The Official Computer Tech Support Thread

[Freebase Dali]

Hmmm... well it's not likely that your operating system just screwed up all by itself, so I wouldn't burn down the city to get rid of a building or anything... Have you ensured that you have the latest version of VLC? (I'm guessing you downloaded the latest version on re-installation, but I'm asking anyway)

[333]

Yeah, I did. My boyfriend does IT work, so I'll just have him take a look at it. I just haven't been able to see him long enough to ask him, so I figured while I'm on the computer all night, I'd ask ya. Thank you anyway, buddy. We're finally chattin' again on here, but why isn't it about music!? I don't even know you anymore.

[TheBig3]

So I'm currently operating on an old Dell from '02. For obviously reasons, its time to move on. I've been trying to save for something half decent on games (strong empahsis on half). My lady friend found me a refurbished computer for $100 with the following specs:

Intel® Pentium® Core 2 Duo Processor, 2.0 GB RAM, 100+ GB HDD, PCI Small Form Factor (2x3), Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900, DVD/R - CD/R Optical drive, Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet, Windows XP Professional

17" Flat-screen Monitor

Seems like I'd be well out of the range I was in, but I can't tell since...

A. I don't know what kind of graphics card it has and

B. It seems like nearly quintuple the space I have. My PoS is also so old it doesn't have a disc drive in any capacity, and lacks a dual core processor. I figured at worst, I could use it as a base to build up.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by TheBig3

So I'm currently operating on an old Dell from '02. For obviously reasons, its time to move on. I've been trying to save for something half decent on games (strong empahsis on half). My lady friend found me a refurbished computer for $100 with the following specs:


Seems like I'd be well out of the range I was in, but I can't tell since...

A. I don't know what kind of graphics card it has and

B. It seems like nearly quintuple the space I have. My PoS is also so old it doesn't have a disc drive in any capacity, and lacks a dual core processor. I figured at worst, I could use it as a base to build up.

Anyone have any thoughts?

The graphics card is an onboard video chip only capable of up to 128mb of RAM. Suffice it to say, you're limited with what you can play by default, and that's assuming the chip has that much RAM on it to begin with. Although you could most certainly add a better graphics card to suit your needs, if necessary.

I'd also add at least another gig of RAM. (very very inexpensive)
While 32bit systems (which I'm assuming the XP pro is) can only address 4 gigs of RAM (with XP only recognizing around 3.25 of it), you'll still benefit greatly from the extra gig. Just make sure you buy the same type of RAM as the RAM that's already installed. You can get these details by downloading and running CPU-Z. (free)

Core2duo is good enough for most games. My old system I just upgraded from had a Core2duo, and I played Crysis on it at full settings without bottlenecking at the CPU. (Keep in mind, I had a better graphics card... which itself is considered old by today's standards... Nvidia 9600GT 512mb RAM)

Ultimately, for the price of 100 dollars, I'd say go for it. The fact remains that you can upgrade, but you may be limited by your motherboard (which I have no idea of the brand and model, as that info is not included) regarding what kind of RAM you can upgrade to, what kind of processor it supports, chipset, etc.

Truth is, if you're planning on having a computer that will remain expandable for a lot of years, you're likely going to need to go with something beyond the XP era. But for the price, it's not like you're investing that much anyway, and you can always carry parts over from that system to newer setups if necessary.

What kind of games are you planning on playing?

[ThePhanastasio]

I have two laptops at present which both refuse to work. Getting the BSoD on both, with the same error message. A disk check on the laptop I've had since 05 yielded unsettling results: The hard drive has an error in port 1 and is not functioning.

Now, I'm assuming that the laptop running Vista is very much in the same boat, as the BSoD messages are identical as to what the perceived problem is. I would really like both laptops to function, but I really don't want to take it into a repair shop, and would like to somewhat "fix it myself".

I have a shared laptop on which I don't download music or anything of the sort, and my budget (as I've got plans for the summer and need to really watch my cash flow) is right about where I'd be able to purchase a single external hard drive of 2TB.

