Help needed with new HTPC problem

[GlocksRock]

I am using this PC in the horizontal orientation...this is possible because the vents are only on one side and the DVD player is orientated vertically when the unit is in its (normal) vertical orientation.

Is it possible that using it in the horizontal orientation is doing this? Gateway's docs don't say that the unit can be used in anything but the vertical orientation...but I am not blocking any vents. My rack is open, and there is plenty of open space on top (main vented side) and sides. I have a spacer that keeps the bottom (unvented) side about 1" off the rack.

I don't see how that would make any difference, it should be ok to use it in either orientation.

 

[Trev]

Ahhh... So I can give back to this community!

Woo hoo. I'll solve your problems dude. I need to know the following:

PC Model:
How much Ram?:
Operating System:

Prelim thoughts...

Excessive beeps almost always... always RAM.

Source: http://support.gateway.com/s/servers/compo/motherbd/wme859199/wme859199faq2.shtml

Other thoughts.... you can clear your BIOS by turning off the computer, unplugging it, (press the power a few times while it's unplugged to drain leftover charge), then open her up and find the watch battery on the motherboard. Pop it out. Press the power button a few more times, give it 2 minutes, pop it back in.

Lastly, I'd check for overheating... which is really probable considering it doesn't give you the beeps when you boot it up. The fan on top of the processor needs to be firmly seated. If even one of the pegs are loose... air can get between the fan and the processor... drying out the thermal paste... and making it something you could cook an egg on.

Other very helpful way to find out what's wrong... If you're on windows... hold down the windows key on your keyboard, and press R. WINkey+R. Type eventvwr.msc. Expand windows logs, look under system for errors, and application.

Hope it helps.

Btw... if it's your video overheating... you could download MSI Afterburner... an overclocking tool that aside from it's overclocking nonsense, can usually give you a temperature readout. If it doesn't work for you, can just uninstall it. http://event.msi.com/vga/afterburner/download.htm

Lastly, install and run this. Rule out a virus that could just be messing with you: http://www.malwarebytes.org/ (don't do the 'try' thing. Just continue with the free version.)

 

[disturbed13]

have you adjusted your power settings?
as in Control Panel > Power Options
set it to high performance
you can also change when the computer sleeps.......... as in NEVER!
and change when the computer turns the display off......... as in NEVER!
that way you will never have that issue again
if that doesnt work just PM me
im bad about reading these things

 

[modman]

Long awaited update on HTPC issue

Guys, thanks for the great tips. I am sorry it has been so long, but work and travel often interrupt my audio hobby.

Okay, so here's the latest: knowing what a flighty connection that HDMI can be, I disconnnected the HDMI cable after the last reboot...it's been 2.5 weeks and not a single beeping episode.

So...what does that mean? Can I "fix" the problem with HDMI?

If not...if I only need a bitstream audio signal and don't care about video, what other means of getting the undecoded digital stream from the PC to my receiver do I have?

Thanks again.

 

[Grador]

Very long shot, but you could try installing an older video card driver. Once, and only once, in the past I found that this solved a problem I was having. Beyond that I'm at a loss.