The Official Computer Tech Support Thread

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by adidasss

Ok so, I don't actually have a problem with my computer because it died last night during a storm. I've decided I spent way too much money on that piece of crap so I'm gonna buy a new one. Seeing as how there are a few computer savvy people now around, I thought I'd ask if someone could recommend a configuration (I live in Croatia so none of that "Oh just get a Dell or somesuchshit) with components I could probably find here.

I only use the computer to surf, download films, books and music and play music. The only more demanding job I do with it is converting DVD9 films into DVD5s...

So, can anyone suggest something that would be good for that purpose? I'm thinking a big hard drive (fast and silent if possible), but how much and what kind of RAM? What about the processor? Obviously, I probably don't need the top of the line stuff.

Here's just some specs I'm pulling out my ass right now, but feel free to discuss them and if anyone wants to edit/add, that's great.

For your needs, the following should be adequate:

• RAM: 2gigs, DDR2 or DDR3, no biggie on the brand, but Kingston and Corsair are the big two.
• CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo mobile (if you're getting a laptop, if desktop, just straight Core 2 Duo). There are other processors out there, but personally I know that the C2D's are fast, cheap, and reliable. In any case, you won't need more than 2 ghz of clock speed and a 4 MB L2 cache. FSB at 800 mhz should be fine as well.
• HDD: As big as you want, but you'll be more limited with a laptop. Either case, you want no less than 7200 RPMs.
• Graphics: Whatever the scenario, at least 128 MB will be fine if you're not gaming.
• Audio: Try to make sure your onboard soundcard is 24 bit if you're not planning on getting an external soundcard.
• OS: Windows XP pro w/ SP2 or SP3.

[adidasss]

Something I put together:

HDD 1000.0 GB SEAGATE, SATA, 32MB c., 7200 okr./min,
DVD±RW LG GH22NS, 22x, SATA, Dual layer, black, bulk
RAM PC-10600, 2 GB, KINGMAX, DDR3 1333 MHz
Cooler ARCTIC-COOLING Freezer 64 Pro PWM, socket 754/939/940/AM2
Power 400W, CORSAIR CX Series CMPSU-400CXEU, ATX2 v2.2, 120mm vent.
MBO GIGABYTE MA785GMT-UD2H, 785G/SB710, DDR3, sound, SATA, VGA, RAID, G-LAN, FW, HDMI, PCI-E, mATX, s. AM3
CPU AMD Athlon64 X2 250 BOX, s. AM3, 3.0GHz, 2MB c.
Casing COOLERMASTER Elite 331, MIDI,

Any thoughts? Will it work? Anything clashing? Didn't put a separate graphics or audio card as I think the MBO already has both...

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by adidasss

Something I put together:

HDD 1000.0 GB SEAGATE, SATA, 32MB c., 7200 okr./min,
DVD±RW LG GH22NS, 22x, SATA, Dual layer, black, bulk
RAM PC-10600, 2 GB, KINGMAX, DDR3 1333 MHz
Cooler ARCTIC-COOLING Freezer 64 Pro PWM, socket 754/939/940/AM2
Power 400W, CORSAIR CX Series CMPSU-400CXEU, ATX2 v2.2, 120mm vent.
MBO GIGABYTE MA785GMT-UD2H, 785G/SB710, DDR3, sound, SATA, VGA, RAID, G-LAN, FW, HDMI, PCI-E, mATX, s. AM3
CPU AMD Athlon64 X2 250 BOX, s. AM3, 3.0GHz, 2MB c.
Casing COOLERMASTER Elite 331, MIDI,

Any thoughts? Will it work? Anything clashing? Didn't put a separate graphics or audio card as I think the MBO already has both...

Looks good.
If you selected those parts at one of those build-your-rig sites, you don't have to worry about mismatching, as they usually only provide options that work together when you're selecting your parts. If you're not using one of those sites, your main concern is whether your motherboard supports all the components that are going to be interfacing with it. Yours does, so no worries in that dept.

A terrabyte of HDD storage is PLENTY. You won't be running out of space any time soon. But if I could make a suggestion: Instead of a single terrabyte drive, you may want to split that between two physical drives. It's a good idea to back up your data and store a copy of that backup on another physical drive in case one craps out on you. I can't tell you how many times I wish I had practiced that in the past.

With your setup, 400 watt PSU should be sufficient as well. No worries there.

CPU is plenty fast enough. I'm not an AMD guy, but that's just me.

Now just promise you'll use XP and not Vista, and you're golden. lol..

[adidasss]

Sweet, thanks for the help.

And I was going to run Vista. It's so much prettier...what seems to be its problem...?

[Guybrush]

Originally Posted by adidasss

Sweet, thanks for the help.

