Just about finished with PC Gaming...

[DioWallachia]

No this isn't a hate thread against PC gamers.

I am just sick of it. Recently my computer was fixed for like the third or fourth time, and this time it was working all fine and dandy. I was being safe with it, not doing anything bad, or anything that could kill the computer. Last night I turn off my PC to go to bed, I go to turn it on today and no more. It turns on, begins to load, then after the first start up screen, it says something about Realtek networks and pressing Shift+F10 to configure.

Then it goes to thing where it says, I believe, CD. Boot... No Medium or something like that. It had said that before (the last part not the realtek part) but it always went on to load Windows. But then it just goes to a dark black screen then brightens up and then just does nothing. I let it sit once and eventually the PC started to reboot and nothing changed and it loaded up again and gave me the wierd lines and then back to the black screen.

I did fildle around with it and got it so that the first loading screen to finish but then it says: Windows files loading but as if I had loaded up in Safe mode and then it will give me an error with two options, continue or exit, both leading to the computer just restarting itself.

The error mentions something about USB or something unplugged or something failing, but it doesn't tell me any specific, it gives me a very vague answer.

And then when I try to game on my laptop, lately Steam has been acting buggy and even when I play games, lots of them have these sudden FPS drops to like 10 or lower frames per second and I can't find a fix for it because nothing works, updating drivers, nothing.

I think after GW2 comes out, I will be off PC gaming, at least when I turn on my PS3 or 360, they actually work and sure they aren't without their problems but my PC problems are far more common.

For disscussion value, has there actually been anyone else who has moved from PC Gaming to Console Gaming?

So your PC happens to suck and therefore all games for PC sucks?? Logic Everyone!!

How about not play anything newly released and try older games for PC or even use emulators for arcade and console games?? you know, games that you could have missed because those consoles are no longer in sale or simply could get back then??

You should be more patient, after all, what is the hurry?? maybe the best game in the world has already been created and no one tried to look for it.

 

[tthor]

As I've said in the past, this is one of the main differences between PC gaming and Console gaming; Console gamers just want to be able to turn on their games and play, with little problems or hassles. PC gamers tend to be willing to put up with issues, willing to take time out to set things up, or even to make things better with modding etc. Console gamers just want it to work; PC gamers wanna do more, and will put up with the troubles that arise.

 

[Rednog]

As I've said in the past, this is one of the main differences between PC gaming and Console gaming; Console gamers just want to be able to turn on their games and play, with little problems or hassles. PC gamers tend to be willing to put up with issues, willing to take time out to set things up, or even to make things better with modding etc. Console gamers just want it to work; PC gamers wanna do more, and will put up with the troubles that arise.

But consoles fail too...have people already forgotten the hysteria behind red rings and yellow lights?
And even then consoles still fail for other reasons, my ps3 died recently, stopped putting out video.
Had to send it back, took a month to return, all saves gone.
And even then you only have a freaking year of warranty with companies, after that you have to pay shipping and handling and like a $100 service fee.
Something breaks in my PC odds are I can fix it myself.

 

[Trololo Punk]

My last laptop which I played games on had its hard drive crash randomly, got if fixed. Stopped playing PC games for a couple months. Then got back into it again

But, I've always been a gamer of both consoles and PC so yea.

 

[Fearzone]

I switched for a bit, playing JRPGs on the PS3 until it YLOD'd. While console games kind of have an advantage of ease of use and standardization, you pay for it with bad controls, worse graphics, and gaming experiences that don't tend to have the depth of what is available on the PC. Anyway, I'm glad I'm back to the PC.

So, I guess the only advice I can give is: give your little experiment a try and see how it works. Better advice would be: keep working on your PC. Bring it into the shop if you can't isolate a hardware problem, if a re-install of Windows doesn't fix things. A shop can switch out different parts to see what is failing, whereas you can't, unless you have a comparable second computer.

Think about handhelds too--I think the gameplay tends to be better on those than consoles.

 

[Bvenged]

As I've said many a times before, yes I have switch but only for a:

"I can't afford constant upgrades but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the pleasures and challenges of PC gaming so I'm going to endlessly tweak and change my computer anyway until I know it inside out whilst in the mean time continue to play modern games on a console which works out cheaper overall even though it is much more limiting at a rig but it is the platform ALL of my friends play on sooo..."

Yes, I did it for financial and social reasons. Although secretly in the background I've still been working on my 8 year old Frankenstein PC tweaking performance and modding old school games. Now I'm 19, in Uni and frequently hunting for a job I can't wait to buy a new custom-build rig for GW2, PC Skyrim (mods) & SC2.

 

[Korten12]

So your PC happens to suck and therefore all games for PC sucks?? Logic Everyone!!

Never said PC Games suck.

Also we did find out the problem with my computer, the HDD they put in was faulty, luckly they're coming to fix it.

