "clear PK, disable secure boot and enter Setup Mode"; Restore Factory Keys, which will "restore all secure boot database to factory default include [sic] PK, KEK, db and dbx"; and BIOS Back Flash, which will "allow BIOS to be back leveled to a previous version", which is currently toggled to Off.

I am pretty confused.
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Søren on February 14, 2017, 02:18:16 AM
If anyone has a problem or question regarding Apple products, (iOS or macOS) don't hesitate to @mention me. :) Unfortunately, I know little of PCs, so I can't help, Jukka.
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Luftwaffles on February 14, 2017, 02:46:06 PM
Hey @Jukka the Sling: I assume you are on Windows 8, right? This problem is common by the looks of things (https://www.google.com.ar/?gws_rd=ssl#q=windows+boot+manager+has+failed).

Most sources -including the official Microsoft Support (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-update/acer-e1-571-windows-boot-manager-failed/2b6886d0-f521-4f3f-b61a-51eb4f48abe9)- state that the problem can be solved by simply running a repair from the install disc... since we already established that you don't have access to this CD (nor the means to feed it to your PC), I would recommend you to try the following method:

IF you have a second working PC with Windows 8 installed on it, you can create an USB recovery tool (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17422/windows-8-create-usb-recovery-drive) from which you can solve the problem with ease.

Let me know how it went... and if we still haven't solved the problem, don't hesitate to ask again and we will look into it once more!

Best of luck.
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Jukka the Sling on February 14, 2017, 05:29:33 PM
Actually, the laptop is Windows 10... but Amber actually has the exact same computer.  I guess the same process would work, right?  Would my files be deleted?

(Thank you so, so much for all your help. :))
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Luftwaffles on February 14, 2017, 05:38:55 PM
Windows 10? Very well, do the following:

Go to Amber's computer and do as it says here (https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10/how-to-create-a-recovery-drive-for-reinstalling/58df9c7d-84de-4652-9952-8bac34abc6c5). It is a lengthy process and it might sound a little tricky at first, but do take your time and don't hesitate to ask if there's something that you don't understand. I'd be delighted to help :)

QuoteWould my files be deleted?

This ultimately depends on whether or not your PC has a recovery partition on it. The process should let you know about it.

Best of luck!
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Jukka the Sling on February 15, 2017, 12:16:32 AM
Thank you so much.  I've Googled this so many times but still was never sure what to do.  I'll let you know how it goes once I get a new USB drive. :)
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Luftwaffles on February 15, 2017, 04:27:51 AM
You can use an existing USB stick for this, though -as long as you don't mind losing the files currently inside of it-. Even then, it might be wiser to buy a new one for the procedure... just make sure it has at least 4GB of space!

Keep us posted. I'm looking forward to see you become really active here again :)
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Jukka the Sling on February 15, 2017, 06:06:45 PM
Yeah, I'm pretty anxious to have my own computer again.  The Kindle Fire with the cracked screen I've mostly been using isn't quite the same. XD
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Luftwaffles on February 15, 2017, 08:08:54 PM
Steal Amber's PC.

You have written some pretty impressive posts under those conditions, though. I'm almost amazed :P
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Jukka the Sling on February 15, 2017, 09:04:15 PM
Haha, I have borrowed hers or my mom's on several occasions (like I'm doing right now, for instance).  But yeah, I have posted a lot with my Kindle, including those huge pic dumps on Funny Pictures. :P
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Rosie Willowwater on April 01, 2017, 11:43:26 PM
What do I do when my computer's ticking like a time bomb?
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Luftwaffles on April 01, 2017, 11:48:13 PM
Quote from: Rosie Willowwater on April 01, 2017, 11:43:26 PM
What do I do when my computer's ticking like a time bomb?

Please explain in greater detail. Where's the noise coming from for instance?
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Groddil on April 01, 2017, 11:48:40 PM
Turn it off and back on again.

Craptop or Desktop?
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Melanda MacBurl on April 01, 2017, 11:50:28 PM
That doesn't sound very good. :( Google says that it could be your hard drive. Please make sure your files are backed up, you don't want to lose all of that work!
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Rosie Willowwater on April 02, 2017, 12:07:26 AM
Quote from: Sierra on April 01, 2017, 11:48:13 PM
Quote from: Rosie Willowwater on April 01, 2017, 11:43:26 PM
What do I do when my computer's ticking like a time bomb?

Please explain in greater detail. Where's the noise coming from for instance?

So, it went through an update and when it was finished a screen popped up (I couldn't see it because my dad was the one working on it) and then lots of beeping happened. I think my dad fixed/is fixing it now.

Quote from: Groddil on April 01, 2017, 11:48:40 PM
Turn it off and back on again.

Craptop or Desktop?

Laptop

Quote from: Melanda MacBurl on April 01, 2017, 11:50:28 PM
That doesn't sound very good. :( Google says that it could be your hard drive. Please make sure your files are backed up, you don't want to lose all of that work!

Okay, thanks guys! : )
Title: Re: The Technical Support Thread!
Post by: Groddil on April 02, 2017, 12:40:32 AM
Hmm, if it's a craptop, try pulling out the battery and putting it back in again. That fixes a lot of issues.

On the other hand, I think Jukka also said how an update broke her craptop as well. Is this the latest update? What OS?