Search results

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    Help replacing a wounded comp

    I don't want to build my own rig per se, but I will have to choose parts from a prebuilt dealer one way or another. I am years out of the loop on parts knowledge. "Nothing but trouble"... Let's see. Well, the comp has crashed since very early on, but of course didn't become clear until after...
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    Help replacing a wounded comp

    Shucks, no build plans forthcoming. Can anyone give me an idea of what kind of video cards I should be looking for in a midrange buy? It would also be handy to know how to pair that with the right processor.
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    Help replacing a wounded comp

    That is all great information, thank you. I have been thinking about Dell, as much as I hate to have to do it. I little piece of my computer spirit dies when I log into the name brand sites. :) I would love some recommended builds. I don't know my parts anymore really without having to look...
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    Help replacing a wounded comp

    I have an Asus Essentio CG5290 that has been nothing but trouble for 3 years now. I have a serious chronic illness, so I cannot try to repair it as I once could. I need help in preparing to buy a newer computer if this one totally fails on me. The last thing I need is to have to do all the...
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    Memory replacement help

    I was able to find a more precise Corsair memory matcher on their sales site as opposed to the regular site, and that included a lot more choices. I am going to buy directly from them unless there is some reason not to. I guess nobody has the lifetime warranty anymore for memory like they used...
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    Memory replacement help

    I contacted Asus and got this info about the memory: Part NO. 04G001618964DP DDR3 1333 DIMM NANYA 2GB 240P NT2GC64B8HA0NF-CG The part number nets no search hits at all. The code starting with NT2 gives me a few hits on a memory vendor site I have never heard of. The price is poor as well...
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    Memory replacement help

    Right, that is sensible. Another reason to look for compatible memory that may not be identical is value. I want to at least investigate what the cost difference would be between replacing and upgrading. With memory prices being what they are these days, I'm not sure it is a lock that buying...
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    Memory replacement help

    Well, I am not in love with the company who made the computer. I have had a lot of headaches with them, and if there was a safe and reliable way to avoid them I'd do it.
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    Memory replacement help

    I recently had a stick of memory kick the bucket. I tried to find my system using the Newegg memory finder, but it is not listed. I want to both make sure that I get a stick that is compatible with my system, and also make sure I'm replacing the right stick. With that in mind, I have an...
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    I was finally able to get a friend to move my system to a place where I can swap memory in and out. Last night I planned to test my first solo stick. Little did I expect that my video card would block my ability to move the bottom latch holding the memory. Even less did I expect that the...
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    Computer shopping - where to buy?

    I'll tell you what I could use in the short term is some general info about processors and memory. What is the functional difference between dual and tri channel memory? Can somebody rank the typical available i7 and/or i5 processors in order of performance, or link me to something along those...
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    Computer shopping - where to buy?

    Gaming/movie playing. I don't want to spend more than $1300. I don't need a mouse, keyboard, speakers, or monitor. I could use a printer but I certainly don't need to get one bundled. I have had local places build for me before, and have had problems just the same. I can have someone ask...
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    Computer shopping - where to buy?

    Hi everybody. I used to build my own systems, but I am disabled with extremely poor health that is getting worse, so I need to change gears and try something else. Where are the best places to buy reliable, good quality computers online these days? The last time I bought in quite this manner...
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    So when people say to run memtest, they mean to run it on one stick per night? I really don't understand that. If I run 6 passes on one stick or 6 passes on 5 sticks, what is the difference? Assuming I can manage to unplug and replug everything once a day, which I have to admit is a tall...
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    I am just running it in general. I haven't opened the case to do anything because of my health. Wouldn't that make it run on everything? Regardless, something isn't jiving. People here are saying I have a memory problem and memtest is saying I don't. Either memtest isn't that accurate or...
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    I updated memtest to 4.2 and ran another all night test last night. 6 passes, no errors. I will run one every night unless I'm running other tests that people suggest, of course. Should I just let it run or change settings somehow?
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    Windows 7 64 bit.
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    I haven't stress tested or done a surface scan. How can I do those things? Also, should I do more memory tests and/or update my memtest86+ version to do it?
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    I've had 5 or 6 errors since the 14th, none of which have recorded any data in dump files. Two of them gave me an actual blue screen and I wrote down those codes. 0x000000D1 0x0000001E The rest either just show on my monitor as completely black or freeze on the desktop, allowing no input...
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    Yes, I ran it for 14 hours a month or so ago with no bad results. Should I run it every night or something until I get a bad result?
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    I got another crash today, this time caused by two simultaneous DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL errors. One says the probable cause is ntoskrnl.exe, the other partmgr.sys. I have updated the zip file linked in my original post to include the minidump from this crash. I'm still no closer to an...
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    Great program. It tells me that the crashes are likely software driver problems, but it doesn't tell me what driver at this time. Maybe if I get more crashes that part will be clearer. This makes sense though in a way, because my computer (Asus brand) has always had bad software support. I...
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    I had another crash just now while in World of Warcraft. As is typical when I get a crash out of the game, I was given about 15 seconds warning by the audio problems I described. At that point everything went black. I had a blue screen error briefly but wasn't able to record it because it...
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    I forgot to mention that! I have memtest86+ (created in 11/08) on a CD and I ran that for 14 passes over about the same amount of hours with no errors.
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    Bluescreen diagnosis and solution help

