New Computer

[BillyP]

First off, the reason for the 2 drives (16X DVD ROM Drive & 8x DVD+R/+RW Drive with CD-RW) is so I can copy DVDs and CDs without burning them to the hard drive first.

The floppy is only 20 bucks so I'll keep it.

DSL or Cable isn't available, yet. So I need the modem until it is.

I'm used to the old CRT monitors so it's no big deal and it's cheap.

I'll be ordering it from Dell. I've had real good luck with the one I have now. They have great tech support. Shipping and double memory upgrade is free

As far as Windows XP home, has anyone else had any problems?

Also, I can get a 4 year In Home Warranty for about 169 bucks. Is it worth it?

As you can tell, I tried to answer all the questions under one post /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BillyP]

Almost forgot. I'm using a Dell Dimension XPS Pentium II 233 with 64 megs of ram. Still using Windows 95 too /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

XP Home is buggy, it is not related to the networking ability and the networking ability has nothing to do with the problems we had because our systems are not traditionally networked via Peer to Peer or Server based, instead it is uses a large IBM AS/400 that works fine with any operating system from UNIX to MAC to Windows to LINUX. The XP Home system problems were isolated to the specific machines.

OkeeDon. . . Regarding the satellite system I use at home, mine does not require it be hooked to a stand alone computer. My satellite dish, which is dedicated to the computer and not shared with the idiot box we call a TV set, runs a wire to a receiver and a transmitter in the basement, those are both connected to a 4 port hub, the hub is directly connected to my wireless basestation router. I can control the base station via any laptop in the house.

Since broadband is not available, you might want to check into satellite, there are a few choices, and if you already have satellite TV then you may be able to bring it in on your current dish, or you may be able to swap your dish and get it via your satellite TV supplier. It is certainly an option.

As for 802.11b versus 802.11g, I opted for "g" because it is faster and becuase it will the the slow version when the new versions come out, I was worried that "b" would be rendered obsolete. However, regarding the range, the base stations I use can be set up so that they talk to each other extending the range of the whole system at full speed, OR they can be used with amplified antennas, OR both. My system allows up to 3 or 4 base stations to work together. I currently use only 1 in my home, but I bought 4.5 acers next door and am looking at putting up a barn so I may want to broadcast my signal there, it can be done via base station to base station instead of just beaming a directional amplified antenna.

Regarding some of the posts about the little shops versus the bigger companies, my point was specifically aimed at many of the little shops that are LESS THAN ETHICAL, and not at the little shops that build quality equipment. The problem I have seen over the years is that most of the good little shops don't last, which is a shame. And, the less than ethical guys tell you one thing and put in something else and 98% of the computer buyers who specify a specific bus speed would not know by looking at it if they got the wrong one. Those guys are out there, and unfortunately they sell a lot of computers.


As for the 3.5" floopy drive that won't die, I guess that someone somewhere still needs a buggy whip. . .

 

[thcri]

I agree on the Windows XP Home Edition. You want trouble, you will get it. Upgrade to the Pro version. Last time I purchased the package straight out the Pro was the same price as the home.

murph

 

[Steven]

How about one of those USB memory keys, holds 128 mb that is portable. good for transporting files or pictures that are to big for a floppy disk or transporting confidential files back and forth from work that you may not want to send as email attachments.

 

[Wil]

I have not had problems with XP Home, It is the most stable edition of Windows I have owned, it sure beats 98SE.
XP Pro may be better, I'm not sure, but I too was under the impression that the primary difference between Pro & Home was networking.
With regard to having the DVD ROM Drive in addition to the DVD Burner. I would opt for a second hard drive 60 to 80 Gig to burn to. If you do much video burning, you don't want to copy to your primary drive, to much wear and tear and defragging. IMHO. JM2cents worth.
Good luck with what ever you decide to get.
Wil

 

[dieselsmoke1]

Geez, I'm impressed! Had no idea there was this much "tech savvy" on TBN. Some opinions here I don't agree with but all with valid basis.