And I was going to run Vista. It's so much prettier...what seems to be its problem...?

Looks to me like you should be running the 64 bit version of windows vista. That's what I'm doing and although I have twice as much RAM as you do, it's been nice and stable in my experience.

64-bit Windows XP is - at least last time I heard - quite the hassle compared to Vista.

Vista has a worse rep than it deserves imo. I have two stationary comps right next to eachother, one with xp sp3 and the other with vista home professional (I think) 64 bits. Both work fine, but on a new comp with nice hardware, I'd definetly get Vista.

[Captain Awesome]

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than myself can help me with this situation i have.

My computer is up stairs and picks up a wireless connection to the internet using a Belkin usb thing that sits in a little dock and is connected to the back of my PC with a cable through one of the usb slots. I've not had any problems with it until today, my pc disconnected from the internet and when i tried to reconnect it told me there was no networks available to connect to. And yet the computer downstairs is still connecting fine and the wireless was working on my friends lap top. Obviously i have it working now, i took the little usb thing out of its docking station thing and just slotted it into one of the usb slots at the front of my pc (random idea i thought it was worth a shot) and hey presto i'm back on the itnernet (connection also seems to be stronger).

Anyway, can anyone tell me what may have went wrong?

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by Captain Awesome

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than myself can help me with this situation i have.

My computer is up stairs and picks up a wireless connection to the internet using a Belkin usb thing that sits in a little dock and is connected to the back of my PC with a cable through one of the usb slots. I've not had any problems with it until today, my pc disconnected from the internet and when i tried to reconnect it told me there was no networks available to connect to. And yet the computer downstairs is still connecting fine and the wireless was working on my friends lap top. Obviously i have it working now, i took the little usb thing out of its docking station thing and just slotted it into one of the usb slots at the front of my pc (random idea i thought it was worth a shot) and hey presto i'm back on the itnernet (connection also seems to be stronger).

Anyway, can anyone tell me what may have went wrong?

If the USB controller lost communication with your USB device for any reason, that could have caused it. Being that USB devices are based on PnP technology, simply pulling them out and re-inserting them usually brings them back up without any other necessary intervention.

I'm not sure if your "docking station thing" is a USB hub (device that allows you to plug multiple USB devices in while only using a single USB port), but I never had any luck with maintaining a fast, reliable connection using them with multiple devices plugged in because the USB bandwidth and voltage per port is limited.
I would recommend that for any USB device that requires stability, you plug that device directly into its own port on the PC.

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by toretorden

Looks to me like you should be running the 64 bit version of windows vista. That's what I'm doing and although I have twice as much RAM as you do, it's been nice and stable in my experience.

64-bit Windows XP is - at least last time I heard - quite the hassle compared to Vista.

Vista has a worse rep than it deserves imo. I have two stationary comps right next to eachother, one with xp sp3 and the other with vista home professional (I think) 64 bits. Both work fine, but on a new comp with nice hardware, I'd definetly get Vista.

I don't see why he'd need Vista 64bit. 64bit allows for a higher capacity in some areas, but none of which he actually needs as per his usage. If anything, it would be more of a hassle at this point because of his not getting much out of 64bit versus the fact that he would no longer be able to run 16 bit programs nor utilize 32bit drivers. So if he uses anything that doesn't support 64bit, then he's just crap out of luck.
Not a real big payoff considering he's only going to be running 2 gigs of RAM and a processor that, while it's 64bit capable, isn't pushing any performance limits in any scenario.
He could add 2 more gigs and swap to a quad-core CPU on a 32bit platform and still be well over his possible requirements in the foreseeable future.

And I was going to run Vista. It's so much prettier...what seems to be its problem...?

Adidasss... Not really a problem, considering its current status versus when it first came out, but I just personally don't like that it's a resource hog and requires so much more disk space and RAM just to operate.
Personally, XP does everything I need it to, so I don't see a reason to upgrade to an OS that does add some nice features, but most of which I'd never personally use nor care about.
I'll switch my personal computer's OS when XP becomes obsolete and is no longer supported by software developers who create programs I actually want to use.

[BTown]

I'm looking into getting a Zune because my iPod broke but the only problem is I heard Zunes can't play MPEG audio files or AAC files, and that's a hefty majority of my library + aac files purchased from the iTunes store classified as purchased aac files.

Anyway of getting around this? What do I do?

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by BTown787

I'm looking into getting a Zune because my iPod broke but the only problem is I heard Zunes can't play MPEG audio files or AAC files, and that's a hefty majority of my library + aac files purchased from the iTunes store classified as purchased aac files.

Anyway of getting around this? What do I do?

I'm sure there are a number of format converters available on the web.
Problem is, you may spend a while converting all your music.
Why not just get a new iPOD and then you won't have to worry about it?