GB a processor-frier? (Mac content)

woodman · July 18th, 2007, 12:52 AM

i'd been using GarageBand pretty heavily for a month or so. then suddenly, my processor commits suicide! i wonder if the processor-intensive activity of GB might have led to its demise ... it's a Quicksilver G4 (1.2gb processor). the new processor i'm replacing it with purports to have two dedicated mini-fans. what i need to know from you Mac mavens is how NOT to fry the new processor! would keeping my box cool via floor fan help avoid this in the future?

ibobunot · July 18th, 2007, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodman

What i need to know from you Mac mavens is how NOT to fry the new processor! would keeping my box cool via floor fan help avoid this in the future?

The G4 isn't known for being a hot running processor.
Maybe you had had a power surge...

getbent · July 18th, 2007, 01:26 AM

A piece of commercial software cannot fry a processor. GB is a processor centric application (one of the reasons it is easy for users) but that has zero effect on the lifespan of the actual processor. Your computer was manufactured about 6 years ago. The processor probably failed (assuming that is what happened) due to: Heat (usually caused by the computer not having enough access to cool air or the vents being covered either by dust or obstruction. Or, fan failure or spike. Or being significantly jostled. You might try reseating the processor... It is also possible (although not common) that the component failed due to use (this is rare except in production environments where the computers are in constant use... typically other components fail first... this would be more understandable if two or three other components had already failed and been replaced.)

Sorry to hear about your trauma. Never fun.

Tdot · July 18th, 2007, 10:30 AM

I agree with the others. I live in a rural area where the power is not always consistent. The surges are not noticeable, but are like tiny brown outs. The power fluctuation claimed two logic boards before I figured it out.

I highly recommend a UPS battery backup to extend the life of any computer. In addition to giving you time to save files and shut down the equipment in a power outage, it also regulates/conditions the incoming voltage to prevent surges and spikes.

And of make sure your computer has room for air to circulate and keep cool.

woodman · July 18th, 2007, 04:23 PM

it was indeed a failed processor ... gave it to a trusted Mac-savvy friend and it booted right up with another processor he had sitting around his shop. he's installing the new one and checking out the whole machine.

i've been running through a UPS for about a year now, so i don't think it was a spike. heat may have been the culprit ... the back was less than a foot from a wall, that might have had something to do with it. the odd thing is, when it went out, i wasn't even doing anything on the computer -- i was fixing a chair!

July 18th, 2007, 12:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,961	GB a processor-frier? (Mac content) i'd been using GarageBand pretty heavily for a month or so. then suddenly, my processor commits suicide! i wonder if the processor-intensive activity of GB might have led to its demise ... it's a Quicksilver G4 (1.2gb processor). the new processor i'm replacing it with purports to have two dedicated mini-fans. what i need to know from you Mac mavens is how NOT to fry the new processor! would keeping my box cool via floor fan help avoid this in the future? __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

July 18th, 2007, 10:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tdot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Back of the Wasatch, UT Posts: 3,712 55 Photos	I agree with the others. I live in a rural area where the power is not always consistent. The surges are not noticeable, but are like tiny brown outs. The power fluctuation claimed two logic boards before I figured it out. I highly recommend a UPS battery backup to extend the life of any computer. In addition to giving you time to save files and shut down the equipment in a power outage, it also regulates/conditions the incoming voltage to prevent surges and spikes. And of make sure your computer has room for air to circulate and keep cool. __________________ And now for some feedback: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

July 18th, 2007, 04:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
woodman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mint Hill, NC Age: 62 Posts: 5,961	it was indeed a failed processor ... gave it to a trusted Mac-savvy friend and it booted right up with another processor he had sitting around his shop. he's installing the new one and checking out the whole machine. i've been running through a UPS for about a year now, so i don't think it was a spike. heat may have been the culprit ... the back was less than a foot from a wall, that might have had something to do with it. the odd thing is, when it went out, i wasn't even doing anything on the computer -- i was fixing a chair! __________________ Truth is stranger than fact ... www.myspace.com/woodymitchellmusic BAND PAGES: www.myspace.com/stragglerswing (Stragglers - Western Swing) www.myspace.com/loafersgloryband (Loafers Glory - '70s country-rock)

July 18th, 2007, 01:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,150 37 Photos	A piece of commercial software cannot fry a processor. GB is a processor centric application (one of the reasons it is easy for users) but that has zero effect on the lifespan of the actual processor. Your computer was manufactured about 6 years ago. The processor probably failed (assuming that is what happened) due to: Heat (usually caused by the computer not having enough access to cool air or the vents being covered either by dust or obstruction. Or, fan failure or spike. Or being significantly jostled. You might try reseating the processor... It is also possible (although not common) that the component failed due to use (this is rare except in production environments where the computers are in constant use... typically other components fail first... this would be more understandable if two or three other components had already failed and been replaced.) Sorry to hear about your trauma. Never fun.