Getting a new PC

[Judge]

Thank you.

Something so serious Microsoft would fix quickly, wouldn't they? My SSD's are working. I have not checked the ones I added today. I used my main M.2 today and everything worked.

I'm still wondering how they could release something that might damage so many computers. Oh yeah...they are totally focused on AI- not Windows.

 

[grommet]

Forgot to mention. In getting my legacy computer back up I found something to keep my computer on off the floor. Though I'd share this with you, as you can find these at Walmart in their stationary section.

They're simply strong black plastic "storage boxes" that interconnect with one another.
(see area circled in red):

View attachment 144989

I bought four of them ($1.58 ea.) hoping they would make a decent platform for my computer that runs Windows XP and they worked great, taking a whole lot of weight.

I think you are talking to me.

That is a good idea. It is black and blends in, light and strong.

I have an electric desk now so I have the PC on the desk. It is an amazing desk. Got it on sale and I thought because of the low price, $79 with free shipping, it would be bad but it is one of the best pieces of furniture I have gotten. Very high quality. Better than anything I ever got from Ikea.

It is wonderful being able to lower it if I need to take the PC off, raise the desk so the monitor is at the right height. When I worked on the PC adding SSD's I raised the table up high so it was easier to reattach all the cables. When I am not using the PC I keep the table at its lowest setting in case of an earthquake.

I think you are lucky to have a Walmart you can go to. One of my favorite places, so clean and bright and the prices are so low it would really help me but no Walmart I can go to.

 

[grommet]

I'm still wondering how they could release something that might damage so many computers. Oh yeah...they are totally focused on AI- not Windows.

What does this mean? I re-read it and got confused. What are you saying?

 

[Judge]

What does this mean? I re-read it and got confused. What are you saying?

They don't seem to care about their customers any more when it comes to their operating system. This kind of problem is IMO irresponsible on the part of a major operating system developer.

It's why I still am reticent to invest in Windows 11 just to play games. May just stick to Linux. But then like other vendors like Nvidia, Intel and Apple, they seem fixated on everything AI. At the expense of their mainstream products. In the meantime at least I can play old games on my legacy computer.

Intel may not even survive in the market. They're in trouble.

It's like no one is minding their store any more. Everyone is chasing AI at the expense of their main product and services..

 

[grommet]

They don't seem to care about their customers any more when it comes to their operating system. This kind of problem is IMO irresponsible on the part of a major operating system developer.

It's why I still am reticent to invest in Windows 11 just to play games. May just stick to Linux. But then like other vendors like Nvidia, Intel and Apple, they seem fixated on everything AI. At the expense of their mainstream products. In the meantime at least I can play old games on my legacy computer.

Intel may not even survive in the market. They're in trouble.

It's like no one is minding their store any more. Everyone is chasing AI at the expense of their main product and services..

That makes sense to me and I heard about their problems when I watched Gamer's Nexus Steve Burke talk about them. Oh, also I heard that the CPU I am using is more about AI than gaming even though it is their newest chip and Alienware used it in their newest highest performing gaming PC. I think they had no choice. It is odd. I have never seen a change like this.

AMD seems to keep making chips that are good for gaming, concentrating on 3D cache. I wonder what will happen. It seems to me Intel is too big a company to fail completely but it has happened to so many very large companies. Kodak was enormous. So many divisions. Even a large division for scientific supplies like in crystallography. IBM. Toys R Us.

 

[Judge]

That makes sense to me and I heard about their problems when I watched Gamer's Nexus Steve Burke talk about them.

Yeah Steve is really down about Intel. Though sometimes I think he's a bit too critical.

I've been spending more time looking at their latest CPUs like the Core Ultra line and while they do not have earth-shattering improvements they do seem more efficient than previous versions. Though naturally they are asking more money for them. To me the main thing Intel needs to do is get past their 13th and 14th gen cpus given their heat problems. Perhaps the Core Ultra series has done that.

Intel's problems have forced me to make contingencies for building new computers. I still want to replace the guts of my mATX computer, and now I am making two possible plans. One based on an Intel processor and motherboard, and the other an AMD processor and motherboard.

An Nvidia may eventually release a processor of their own....so we shall see. Though I've never lost an Intel CPU for any reason. My legacy computer is still using a perfectly good Pentium IV 2.4Ghz. Close to 21 years old...along with everything else in that box....lol.

