Computer crashes with black screen after Plex transcode

JDubbedN · Oct 4, 2023

AMD came back and said nope on warranty. The defective CPU is part of a computer sold by a company called MinisForum where I purchased it from. I've attempted to contact them on their contact form, Skype contact and their forum. No reply. It's like they are a ghost town over there or are just ignoring any emails regarding warranty issues. I did contact MinisForum about 2 years ago when I inquired about purchasing their computers. They had no problem replying to my emails then. But now they are silent. Lesson learned. I was looking for a micro computer and they fit the bill, at least at the time. It seems more and more company's have these tiny computers now. Since I purchased the x400 MinisForum computer, I had to replace the RAM (it had errors), the NVMe (read speeds were way under what it was rated to be and was causing hangs during normal operation) and now the CPU. The only thing I haven't replaced is the motherboard and cooling system. It's been a real nightmare. Just a fair warning to think twice about purchasing from MinisForum. After doing some internet searches about the company, I am not alone with the issues.

Anyways, since the new CPU install, uptime has been almost 11 days and there have been several Plex transcodes and no crashes. I appreciate the help everyone! Case closed.

Scannerman · Oct 4, 2023

I have been following this thread and I commend you on your thorough work in isolating the cause of your issue and dealing with it. I have never heard of the establishment you purchased your PC from and I think it is unfortunate that AMD can't cut you a little slack on this. I am not a fan of microcomputers although I know that this is where the trend is going.

Your methodical step-by-step troubleshooting approach really impressed me and I think some people who read this thread could even benefit from your contributions here. I appreciate you keeping us posted on your progress and I'm glad to see that the matter is resolved. Thank you for sharing.

Dru2 · Oct 4, 2023

JDubbedN said:
AMD came back and said nope on warranty. The defective CPU is part of a computer sold by a company called MinisForum where I purchased it from.

Unfortunately, that's exactly what I said they would do, and they are 100 percent correct as they never sold the part to you

And it's not about "to what extent AMD stands behind their product." it's about the fact, that that the item in question was part of a PC system you didn't get from them. And the fact that the warranty for all components within the sold PC lays solely with the vendor.

Yeah, that sucks for you, but it is in fact the PC vendor's responsibility to warrant any and all parts with the system.

Scannerman · Oct 4, 2023

Dru2 said:
Unfortunately, that's exactly what I said they would do, and they are 100 percent correct as they never sold the part to you

And it's not about "to what extent AMD stands behind their product." it's about the fact, that that the item in question was part of a PC system you didn't get from them. And the fact that the warranty for all components within the sold PC lays solely with the vendor.

Yeah, that sucks for you, but it is in fact the PC vendor's responsibility to warrant any and all parts with the system.

... Which is one more reason I prefer to build my own PCs.

zbook · Oct 4, 2023

JDubbedN said:
Anyways, since the new CPU install, uptime has been almost 11 days and there have been several Plex transcodes and no crashes. I appreciate the help everyone! Case closed.

That's great news.

You're welcome.

Glad to help.

JDubbedN · Oct 4, 2023

Scannerman said:
... Which is one more reason I prefer to build my own PCs.

I do normally build my computers. However, I wasn't exactly comfortable with building a micro computer just because there isn't really a one size fits all case for micro motherboards. It's easy to just get a mid to large computer case and any motherboard fits in it and there is a motherboard standard as to where all the ports pop in an I/O shield for a normal build. But micro motherboard ports kind of stick out all over the place and it's not a one size fits all type of deal. So silly me to think I'd be better off buying a fully built micro pc and be done with it. The micro computers size and low power consumption was what I was needing for the placement and low cost for 24/7 runtime for a long time assuming the motherboard holds up which is now the only thing that is OEM. So here's to hoping I at least got a good board. My main use was for the Plex server and hosting 24/7 dedicated game servers and with the new CPU and RAM maxed out, It'll hold its own and then some. In the end I'm sure I've spent more than I wanted in time and money, especially with the long hours of troubleshooting. But I can finally say it's done.

Dru2 · Oct 4, 2023

Dru2 said:
Unfortunately, that's exactly what I said they would do, and they are 100 percent correct as they never sold the part to you

And it's not about "to what extent AMD stands behind their product." it's about the fact, that that the item in question was part of a PC system you didn't get from them. And the fact that the warranty for all components within the sold PC lays solely with the vendor.

Yeah, that sucks for you, but it is in fact the PC vendor's responsibility to warrant any and all parts with the system.

Scannerman said:
... Which is one more reason I prefer to build my own PCs.

So, do I; however, building a PC isn't always easy and practical for everyone. For some it's simply easier to buy...

JDubbedN said:
I do normally build my computers. However, I wasn't exactly comfortable with building a micro computer just because there isn't really a one size fits all case for micro motherboards. ....

Scannerman · Oct 5, 2023

I'll be adding this to my "Reasons why I do not build Microcomputers" list.

Dru2 · Oct 5, 2023

Scannerman said:
I'll be adding this to my "Reasons why I do not build Microcomputers" list.

Sorry but honestly, your replies are more trollish than helpful as the OP's issue has zero to do with whether they built a PC or not, or even what kind of PC. It's strictly about the lack of warranty support for a PC they bought from a PC vendor.

Not everyone is as "fortunate as you" to be able to build. Your posts come off as constant teasing for the choice the OP made.

Not helpful. And not nice

Scannerman · Oct 5, 2023

Dru2 said:
Sorry but honestly, your replies are more trollish than helpful as the OP's issue has zero to do with whether they built a PC or not, or even what kind of PC. It's strictly about the lack of warranty support for a PC they bought from a PC vendor.

Not everyone is as "fortunate as you" to be able to build. Your posts come off as constant teasing for the choice the OP made.

Not helpful. And not nice

Evidently, there is some misunderstanding between us. I've noted your own personal attacks against me and your own trolling in the past, but now it is evident that my ignoring your rude comments has infuriated you. It does not surprise me that you would stoop to projection like this I'll put the ball back in your own court.

My comments were about hardware and why I do what I do with hardware. As for the OP, I commended them, encouraged them (I hope) for their work and their dedication. It is you, Dru2, who wants to make something personal about it, just as you have with me on other threads in the past. If anything, my comments to the OP have been encouraging. Need I quote myself to substantiate this?

I recommend building as a viable option. Building also carries it's own challenges, but it is a worthy consideration. I apologize if I hurt your feelings. In nowise did I have any intention of castigating or browbeating the OP for their own choice, but since we are on the subject I would suggest that communicating things like, "Unfortunately, that's exactly what I said they would do, and they are 100 percent correct..." And things like "Yeah, that sucks for you..." aren't exactly encouraging either.

Yeah, you don't like me. Not my problem. If you don't like my posts ignore them. I'll start ignoring yours too. I don't have time for this.