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What motherboard is this?
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Member
1 product review
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23. March 2006 @ 10:02 |
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I thought replacing Bios was usually a last ditch effort... I've read on some forums while searching and they suggest clearing/reseting the Cmos... I have no clue how to do that. But I thought I'd wait for people on this site as I trust Afterdawn users more than most other people :D
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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23. March 2006 @ 10:04 |
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I'm flattered! lol
Flashing the BIOS isn't replacing it, it's changing the software. All you need to is to put the BIOS on a bootable recovery disk and upgrade the BIOS software, no hardware adjustment needed.
Resetting the CMOS is basically removing the battery that powers the BIOS (a coin cell battery usually at the base of the motherboard), leaving the system for half an hour or so, then replacing it, so as to reset the settings saved in the BIOS memory.
That shouldn't be necessary if you try the first option first. If that doesn't work however, I'd recommend a BIOS reset.
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Member
1 product review
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23. March 2006 @ 10:48 |
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Not trying to sound dumb, just making sure I do this right. I just got the newest Bios for my system from IBM before installing this chip a few weeks ago. Do I simply get that Bios update, put it on a Bootable disk and re-install it? Or since I have the newest Bios available for my Board? Will I need to reset the Cmos and THEN install the Bios?
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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23. March 2006 @ 11:30 |
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The first option should work. If it doesn't, then try the second one. It's only time you're wasting if you do it the other way round first, you won't damage anything.
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Member
1 product review
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23. March 2006 @ 12:33 |
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Reinstalled the Bios and my computer is running VERY quietly now compared to being extremely loud... and my comp temp droped to 33 during normal operation, 30 at idle. It hasn't shut down YET but my voltages are wrong. Currently waiting for email from IBM on instructions.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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23. March 2006 @ 12:37 |
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Voltages wrong?
If the PC runs OK, then this must be a problem with the temperature sensors, which may well have been disturbed by replacing a CPU, but if there's any instability, you may have problems. I don't like the sound of the quiet fan.
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Member
1 product review
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23. March 2006 @ 13:12 |
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Its not quiet... Its just normal... liek when I had my old Power supply. When I replaced my power supply it was so loud... So loud even that my girlfriend could hear it through the phone when I was across the room from my PC and it annoyed her it was so obvious... Now I can hear it... but it sounds like a normal computer. Its still louder than most new computers u see on the shelves at most computer stores... just quiet to me :p
I dunno if you saw one of my other threads... but my voltages are way messed. I downloaded and ran MBProbe and this is what it gives.
+3.3V - 4.08
+5V - 6.85
+12V - 16.32
-5V - -6.80
-12V - -16.32
And there are flashing red lights beside them and an alarm sounding... Someone told me this can cause some major instability. But my Bios doesn't allow me to change the voltage properties or ajust FSB speeds. I've learned that when you OC the fsb you need to increase the Power a lil to compensate and that your temperature will rise... Also the temps I've listed b4 ar HDD temps... my cpu runs at about 30C normally... HDD runs slightly hotter by a few degrees...
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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23. March 2006 @ 13:23 |
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As I believe I mentioned somewhere before, if those readings were true, your system would be stone dead and there would have been nasty smells and noises. Trust me, if your PC is running well enough to display figures like those, they're false. That program obviously doesn't support your voltage sensors. My friend's old computer was just the same, measuring something absurd like -2.32V for the +12V rail, but it ran fine because those readings just weren't true.
I wouldn't worry your head about it.
I'm also glad to hear that you're running a quiet PC legitimately, that had me worried for a minute! PSUs can be noisy beggars so it's good to see you've finally got something to take care of that.
My PC probably runs at about 30-32dB ish, so louder than most stock PCs but a lot quieter than it used to be (about 37dB before I changed the heatsink!)
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Member
1 product review
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23. March 2006 @ 14:35 |
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The heatsink that came with my CPU is smaller than the one I had... and dumb old me I put the smaller one in with a generic Fan when my old one is much bigger with a thermaltake fan... Sometimes I just don't look... Are copper bottoms on Heatsinks better? The bigger one had a copper layer on the bottom...
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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23. March 2006 @ 14:55 |
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In theory all heatsinks should have a copper section on the bottom. You want copper in as many places as possible really.
