PC Airflow and Dust Contamination
It may be a case of preaching to the Choir but dust contamination in your PC causes overheating, decreased performance, and potential hardware failure. This mainly occurs due to dust restricting airflow, impeding components such as heat sinks and creating short circuits from conductive particles. Fluff builds up and restricts cooling fans, forcing them to work harder. Heat build can lead to issues like system crashes, lagging, and even permanent damage to the motherboard and CPU. Over time, it can shorten the lifespan of the computer and in severe cases, poses a fire hazard. When I used to work in IT contracting, I used to see the effects of dust contamination all the time. PC placed on carpet tiles or on top of desks and surrounded by other objects. I remember one PC replacement project I was working on where we found an old PC with a dead mouse in it. It was desiccated by the heat.
It may be a case of preaching to the Choir but dust contamination in your PC causes overheating, decreased performance, and potential hardware failure. This mainly occurs due to dust restricting airflow, impeding components such as heat sinks and creating short circuits from conductive particles. Fluff builds up and restricts cooling fans, forcing them to work harder. Heat build can lead to issues like system crashes, lagging, and even permanent damage to the motherboard and CPU. Over time, it can shorten the lifespan of the computer and in severe cases, poses a fire hazard. When I used to work in IT contracting, I used to see the effects of dust contamination all the time. PC placed on carpet tiles or on top of desks and surrounded by other objects. I remember one PC replacement project I was working on where we found an old PC with a dead mouse in it. It was desiccated by the heat.
I bought my latest PC in January 2024. It has a Be Quiet branded case with two fans in the front and back of the chassis. The PSU is installed in the base of the tower case with the fan facing downwards, over a grill with a dust filter over it. The feet on the case raise the base about 2 centimeters or so off the ground. The GPU has two fans and there is a large fan on the heatsink of the CPU. The case itself has ventilation at the back, front and in the base. The PC resides under my desk and stands on a hardwood floor. I noticed over the last fortnight that the ambient temperature of my office was getting warmer and it was clear that the PC was the source of the heat. The fans were also getting noisier when playing graphic intensive games. So I adjusted the speed of the two fans mounted in the case to cool the PC and decided that I should have a look in the case once it was turned off.
Despite having adequate ventilation in a clean room (I vacuum the floor weekly), all fans in the PC had a substantial layer of grey fluff. The base of the PC where the vent for the PSU is located was especially clogged. It was clear that all fans were being impeded by the dust contamination and that the PSU was getting especially hot. Fortunately I bought a USB air duster and vacuum cleaner recently and used this to remove all dust and fluff. After cleaning all fans appeared to be spinning unimpeded. I subsequently vacuumed the room so that the displaced dust and fluff wasn’t drawn back into the PC case. I am still surprised at how much dust was present, especially in light of the fact that we do not have any carpeting in our home but there are plenty of other potential sources both inside and outside the house. Upon turning the PC back on, the fans were noticeably quieter and the temperature remained stable.
Since cleaning my PC case I have given some thought to relocating my base unit off the floor. Unfortunately there isn’t sufficient desk space available at present. As a compromise I bought a PC stand that raises the case a further 7 centimetres off the ground and allows air to flow under the PC a lot more freely. As it’s on wheels it also allows me to pull the case out from under the desk for easy access to the various cables that connect at the back. Overall I recommend checking your PC for dust contamination at least once every quarter and ensuring that your PC case is placed for optimal ventilation. It would appear that PC’s overheating is still a common problem and can on occasions do damage to the CPU, GPU and PSU. In extreme circumstances you may even flambé a rodent, which would never do. However, 10 minutes of simple maintenance, every few months, can prevent such things.
My First PC
30 years ago, in early 1995, I bought my first PC, a second hand Compaq Prolinea 4/33. It had an Intel 486 DX processor, 340MB HDD, 4MB RAM, 3½-inch floppy disk drive and a 14-inch monitor with a screen resolution of 1024 x 768. It ran Windows 3.11 installed via MS-DOS 6.22. It didn’t come with a soundcard or a CD-ROM drive. I believe I paid around £750 or so at the time, which was approximately half its original retail price. This model was 2 or 3 years old when I bought it. However, at this time, PC specifications did not change as quickly as they do these days. Hence, this was a good starting point for someone new to computing. I subsequently upgraded the processor to a 486 DX2, increased the RAM to 16MB and installed a Creative Labs Sound Blaster AWE32 soundcard and CD-ROM drive.
