Computers Have Feelings, Too!

So, recently we posted about the laptop + Ramen noodles incident. Well, unfortunately that was not the end of our computer troubles. Now, the laptop is working fine. However, my desktop computer was very vocal about the lack of attention it was getting because of the new kid on the block. First, it started making grinding noises with its case fans. Then it started randomly restarting. Then, it would cry whenever we tried to put it to bed - not even kidding here. You would shut it down, and it would give you this incessant beep until you manually turned the power off. At least it's a computer, and I won't be jailed for doing that like I would if it were my child...

The final straw came when it refused to access the internet. So, last Saturday I began the process of backing up all my data, so that I could reformat the thing and get a fresh start. Well, halfway through the process I hear a loud popping noise. I thought, "That sounds a lot like a capacitor popping." (It would be too long a story to tell you why I'm familiar with that sound...) But the monitor was still on, the files were still transferring to the external hard drive, and all was well. Supposedly...

After I formatted the computer and installed Windows, I started getting the beep of death when starting up, not just on shutting down. And by Sunday, it wouldn't start up at all. Couldn't even spin the CPU fan anymore. This is what the front room looked like on Monday.

You know you've got a computer geek here - multiple keyboards, motherboard out in the open, tools everywhere, and yes, that's a bag of Lays potato chips over by the guitar. :-) (Notice the tangle of cables to the right - that's what our TV stand now hides beautifully.)

Anyway, as I was tearing everything apart to figure out what was up, I noticed something - the video card had a blown capacitor! (See Mom? My ears ARE good for something!) We replaced that Monday, but it still wouldn't go. So THEN I tore apart the power supply...

"Well, there's your problem!" I've circled it for you. That is another blown capacitor. There's two, actually, but you can't see the second one. And I have no idea how it happened....

Anyway, Tuesday we got a new power supply - no dice there, either. That would indicate that the motherboard has failed, so last night we got one of those. And finally, success! Never have I been more happy to see a Windows logo in my life. I guess my computer felt it was now sufficiently new to be able to look down upon its new, Ramen-consuming sibling.

...And now, to finish actually reformatting and reinstall everything. I will require the faith and prayers of all of you. ;-)