If I were to get this, I'd really like to be able to run Linux in lieu of Windows, with which I strongly wish to part ways.

Is there any feasible way I could download Linux onto an external drive and boot the laptops via Firewire or USB using that OS, completely disregarding the internal drives as lost causes?

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by ThePhanastasio

I have two laptops at present which both refuse to work. Getting the BSoD on both, with the same error message. A disk check on the laptop I've had since 05 yielded unsettling results: The hard drive has an error in port 1 and is not functioning.

Now, I'm assuming that the laptop running Vista is very much in the same boat, as the BSoD messages are identical as to what the perceived problem is. I would really like both laptops to function, but I really don't want to take it into a repair shop, and would like to somewhat "fix it myself".

I have a shared laptop on which I don't download music or anything of the sort, and my budget (as I've got plans for the summer and need to really watch my cash flow) is right about where I'd be able to purchase a single external hard drive of 2TB.

If I were to get this, I'd really like to be able to run Linux in lieu of Windows, with which I strongly wish to part ways.

Is there any feasible way I could download Linux onto an external drive and boot the laptops via Firewire or USB using that OS, completely disregarding the internal drives as lost causes?

If your hard drives are recognized in the BIOS, you might want to load an OS disk and wipe them out, and try a reinstall, seeing if you get a similar problem. If so, you know it's hardware related and likely not worth salvaging.
I don't know why you wouldn't just get two 2.5 inch replacement drives... they're cheap as hell, and you don't have to worry about going through the process of making your external drive bootable for linux (and that's assuming your BIOS supports booting from USB to begin with)... not to mention the portability issue of having another box to lug around.

Removing the hard drive from laptops is usually an easy affair, with the drive port being underneath the laptop and accessible by removing a few screws.

If you go that route, you can still go with Linux, and it will be less of a headache in the short, and longrun.

[TheBig3]

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

The graphics card is an onboard video chip only capable of up to 128mb of RAM. Suffice it to say, you're limited with what you can play by default, and that's assuming the chip has that much RAM on it to begin with. Although you could most certainly add a better graphics card to suit your needs, if necessary.

I'd also add at least another gig of RAM. (very very inexpensive)
While 32bit systems (which I'm assuming the XP pro is) can only address 4 gigs of RAM (with XP only recognizing around 3.25 of it), you'll still benefit greatly from the extra gig. Just make sure you buy the same type of RAM as the RAM that's already installed. You can get these details by downloading and running CPU-Z. (free)

Core2duo is good enough for most games. My old system I just upgraded from had a Core2duo, and I played Crysis on it at full settings without bottlenecking at the CPU. (Keep in mind, I had a better graphics card... which itself is considered old by today's standards... Nvidia 9600GT 512mb RAM)

Ultimately, for the price of 100 dollars, I'd say go for it. The fact remains that you can upgrade, but you may be limited by your motherboard (which I have no idea of the brand and model, as that info is not included) regarding what kind of RAM you can upgrade to, what kind of processor it supports, chipset, etc.

Truth is, if you're planning on having a computer that will remain expandable for a lot of years, you're likely going to need to go with something beyond the XP era. But for the price, it's not like you're investing that much anyway, and you can always carry parts over from that system to newer setups if necessary.

What kind of games are you planning on playing?

I'm a big Blizzard guy. For now it would be SC2 and possibly WoW again, but absolutely Diablo 3 when it drops.

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by TheBig3

I'm a big Blizzard guy. For now it would be SC2 and possibly WoW again, but absolutely Diablo 3 when it drops.

The minimum requirements for WoW and SC2 are probably going to give you issues with the graphics card. And Diablo 3, for sure, will. You might look into getting a PCI graphics card with at least 512mb RAM. If you go for older stuff, like a 9800 GT or something, you'll hit recommended specs for those games, and for very cheap.

Then tossing in another stick of RAM should round you out.

[TheBig3]

Having read your prior advice, I'm going to buy from New Egg more than likely.

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by TheBig3

Having read your prior advice, I'm going to buy from New Egg more than likely.

Good idea. The reviews are always handy, and Newegg has great shipping.