I can't fix it myself as no one in my family knows how to make or fix a computer.

 

[DioWallachia]

So your PC happens to suck and therefore all games for PC sucks?? Logic Everyone!!

Never said PC Games suck.

Also we did find out the problem with my computer, the HDD they put in was faulty, luckly they're coming to fix it.

I can't fix it myself as no one in my family knows how to make or fix a computer.

Then why you didnt ask for help in the first place instead of using a title like that??

 

[Ulquiorra4sama]

So it's not PC gaming, just PCs you have a problem with.

If you don't know how to maintain a PC I wouldn't recommend PC gaming.

This ^
Ugh, i've never done that before and the cringe now makes me never want to type it again, but if you ask me it's really a good point. For me the fact that i don't know a great deal about computers or how to maintain them properly is a lot of the reason i stay away from PC gaming.

That, and i'm not a big fan of online gaming, but if you're into online games i'd recommend playing on an Xbox without any voice chat open. (I don't actually own a 360 myself, but from what i see/hear the XBLA has way better online gaming support/opportunities than PSN)

 

[Woodsey]

As I've said in the past, this is one of the main differences between PC gaming and Console gaming; Console gamers just want to be able to turn on their games and play, with little problems or hassles. PC gamers tend to be willing to put up with issues, willing to take time out to set things up, or even to make things better with modding etc. Console gamers just want it to work; PC gamers wanna do more, and will put up with the troubles that arise.

Which is pretty ironic, considering the popularity of the 360.

OT: Sometimes hardware (as in any hardware, not just PC's) is faulty. And sometimes trying to repair it over and over just won't work.

 

[zuro64]

The thing is that the computer was working fine, hell I never had this many problems with my computers until recently.

First time I had a problem was with my desktop back earlier this year. I had downloaded the Crysis 2 Multiplayer demo. Soon after I began playing it and then suddenly my computer screen went strangely fuzzy and then the computer completely crashed. That began all the problems.

Soon after my computer began to crash after, during the start up of the computer, when I tried to play any games. I got it fixed and the problemed seemed to be gone. Then suddenly the crashing began to come back slowly. Occasional crash here and there until it just stopped working and I had to reinstall windows to fix it.

Then it was seemgly fixed again, until the crashing started to happen again and again and then they came and replaced my motherboard, replaced the HDD, and reinstalled windows 7, and it was fixed. I wasn't having any crashed, then as I explained above happened...

These aren't a problem with me handling the computer wrong as it is just the computer not working as intended.

Do you know anything about what you have in your PC like specs or anything?
Also have you change any hardware in the PC, upgraded a CPU or grafics card?

Could help to find the solution if I know what you are working with here!
On a first guess on the info you have given I would guess that you have cooling problems or power shortage.

OT, I havent ported to Console from PC but I have expanded to Xbox aswell as my PC!

 

[madster11]

Buy a good case or underclock your graphics card.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

OT: Sometimes hardware (as in any hardware, not just PC's) is faulty.

Indeed it is, regardless of what shiftyfuck customer support pricks may say.

And sometimes trying to repair it over and over just won't work.

It sure as fuck won't. The problem is that when a hardware component goes tits up there's always going to be undetectable damage as well as the shit you repair and that accumulates with each repair job. Honestly, once you've pulled a major repair on a component it should only be used until a replacement is available then chucked in the 'emergency parts' draw.

 

[GonzoGamer]

For disscussion value, has there actually been anyone else who has moved from PC Gaming to Console Gaming?

I actually moved from console gaming to pc gaming. I'm fed up with the consoles this generation: you got a piece of crap with good support and a well made console with shitty support.
The PC is the only thing that has the potential (it does take a little effort on the users part) of having both.
The only thing I still use my ps3 for is rentals.

 

[Wolfram23]

Well there's a lot of things that can be going on here. I mean "they" (who are "they?") won't usually replace a motherboard unless it's totally defective, but that's also not exactly common.

I wouldn't be surprised if either dust build up caused over heating (you know you have to clean out the CPU and GPU heat sinks at least once a year, if not every 6 months?) or else the power supply is dying and fucking your shit up.

OP: I'd suggest you figure out what your specs are and go over to Tom's Hardware, where a bunch of helpful computer geeks like myself can direct you through the troubleshooting. That is, unless wherever you're getting it fixed is doing it for free.

 

[Sleekgiant]

Learn to IT

Honestly PS3 and 360 consoles can fail just as much as a computer if you don't know what you are doing.

I've only had one PC issue in the years I've owned computers and it only took me 10 minutes to figure out the problem.

 

[ohnoitsabear]

So your PC happens to suck and therefore all games for PC sucks?? Logic Everyone!!

Never said PC Games suck.

Also we did find out the problem with my computer, the HDD they put in was faulty, luckly they're coming to fix it.

