Search results

  1. K

    How to ship a computer and monitor?

    I have relocated cities and I need a way to get my computer here. I figure I can buy a bed, desk and dresser here in my new city, but my computer is irreplaceable. I have a 23inch flat screen monitor, an Acer P235H, and a standard computer case with all the parts inside, obviously. I figure...
  2. K

    Best way to wire ethernet up/downstairs?

    Maybe, but my mom isn't very computer savvy and I don't think anything can get simpler than having a LAN connection for her. That didn't answer my question.
  3. K

    Best way to wire ethernet up/downstairs?

    My modem is in my bedroom upstairs. The cable to it is fed through the outside wall of the house into this room -- my cable company did that. I've got a new computer downstairs for my mom, almost directly underneath the modem, (probably about 10 feet to the right and then underneath) that I'd...
  4. K

    Cheapest desktop -- built or bought?

    Dell outlet was a good idea. They have some even cheaper than $300 with acceptable specs. Would a minitower have room for me to add a wireless card? Anyone have any idea?
  5. K

    Cheapest desktop -- built or bought?

    OK, I don't know if I'll be finding any refurbished Dells anywhere though. So back to my original question -- buy a Dell and add my own wireless card or build a machine from scratch? C'mon people, I know you have opinions. Please share!
  6. K

    Cheapest desktop -- built or bought?

    I need to get my mom her own computer so she'll stop using mine. All she really does is check her e-mail, shop, occasionally look at Facebook or YouTube, type Word documents and look at pictures. I also hope to teach her how to update her own iPod (wish me luck). She obviously doesn't need much...
  7. K

    Tried swapping RAM, now XP won't let me in no matter which RAM

    I've been having a lot of computer problems lately, which I determined were mostly due to a failing hard drive. But I was unable to get a copy of my OS right away to replace the drive, so I thought I would just double check and make sure it is not my RAM. So I pulled out my two 2GB sticks of...
  8. K

    Moving XP onto new hard drive

    OK, I am using Acronis True Image to transfer my failing HDD's contents onto a larger external drive as a bootable clone. Now I'm wondering if I need to be able to boot my computer through my external drive in order to do this. (I don't think my BIOS supports such an option.) Or, will the...
  9. K

    Moving XP onto new hard drive

    OK, I guess I will try cloning it and hoping that works. I've never installed a hard drive or OS before, so I'm apprehensive and want to make it as easy as possible. I'll try cloning it onto a disc and hoping that works. Thanks.
  10. K

    Moving XP onto new hard drive

    OK, does anyone think it would it be easier to try to make my new HDD a slave and clone XP onto the slave and then pull them both out and install the new one? I'm nervous about my efforts failing and I'd like to have my old drive in tact in case it doesn't work out. If that is the better option...
  11. K

    Moving XP onto new hard drive

    Thanks for that link. But I looked at the directions for Sysprep and it looks like I still need the Windows XP disc. Has anyone used Sysprep that can confirm this? The second option in that link deals with swapping out motherboards and the third one requires a disc.
  12. K

    Moving XP onto new hard drive

    No, I don't have any sticker. I built this machine with OEM parts myself, so nope. I had thought about getting the release candidate of Windows 7, but I just really want to chance any incompatibilities or problems. I was happy with XP and would just like to continue using it.
  13. K

    Moving XP onto new hard drive

    My hard drive is failing and I just bought a new one (which is incidentally, the exact same make and model). The problem is, I don't have my Windows XP setup discs anymore, but I am running a licensed copy of XP on the failing hard drive I want to replace. Is there anyway I can somehow move my...
  14. K

    Bootup problems and error messages

    I ran SeaTools and my HDD passed the generic short test but failed the generic long test. It didn't provide anymore information but I'm guessing failing the long test isn't good. I'm thinking replacing the HDD cable could be a last shot before I buy a new HDD altogether. Especially since when...
  15. K

    Bootup problems and error messages

    My computer is having some major issues I suspect are caused by some sort of hardware problem. It runs Windows XP with 4GB RAM, AMD Athlon 3000+, GeForce 7300 GT vid card, Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe mobo. Some quick background: I switched my computer case about fourth months ago. A couple months...
  16. K

    *DEAD*Dell Mini 9n $199 @ Dell Home

    Interesting, thanks Abel. I've heard that the Acer Aspire One, which has the 120GB HDD is a loud machine. I'd like to use my netbook in meetings for taking notes, so that doesn't sound good. I suppose no moving parts means less failures. If it's a newer technology, I'm guessing prices will start...
  17. K

    *DEAD*Dell Mini 9n $199 @ Dell Home

    Maybe someone can explain this to a dumbass like me. Why is it impossible to get something like this, an 8GB SSD netbook, below $199, but this other netbook I've found now has 120 GB HDD and it's only $100 more than that? My cutoff was $200, which is the only reason I bought the Mini 9. But...
  18. K

    *DEAD*Dell Mini 9n $199 @ Dell Home

    No, it was fine. Try a different browser or something or try a little later. Clear out the cache and try? I use Firefox 3. My cart sat there for a couple hours as I looked for ways to rationalize this unnecessary purchase. But I eventually said 'f--- it' and went through with it.
  19. K

    *DEAD*Dell Mini 9n $199 @ Dell Home

    Well, actually I wouldn't buy anything at $300. That's kind of the point -- I never wanted to spend more than $200 on a netbook. At $300 with more RAM and more storage, it's basically like any of the other netbooks (i.e. Eee PC, etc.) that I could've already bought and chose not to. I did...
  20. K

    *DEAD*Dell Mini 9n $199 @ Dell Home

    I was thinking of getting this as something I can go online with, type word documents, and maybe listen to music/watch movies via a memory stick. I've never owned a laptop before or used Ubuntu... would this thing do what I want? For a mere $200, I'm not expecting anything amazing, but I don't...
  21. K

    Is this memory compatible?