My .02 worth:
P4 2.66 533- I like AMD's but this is a good choice

XP Home- great if you use it AT HOME

512 DDR- Spot on!

80 gig 7200 - Fine but not worth any extra cost compared to 40 gig as your PC will be long obsolete before you fill it up

Floppy- Definatly! Ordered one on a laptop last week

2 CD drives-Not my bag as I would network 2 if I wanted to copy

GeForce 5200 Video Card- Light years ahead of it predecessor MX series, supports DX9 native. I like the 5200 Ultra but that may be overkill for your needs.

SBL 5.1 - the standard...get it dude!

Firewire- no current substitute

Intel 10/100 - hey it's integrated, and probably as good as any

Modem - too darn aggravating. Use an external modem if you need a dialup

17" CRT .27 E773c - now you showed your hand...that's a Dell part #. If you've got PLENTY of room, go for a Viewsonic 19" crt. @ .25. very little added $. You'll love it.

 

[Richard]

Having just built 2 machines, one for myself at home, and one for my partner at work, I'd push you towards the 800 mhz front side bus. I would also suggest you look at the "SATA" (Serial ATA) hard drive. My understanding is it's a faster drive than it's predecasors (though it's only my understanding...it IS what I ended up buying). Also, if you have the $$, you might get a second hard drive and "stripe" them as I think I heard it called. Essentially taking 1/2 of all your data and splitting it between the 2 (or 3) disks, such that when disk 1 is providing your data, the 2nd disk is searching and will feed when 1 stops. I am CLUELESS on the real world application of this setup as I did not do it, but the logic of it works for me and the dude at the store told me that is 1 way servers are setup to help maximize their speed.

I put a DVD burner and a regular DVD reader player in mine.

Ohhhhhhhhhh, and one of the COOLEST things I did... I got an ATI Allinwonder card. It allows me to setup my satellite dish feed (or cable) INTO my pc screen so that I can be here typing as I currently am, and watching Bill O'Reiley on the side at the same time!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

It also allows me to use my hard drive as a vcr so I can record programs (and then burn to dvd???.... ) or just record them and play them back later. I've also hooked my vcr into the ATI card so that I can copy a slew of movies to hard drive and try to move them to DVD. I've only tinkered with that and have not burn anything yet, but my suspicion is, my DVD's wont be usable in my "sterio dvd player", but will only be usable in my PC dvd player... only a suspicion as of now, no time to really delve into that yet.

I gotta say, the coolest thing on this is that ATI card.

Richard

PS... did I mention I like my ATI video card??? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(I noticed you said yours had tv OUT, but did not notice tv IN comment)

 

[Junkman]

I would definitely buy the extended warranty..... I have a Dell, and the machine must have been built on a Friday night when everyone wanted to go home. So far, they have replaced both the CD, DVD, floppy drive, mother board, and a sound card. This machine is now 2 years old and I am very pleased that I purchased the extended warranty. I think that the service leaves something to be desired since they have outsourced the "live" tech to India most of the time. I have not had good luck with this aspect of my dealings with them. When the USB port went bad, they had me testing it and saying that it wasn't the USB, but the USB printer that was bad... that time it took about 4 or 5 calls before they sent a service tech to check it out. He had to come back the next day and install a new mother board. The last time, when the machine was making a strange sound, the tech guy in India had me taking the machine apart and removing different items from the case to determine which fan was defective. All I could think of as I was doing this, was him asking my wife to be doing these things. No way that would be happening. When I told the tech guy that came to repair it, he told me that some of the people there are very aggressive to having the customer do the diagnosis and that some customers have done major damage to the machines because they had no mechanical ability and the tech guy in India kept pushing them to do things that the customer wasn't capable of. Next time I have a problem, I am just going to refuse to put my hands into the case.... that is what the service contract is for..

 

[ronjhall]

BillyP

<font color="blue"> 3.5 in Floppy Drive </font>
I thought as some of the others that I would not need a 3 1/2" floppy.
Then the wife reminded me that her Embroidery sewing machine uses them. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I have an 18” LCD display. Larger is better. I work with this display without my glasses. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
The LCD takes up less desk space than the previous system with a 19” CRT.