I wish computers were as reliable as my trains....

[Demon09]

This evening I recieved a message from my computer that there was a problem with the hard drive, that I needed to run a diagnostic tool. Upon running the program the computer crashed and restarted about 75 times before I managed to get back on....

I contacted HP online, who informed me that the hard drive is on its last legs, about to burn out..... This computer is less than a year old, so the part will be replaced free of charge, but this is the second time in the past few months that a major part has needed to be replaced.... I am greatful that their support is so actively helpful, because their products seem to need it...... at least mine does....

My trains, on the other hand, are not so prone to failure. I have trains that are 15 or more years older than I am, and they run like clockwork. The newer trains I have are also running strong with no problems. The 1122 switches I received the other day are from 1952 (I was born in '87, so these parts are MUCH older than I am) and they are still reliable as well; needing some basic repairs, but still working. I'm glad some companies can make their products to last for more than 1 year...even more than 50 years too!

[mitchelr]

I hear your pain. If automobiles were as reliable as computers, many people would still be using horse and buggy. It amazes me that the BIG operating system has so many bugs and flaws, much less the security concerns.[xx(][xx(][xx(]

Mitch

[Jumijo]

That's why I don't own one. Too expensive and prone to failure. I use them at work all day. I don't need or want one at home.

Jim

[Anonymous]

One thing I've read recently that made sense regarding hard disk failures: Apparently they can be caused by not having enough RAM. Reasoning behind this theory is that the PC is running the hard drive continually as it can't load everything into RAM and spin down until needed. I do know from bitter experience that most mass-produced PCs ship without sufficient RAM to be a pleasure to use - they put in just enough to allow it to work.

Personally, I blame a certain well-known company that's responsible for continually adding extra stuff to their OSs that most of us don't need. Said bloatware then slows down our PCs and fills our hard drives with junk, as well as creating a whole slew of security holes. Linux is a far better idea - more secure, easier to tailor to what you want, and best of all, free or nearly so.

[phillyreading]

Had the same problem a few years ago with an HP computer, DO NOT use their hard-drive replacement, USE anything but HP! If I was you I would replace that computor as soon as possible, HP's are known as a problem child among computor users.
Lee F.

[Anonymous]

That is the main reason that I highly dislike how dependent we have become on technology.

[Dave Farquhar]

I've been working in computer sales, repairs, and service for 14 years, basically my entire adult life. I've learned a few tricks to keeping them running longer and more reliably.

First off, while there was a time when I would suggest certain computer brands over another, today there is very little difference. HP, Dell, Gateway, and the rest utilize a handful of Far East companies who make the components and in most cases do the assembly. The biggest difference between any two makes of computers anymore is what software gets loaded on it. There isn't a whole lot of difference anymore.

No major computer manufacturers/resellers make their own hard drives. Hard drives are manufactured by Maxtor, Seagate, Western Digital, Hitachi, and Samsung. Maxtor is being bought out by Seagate; rumor is that Samsung is going to buy Western Digital. Hard drives are cyclical. Every manufacturer goes through good spells and bad spells. The best way to find out what's going through a good spell and a bad spell is to ask the guy at work who works on the computers on everyone's desk. Ask him or her what brand of hard drive he or she sees come across the desk most often. This is the ONLY way to get an unbiased opinion on hard drives. And it changes. There was a time when the best drive to get was a Maxtor and the worst was a Western Digital. That's not necessarily true this year. I have a couple of Maxtor drives that are 5-6 years old that are still cranking away. I have a coworker who got a year out of his current-production Maxtor. Life expectancy of a hard drive is 3 years. Go figure.

Computer makers treat hard drives like tires. If Dell needs 50,000 hard drives and Maxtor can't supply them, Dell calls Seagate. If both companies are able to supply an adequate number of drives but one of them is 50 cents cheaper per unit, guess who's drives Dell buys.

I leave my PCs powered on all the time, with the power management turned off. I do turn off my monitors. Why? Walk into the server room at any major corporation or government facility and you'll see computers that are several years old and only get shut down when they need upgrades or service. It's easier on the hardware for it to just run constantly. Chances are the lights in the room are using more electricity than the computer is, so I'd rather spend a few bucks a year on electricity than buy new computers constantly.

Get a USB flash drive and periodically back up all of your personal files to it. They're cheap and reliable. You could even use it as primary storage for all of your personal files. That way, if your hard drive crashes, you have all of your data.

Burn your digital pictures and other large collections of files to CD or DVD periodically if they won't fit on a reasonably priced flash drive.

Get an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This filters the electricity somewhat, giving the computer steadier current, and protects it against brief power outages. You can get one for 50 bucks and it's worth every penny.

Finally, the other weak link in most computers is the power supply. If the internal power supply in a computer fails, take it to a reputable computer shop and get a replacement power supply installed. More wattage is better, but make sure you're getting a reputable name-brand power supply. Antec is always solid. Some Dell computers aren't compatible with regular power supplies, so that's why I recommend taking the computer to a reputable shop. It's their job to know what power supplies are wired for what computers. If you're a do-it-yourselfer and want the best, contact PC Power & Cooling (www.pcpowercooling.com). Their power supplies are pricey, but highly reliable, and they know any oddball cases and have power supplies that will fit them.

[darianj]

What Dave says is absolutely right. I too have been a computer professional for about 14 years now. I've been using the same home computer for the last 5 years with very little problems. The biggest problem is that MOST people don't take the time to learn about keeping their computer in good shape; or learn about backing up their files. Dave gave some very good advice to help protect yourself against a lost...I wonder how many people will follow his advice.