I can't fix it myself as no one in my family knows how to make or fix a computer.

Well then let me explain just about everything you will need to know to fix a computer.

Step 1: Find out exactly what the symptoms of the problem are.

"It doesn't work" is not a valid answer. Remember everything that you do that causes the problem to happen, such as opening a program or turning the computer on. Next record EVERYTHING that is abnormal, and write down ALL error codes. If you need to restart the computer multiple times to get this information, do it; it probably won't make anything worse.

Eventually, you will probably be able to figure out exactly what's important, but at first, stick with this.

Step 2: Figure out exactly what is causing the problem.

If it is an issue with a specific program, type in the program name (and version number, if know it), the symptoms of the problem, and any error messages you had into google. Try to find a page where someone has the exact same problem as you.


If the problem isn't associated with a specific program, then type the following into google:

The symptoms
Error messages
Applicable hardware. If you bought a pre-built computer, just type in the model (it should be on the case).

Then, as above, find a page where someone has the exact same problems as you.

If you can't find anyone with the same problem as you, post your symptoms and hardware in your computer or hardware manufacturer's forums, the forums for your software, or a general tech support forum.

Step 3: Fix the problem.

Follow the solution on the page you found exactly. If you don't know how to do something, google how to do that.

If the problem is a hardware malfunction, contact the customer support of the hardware manufacturer.

If the solution is something that you are uncomfortable or incapable of doing, then and only then contact a computer repair person.

Step 4: Make sure everything works.

Do everything you did in step 1 to make the problem happen and see if it happens again. If it does happen again, return to step 2.

 

[floobie]

I can sympathize. I recently sold my gaming PC for the same reason. PC gaming is fun, but keeping a PC working reliably has the potential to be quite a pain in the ass. I got sick of using Windows (my main computer is a Macbook... personal preference, no need to get into it), sick of dealing with the buggy mess that is Steam, sick of save games randomly corrupting, sick of games randomly just ceasing to work (Fallout 3, Mirror's Edge, Serious Sam HD, but not the rest of my Steam library all stopped working one day out of nowhere)... blech. Realistically, it was just a string of bad luck on my part. But, it was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. I'm sure I could've troubleshooted for a day or two and gotten everything working again. But, I just couldn't be bothered.

My Playstation 3 has been wonderfully reliable since I got it. And, of the games I play, only a handful are PC exclusive. And, lucky for me, those also run on OS X (mostly Blizzard games).

What I have now... my PS3 and my Macbook... it's just easier. I have a lot of interests and precious little time to pursue them all. Troubleshooting a computer isn't one of them. It's just a waste of my time. So, fuck it.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

So it's not PC gaming, just PCs you have a problem with.

If you don't know how to maintain a PC I wouldn't recommend PC gaming.

....ummmm..does that involve?

-adequte cooling
-virus checks
-not downloading seedy looking crap
-de-fragging now and again
-backing up your hardrive


did I miss anything? (because at some point Id wanna get back into PC gaming)

I would add: 'pulling your PC apart every six months for a clean out and a good dusting'.

I do regular system tune-ups and registry cleaning which also helps. Backing up data is an absolute must, but never discount physically cleaning your PC.

I've had my own gaming PC since early 2009 and I've upgraded in the last six months. Have had very few issues with it and I've had a great learning experience too. Down the road I plan to build my next rig from scratch (won't be for a while yet). Maintaining a PC can be a daunting prospect, but it's not all that hard if you buy and download smart and consistently run some simple maintenance routines.

well (time to put on my dunce cap)

Im are of the registry (what it is)..how does one go about cleaning it up?

Get CCleaner(already said) or something similar and Defragler(by the same group) and that will sort out all of your software related stuff. On the dust end don't be afraid to take a hoover/vacuum to your case AFTER taking it off but for internals I'm sure you know to be more gentle.

Also get Spybot Search and Destroy and if you wish to use a controller for certain games Joy to key might be helpful for stuff like emulators and games without proper controller support.

 

[Nalgas D. Lemur]

Also, the first rule of PC's is to never trust your PC with anything important. Troubleshooting software/driver/virus problems is always a waste of time. Have a clean install image with working drivers that you can re-image onto your OS drive in under 10 minutes. If you keep all your files and all your games installed on the same drive as your OS, you're doomed.

Eh. Or once you get to the point where you know enough about what you're doing, you can transcend the need for doing that and just fix the problem instead a lot of the time and only resort to that in real emergencies. Sure, I have my OS and everything else mostly separate, and I back them up separately too, but if you actually do the troubleshooting instead of blowing it away and reinstalling/restoring from a clean image you learn enough about how everything works quickly enough that you don't end up in situations where you have to do that anymore. I'm pretty sure I've been on the same install of Win7 since the final release candidate from before it came out on my desktop, because it just works if you maintain it properly.