30 years ago, in early 1995, I bought my first PC, a second hand Compaq Prolinea 4/33. It had an Intel 486 DX processor, 340MB HDD, 4MB RAM, 3½-inch floppy disk drive and a 14-inch monitor with a screen resolution of 1024 x 768. It ran Windows 3.11 installed via MS-DOS 6.22. It didn’t come with a soundcard or a CD-ROM drive. I believe I paid around £750 or so at the time, which was approximately half its original retail price. This model was 2 or 3 years old when I bought it. However, at this time, PC specifications did not change as quickly as they do these days. Hence, this was a good starting point for someone new to computing. I subsequently upgraded the processor to a 486 DX2, increased the RAM to 16MB and installed a Creative Labs Sound Blaster AWE32 soundcard and CD-ROM drive.
Windows 95 launched on 14th July 1995 and I became an early adopter. At the time home PCs were still not that common and I was fortunate to have two work colleagues that were similarly learning on the fly, like myself. We would often swap information or share news of a successful project or a failed experiment. This coupled with the wealth of PC related magazines that were available at the time, made me feel part of a very modern and dynamic community. Another invaluable source of information and place to hang out was the local PC repair shop. Whenever I visited, the owner would be holding court behind the counter with various acolytes hovering in the aisles asking questions about new products and each other’s latest upgrades. It was a great way to learn, free from the formal restrictions of the classroom.
I quickly began using my PC for both business and leisure. Formal letters and business correspondence were all now typed and saved as files. Finances were tracked via spreadsheets. As internet access was still rare, I had a copy of Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia for reference. I used to enjoy playing Mindmaze, which came with it. I also bought my first game, Doom, which I played excessively. Overall, my initial purchase and upgrade was a major success. My PC did everything that I required and I was content. Until Quake was released the following year and I realised that my PC could not run it. Furthermore, the Compaq Deskpro M could not be upgraded any further. If I wanted to play Quake, it would require the purchase of a completely new PC based around a Pentium processor and a 3D graphics card. So began a decade-long struggle to try and stay up to date.
Today, my relationship with my PC has somewhat altered. It is still an invaluable tool that I use every day but it has lost its novelty and mystique. I have also elected to get off the neverending upgrade treadmill. I now buy what I can afford, as opposed to what I may like. The internet has gone from being a new frontier filled with promise, to just another commercial outlet and a source of irritation. Games are no longer things of wonder but disposable entertainment. The fact that they give them away after a short commercial lifecycle further enforces their sense of being ephemeral. It’s all a far cry from those early days of home computing. Memories of my first PC evoke a sense of nostalgia. Even the Windows 95 startup sound still resonates with me, as it always seemed to be the prelude to an adventure. Mainly because owning a home PC was still novel back then, as were all activities associated with it.
Dual Monitors
After years of trying to come up with some sort of half-assed compromise, I’ve finally bought a quality second monitor. A 24 inch 16:9 1080p Dell monitor was delivered on Tuesday and integrated into my existing desktop setup. I bought this model as it had two HDMI inputs and integral speakers. As well as serving as a second monitor for my PC, I also wanted the ability to connect my Nintendo Switch. Needless to say it all works perfectly. My primary monitor is another Dell 24 inch model but with a 16:10 ratio and a resolution of 1920 x 1200. I use this for writing and gaming. The second monitor is for web browsing, Twitter and other stuff that I tend to keep running when either blogging or playing an MMO. I bought new monitor stands and spent some time working out the optimal height for each screen so I don’t have to look up or down continuously while working. Both screens fit well within my field of vision, so do not require me to turn excessively from one to the other.
After years of trying to come up with some sort of half-assed compromise, I’ve finally bought a quality second monitor. A 24 inch 16:9 1080p Dell monitor was delivered on Tuesday and integrated into my existing desktop setup. I bought this model as it had two HDMI inputs and integral speakers. As well as serving as a second monitor for my PC, I also wanted the ability to connect my Nintendo Switch. Needless to say it all works perfectly. My primary monitor is another Dell 24 inch model but with a 16:10 ratio and a resolution of 1920 x 1200. I use this for writing and gaming. The second monitor is for web browsing, Twitter and other stuff that I tend to keep running when either blogging or playing an MMO. I bought new monitor stands and spent some time working out the optimal height for each screen so I don’t have to look up or down continuously while working. Both screens fit well within my field of vision, so do not require me to turn excessively from one to the other.