 

[grommet]

Yeah Steve is really down about Intel. Though sometimes I think he's a bit too critical.

I've been spending more time looking at their latest CPUs like the Core Ultra line and while they do not have earth-shattering improvements they do seem more efficient than previous versions. Though naturally they are asking more money for them. To me the main thing Intel needs to do is get past their 13th and 14th gen cpus given their heat problems. Perhaps the Core Ultra series has done that.

Intel's problems have forced me to make contingencies for building new computers. I still want to replace the guts of my mATX computer, and now I am making two possible plans. One based on an Intel processor and motherboard, and the other an AMD processor and motherboard.

An Nvidia may eventually release a processor of their own....so we shall see. Though I've never lost an Intel CPU for any reason. My legacy computer is still using a perfectly good Pentium IV 2.4Ghz. Close to 21 years old...along with everything else in that box....lol.

I thought the heat problem was the chip bending and the aftermarket brackets solved it. They say the brackets are reducing the temperature up 7ºC.

 

[Judge]

I thought the heat problem was the chip bending and the aftermarket brackets solved it. They say the brackets are reducing the temperature up 7ºC.

The aftermarket brackets contain the problem, but the warping of the CPU casing was never fixed by Intel. At least not with their 13th and 14th generation chips. IMO they shouldn't have been subject to such heat warpage to begin with. Where the chip no longer sits levelin the socket, making pin contact inconsistent.

At least if it has been fixed with some of the newer Core Ultra Series 2 that's certainly a step in the right direction. Though it would seem that improvements to Intel are no longer consistent with the wishes of the gaming public. Not surprising given everyone's shift to AI.

Personally I would prefer to hear about thermodynamic improvements instead of the usual banter over frame rates.

 

[grommet]

The aftermarket brackets contain the problem, but the warping of the CPU casing was never fixed by Intel. At least not with their 13th and 14th generation chips. They shouldn't be subject to such heat damage to begin with.

But at least if it has been fixed with some of the newer Core Ultra Series 2 that's certainly a step in the right direction.

I keep checking the temperature on my i9 Ultra and it has not gone above the fifties in Celsius. I cannot remember which YouTube channel said the Ultra did come with improvements so it would warp less. I was ready to get a bracket if my temperatures were high but I do not think it has been a problem yet.

MSFS 2024 had a big update yesterday and I tried making videos of me taking off and landing at Reagan International airport but the update changed my settings and I could not get things running right yet.

 

[Judge]

I keep checking the temperature on my i9 Ultra and it has not gone above the fifties in Celsius. I cannot remember which YouTube channel said the Ultra did come with improvements so it would warp less. I was ready to get a bracket if my temperatures were high but I do not think it has been a problem yet.

That was my understanding about the i9 as well. Much different thermodynamics compared to more problematic 13th and 14th gen i9 Intel cpus. I'd think 50 degrees Celsius on a prolonged basis shouldn't be anywhere near enough heat to being warping the case. Though using other programs might yield different results. Interesting though with you using that latest CPU.

I have only a 12th generation i5 cpu but built my latest computer using the bracket right off. Unfortunately there have been isolated incidents of such warpage even with the 12th gen chips consistently running at a maximum load of 117 watts. Though I have yet to be anywhere near to operating on load with that much power. Not even in testing.

MSFS 2024 had a big update yesterday and I tried making videos of me taking off and landing at Reagan International airport but the update changed my settings and I could not get things running right yet.

Sounds good anyways if you haven't had any problems landing or taking off. I suppose it also depends on all the other air traffic in the corridor. Though I'm still curious as to how a simulation would handle prohibited airspace at lower altitudes.

 

[grommet]

Having problems making the game run but some things look great I think. I really like this water in a pond near the runway in Half Moon Bay California.

I made this one minute video to show you.

 

[Judge]

Watched a YouTube video with MSFS and an airbus flying from Tokyo to Hawaii.

Those airbuses, crazy-sized airliners!

 

[Judge]

This issue is getting really ugly between Microsoft, Phison and the gaming community. This YouTube presentation (below) seems to be a better commentary on this issue, which also mentions other prominent content creators of YouTube reporting the same issues.

To clarify, data loss/corruption seems to be effecting SSDs with "Phison" controller-based SSDs.

"You can check if your SSD has a Phison controller by looking at the specifications on the manufacturer's website or in the product documentation. Additionally, software tools like CrystalDiskInfo can provide detailed information about the SSD, including the controller model."

