Hardware Failure
Ongoing coverage on Hardware Failure.
Latest coverage
Lenovo says it is 'clear' Legion Go faults 'not user error' and even devices out of warranty could…
Lenovo has acknowledged that a specific BIOS update (version N3CN42WW) for the Lenovo Legion Go can cause devices to brick, stating it is not user error. The company will offer free repairs for affected devices, even those out of warranty, particularly for users in the European Union. The problematic BIOS version has since been removed and replaced with an older version.
Gamers report a BIOS update is bricking their Legion Go handhelds, and Lenovo is quoting over $250 to fix the issue…
Owners of the Lenovo Legion Go handheld PC are reporting that a recent BIOS update, version N3CN42WW, is causing their devices to brick. While Lenovo is still repairing devices under warranty for free, one user was quoted over $250 for a repair outside of warranty. Users are advised to avoid the update until Lenovo issues an official advisory.
Guild Wars 2’s planned balance patch was delayed slightly over a hardware failure at ArenaNet
ArenaNet has delayed a planned balance patch for Guild Wars 2 due to a hardware failure in their office network that disrupted build and deployment pipelines. While the hardware issues have been resolved, the company is still working to recover affected systems and aims to release the update later today. This marks a rare delay for the game's typically smooth update process.
'It's exploding now?' — Reddit user's Zotac RTX 5090 'explodes' while playing Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, and I'm starting to get worried that high-powered GPUs aren't safe
A Reddit user reported that their Zotac GeForce RTX 5090 GPU exploded while playing Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Unlike previous incidents, the power connector was undamaged, but a burn mark was found on the PCB gold finger, suggesting a potential short circuit possibly caused by GPU sag. This incident raises concerns about the safety of high-powered GPUs.
Steam Machine with the dreaded "Red Line of Death" has healed itself after a good night's rest
A Steam Machine experiencing the 'Red Line of Death' error, typically indicating GPU failure, has reportedly resolved itself after being left unplugged overnight. The owner, who initially tried various power cycling methods without success, found the issue cleared after a 24-hour period. This suggests a potential firmware glitch rather than a hardware fault, with Valve expected to address similar issues in future SteamOS updates.
The Steam Machine’s Red Line Of Death Is Less Scary, And More Useful, Than You Might Think
The Steam Machine's 'Red Line of Death' error, reminiscent of the Xbox 360's Red Ring of Death, is discussed as a useful diagnostic tool rather than a catastrophic failure. Valve has implemented a system where different LED bar colors and animations indicate specific hardware issues, aiding users in troubleshooting and communicating problems to support.
"If anyone encounters the same error, don't panic like I did" - Steam Machine suffering "red line of death" comes back to life
A user's Steam Machine, which experienced a "red line of death" error after a system update, has been revived. The issue, initially feared to be a graphics card failure similar to the Xbox 360's Red Ring of Death, was resolved by unplugging the machine overnight and performing BIOS resets. The user shared their experience on Reddit, advising others not to panic and to try similar troubleshooting steps.
Red Line of Death Steam Machine Overreactions
A reported 'Red Line of Death' hardware failure on the Steam Machine, initially feared to be a widespread GPU issue, has been resolved. The problem, which caused a red light indicating GPU failure after a firmware update, was fixed by simply unplugging the machine overnight. Valve has confirmed this does not indicate a systemic hardware defect.
It’s 2006 all over again: Steam Machines are suffering from ‘Red Line of Death’ as user reports untimely GPU failure
Steam Machines are reportedly experiencing a 'Red Line of Death' issue, indicating untimely GPU failure. This problem mirrors hardware failures seen in 2006, raising concerns about the reliability of the platform.
Steam Machine hits 'Red Line of Death' issues — but there's no need to panic about bricked PCs yet
Some Steam Machine units are experiencing a 'Red Line of Death' indicating a GPU failure, similar to the Xbox 360's 'Red Ring of Death'. While early reports suggest this is not widespread, Valve is investigating the issue, with affected users advised to contact support for potential returns or repairs.
