How NOT to fix your computer A comedy conversation
by Manhole 21,658 29 09/09/2011 08:31 PM 736 views
It was many years ago when a senior engineer told me "Do as I say, not as I do." I didn't like that advice too much, but now I swear by it. These days when repairing electronics, I'll do things that I wouldn't dare let a novice do. And repairing my own computer is no different.
I get home after a long week of dodging wildfires in Texas, and find my computer making a strange noise. It was more of a vibration than a noise, I think. It's hard to describe what vibration sounds like, but most of us know what I'm talking about.
It took me about 1.23 milliseconds to discover the source of the noise.
This is the fan that sits on top of the CPU heatsink. It has to be fixed. But it's seven thirty on a Friday, and I'm already nursing my second beer. Now, normally, I would order the proper fan and tag the computer out of service until I had the parts to repair it.
But I'm not in a normal mood.
This is what I'm going to use to cool the 2.4 gig CPU. Yup, a $5 case fan in unkown condition.
This is the whole I cut in the failed fan housing with a pair of nose hair clippers.
This is what I'm going to use to attach the $5 case fan to the old fan housing.
This is what the finished job looks like.
It all seems to be working good. I made this thread on this very computer. I'm sure the repair will last many m
Similar, but not, the draft inducer(a big fan) broke on my furnace two years ago. I could have paid a furnace guy $700 to fix it, or I could order the part off EBay for $320 but have to wait 3-4 days to get it.
I took the option that left me more beer money. But what about heat for those few days? It was the begining of December after all.
After putting some of that beer money to use I came up with a plan that involved epoxying it back together and then hose clamping the shaft because the new imbalance would have split it.
What I ended up with was an inducer that functioned but was so noisy and off balance it shook the entire house.
I didn't mind and hardly noticed though, I had plenty of beer money.
Kid: I'm hungry. Me: Okay, get your robe on and we'll go make breakfast. Kid: Heh, I thought you said "Get your robot." Me: A robot would be helpful in the kitchen, but we don't have one. Kid: Well, Manhole can make one for us.
I LOLd at Straw's story, and my boyfriend asked me what was so funny, so I tried to read it out loud to him:
Me: Read's Straw's story Jack: who the Frost is Manhole? Me: He's Straw's boyfriend/pet. He's a talented electronics guy and he made an awesome tribute to me with a farting lobster. Jack: Who the Frost is Straw? Me: Nevermind. *takes a shower*
Lurking on this website has taught me something. I am in no way the most twisted person out there. When My family expresses doubt,I simply direct them here. Well done everyone! Keep up the great works.
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