I hope you can use these links to determine if your controller also does not use Phison. Since you have been using Windows without incident, I'm guessing your NV M2 SSD doesn't either...but it might be good to check anyways:

M2 SSD Benchmark & Performance Test 2025

At the present it seems neither Microsoft or Phison is taking any responsibility for whatever the problem may be.

 

[grommet]

This issue is getting really ugly between Microsoft, Phison and the gaming community. This YouTube presentation (below) seems to be a better commentary on this issue, which also mentions other prominent content creators of YouTube reporting the same issues.

To clarify, data loss/corruption seems to be effecting SSDs with "Phison" controller-based SSDs.

"You can check if your SSD has a Phison controller by looking at the specifications on the manufacturer's website or in the product documentation. Additionally, software tools like CrystalDiskInfo can provide detailed information about the SSD, including the controller model."

I hope you can use these links to determine if your controller also does not use Phison. Since you have been using Windows without incident, I'm guessing your NV M2 SSD doesn't either...but it might be good to check anyways:

M2 SSD Benchmark & Performance Test 2025

At the present it seems neither Microsoft or Phison is taking any responsibility for whatever the problem may be.

Thank you for helping me. This is complicated and I think I could not do it. I have learned so much since I started, maybe soon I will know how to do this kind of thing too. So far I am not having problems but I only been using my main SSD. If the others were damaged it would not be good but not harm me much. I installed them from other PCs for the fun of learning how to do it.

 

[Judge]

Thank you for helping me. This is complicated and I think I could not do it. I have learned so much since I started, maybe soon I will know how to do this kind of thing too. So far I am not having problems but I only been using my main SSD. If the others were damaged it would not be good but not harm me much. I installed them from other PCs for the fun of learning how to do it.

It is complicated. And a bit spooky to follow the timeline and discover neither entity wants to take responsibility for whatever it actually is that failed. Perhaps because it's in the hands of the lawyers.

Though the online gaming community seems pretty adamant about it all. For them it's been one fiasco after another when it comes to hardware manufacturers and software developers, and so much disappointment over "new" products.

The only reason I continue to use SATA SSDs is because I use them with a removable drive bay, so I can switch entire operating systems in around ten seconds. The actual advantage in using M2 NV SSDs isn't very much, IMO. Good for loading games a little faster, but that's about it.

 

[grommet]

It is complicated. And a bit spooky to follow the timeline and discover neither entity wants to take responsibility for whatever it actually is that failed. Perhaps because it's in the hands of the lawyers.

Though the online gaming community seems pretty adamant about it all. For them it's been one fiasco after another when it comes to hardware manufacturers, and so much disappointment over "new" products.

The only reason I continue to use SATA SSDs is because I use them with a removable drive bay, so I can switch entire operating systems in around ten seconds. The actual advantage in using M2 NV SSDs isn't very much, IMO. Good for loading games a little faster, but that's about it.

That is so cool. I hope I can learn to do that - you switching OS. I like learning about PC's, it is like a fun puzzle. At least things connect to each other so it does make some sense. Sometimes when I am learning something new it is not like that so it is hard to find meaning in the connections.

My MSFS 2024 was running so good, then the big update a few days ago and I have not been able to fly without problems. I think the update was very good and they did an excellent job but I need to work some things out. I am also wondering if it is causing some bugs. I can no longer set or release the parking brake on my plane either using the Xbox controller or the mouse. It occurred to me to try it again with the keyboard, there should be a command for the brake there. It would be some kind of fix until the bug is repaired.

The best thing the update did was fix the settings menu. It was awful before. It would take so long to load that me and my friend did not want to try changes. It was not worth it. In one update it now opens settings instantly. It is wonderful.

My friend is having problems with some planes not working with autopilot.

I really want to learn how to use Windows. I am baffled by it, stuck. I hear about mods but I do now know how to use them. I do not know how to move around well enough in Windows directories either. I cannot think of a solution except to keep using the PC and learning over time.

In the 1990s I used to code in Unix and I loved it. It made perfect sense every time. I am trying to use Windows directories a bit like that, at least what I can remember. I miss Unix but it has been too long and I am too old now to learn it again but it was fun. My roommate was from MIT, the school. He taught me a lot and would go online and do some really cool things. He would narrate some and I tried to follow. One night he wanted to transfer some files but the company who ran the server limited the size to less than he needed. He created ghost drives, moved things around, did what he needed then removed all the changes he made. To be clear, he hacked the company, went right into their system way past where customers where supposed to go. He knew more than they did.

