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    XP setup was unable to format the partition

    Drive fitness tests all pass! Okay, drive is recognized in Bios as 250gb....everything seems fine from a hardware perspective. Going to run some more goofy tests in different hardware configs...if anyone has any thoughts, throw 'em in here. Windows still won't install :) Thanks
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    XP setup was unable to format the partition

    After 100% NTFS format (only 131069 meg recognized...will install SP2 later), this message appears along with "your drive may be bad, etc". It's a SATAII drive, NF4 chipset (no drivers needed), gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-9 mobo. I've got it plugged into the first NF4 port, not the Sil stuff for...
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    Radeon x800Pro - I'm confused

    This one is OEM, supports OpenGL 1.5 but DOESN'T list HDTV output. Sapphire Red Radeon @ Newegg Retail version DOES list HDTV output and OpenGL 2.0 Retail Version And THIS one is retail too, OpenGL 2.0 support but NO HDTV out. Odd version of same card? More $$$ I'll have a HDTV soon...
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    Which x800 vanilla card or Sapphire x800Pro?

    Sounds great, thanks for the tip! Is this the sapphire board you're talking about? I see two on Newegg, one is the "Red Radeon" and the other is just Radeon. Sapphire Red Radeon x800Pro Sapphire Radeon x800Pro Looks like both have Vivo....what's the difference with the "red"...
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    Which x800 vanilla card or Sapphire x800Pro?

    Finalizing build components and found 2 x800 cards I'm interested in. (ditching the 6600GT idea per an earlier thread) If one is quieter than the other, it would get bonus points. MSI RX800-TD128E $199 Asus RX800-TD128E $224 Dual DVI but I only use one LCD monitor now. Of course...
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    System chosen...change anything?

    Thanks for the great replies! I don't think the RAM is the fancy stuff, here's the link: OCZ Premier 3200 $38.49 for 512MB P4's run a little too hot but you're right, historically they've been a bit better at vid stuff. Nowadays, if the software is optimized for AMD, AMD chips come out...
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    System chosen...change anything?

    Going from an AMD XP 1600+ on a Soyo Dragon Plus system with a Ti200 vid card to this: Case: Arctic Cooler Silentium T2 CPU: AMD Venice 3000+ CPU cooler: AC Freezer 64 Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra 9 Paste: AS Ceramique Ram: 2x512mb OCZ pc3200 Premier HDD: Hitachi TK7250 250GB...
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    Laptop HDD won't spin up...

    You can recover it. 1) Swap control boards but look for any burnt components first...that's a sure sign it's definitely the control board. 2) Disassemble the drive and see if the spindle is locked. Do this in a humid environment (bathroom). If it is, you can order a replace drive and...
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    Help choose multiple new components!

    Ahh...thanks for helping with the homework! The Aria is very tempting and I like that it's microATX and not a proprietary form factor for the mobo. It does have some heat/noise issues that might be mitigated by a more traditional HTPC case with good venting on the top cover. Decisions...
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    Help choose multiple new components!

    Hi, I'm building a PC for personal use and can use a hand. Tasks: -Video editing/encoding (new babies in family...woohoo!) -Net/email, etc. On home network. -Database work (Access) -Photo editing/long term storage. -Some gaming, not hardcore. (FPS and RTS) -P2P file sharing -MP3...
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    What UPS

    APC, Best, triplite, belkin etc. are all so-so at best. Get an Oneac or something with an e-transformer. Ciao, -Leaf
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    DVD-RAM drive?

    Thanks Blue, I appreciate the reply. The cartridge-type drives are on the expensive side...the 4160B may be able to read the type-1 discs if I remove it from the sealed cartridge. We'll see how it goes. Trying to find somebody locally with a drive we can borrow in the meantime. -Wandere
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    DVD-RAM drive?

    I just purchased an LG GSA-4160B for all of my DVD needs....and just realized that I need to read a cartridge Type1 DVD-RAM disk. Oops! Type 2 and type 4 DVD-RAMS can be removed from their cartridges and read....but what about the type 1 disks? It looks like I would permanently destroy the...
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    Staples Maxtor 80Gig 8mb Cache "Quiet" $80, no Rebate

    I've been at it longer than 20 mins and now my eyes are crossed. The enter text on my keypad button has worn off too! Any deal on keyboards? ;) Ugh...congrats on the $100 if you really did it...lotta work m'friend. Keepin' on keepin at it...99599....99598....99597....zzzz
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    First business rig? Help!