Not only that, but just like cars and toy trains, computers need a little preventative maintenance every now and than. I'm not saying they're perfect; but I think it's unfair to compare their reliability to cars and other things. Cars and toy trains have been made for over 100 years. The PC for somewhere between 20 and 30.

Just my [2c] toward the dollar.

[johnandjulie13]

Not being a computer expert, but having experienced a hard drive crash, I can only echo what has been said. Make sure you back up regularly. Nothing is more aggravating than having valuable data that is now lost inside what has now become a paper weight. USB flash drives are great and well worth the investment.

Regards,

JO

[Anonymous]

I wish my trains were as reliable as my computers! Of course, I use a Mac at home (reliable) and PCs (Dell and others) at work (somewhat less reliable).

I've had more glitches with my trains in recent years than I've had with my computers, and I'm kind of grateful for that because it's a whole lot easier--and cheaper--to get trains repaired than it is to get computers fixed.

In fairness, though, I've had more problems with O gauge trains than with the other scales I dabble with, including Z, Marklin HO, On30, Standard Gauge, and Large Scale. The vast majority of trains that I have run just fine, and some have run fine for a good many years.

[HopperSJ]

I gotta chime in! Computers can be very frustrating. I have loved computers for 25 years. My dad worked for IBM when I was a kid and I was one of the first in the world to grow up with a computer in my home. They have been my hobby for 25 years and I have tought myself a number of programming languages, built myself, my family, and my offices many systems, and lived computers till I bled silicon. They are wonderful toolS, great toys, and also (as I said) frustrating as all get out!! I am now happily spending every penny on my new hobby: TRAINS!! I am even thinking of canceling my subscription to PC Mag in favor of CTT. [:0] I currently find my trains more engaging. I am learning about electronics, using my skills in carpentry, and expressing my creativity in designing my layout. I LOVE IT!!!

[douellet]

If you are having a lot of problems with your computer buy a Mac. As they say,"they cost a little more but they're worth it". I have owned 3 Pc's and we run Dells at school, but Mac's are just plain more reliable. Also they are a nicer piece of hardware. [:)]

[Dave Farquhar]

Macintoshes are no less prone to power surges and hard drive failure than anything else. Hardware is hardware, regardless of whose operating system you are running or whose badge is on the front. Abuse a Macintosh, and it'll die just as soon as any other computer. I've fixed them all. I haven't seen it all, but I've seen a lot.

The best way to get a really reliable computer is to build it yourself using premium components, but admittedly not everyone has the skills or inclination to do that, and it takes a lot of research.

But I've been able to squeeze years and years of life even out of cheap and nasty PCs. I bought a couple of computers for $550 each back in 1999, used them heavily for about four years, and they still work today. They're just way underpowered so they don't get much use anymore. And I run a web site off a 7-year-old Dell.

[Demon09]

well i think one problem with this computer is that it is a laptop, so everything is scaled down for the portability factor (although with a 17" monitor its not that portable)...which also leaves it prone to failure as well...... i leave it running almost all the time, except for short trips to campus or elsewhere........ i routinely scan for viruses, delete unused programs or files, and defragment as need arises......it just seems like i may have gotten a bad luck situation, because the battery burned out a few months back also, needing replacement........ as far as not using the HP replacement, i cant take that advice, the replacement is free, and im on my last few pennies so i gotta go with what i can get..... the computer is only about 9 months old tho, so this is why its so frustrating.... little else i can do but grin and bear it..... i have an extended full coverage 3 year warranty with CompUSA after the HP warranty wears out, so hopefully they will be as timely with replacements as HP has been, because im sure this wont be the last thing needing to be replaced

[Anonymous]

It's not wether it's a HP computer or not it's what your battery backup & processer are. A proper battery backup( used on power shortages & surges) like a belkin backup will save you the trip to Fry's or best buy( don't buy from there I got an Emachine there & every part broke out on me) & a computer with a pentium D, xeon, quantium, or G5 processer. If you want a better computer get an alienware or a macintosh. it will save you the trouble.

Ps. both dreamworks & disney use HP's(xeon's & operteron's) in their animation departments.

[c50truck]

I have to agree with Dave. Just as trains, you get what you pay for. Take the time to learn about your computer, just as you do with your trains. It's been years since I've bought a PC off the shelf. Just as you build a train set to your liking, build a PC. PC stands for "personal computer", so make it personal. I still have an old 8088 purring. Of course I don't use it, (it's a little slow), but it is a great conversation piece. Many manufacturers use less than quality parts to keep the price down. A recent example would be the Quantum hard drive. It was made to fail. I've used Seagate for all my hard drives, not the best but reliable and affordable.

Computers are reliable. All they want to know is "what now". It's the software and hardware issues that frustrate most of us.

And I can’t stress it enough, BACK IT UP, BACK IT UP. This is how I make the extra dollars to buy toy trains. Going in and backing up hard drives for businesses. So simple but so overlooked.

And you can always get an argument here, but I never shut off a PC, unless the software has issues. And I agree with Dave, turn off the power management, It annoys me.

Final note, don't forget about your internal cooling fan over your processor. Change it once a year, weather you need it or not. It's cheap insurance. If you can wire a track, you can change it.

Rod L

[HopperSJ]

Is this off topic???[:D] I don't hear much about trains here...[:p]

Anyway, I 'll support the

QUOTE: And I can’t stress it enough, BACK IT UP, BACK IT UP.

idea. I've never backed anything up and never lost anything for 25 years...

until this year[:0].

This year I lost two hard drives with everything on them. The first time I said, "WOW, I better start backing things up, this is a pain!" The second time I actually started doing it!!!![^]

Fool me once....
Fool me twice....

Not gonna let it happen a third time....

[Anonymous]

Because locomotives are too reliable to wipe out a whole train without any remainders