genghis82 said
give it some Calpol?

Hopefully now diagnosed they can fix it quite quickly

Can I ask a question on the back of this, and it is not meant to be pointed, sarcastic or any other wording. What would happen to summit if the PC failed completely? as you have mentioned, it is very old. Would be good to know what happens when the summit computer has taken its last breath?  

Essential files and data are periodically backed up.

There are no hardware components within a PC that can't be replaced if needed. I think the power supply unit was replaced around 10+ years ago or so, can't remember exactly but I do recall that this is the hardware unit that is most prone to failure if the machine is in use most days of the week and I don't have a regular routine to clear the dust off the fans

genghis82 said
Any new Steve? I would have thought any decent PC repair place would have at least an ETA by now? especially for a power supply replacement?

@PC, exactly what I am concerned about
@Dave, I highly doubt it is backed up after every game week (all turns) let alone every turn

Justin  

I don't have a whole host of options in terms of computer repairs, at least not locally. I've used this place before, they've been around for quite a few years but I think it's just one guy with a couple of part time helpers. I went to the shop today (Weds) but there was a notice on the door saying he had had to close to visit an on site client.

There is no need to be concerned about PC frightening every one. That was a completely different scenario. In that case there was a power cut whilst data was being inputted and the loss of power corrupted the data files but didn't affect the programme itself. These days the Summit PC is routed through a UPS with enough battery power to keep it going in the event of a power cut for at least an hour... plenty of time to save data and shut down... and this has happened several times so I know the system is robust.

As for backups.. the files are backed up quite regularly to an external drive. When I go back to the repair shop tomorrow I will discuss this with them as to be honest I cannot be 100% certain that I could take those files and recreate the game on a new hard drive. That is what is supposed to happen in a worst case scenario but I don't have any way of testing that so I am a little uneasy about that aspect, probably unnecessarily so. As I say, I will discuss this with the IT guys tomorrow because they can run tests that I can't and if I need some other backup system in place then I will get it put in place.

Will update as soon as I have more info.... Steve

The power issue is fixed. I could have brought the PC back to the Summit office today however I am letting them keep it a couple of days more to test the backup processes.

It's a little more complicated than it should be due to the very old version of Windows that the Summit PC runs meaning that it is virtually impossible to source current backup or disk imaging software that will run on it.

I will have it back Saturday or Monday at the latest. Then I have some catching up to do