Recently, my desktop encountered a problem whereby after cutting off the power supply (switched off the power plug), it will not boot. However, once I hard reset (hold on to power on/off button) it and then boot it again, it will then be able to boot and work normally. In technical terms, my computer will not be able to boot from cold but will work perfectly after a hard reset. In simpler terms, everytime I cut off my powersupply from the CPU, I need a hard reset in order for it to boot. My graphics card is Leadtek PX9800GX2 1GB (yes, even highest end graphics card will screw up).

The problem in point format:

1) Cut Off Power Supply

2) Turn on power supply again

3) Press “ON’ on the CPU

4) CPU has sound/lights everything, but can’t boot to bios. Monitor doesn’t detect anything

5) Hard Reset (Press and hold “Power” button on CPU)

6) Then be able to boot normally

So the first thing I did was to google. To my suprise, I can only find 1 page that has exactly the same problem as me and that is http://www.techspot.com/vb/all/windows/t-68670-PC-will-only-boot-after-hard-reset.html

After trying many things that got to do with bios (flashing BIOS to latest version, change bio settings, voltage settings and all), it still doesn’t work.

Solution: The problem lies with the graphics card (yes, exactly the same answer from the above link). My guess is that the GPU needs heating before it is able to work and that is hardware problem. There will not be any software/settings solution. So change your graphics card and it will be able to work perfectly.

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As my computer is only like few months old, I called up Ban Leong to claim my warranty for my graphics card. The person who answered my call was a little rude and keep insisting that Leadtek Graphics Card is 2 years warranty, with first 3 months 1-to-1 exchange. My graphics card is around 5 months old. However, at their online e-Customer service, they stated it is 2 years warranty with 1 year 1-to-1 exchange. Obviously I was not happy as I wanted the 1-to-1, so I complained on the e-Service and their incharge actually messaged me to offer me a 1-to-1. Very good service there. Why I say so ? Because, if I had to RMA my graphics card, it will take 2 months before it will get back to me and that means 2 months without graphics card = no com.

But still, luckily I was able to get the 1-to-1 exchange even though I took 2 trips down to Ubi and 1 trip down to Fuwell (Troubleshooting purposes). Thanks my brother for driving me there since I didn’t know the way !

^^ Box’s very big. My iPhone is there for comparison purposes.

^^ Very nice packaging

^^ The “3″ at the side is made of leather.

Early in the afternoon, I went to the Fred Perry Sales @ Ann Siang (Picture Above), hoping to get some damn good polo at a damn good price (Botak Jones FTW). The sales is storewide but obviously they’ve taken out some of the “good” items cause most of them were f-ugly with the exception of a few. I could only remember that all the polos were 40% off, jackets were 50% off, shoes were 40% off and the rest I could not remember. DBS Live Fresh members get ADDITIONAL 10% off.

All the polos in Ann Siang are supposedely Made in England, rather then the one in cine where all are Made in China. I reached there at around 1+ and was told by the lady staff over there that there are no more small sizes left for the polos.

There are a few (less then 3) polos there which are quite nice. Grey base with neon tips (kinda like FP x CDG) etc but ALL the polos are left in large sizes (typically L and XL) and I definitely had no chance to get the polos. As for long sleeve and short sleeve shirts, there were quite a few designs that are not bad but I’m quite sure all the small sizes are out so I didn’t bother to look at them. The only thing good at the sales for guys would be the shoes. There is 1 pair of shoe with golden fred perry logo on black leather, it looks quite good, the best item to grab in the sale. That pair of shoe was retailing at SGD$299 with 40% off (+10% if you’ve Live Fresh card), so after discount would be around SGD$150 which I thought is still quite expensive.

Surprisingly, the female item had small sizes. I think majority of the sales only catered to the females as the items on sale for females is normally much nicer compared to the males.

Verdict: Go to the sales if you’re a female OR a male who wears L/XL. If not, skip it.