Valve's aim for a console-like experience with its Steam Machine lands a little too close for comfort as one of the first cases of 'Red Line of Death' comes to light
A user has reported the first instance of a 'Red Line of Death' hardware failure on Valve's Steam Machine, similar to the Xbox 360's issue. The failure, indicated by red LEDs, occurred after a software update while playing No Man's Sky. While the user has contacted Valve for support, the incident highlights potential hardware reliability concerns for the console-like PC.
Uh-oh, the Steam Machine is having its own Xbox 360 "Red Ring of Death" moment, and Valve's lightbar…
A user reported their new Steam Machine experiencing a GPU failure, indicated by a red lightbar, after only 20 minutes of use, mirroring the "Red Ring of Death" issue that plagued the Xbox 360. Valve's error codes suggest a system-wide GPU failure, though the article speculates it could be a software or firmware issue. The user has opted to send the device back to Valve for support rather than attempting DIY fixes.
"Red line of death" - Steam Machine encounters its first major hardware fault and it's already got a fitting Xbox-inspired nickname
The newly released Steam Machine has encountered its first significant hardware issue, with some units displaying a 'red line of death' indicating a GPU failure shortly after setup. This problem, which occurred for one user after playing No Man's Sky and installing a firmware update, has drawn comparisons to the infamous Red Ring of Death on the Xbox 360. Users are advised to contact Valve support for replacements, though the limited production numbers may make this challenging.
Steam Machine Early Adopter Reports Hardware Failure With Blinking Red LED
Early adopters of Valve's Steam Machine are reporting hardware failures, indicated by a blinking red LED. The specific error code suggests a GPU failure, though the exact cause and prevalence are currently unknown. This issue has drawn comparisons to the 'red ring of death' experienced by early Xbox 360 consoles.
Nvidia GPUs can't stop finding new things to melt
High-end Nvidia GPUs, including the RTX 4090, RTX 5090, and RTX 5080, continue to experience issues with melting power connectors, even with revised designs and specialized adapters like the Corsair PCIe 5.0 12V-2×6. This ongoing problem, also affecting some AMD cards, is largely attributed to uneven power delivery through the conductors, leading to excessive heat buildup. While Nvidia and Corsair have initiated RMA processes for affected users, the fundamental issue with the 12VHPWR connector standard persists.
Possibly the first instance of Asus' anti-melting 12V-2×6 power cable…err…melting shows up, adding more fuel to the fire that is Nvidia's connector
A new instance of an Asus ROG Equalizer power cable, designed to prevent melting issues with Nvidia graphics cards, has reportedly melted. While the exact cause is unknown, this incident adds to ongoing concerns about Nvidia's 12VHPWR and 12V-2x6 connectors, which have been linked to melting due to power delivery imbalances. The article discusses potential solutions and user advice for mitigating these risks.
Sunday Metaverse
Motorola has effectively rendered its entire line of WiFi routers unusable without providing an explanation. The incident, reported by Mashable and discussed on Hacker News, has left users without internet access.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 owner saved by their cat, after GPU power connector melts
An owner of an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card reported their cat alerted them to a melting power connector, potentially preventing a PC fire. This incident adds to documented cases of high-end Nvidia GPUs experiencing issues with their power connectors, particularly the 12VHPWR type, due to high power draw. While precautions like secure connections and good ventilation can help mitigate risks, the problem persists with powerful cards like the RTX 4090 and RTX 5090.
MSI's new power supplies have a buzzer that warns you if your graphics card is about to melt, which seems like a…
MSI has introduced new power supplies featuring an upgraded GPU Safeguard technology that includes a hardware buzzer. This system monitors current levels to the graphics card, alerting users to potential power-related issues that could lead to hardware damage, such as the melting incidents previously seen with 12VHPWR connectors.
Embers Adrift is offline from a ‘catastrophic hardware failure’
Embers Adrift is currently offline due to a catastrophic hardware failure affecting the live game service. Stormhaven Studios is working to migrate the service to a new host, a process that was planned for later this month but has been accelerated. The outage is expected to last between 12-24 hours.