Operator Error
 

Genral Madness seemed liked the ideal place to post this.

If there's one thing I've learned since my first exposure to a PC via "Introduction to the Modern PC" back in 1987 at a Computer Lab in Eastern Connectcut State University it's this. 99.99999% of all related errors we experience > we caused.

last nite I was checking the H20 system cooling the Asus P5W DH which I'd recently installed for Cool-Cases (Sub-Zero) review as well. I noticed the amount of heat rising up from the 7950GX2 was fantastical. So in my Idiot-Savant fashion I thought "Hey i should move the 7950GX2 to the AM2 rig where the NVIDIA 4101 is installed" Then the 7950GX2 would be with the Danger Den 4101 kit and ready for that review. And then I had the bright idea to get the Muishkin 8500 and switch it with the Crucial Tracer in the P5W rig. (here's wher you might be able to see trouble brewing as I'm making major hardware changes). Then I begin shuttin down the systems and begin the switch, which in my ignorance I thought would take 20-minutes not 20-hours (practically).

Question A: Did this make any sense at all?

Question 2: Since I wasn't finished with the P5W DH article why change a major component?

Question 3: Why did I struggle for almost two hours trying to finagle a card as long as an aircraft carrier into a case as small as a Bread Box.

Question D: Why was I switching out RAM tenh minutes after the cards were switched as I experiened enough BSOD's envoke a seizure?

Question 5: After trying both systems in Safe Mode and troubleshooting myself, switching out RAM, running Mem-Test, checing and re-checking leads, having to remove the 8800GTX from it's vice grip in the P5W DH to remove the battery behind and clear CMOS and about fifty other pointless tasks, I've basically wasted about 14-hours straight.

Answer A: I switched back the video cards and everything works fine. I was thinking I wouldn't be able to finish the P5W review and that all my memory was damged because I threw the Tracer 5300 inot the Am2 rig withut lowering the previos memory voltage setting from 2.2V and the lights weren't working. Luckily it's ok.

So here's what I've learned about PC's recently which is mostly commen sense to the nth degree:

1. Start what you finish

2. When your behind, don't think ahead.

3. A PC is the ultimate in a literal device. If you give your PC flawed instructions so too wil the result be flawed.

4. Stop fiddling; "If you build it they will come" PC-Karma.

When I catch I'l do more articles like: Philosophical Overclocking - 21st Century Cartesian Meditations on the Modern PC

5. Posting in forums is contraindicated when you have my schedule :)