    Wow...you guys are fantastic...really a big help...tons of time saved now. I had a secret agenda and most of you confirmed the components I had in mind. Outstanding feedback folks. Hey, nothing wrong with LG! Their 16x burner beat Lite-on's by a hair in burning options (back in the day of...
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    First business rig? Help!

    Hiya. I'm slapping together a business rig for a family member and could use a little help. We're probably going to be starting from scratch...Case, etc. and I'm not sure which CPU/Mobo/RAM combo to consider. The last rig I built was a gaming station -> Soyo Dragon Plus/Athlon XP 1600 / 512...
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    Partition RECOVERY? HELP!

    I've had good luck recovering critical data using OnTrack's Easy Recovery Pro (it really is almost mindless to use). Install it onto c: (it's a GUI program) and let 'er rip. It didn't restore the partition but it saw all of the data on it and I was able to copy it over to a good one. You may...
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    Where to buy the Soyo Dragon Plus

    Newegg had them in early this morning (and they're still showing in). Ordered it along with the 1600+ and a 60 gig Baracuda IV. Don't do the pricewatch game...peace of mind is worth 5 bucks on a piece of equipment like this. Good Luck, this coming weekend oughta be tons-o-fun. :D -Me
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    Help recovering from crashed drive, please.

    Try using Easy Recovery Pro from Ontrack.com PM me if you need more information, I may have a backup here somewhere for evaluation purposes only. It has to scan the drive from an OS before you get any good lovin' (a downside) Crashed drives are bad news m'friend, I recover data all of the...
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    New HSF on its way...?'s about airflow

    Excellent input, thanks folks. :D Thermite...too late! The 7228 is in the mail...I'll just have to make do. I thought doubling the "noise" was 4db? Ah well, it doesn't matter much, I'm looking for an inexpensive 60->80 adapter now so i can throw a Panaflow or something similar on it. GT...
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    Sound: Onboard or this old piece of...

    Hey, thanks folks. From what I've gathered, the Turtle Beach is superior to the AC97 but may be inferior to CM integrated solution. I think GT's right, AC97 won't cut it. Heh, Yeah, I wish they hadn't gone under too...was a decent card in it's day but resource drain seems a little high under...
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    Sound: Onboard or this old piece of...

    In short, I'm in the market for a motherboard and the on-board sound may make a large difference in my purchase (Shuttle or Soyo or God-knows-what). Currently using: Turtle Beach Montego A3D PCI. (I think "Xtreme" was on the box, it's been some time) The on-board options I see here and there...
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    New HSF on its way...?'s about airflow

    Bump for the after work crowd.
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    New HSF on its way...?'s about airflow

    Arkua 7228 w/ 30CFM Delta is on it's way soon. The Delta is a 60 mm and I've been thinking about a quieter fan with similar flows fitting the ah heck. Would I be able to fit an 80-60 flow converter on the top and mount an 80 mm successfully? Would the airflow be more directed? Actually, in a...
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    Maxtor's new drives...when are we getting liquid?

    I hear ya Jman, pretty close to doing the exact same thing with mine. This 10 Gig IBM is gonna be replaced soon. WD is having some deals on their 80 GB models (~$150USD or so) Yes yes...famed because this week it's the fastest widget....that title usually holds for about a week in this biz...
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    Maxtor's new drives...when are we getting liquid?

    The liquid bearing series of the famed D740X series should make a somewhat quiet drive even more quiet but I'm getting a bit tired of waiting. The one company on Pricewatch offering 'em has had a preorder status for them for months. Perhaps Maxtor is having some QC issues? Seagate seems to...
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    CDRW's - LG's GCE-8160B or...

    Alrighty folks, picked one up while I was pricematching a GF3 ti200 for $99 at Best Buy on Friday. (that makes me happy) $99 Amex Blue Pricematch to Pricewatch $~63 -$20 rebate = ~ $40-43 final price. Here's a link to a review at cdrlabs Review of the LG GCE-8160B The "issues" with Lite-On...
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    How to remove RAMSinks from GeForce 3 Ti 200?

