Weird postscript on my earlier computer problems

[IrishAyes]

Remember when my ancient MSI computer running Win7 started smelling like something on the inside was burning or at least about to? It seemed that unit was toast so I managed to get a donated refurbished Dell that all too soon started progressive graphics card problems like THEY usually do. By that time, however, the MSI had enjoyed a layoff of several months. In desperation I tried it again - low and behold it works fine now, no burning odor at all.

So after returning to the MSI for several months, I started thinking - which usually gets me in trouble - wonder how the Dell might do after its long rest? The graphics card problem still presents but much less so for the first several hours of operation. By the end of the day it goes from a slight wiggle of the task bar to leapin' lizards on the screen. A day or two on vacation and it calms right down.

Weird; at least to me.

The MSI hasn't reverted at all, thankfully. Much bigger laptop screen than the other. Now I'm fascinated to see just how long it decides to run. I have a Chromebook waiting in the wings for any emergency. But it's even smaller than the Dell.

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Can you find out if there is a fan on the graphics card ?

I doubt a laptop would have that, but people forget that sometimes the GPUs have their own fans. I had to replace a graphics card on our ancient Dell workstation, and the guy at the shop pointed out that the fan wouldn't turn smoothly -- bearings were worn out -- and you could see scorch marks on the board. A $5 card replaced it. If I can replace the fan on the old GPU, I'll try it in one of my later machines, since it does support dual monitors.

[IrishAyes]

2. Yes, the MSI has an internal fan that works fine. I keep it elevated too, which is probably one

reason it's lasted so long. Can't imagine what was burning in there. The main (and just about only) thing I know about opening a computer or laptop is that it's way too easy to make matters worse. When the Dell graphics card started to fail, I asked a local repair shop about it and the owner, a Mennonite, discouraged the idea because the replacement part would probably be unreliable too. So for now I'm switching between machines regularly, even though the MSI no longer seems to have problems. The Dell has always been elevated on a device that has external cooling fans too.

When computers first came out and people were well warned not to keep them too close to phones etc., there was some concern about whether I'd literally kill them. My body carries such strong physical magnetism that if I hold a pair of scissors in my hand for 10-15 minutes, they become so charged that pins will slide as much as 2 feet across a flat service. As yet I don't have any metal replacement body parts, not even many dental fillings; but I still used to set off security alarms at airports and government offices. After several cops rushed at me with guns drawn one time, I started calling ahead to warn them I was coming.

Hopefully this is not related to the computer problems, though, because I do tend to be very careful with them.