    Nevermind. It is. The people at computing.net are much faster.
  22. K

    Is this memory compatible?

    This is my motherboard: Asus M2N SLI Deluxe This is 4GB memory on sale: Seems like a good deal. This sounds dumb, but when I use NewEgg's little search tool to find RAM compatible with my hardware, the 4GB memory doesn't show up. Should I not get it? I was originally planning on buying...
  23. K

    How can I find an inexpensive sound card that does what I want?

    I forgot to specify in my original post (which I have since edited) -- would those cards to recommended have decent recording options? My current sound card does not have a stereo mix/record what you hear option. It is also very bad at picking up soft sounds and ambient sounds. Aside from clear...
  24. K

    How can I find an inexpensive sound card that does what I want?

    I recently got a new motherboard and I am not happy with the on-board sound card. I was very happy with the sound card of my old motherboard. How can I find a sound card with performance as good or better than my old one? My old motherboard, which I was happy with was a LANParty nF3. It says...
  25. K

    Is it possible to use a motherboard for sound only?

    I had this motherboard: http://www.dfi.com.tw/Product/...TEGORY_TYPE=MB&SITE=US But it broke twice so I got this motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...m=N82E16813131013#spec My new motherboard is supposedly a lot better but the sound pales in comparison to my old board. Not only do I...
  26. K

    Better vid card but games running choppier

    I used to have this card, a Radeon 9600 Pro: http://tinyurl.com/3yykfq And it worked great. I never had any problems with anything. I loved it. I recently got this card, a GeForce 7300 GT: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121021 It is supposed to be much better than my other one...
  27. K

    Video display failed -- did I test it right?

    I'm sorry for bumping this... but can anyone at least give me an indication as to whether they think it's my motherboard or video card? Any sort of feedback at all would be very appreciated!
  28. K

    My mic isn't working!

    If it were the jack or the "onboard sound," isn't that still part of the motherboard and covered under warranty? Was I not specific enough in describing the problem to DFI? Why did a power outage fry my board anyway? I had my PC on a surge protector. Annoying. Meh.
  29. K

    My mic isn't working!

    Here's the deal. One day I left my computer on while I went out. When I came back home, my power was out. The problem was fixed and my power was restored. I turned on my computer and it persisted "network cable is unplugged" even though it wasn't unplugged and I had used the internet right...
  30. K

    Building vs. buying

    Why isn't it good for gaming? Are you talking about hardcore live gaming or just like... playing Civilization 4. I don't really game that much, I'm more into music recording, downloading music/video, heavy multitasking... I just want a computer that will last me a while, do everything I want it...
  31. K

    Building vs. buying

    Yeah, not Dell. Best Buy sells Gateway... in fact, I went and got the ad and I'm looking at it. A Gateway with Athlon 64 4000+, LCD monitor, photo printer, 1GB DDR RAM, 200GB HDD, double-layer DVDRW drive, GeForce 6100 graphics.... all for $700. WTF? Why shouldn't I have just bought that...
  32. K

    Building vs. buying

    I bought all the parts I wanted in my computer and built it for about $800. I have seen advertisements for Gateway systems at $800 and they have the same amount of RAM, HDD space, same dual-layer DVD burner... and they have better processors and graphics cards than I do! (i.e. I have an AMD...
  33. K

    Simple question: Will I need to reformat/reinstall WinXP?

    After a power outage rendered my motherboard, a UT LANparty nF3 250gb, unable to recognize internet connections or microphone input, I sent it to DFI under warranty. As I understand it, they are repairing my motherboard, not sending me a new one. Will I need to reformat my hard drive and...
  34. K

    Mic isn't working -- potentially a hardware issue

    Okay, thanks. I'm gonna leave my computer guy a message telling him what the problem is and then I'll call him tomorrow to see what he thinks about it. Thank you again. :)
  35. K

    Mic isn't working -- potentially a hardware issue

    Yes, he said it was a hot swap, I believe. He is pretty knowledgable with computers. That's his job, he's a computer guy for a large firm around here and he runs their network so... he knows what he's doing. I just hate bothering him because he is actually my brother's friend, not my friend. But...
  36. K

    Mic isn't working -- potentially a hardware issue

    No, it's not external. Which I found confusing. It's bundled with the other drive like a normal internal drive but the kid that built my computer said I could remove it and put it in another computer if I needed to. At the bottom of my screen, a removable storage icon is on my screen all the...
  37. K

    Mic isn't working -- potentially a hardware issue

    Oh man... this blows! Is there anyway I can reformat with one hard drive and keep my other one in tact? I have one 127 GB hard drive and a removable 104 GB hard drive. I don't know why my hard drive came that way, but it did. I thought it was just a 250GB hard drive from Western Digital... I...
  38. K

    Mic isn't working -- potentially a hardware issue

    If I do that, I will lose everything. I would really like to not lose everything because I just went through the hassle of trying to back up things and losing other things a few weeks ago. And I really truly feel that refomatting Windows will not fix it. I did reinstall the audio driver that...
  39. K

    Mic isn't working -- potentially a hardware issue

    I already tried the line-in too. I've tried all the combinations of settings and input ports. I'm really dumbfounded, I've done everything that makes sense. I'm thinking something is really screwed with this sound card. I guess I'll call the kid who built my computer tomorrow... how annoying...