    Hey toolboy, Once you get those puppies off, PM me or post here the memory chip specs (brand & speed). These vid card companies can be goofy...I e-mailed PNY and they claimed 5ns when they were putting 4ns chips in their PCB's. I'm hoping Visiontek is doing the same thing with theirs. I know...
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    CDRW's - LG's GCE-8160B or...

    DSTA, my wife would like to have a word with you. I just spent the entire morning running German forum threads through a google translator instead of preparing our Thanksgiving turkey (painful translations too). :D I appreciate that link, great information found in that forum. Edit...
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    Bought a new Maxtor D740X HD tonight

    PM, is this the one with Liquid bearings? I wasn't sure if they were shpping yet. I think the second to last letter of the model # will be an L if they are. e.g.: 6L040L2 denotes fluid bearings vs. 6L040J2 for standard ones.
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    CDRW's - LG's GCE-8160B or...

    Hey, thanks Phoenix. I saw the review on Tom's too, looks pretty decent. Good point re: the hardware buffer underrun protection....I like that it's not software dependent. Have your audio/data disks been readable in non-computer Roms? My wife will probably be doing most of the MP3...
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    CDRW's - LG's GCE-8160B or...

    I've been trying to hit some of the reviews for this drive and I've found some conflicting information. Overall it seems like a nice, tight, strong little ah heck. I'm considering this one or a deal of the Pacific Digital 16x deal on Fri. (Staples I think...can't remember, too late). (~$49)...
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    How can I tell what's limiting my FSB?

    Adjusting your pot (potentiometer). Disclaimer: You'll kill yourself, don't do it. Now, since you *really* wanna....I adjust pots all the time, it's a piece of cake on most supplies. I have *never* done this on a computer PSU, so bear that in mind. You'll need a tiny flathead screwdriver...
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    Do multiple drives increase performance?

    Buying quiet 7200 RPM IDE drive(s) soon and was thinking.... If I purchased 2 20 gig drives instead of one, would overall system performance increase because the data is staying closer to the center of the platters (assuming it is split between the two rather than filling up one entire one)? I...
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    SX1035B case at Compusa...Warning.

    I'd be happy to... Excel link for system power consumption I certainly don't get any credit for this....it was posted a couple of days ago by Crudas in this forum. Found it in a search... Hope it helps...nifty little sheet they're thinking about VB'ing into an App of some sort. It took a...
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    SX1035B case at Compusa...Warning.

    Hey, great news...guru concensus says keep it...I'm keepin' it. :-) Only worry I had...with the gear I'm throwing into it, I'll max out my wattage requirements at 288 +/- 20% (found the excel link in another thread...nifty). That +20% puts me at 344 possible max load on this 350W PSU (worse...
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    SX1035B case at Compusa...Warning.

    I think I just got shafted... Check out this link: Case Deal See the 400 Watt description (and good price)? Nope...it's a 350W job (PP352X). Still has the two fans, etc... To save shipping costs on a 1030B, I drove 5 minutes to the one in town and picked it up. I was torn between this one...
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    What to do?

    If you don't have the need to crunch a helluva lot of data...3D model rendering, hardcore financial analysis (forecasting, etc), scientific modeling (weather, etc) then I would donate my CPU time to a good cause. Aliens? Yeah, a bit silly but sorta neat. Decryption? Hmm....meeebie. I do have...
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    Building a system for someone and need to know....

    Honestly? I would charge 'em about $150/hour. Our field engineers (HUGE company mind you) get about $180/hour billed to the customer. Parts are always extra of course. 30 or 60 day warranty is usually thrown in. If it was a non-commercial contract, the prices would be much lower...
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    ontrack easy recovery - anybody used this program to restore files on corrupted partitions that are not accessible?

    I use it all the time on removable media, not hard drives. It finds and fixes some things VERY well...and there are some issues (like a corrupt FAT) where a simple scandisk blows it away. Norton codes their products like microsoft does...it gets the job done but it's bloatware (IMHO). Don't...