I built a new computer last week and it got pretty ugly. I had chosen the parts part by one, all brand new in their boxes. I got all the tools and parts on the table, excited like a little kid. I spent some time assembling the case, which was a clear plexi case that glowed blue in UV light.

I got the DFI nf3 motherboard on the tray, put in two Corsair 512mb CL2 ram modules. Got my AMD64 3000+ in the socket and on top of it a custom made water block. Connected the two WD 200gb drives and screwed in the silent Enermax 480W PSU. Put in a Sounblaster card and a MSI 6600GT with a water block.

Then I mounted the radiator with two 120mm fans on the desk and put in a drive bay water reservoir. I secured all the tubes and filled in with a UV water mixture for coolant. I had tested the system for leaks the day before so I just booted the computer after one hour.

Everything was ok and I proceded to install my WinXP pro, that took a while but went ok. I got the gigabit network installed and installed patches, applications etc. The computer was fine and I surfed for a while then went to sleep.

In the morning I woke up, brewed some coffee and went to check my emails. I moved the mouse for the screen to power on and nothing happened. I remained calm and tried the usual stuff. Checked connections, power supply, sockets etc. Yes, my suspicions were right.

The computer was dead.

Still calm I decide to go to the balcony to finish my coffee and smoke a cigarette. The morning breeze was nice and when I’m done I get up to take the computer to a PC store next block. I get it there, trying to find a tecnician to talk to. He comes up from the labs in the back and I tell him what to check. He said he will do it in a couple hours and call me back. He calls me later and tells me that the motherboard is dead. I take the computer home get the mobo out and pack it in its box. I drive to the store (another store which was a bit of a long drive) for a replacement.

I get there talk to them and the only thing they can do is send it back to DFI and wait up to a month for a replacement. I try to get something better than that but I ended up sending this one back to DFI and buying a second one which was the same. Another 120 euros in the hole.

Drive back home, test new motherboard, not working of course. Next morning I go back to the store give them the new mobo back and they will replace it with another one immediately. I try to find one with a 754 socket but the only one available must be ordered and will arrive in 3-4 days. I sent this one back to and wait for the next. Motherboard count: 2.

I go back home and get the computer to the local store to find the real problem. Turns out cpu is dead too. Of course to find that out I had to buy a motherboard from them for another 100 euros. Motherboard count: 3.

I get the cpu back to where I bought it and they are going to give me a replacement immediately. I go to get it and the salesman says they only have a Sempron 3100+ for a replacement. AMD stopped making 64 bit socket 754 cpus so I am stuck with a worse CPU and can’t even buy a 64bit one. Finally I get home and assemble the computer, after not having a working one for 4 days.

Of course now one of the hard disks isn’t working, but I proceed to use the other one and install everything. Now this motherboard is crap and I’m waiting for one of the replacements I’m due to change it out.

I’m back online and I’m going to start posting more regularly. I am also launching two products in 5-10 days. I was delayed a bit with the computer drama but I think I’m back on track now. I should also congratulate you for reading so far in a unrelated to SEO rant. (by the way I’m selling two socket 754 motherboards)