I was worried and asked him about it. He said he was not doing anything wrong, not hurting anything, just making things go faster for him and he left everything the way it was when he left. He did it so fast. It was like he was impatient waiting for the server to catch up. It was fun and exciting to watch.

He knew all sorts of things. He did make a mistake once that was not on the news I and I never understood why it was not reported. He came home one day and said he made a mistake at work and shut down Oracle for about 45 minutes. I said, you shut down where you worked? He said no, he shut down the company basically. I think he meant internally but he said he started the servers in the wrong order.

He told me they were supposed to start in an order where each one ask the last one who it was, it would answer and ask the other one who it was and the process would move up. He said he started the wrong one and none of them knew who they were for 45 minutes, they went back and forth asking each other "who are you?".

He also got bored at one company and they gave him an enormous bandwidth for the internet so .. I forget exactly what he did but it was something really big just for fun. Something about creating web-crawlers and bots, way before most of them existed, and did some searching of the entire internet for some stuff.

I do not know if you know who Dan Farmer is. There was some big scandal and Dan Farmer was one of the white hat hackers who found the bad guys, My roommate took me to Dan's home for a houseparty and the best hackers in the world were there just hanging out.

 

[Judge]

Things appear to be getting worse over this Microsoft upgrade and Phison SSD controller mess.

Jason of YouTube's "Jayztwocents" is not only commenting on it, but now he's actually experienced it, and in ways so far Microsoft hasn't yet reported on.

Looking grim for any Windows 11 users with an SSD using a Phison controller.

 

[grommet]

Things appear to be getting worse over this Microsoft upgrade and Phison SSD controller mess.

Jason of YouTube's "Jayztwocents" is not only commenting on it, but now he's actually experienced it, and in ways so far Microsoft hasn't yet reported on.

Looking grim for any Windows 11 users with an SSD using a Phison controller.

Your reports are scaring me. But my PC still works so I am hoping that means I will be okay. Maybe my primary SSD does not use that controller and the older ones are so old they do not either.

 

[Judge]

Your reports are scaring me. But my PC still works so I am hoping that means I will be okay. Maybe my primary SSD does not use that controller and the older ones are so old they do not either.

Use the links I posted to determine whether they involve any of your SSDs.

M2 SSD Benchmark & Performance Test 2025

Start with this one, then click which ever SSDs are on the list. The next page shown pertaining to that brand of SSD will have the name of the controller on it. If it isn't Phison, you don't have the problem.

Better still, simply try to google your SSD's brand name to see if they use Phison controllers. Jason's presentation may expose this to be a bigger issue impacting even more brands using Phison controllers.

Even then, it looks like Microsoft is categorically denying it's a Windows issue. Claiming other major players in the industry like Dell have been unable to recreate the problem. Getting spookier. Even Gilles Letourneau weighed in mentioning this as well. Another tech source I trust and use on occasion.

There may be more to it that hopefully the brightest technicians in the industry will figure out.

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 KB5063878 Update Not Behind SSD Failure

An interesting post by "ThioJoe" of YouTube, claiming his solution is to "roll back" the update that allegedly caused the problem, if that's really possible:

 

[grommet]

Use the links I posted to determine whether they involve any of your SSDs.

M2 SSD Benchmark & Performance Test 2025

Start with this one, then click which ever SSDs are on the list. The next page shown pertaining to that brand of SSD will have the name of the controller on it. If it isn't Phison, you don't have the problem.

Better still, simply try to google your SSD's brand name to see if they use Phison controllers. Jason's presentation may expose this to be a bigger issue impacting even more brands using Phison controllers.

Even then, it looks like Microsoft is categorically denying it's a Windows issue. Claiming other major players in the industry like Dell have been unable to recreate the problem. Getting spookier. Even Gilles Letourneau weighed in mentioning this as well. Another tech source I trust and use on occasion.

There may be more to it that hopefully the brightest technicians in the industry will figure out.

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 KB5063878 Update Not Behind SSD Failure

An interesting post by "ThioJoe" of YouTube, claiming his solution is to "roll back" the update that allegedly caused the problem, if that's really possible:

Thank you but I worry all the time about things. I do not want to think about my PC breaking. It has been working so I will wait and hope nothing happens.