I started using my Father’s old Acer flat screen monitor a few years ago but it had a low resolution and was not particularly large, so I only used it when I was experimenting with live streaming. I also tried to use my Fire HD 10 tablet as a substitute monitor but it wasn’t a convenient or efficient workaround. My recent purchase of a Switch proved the best incentive as I can’t always use it with the lounge TV. Although I will play games such as Mario Kart in handheld mode, I prefer other titles such as Assassin’s Creed Black Flag to be played via a more substantial screen. Hence I’ve finally embraced the practicality of dual monitors. I also took the opportunity to replace my ageing twin speakers and subwoofer with a convenient soundbar. One particular model appeared in several of the reviews I read, so I ended up buying the Majority Snowden II. It provides the required level of quality without costing a fortune.
These changes have certainly improved the cable management under my desk, although it still remains somewhat complex. Although adding both these items of kit was simple in principle, the reality proved quite different. I had to disconnect every peripheral to accommodate my new desktop layout and it took a couple of hours of scrabbling around in confined spaces to sort it all out. However, I colour codes both ends of all cables in use, so if at some future date I have to unplug things, it will be a lot easier to identify which lead belongs to which device. Overall, I am pleased with my new desk layout. I’ve removed my “in tray”, the piles of notebooks and the mug filled with pens. I have just one of each item discreetly hidden behind my soundbar. Whether these changes will improve my writing productivity remains to be seen. However, they have made me feel better about my work and leisure space, which is half the battle. Perhaps I should have done this a lot sooner.
One Potential PC Fix for Red Dead Redemption 2
I wrote yesterday about how the PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2 had gotten off to a shaky start, with the game failing to run on some systems. Rockstar Games released a substantial 2.98 GB patch late last night UK time but it made no difference whatsoever to my situation. I and many other players were still unable to start the game from the launcher and were still getting the ubiquitous “The Rockstar Games Launcher exited unexpectedly” error message. This morning I checked on the official support website to see if any new advice had been added. Sadly, the troubleshooting guidance remained arbitrary to say the least (and still does even now). Update Windows 1O, upgrade your graphics drivers, run the RDR2.exe file as an Administrator etc. None of these “solutions” have worked for me so far.
I wrote yesterday about how the PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2 had gotten off to a shaky start, with the game failing to run on some systems. Rockstar Games released a substantial 2.98 GB patch late last night UK time but it made no difference whatsoever to my situation. I and many other players were still unable to start the game from the launcher and were still getting the ubiquitous “The Rockstar Games Launcher exited unexpectedly” error message. This morning I checked on the official support website to see if any new advice had been added. Sadly, the troubleshooting guidance remained arbitrary to say the least (and still does even now). Update Windows 1O, upgrade your graphics drivers, run the RDR2.exe file as an Administrator etc. None of these “solutions” have worked for me so far.
So I decided to see what the players themselves had to say and headed over to the Rockstar Games Community forums. I picked a thread that had a dozen or so comments and quite by chance struck upon some interesting advice. Some players with AMD processors had managed to get RDR2 to run when they downgraded the BIOS on their motherboard. This piqued my interest as I have an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core Processor, running via a Gigabyte B450 motherboard. A cursory check showing that my PC was currently running BIOS F42h. This includes update AGESA 1.0.0.3 ABBA which apparently improve Destiny 2 gaming compatibility, according to Gigabyte. Now the intricacies of AMD Generic Encapsulated Software Architecture (AGESA) are certainly not my province. However, the consensus on the Rockstar Games Community forums was that if you downgraded the BIOS to version F40 which includes AGESA 1.0.0.2 support, then it will allow RDR2 to run.
I therefore decided to give this a go and headed over to the Gigabyte website to downloaded BIOS F40 which was released in May. I did a little research first to see if it would significantly impact upon any other aspect of my motherboard but it would seem it simply downgrades AGESA support only. I then used the @Bios program that is part of the suite of tools that came on the motherboard driver CD, to install the new BIOS. It took about five minutes to overwrite the previous version. After rebooting the PC, Red Dead Redemption 2 now runs from the Rockstar Games Launcher as intended. I have no idea how well the game will perform in the long term or whether I will suffer the various graphical glitches reported by other players. However, I can at least now launch the game, alter the various settings and start to make progress through the story. As ever, I’m thoroughly impressed by the player community and disappointed with the official support channels as they really seem to have dragged their feet over this issue. There has been a distinct lack of communication. Plus saying “sorry” goes a long way.