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Member
1 product review
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23. March 2006 @ 16:45 |
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Gold distributes heat REALLY well ;) That'd be an expensive heatsink right there :p
I'm gonna throw in the bigger one when the 933mhz CPU gets here and do all these steps again... I was just so impatient lol.
By the way, thanks for all the help. You've responded so frequently and fast this has been like a daily chat :p
I'm gonna miss you :'( *tear* lmao
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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24. March 2006 @ 00:31 |
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A heatsink-sized lump of solid gold? Go ahead!
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Member
1 product review
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24. March 2006 @ 01:34 |
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OMFG my computer STILL shuts down... not as much but still multiple times daily... what could this be seriously... The only thing thats original from the last year of trying to fix this is the floppy drive and the CD-Rom/Burner Drive... EVERYTHING else is new. The absolute ONLY thing I can think of now is that the shutting down has caused major instability in my system files on my hard drive. I already know its caused my hard drive to have bad sectors on it... Possibly my computer has system files there? Theres no pattern to the shutting down at all... It can shut down even when left idle for hours...
I'm really getting at my wits end with this... I might actually give up and take it into the shop :(
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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24. March 2006 @ 05:58 |
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You havent changed the motherboard, that could still be a problem.
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Member
1 product review
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24. March 2006 @ 10:07 |
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IBM changed the motherboard, under extended warranty due to capacitor leaks on MANY of their NetVista series computers... the motherboard is less than a year old... The computer died... wouldn't boot, so I took it to the shop, which told me it was the motherboard and that its IBM's fault and they replace it under warranty... so I call IBM and they send it to a local shop they deal through and they replace it for free... the thing is, I get the computer back and it works... but it shuts down CONSTANTLY. So I've been spending months trying to fix this... so I'm getting pissed and gonna chew out IBM's CSR's till they do something about it... lol
So yea, the only thing thats not new is the burner, floppy drive and some cables... everything else is brand new. After thinking of the money wasted in the long run, it would have been cheaper to have bought a new PC... but then again... I had enough for a component then, and not a PC...
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Member
1 product review
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29. March 2006 @ 09:23 |
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I got stiffed by IBM. Thanks for all the help! Especially sam. You were great man, I appreciate the quick and helpful replys.
Turns out IBM put a motherboard in that had 2 ram slots... 1 of them was messed up. So I'm stuck with only 1 ram slot now... Thats what my local Computer store told me. I just got back up and running and I'm just waiting to see if it will crash or not... I sure as hell hope not... So many parts replaced due to a stick of ram being in a bad slot... thats pretty dang annoying heh.
Well thanks again. If I have more problems I'll be sure to badger you soon :p
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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29. March 2006 @ 09:42 |
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Mmm, well I'm glad we've kind of received a decision, and thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it.
I appreciate us folks like to look at things ourselves before hiring someone else, but unfortunately a quick inspection by a local tech company would have reaped better rewards for you this time around. A faulty RAM slot isn't something you're going to diagnose without spares to run and test, but it's not an unknown problem.
Keep us posted how things go!
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Member
1 product review
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4. April 2006 @ 12:41 |
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Because it has been so long and because IBM tell me they have only recent reports of my calling in after this, which is lies but I can't prove jack, they won't replace the board, they will however give me a discount on the board. But they want about as much for a 7-8 year board as I would pay for a REALLY good board. For a board with integrated audio and 64mb integrated vid, 3 pci slots, no agp or pci-e, 2 slots of ram(pc133) and a max of celeron 1.1ghz or P3 933 mhz compatible... they want $325 USD lmao for tht price I can get a high end motherboard...
I thought a free computer was a good deal when I first got it... but its been a money pit and a peice of crap. Free isn't always better... But at least I can scrap it when I get my new system and get some money for each component on Ebay later. 2 stick os overpriced rare old ram, 3 CPU's, 2 Power Supplys, 1 rare but old, Creative Soublaster sound Card and a few other peices of crap.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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5. April 2006 @ 00:18 |
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Holy hell, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT take them up on that offer. I know of no motherboard for a single processor since ever that has ever cost that much money. The Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe, one of the best boards out there costs less than two thirds of that ($210).