    I have been getting occasional reboots which I have since learned are blue screens once I changed the reboot settings on my computer. I have been unable to pin down an obvious cause. Sometimes they have happened when the computer is working hard. Other times, I have gotten one right as I am...
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    Video card replacement advice

    Ok, but being in very poor health it is a real challenge to do all the research needed to find an appropriate card that is available 3 years after the computer was originally assembled. I need to find an appropriate card, hopefully without the process doing me in. :)
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    Video card replacement advice

    I am looking to replace a faulty video card for a computer that is a few years old. It has a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L motherboard, E8400 processor, and 2 gigs of average ram. It used to have an MSI 8800GTS 512M OC RT video card. We took it to a guy who put in a GeForce 210 with a gig of memory...
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    Monitor for retirement age

    Yikes! Can't we just say there is some subjectivity involved? :) I am seriously considering the ViewSonic VX2450wm. Reviews seem favorable and the price is certainly right. Does this seem like a good call to all of you for general use and World of Warcraft gaming?
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    Blu-ray player that can stream Netflix

    Ah, that is great to know. Do you happen to know how it handles the multiple user names on one account element?
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    Blu-ray player that can stream Netflix

    The Panasonic BD85K is extremely well reviewed it seems so I may go that route. Am I correct that you may as well get a player that has wireless access built in than to buy one without and then add the additional parts needed to make it so?
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    Blu-ray player that can stream Netflix

    I am looking into buying a gift for someone that fits the title description. If I want to search for a blu-ray player that is Netflix capable, do I just need to look for wi-fi or is there more to it? Do you recommend any reasonably priced blu-ray players with good ability to play normal DVDs...
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    Monitor for retirement age

    Wow, you were prepared on that one! Haha. It seems like all 24 inchers now are 1920x, which is pushing it for ease of readability. Is a 22 inch at 1680x more readable?
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    Monitor for retirement age

    I am used to a 27" 1920x1200 monitor. Roughly what resolution compares to that in terms of image and text size for a 24" panel? What size widescreen monitor is roughly equivalent to a 19" CRT?
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    Gaming headset that won't get too hot

    So the in-ear style picks up a lot of outside sound? That is obviously a primary concern, as I would not use a headset at all were it not out of courtesy to online users. I have a cheap but effective standalone mic if that makes any difference. What is my best bet to meet my heat concerns...
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    Gaming headset that won't get too hot

    They don't generate their own heat per se, but they trap the heat your body produces, which for me is an issue over an extended period. Given that I would usually want to wear a headset for a few hours, I want to avoid this if possible.
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    Gaming headset that won't get too hot

    As the title suggests, I am looking for a gaming headset that is of decent quality and won't get too hot on my head. I have a lot of health problems and overheating can be a hassle. Are ear buds a possible alternative here? Would they be directional enough for people on the other end of...
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    Monitor for retirement age

    Hehe, she is getting older but she isn't blind. I'm just not sure it's wise to switch from 19" 1024x768 or the 1280 equivalent to something much smaller in your late 60's. The trouble is I don't know if it is possible to get a monitor anymore that doesn't squeeze every pixel out of the panel...
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    Monitor for retirement age

    Yes, price is an object. No 30 inchers here. Actually, my mom has some issues with stomach upset with moving things on screen (and she plays games), so my thought is that a big panel could make that worse due to having your field of vision filled more with moving objects. My initial thought...
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    Monitor for retirement age

    She isn't. It is just unlikely she will get another monitor for years, so I want to choose something that can last and be effective into her 70's and up. To give you a sense of what she finds comfortable, she has been using a 19" CRT at 1024x768 or 1280x960 or whatever it is. I believe she...
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    Monitor for retirement age

    I am looking into purchasing my retired mom a new monitor, and I wonder if there are any suggestions out there either for specific panels or with advice on how to choose a monitor for someone of this age. My initial thoughts are that it might be wise to get something that would display a bit...