Now I want to make it very clear, messing with the BIOS on your PC comes with risks and so if you do not feel confident about doing this, then don’t. If you make a mistake then you could “brick” your PC. Also this solution is obviously specific to AMD processors and AGESA support. It sadly won’t help those with Intel processors who cannot play RDR2. If you want to proceed with the process that I’ve described, be aware you do so at your own risk. At the time of writing this has not been endorsed by Rockstar Games. I shall continue to collate details of any major issues I encounter playing Red Dead Redemption 2, as I have a suspicion that although I can now play the game, I’m not out of the proverbial “woods” yet. I suspect this title was released to market too earlier and may well need several further patches before it is truly optimised and fit for purpose. Good luck to all other gamers who like me, bought this game in good faith and got sold a technical problem instead.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Has a Problematic Launch on PC
As of May this year, Red Dead Redemption 2 has sold 25 million copies collectively on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Considering that is just six months on from the games initial release in late October 2018, that's an impressive figure. What will it be by the end of the year? Time will tell whether the western game can beat the milestone set by Rockstar Games previous hit, Grand Theft Auto V. Since its release in 2013 GTA V has sold over 110 million copies on console and PC. The popularity of its multiplayer component, GTA Online, being the primary reason driving sales. However, Rockstar Games have been enthusiastic about the launch of the PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2. A year on from the console release, an enhanced version of the game has been developed for the PC market. Furthermore, Rockstar Games have joined a host of other developers and created their own launcher. This along with the yesterday’s PC launch of Red Dead Redemption 2 was intended to renew interest in the game and hopefully boost sales across all platforms. But “there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip” as the old proverb goes.
As of May this year, Red Dead Redemption 2 has sold 25 million copies collectively on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Considering that is just six months on from the games initial release in late October 2018, that's an impressive figure. What will it be by the end of the year? Time will tell whether the western game can beat the milestone set by Rockstar Games previous hit, Grand Theft Auto V. Since its release in 2013 GTA V has sold over 110 million copies on console and PC. The popularity of its multiplayer component, GTA Online, being the primary reason driving sales. However, Rockstar Games have been enthusiastic about the launch of the PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2. A year on from the console release, an enhanced version of the game has been developed for the PC market. Furthermore, Rockstar Games have joined a host of other developers and created their own launcher. This along with the yesterday’s PC launch of Red Dead Redemption 2 was intended to renew interest in the game and hopefully boost sales across all platforms. But “there's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip” as the old proverb goes.
For a substantial number of PC gamers (myself included), Red Dead Redemption 2 simply doesn’t run. And when I say doesn’t run, I mean just that. The game doesn’t start in any shape or form when you click “play” on the launcher. Those who are lucky enough to actually get the game to run have been plagued by a litany of performances issues. To put it bluntly this is a dog’s dinner of a game launch. At present Reddit is doing an infinitely better job that the developers when it comes to collating potential solutions and offering advice. Rockstar Games themselves have only offered the most arbitrary advice, none of which seems to make any tangible difference. I have updated my graphics drivers, patched Windows 10 and even upgraded my PC’s bios but the game resolutely refuses to launch. Furthermore, Rockstar Games are hardly doing an adequate job of social media. Instead of getting ahead of the problem, adopting a suitable conciliatory tone, they’re basically staying quiet and leaving irate gamers to stew in their own juice; a policy that is always a recipe for disaster.
As a man of a certain age, although I am annoyed by the fact that I cannot play this game, I have refrained from writing a strongly worded letter to The Times, or throwing my toothbrush at the cat (you get extra points if you know this literary reference). I have other games to play, gin to drink and snacks to consume. However, my calm demeanour doesn’t mean that Rockstar Games have got off the hook. This is a game developer that basks in the glory of having created a “billion-dollar game”. There’s even a documentary with that name about the development of GTA V. So the launch on PC of a title like Red Dead Redemption 2, isn’t just a belated release on an ancillary platform. This is the equivalent of a Hollywood studio tentpole film movie. Bearing this in mind, imagine if Avengers: Endgame had failed to be released on time and when it was, half of all movie theatres showing it had major projection issues. This is a bad game launch by any standard and it doesn’t make Rockstar Games look good. Also their handling of the situation is compounding matters. I hope for their sake they sort this shit out soon.