Seriously dude replace the lot yourself. Grab a 754 motherboard & Sempron64 combo with maybe a stick of 512MB DDR. THe whole lot may cost you less than that motherboard quote. In fact there's no may about it. You can keep the case, optical drives etc, but you then have a nice AGP port to use.
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The_OGS
Senior Member
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5. April 2006 @ 07:58 |
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Too bad about the IBM thing!
I've been following this (Sam's been lookin' after ya :^)
Quote:
a 754 motherboard & Sempron64 combo with maybe a stick of 512MB DDR
Yes - total $$ for this is $180 bucks (Canadian).
Maybe twenty bucks less, in Yankee money...
Good deal eh? I can build a whole back-to-school PC for ~$400 bucks incl. DVD burner etc. LoL
XP2800+ Sempron runs pretty good too (if you're used to a Celeron 800 or whatever...)
L8R
ABit AB9 Pro
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 @ 2.4GHz
2GB OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum XTC R2
ATI Radeon X1900XT 512MB
Enermax Liberty 620W
320GB/16MB WD, 150GB/16MB Raptor
Plextor PX-755SA DVD (SATA)
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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5. April 2006 @ 08:24 |
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A sempron XP? I assume you mean a Sempron derived from an Athlon XP (Barton core). Personally I'd say stick to the Actual XP or go Palermo, the early semprons weren't the best of processors.
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Member
1 product review
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5. April 2006 @ 13:16 |
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No no, I'm not dumb enough to invest any more money into this heap of junk. The only reason I got any new components for it is because I only had small amounts of money to waste in long gaps of time making it slightly useful to do minor upgrades.
I'm not a fan of AMD 754 based computers... I'd much rather go for a 939 based computer to leave much more upgrade potential. That and for Dual core AMD processors... not sure what I want tho, Athlon 64 or those San Deigo's I've heard so much good things from.
I'm just waiting on a cash settlement from Workers Comp and then I might get a Twister Pro customized from DigitalStormOnline.
They seem to have pretty decent prices. I wanted a Newegg custom because they seem to have the best prices but they won't even do special orders to Canada. But I know a guy who has a PO Box in Maine so I might get the comp shipped there and drive up and get it, it would be very worth it.
Anyone know a great priced site that delivers to Canada that offers prices that closely compares to newegg?
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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5. April 2006 @ 13:21 |
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Living thousands of miles way I'm not one to ask, but you will be better off with a dual core if you can afford it, the speed will just increase with time until you end up with something that will blow the socks off a standard Athlon 64 (which will in turn blow all the underwear off a sempron which in turn yadda yadda celeron yadda yadda 486 etc.)
In short, an X2 will pulverise a 486. Not sure why that's relevant but it feels satisfying because I'm gonna buy one.
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Member
1 product review
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5. April 2006 @ 14:30 |
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Yea, I'm hoping to get Dual core AMD Athlon 64 4200+ or better, I don't know much about motherboards yet so I will do some research into finding a board with best bang for buck while leaving ample upgrade ability. I know a I want dual PCI-e Radeon Vid cards and minimum of 2GB Dual channel OZC ram. I would also like to go with WD raptor HD but they are so expensive with lower than average drive capacity so I might just go with a pair of WD Cavier 250GB drives or maybe even seagate or maxtor. I wouldn't mind setting up a dual monitor computer either, that would be fun. I also know Creative Sounblaster Audigy is the only real sound card to go with. I'm just trying to find a site that I can get all this stuff at a decent price... The DigitalStormOnline Twister Pro Custom I got is about $2100 USD
Specifications:
Case: Digital Storm Twister Series (Highly Recommended) (Black Edition)
Power Supply: Enermax 535W (SLI/CrossFire Compatible) (EG565P-VE FMA)
Processor: AMD Athlon X2 4200+ Dual-Core (1 MB Cache) w/HyperTransport Technology
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI (Chipset: nForce4 SLI) (1GB Lan / 10 USB / 2 Firewire)
Memory: 2GB Super Talent at 400MHz (2x 1GB Dual Channel) (Lifetime Warranty)
Floppy / Media: Sony 1.44MB Floppy (Black Edition)
Hard Drive 1: Western Digital 250GB SATA II (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache)
Hard Drive 2: Western Digital 200GB SATA II (7200 RPM) (8MB Cache)
Raid Option: Setup hard drives in Raid 0 Stripe (Performance) (Requires two hard drives)
Optical Drive 1: Sony 52X32X52 CD-R/RW (Black Edition) (Includes Nero Burning Software!)
