The computer techs are "stumped"

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fmbank wrote:
> 
> I need advice from one of you computer experts.
> 
> #1 The light on my 24x CD drive does not come
> on (at startup or when a CD is in use). When I
> have a CD in the drive it *constantly*
> revs up and slows down, over and over again.
> It is very loud. I have also had some difficulty
> retrieving images from my Printmaster Gold
> CD that I KNOW are on the disk as I have used
> them before.  Do you think I have a defective
> CD drive?

Well, I don't have Bro Brown's 30yrs (I waited till I was out of diapers
and walking) with the computers - but, I just spend hours pulling hair
out over such problems.  If the CD drive has been goofy from day one(and
you feel comfy with the idea and it doesn't void warrenty) take off the
cover, remove and re-attach the controll cable(one end at a time. 
Since, I had one end attached rather loosely my floppy was acting like
your CD.

> #2 I keep getting intermittent snaps and pops
> on my monitor. Like big static electricity zaps.
> It causes the image on the monitor to quickly "jump"
> (shrink from both the bottom and top of viewing
> area) when it snaps and pops. This happens numerous
> times throughout the day.   Gateway sent me a
> new monitor. It started doing the same thing
> after one day in use.  I have a small fluorescent
> light in the credenza above my desk about two feet
> from where the monitor is. I have not turned on the
> light for two day now and have noted no difference
> in zaps.

As in audible snaps?  Bro Brown's probably right.  If the snaps aren't
audible, may be a video card(had that happen last spring).

> The techs at Gateway are stumped at present.
> They are sending a new power supply unit, CD
> drive and onsite technical assistance for installation.

I just spent 20 min explaining to my ISP tech, why I wanted my hostname
and for what it was used.  I don't use Win95 so she here little cheat
sheet was usless leaving the unknowing aiding the blind.

> If this doesn't work, they are talking about putting
> in a new hard drive. As this system is only a few
> weeks old, do you think I should agree to this
> (based on the premise, once a lemon, always
> a lemon?) or insist on a whole new system?

Bro Brown pretty well asked the question, what does the hard drive have
to do with the monitor and CD drive?  Unless the tech ment to say new
hard drive controller card(assuming you have an IDE CD and hard drive or
a SCSI hard drive and CD).

Skip

-- 
In the begining God said BANG! and it was BIG