I despise DOA....

**PyrrhusIV** · May 26, 2006, 05:05 PM

You all know (Or atleast Hadrian

) of the massive system I started assembling this spring. To my annoyance, the Motherboard came in defective, and I had to wait a whole month for the RMA to completely happen. Yesterday, I went to the computer-shop to pick up the computer.

I recieved amazing news. The computer is running, it is fast, everything is working, they put a new video card in and it ran fine.

Anyone notice the catch?

"New Video Card"

After putting in the new MOBO, they noticed the computer wasnt recognizing the video card. After further tests, they found it was dead. So, my $840 7800 GTX, is essentially dead. It would be easy to get an RMA through newegg or BFG tech, except for one MAJOR issue. I bought it new off Ebay. I've talked with BFG Tech, and It seems it is possible they may let me RMA it, if I can find every shred of box, paper, plastic etc it came in. Though, the chances are still slim. I recently talked to the man I bought it from on ebay. I have to work out the details more with him though. If I do send it back to him, the process will be 6 weeks long (Need to send it to him, he sends it to his vendor, they send it back to him, he sends it to me).

Alternatively, the vendor I bought it off of may give me my money back, when I send the card back. I am actually hoping he does do this. If I wanted to, I could go the SLI Route & still have plenty money left over.

Until then, i've stuck a 8 year old 32MB GPU in the Computer, So I can atleast run windows, I.E, and other basic programs, even a couple games. My teacher has a spare FX5200 or 6200 at his house, that he will lend to me until my GPU comes in.

DOA is dreadful, I absolutely despise it. By the time I can play on this computer, it will be past tech.

**Sir Robin** · May 26, 2006, 05:18 PM

DOA is the nightmare that haunts my sleep...

Waiting to go custom and I have actually had dreams of a new PC on the desk with the MTW2 cd in my hands ready to install.

Push the power button and... nothing.

Every few years there is a game that winds me up way to much. This time its MTW2.

Good luck Antoninus Pious, DOA sucks.

**Incinerate_IV** · May 26, 2006, 05:46 PM

Wow thats pretty sad, so basically you are saying you haven't got a chance to play RTW on your X2 and 7800GTX yet? How did it take this long anyway?

Anyways, I have recieved my share of unfunctional computer parts from Ebay, now I only buy stuff when the seller get all 100% reviews, and has a return policy.

**PyrrhusIV** · May 26, 2006, 05:53 PM

Wow thats pretty sad, so basically you are saying you haven't got a chance to play RTW on your X2 and 7800GTX yet?

Yeah, I have a 512MB 7800 GTX (Dead) , and a X2 4800 waiting to crush RTW....emphasis around waiting.

How did it take this long anyway?

I bought the case in December, and I started assembling the computer in Burst(s) since then. It was completely finished around late march-early April, I bought a couple minor things, brought it to the store, and the Mobo was dead. Had to wait a month for the Mobo to come in, just to have a dead VC.

Also, I work two jobs, one gives me $180 per week, give or take a few $'s, and another which pays $60 . On top of this, my godparents are making me pay $120 per week, and i'm basically buying most of my food & school accessories by myself.

**Hadrian** · May 26, 2006, 10:30 PM

Antoninus, if you can get a refund, then you can turn around and purchase 2 7900GTXs for a few dollars more than the single 7800GTX because the prices just dropped at Newegg! Thats a deal,2 new VCs for the price of 1! Through the adversity, it appears God is looking out for you! I feel your pain bro as both of my XFXs had to be RMAed, but the last replacement finally arrived today. And it works! Hallelujah!!

As Red Leader in his final run against the Death Star said,"Almost..there.."

**PyrrhusIV** · May 28, 2006, 09:25 PM

Hey, atleast i get over 700 FPS on Age of Empires II : Age of Kings.....

**Lee1026** · May 28, 2006, 09:29 PM

That is why you buy cheap parts - you can afford to buy a new one while you are waiting for the RMA.

**fatsheep** · May 28, 2006, 09:33 PM

Wow that really stinks. It's also one reason I'm afraid to get super expensive parts: if it breaks I may never forgive myself.

**PyrrhusIV** · May 28, 2006, 09:51 PM

That is why you buy cheap parts - you can afford to buy a new one while you are waiting for the RMA.

Yeah, you've influenced me greatly actually. When I reccomend parts for friends computer's or build them, i go for budget or Bang-for the buck. Unless they actually tell me about "future-proofing".

**Zuwxiv** · May 29, 2006, 06:49 AM

The computer I had before this one would smoke when you turned it on. Seriously.

I always go for the cheap but effective stuff. Something that will last a couple years, but won't take such a huge bite out of my wallet. Newegg is excellent for finding a good deal on wanted equipment.

**OTZ** · May 29, 2006, 09:56 AM

I always say there are a few things you shouldn't skimp on - PSU being the most important in my opinion. If it breaks it has the potential to damage other compnents, which as far as I know, you can not return if it's the PSU's fault...Although the chances of a qaulity PSU failing may be just as good as a no-name brand, I for one am unwilling to take the chance.

Everything else - best bang for your buck (depending on what your requirements are of course)

**Hadrian** · May 29, 2006, 01:04 PM

PSU and Cable Management are the two most overlooked factors in a well configured machine, budget or extreme systems not withstanding. Either one can kill your rig and both are so simple to address. One can cost you a pretty penny, and the other is free....

**Lee1026** · May 29, 2006, 01:05 PM

Of course, there are warning signs before the PSU is going bad, so I failed to see your point.....

**Incinerate_IV** · May 29, 2006, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Lee1026

Of course, there are warning signs before the PSU is going bad, so I failed to see your point.....

Not exactly, when my old 350 watt no-name psu burnt out, my system just shut down. Theres no warning or anything like that, no smell, the system was acting perfectly fine the minute before it burnt out.

**Lee1026** · May 29, 2006, 01:34 PM

That is the warning signal; the rest of your PC was fine, as I recall. Also, the best way to check is with a volt meter.

**Incinerate_IV** · May 29, 2006, 01:38 PM

Well I wouldn't exactly call it a warning, since the psu already burnt out which caused my computer to shut down. So my hardware could have fried, but thank god it didn't.

I had to wait a whole week for my new psu to arrive from newegg.com though (Stupid UPS!!!)

Another reason to not skimp on the PSU.

**Lee1026** · May 29, 2006, 01:44 PM

Not really. The only real concern is it frying the rest of your hardware. Since it didn't, it was a warning it is going to.

**Incinerate_IV** · May 29, 2006, 01:53 PM

That doesn't make any sense, a fried psu won't work anymore and hence not fry my hardware, so why is a psu burning out a warning?

**Lee1026** · May 29, 2006, 01:56 PM

Some fried PSUs will keep working after it cools off, and will fry your hardware if you do that enough times.

**Hadrian** · May 29, 2006, 09:04 PM

Lee1026, my point was, its an often overlooked component that is far more important than most people,especially new builders,realize. I'm not specifically talking about "frying" a system necessarily,but that an insufficent one is going to leave you and your rig, on the preverbial side of the road.Try returning one because you underestimated the power load requirements of your rig,and its gonna be a 15% restocking lesson you won't soon forget! Besides,cut it close and when you upgrade you'll be buying another PSU right along with your upgrade components.