Optical Drive 2: Sony 16X DVD+/-RW 48X CD-R/RW (Black Edition) (Includes Nero)
Network Card: Motherboard High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable and DSL)
Modem: - No Thanks
Video Card: 2x SLI (nVIDIA GeForce 7900GT 256MB (By: XFX) (PCI-Express)
TV Tuner: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Motherboard Multi-Channel High Definition Audio (Up to 5.1 Channel)
Cooling: Air Cooling (Blizzard Extreme Heat-sink and Fan (Stage 2 Cooling)
Case Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes)
Round Cables: - No Thanks
User Manual: FREE! Personalized Elite Digital Storm Binder (Paperwork / Benchmarks / CDs / Manuals)
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2
Restore Kit: FREE! Digital Storm Restore DVD Recovery Kit
Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard & Optical Wheel Mouse 2.0 (Black Edition)
Mouse: - No Thanks my keyboard comes with a mouse
Warranty: 2 Year Platinum Care Parts & Labor Warranty
Support: Lifetime Toll-Free Platinum Care Technical Support
Thats what I'm thinking about.
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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5. April 2006 @ 14:49 |
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May I suggest the following amendments (should be cheaper)
Case: Digital Storm Twister Series (Highly Recommended) (Black Edition) - OK
Power Supply: Enermax 535W (SLI/CrossFire Compatible) (EG565P-VE FMA) - OK
Processor: AMD Athlon X2 4200+ Dual-Core (1 MB Cache) w/HyperTransport Technology - OK
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI (Chipset: nForce4 SLI) (1GB Lan / 10 USB / 2 Firewire) - OK
Memory: 2GB Super Talent at 400MHz (2x 1GB Dual Channel) (Lifetime Warranty) - Any other brands available? Lifetime warranty or not, it's better to not need it. Corsair, Crucial, Gell, OCZ or Kingston will do.
Floppy / Media: Sony 1.44MB Floppy (Black Edition) - OK
Hard Drive 1: Western Digital Raptor 36GB SATA (7200 RPM) (8MB Cache)
Hard Drive 2: Western Digital 250GB SATA II (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache)
Raid Option: No RAID configuration - you can't do this with two drives that aren't the same
Optical Drive 1: Sony 52X32X52 CD-R/RW (Black Edition) (Includes Nero Burning Software!) - OK
Optical Drive 2: Sony 16X DVD+/-RW 48X CD-R/RW (Black Edition) (Includes Nero) - OK, But Sony drives are just rebadged Lite-ons. Slow rebadged Lite-ons. You'd do better from LG, Pioneer or Plextor.
Network Card: Motherboard High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable and DSL) - OK
Modem: - No Thanks - OK
Video Card: Powercolor Radeon X1900XT-X 512MB (singular) - Trust me you don't need two graphics cards, half the time they're detrimental to performance, and you're paying such a lot more for little gain.
TV Tuner: - No Thanks - OK
Sound Card: Motherboard Multi-Channel High Definition Audio (Up to 5.1 Channel) - OK, since you're with an Asus A8N-SLI board
Cooling: Air Cooling (Blizzard Extreme Heat-sink and Fan (Stage 2 Cooling) - seems ok
Case Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes) - We like
Round Cables: - Yes Please, better airflow.
User Manual: FREE! Personalized Elite Digital Storm Binder (Paperwork / Benchmarks / CDs / Manuals) - fair enough
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home with Service Pack 2 - OK
Restore Kit: FREE! Digital Storm Restore DVD Recovery Kit - Fair enough
Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks - All Ok if you don't need them
Keyboard: Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard & Optical Wheel Mouse 2.0 (Black Edition) - Sure
Mouse: - No Thanks my keyboard comes with a mouse - OK
Warranty: 2 Year Platinum Care Parts & Labor Warranty - OK
Support: Lifetime Toll-Free Platinum Care Technical Support - OK
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