Power and the internet
So starting around this time last year, I started having problems with my computer that I had built myself about 6 or so years ago. Since it was somewhat outdated, I figured it was a problem with the computer itself. So I spent the entire year trying to figure out what was wrong. I did everything from installing an anti-virus program to completely reformatting it. The problem was random restarting.
None of this helped, so finally I decided to buy a new computer. I got it home, let it settle (dunno' why 'cept it's what I do with all new equipment that's been jostled a bit in shipping), then plugged it in. Guess what? Before it even fully booted up, it restarted for no apparent reason.
Two computers that are completely unrelated to each other doing the same thing? This wasn't a computer issue. I just knew it! So I asked my dad (a licensed electrician) to come test the power and change the outlet. He did both and couldn't find a problem. We went out and bought a UPS and tried it like that. It still restarted randomly and for no apparent reason.
So I put in a work order with the building I live in. If it's outside the unit walls, they're supposed to fix it. I wait about a week and a half, and ask about any progress. The manager tells me he's made some calls and that it has to be just a virus. I had to hold back the words that tried to flow freely. I told him that if I had to call in an electrician myself, I would as long as they would pay me back for the repairs.
He tells me that as long as I prove that it's a building problem and not within the unit, he will reimburse me.
I call an electrician, and they agree to come, but for cash only, so no receipt. It was only $50 for them to come check it out, so I agreed. If it would find out the problem I was more than willing to try.
The guy comes in. He tests the UPS. It's fried. He doesn't think it's from the power, but it isn't working. He checks the walls.. and finds something called a third level harmonic running from ground to neutral. I ask him if this would cause a computer to randomly restart. He assured me wholeheartedly that it could.
Now you're probably wondering why I wouldn't just get my dad to check for frequency levels.... well, his tools are all paid for by his workplace, and his workplace won't allow him to take them from the premises (industrial setting).
So I ask the electrician if the company he works for could write a letter to me explaining what he had told me. He agreed, and I received it within a few days.
I bring it to the building manager, and again wait about a week. When I check in with him about progress he tells me that the board of directors feels that this an inside-the-unit problem and that they won't pay for the repairs.
*sigh* So now my parents and I are working on proving that it is the building causing the problem and not the unit. Both the electrician I had in and my father agree that this isn't something that could be caused by the breaker panel but instead has to be caused by a power feed.
Oh well... wish us luck!
None of this helped, so finally I decided to buy a new computer. I got it home, let it settle (dunno' why 'cept it's what I do with all new equipment that's been jostled a bit in shipping), then plugged it in. Guess what? Before it even fully booted up, it restarted for no apparent reason.
Two computers that are completely unrelated to each other doing the same thing? This wasn't a computer issue. I just knew it! So I asked my dad (a licensed electrician) to come test the power and change the outlet. He did both and couldn't find a problem. We went out and bought a UPS and tried it like that. It still restarted randomly and for no apparent reason.
So I put in a work order with the building I live in. If it's outside the unit walls, they're supposed to fix it. I wait about a week and a half, and ask about any progress. The manager tells me he's made some calls and that it has to be just a virus. I had to hold back the words that tried to flow freely. I told him that if I had to call in an electrician myself, I would as long as they would pay me back for the repairs.
He tells me that as long as I prove that it's a building problem and not within the unit, he will reimburse me.
I call an electrician, and they agree to come, but for cash only, so no receipt. It was only $50 for them to come check it out, so I agreed. If it would find out the problem I was more than willing to try.
The guy comes in. He tests the UPS. It's fried. He doesn't think it's from the power, but it isn't working. He checks the walls.. and finds something called a third level harmonic running from ground to neutral. I ask him if this would cause a computer to randomly restart. He assured me wholeheartedly that it could.
Now you're probably wondering why I wouldn't just get my dad to check for frequency levels.... well, his tools are all paid for by his workplace, and his workplace won't allow him to take them from the premises (industrial setting).
So I ask the electrician if the company he works for could write a letter to me explaining what he had told me. He agreed, and I received it within a few days.
I bring it to the building manager, and again wait about a week. When I check in with him about progress he tells me that the board of directors feels that this an inside-the-unit problem and that they won't pay for the repairs.
*sigh* So now my parents and I are working on proving that it is the building causing the problem and not the unit. Both the electrician I had in and my father agree that this isn't something that could be caused by the breaker panel but instead has to be caused by a power feed.
Oh well... wish us luck!
posted by katmontreve at 8:13 PM
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