I'm Back!!!

[ballaratdragons]

Don't panic. :eyepop:

I am back on line :P

Got pooter back today. The bloke said it would cost $600 or more to fix it. NO WAY!!!

I told him he is a rip-off and I brought it back home. I only paid $700 for it about 2 years ago and have seen the same model for sale recently in the $300 - $400 range with a better monitor than mine.

So I am stuck with the same old piece of garbage, and you my friends are again stuck with me HA-HA!! :D

Thanks guys for minding my spot.

Any major news while I was gone?

[frogman]

What did he say was wrong with it ? ? ?

EX-PC Technician EX i said. ! :D

A fair bit has gone on but nothing that interesting.

Anthony

[jackenau]

Welcome back Ken. Computers sure are a bit hit and miss. You can guarantee that they will halve in price once you purchase them, but cost twice as much to repair once they stuff up.

Ken M

[ballaratdragons]

Hi Anthony, he said it needs a major overhaul with a new motherboard and some other parts I dont know the name of. I am very computer dumb but I know a con-job when it comes along.

My pooter works fine except for freezing regularly (if you can call that 'working fine').

He reckons if I take it home it won't work. Well Mr. Rip-off, I am using my computer and it works (so far).

Nothing interesting in here! Really? Bet there was and your not tellin' me! LOL.

[ballaratdragons]

Yes Ken, you got that right! :confuse3:

[mick pinner]

Check out astro talk, star party in the wind.

[janoskiss]

Good to have you back Ken! :D

Glad you didn't go for the BS/con-job. :thumbsup:

Your problem is most likely a software (Windows) flaw and replacing the hardware is not gonna fix it. Generally, when hardware fails, it fails spectacularly. With software, bugs usually lurk in the background, only to surface at the most inopportune times. So I'd recommend upgrading Windows at minimal cost (say get Win2000 2nd hand for $5-40) ... assuming you would not be prepared to go for something free but more exotic.

... bottom line is that you need to find someone close-by who is at least as interested in helping you as in making a $, and knows what they're doing. That last part is the trickiest bit...

[rowena]

If your computer keeps freezing, its probably faulty RAM, and that is fairly cheap nowadays!. That should of been the first thing he tested!. The problem with updating to a "new" motherboard is that then you have to update RAM, and even some video cards aswell :(

arr computers... the joy the joy!

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks Steve and Rowena.

I think I'll just save up and buy a new pooter. This one was second hand when I got it 2 years ago.

Big W has 2 different 'Acer' Laptops for $1249 & $1269. Any good?

Mick, I have posted a reply in 'Victorian Star Party'. Thanks for the info.

[rowena]

Never had experience with Acer, though i did a quick stint in a helpdesk job for 2 weeks a few years back, and i know Acer and Asus computers where very easy to make reboot. things could of changed in that time.
Do you have a Aldi store near you? They sell laptops and they seem really reasonably priced!

I have a dell laptop that i picked up 2nd hand for under $700. All i have done is added some extra ram, and upgraded from a 8gig harddrive to a 80gig harddrive (only because i travel lots, and take lots of photos... it was either a laptop or a x-drive to upload my photos too) but otherwise most other people wouldn't of needed the upgrade in hard drive.

[RAJAH235]

Hi Ken, Welcome home. Have you run all your anti-virus/spyware progs.?:abduct: Could just be a bug you picked up! :D L.

[ballaratdragons]

Hi Laurie, Yep. I run all those progs regularly.

Rowena, I have no idea what you are talking about sorry. I don't know what a 'ram' is except the 2 Rams in my paddocks for making my sheep have lambs. I am very computer illiterate.

I need to upgrade but don't have a lot of dollars. Does a laptop do what a PC does? or are they different?

[janoskiss]

For sure! A desktop PC is nowhere near as effective at male birth control (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4078895.stm). :eyepop:

[RAJAH235]

I knew there was a reason for it. :P :D L.
ps. What are they going to say is bad for us next??? Thermistor anyone??

[Starkler]

Mine cost me $460 to repair after replacing psu, motherboard, ram, and hard drive.

I did it bit by bit. If i had of known the total of all things to replace, i would have just bought a new pc for 8-900.

While its still working you might wanna back up all the important stuff you dont want to loose if your hard disk crashes out.

Oh yes, welcome back !

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks Geoff.

If I back everything up and the PC crashes wouldn't I lose the back ups too? If I can't use the PC I wouldn't be able to get in to get the back ups. Or am I way off track?

Plus, If I was to 'back up' the important stuff that would be a LOT of stuff.

This computer stuff is confusing.

[janoskiss]

Back up on some media external/independent of your PC, like a CD, DVD and/or memory stick. (CD burners are very cheap these days < $40)

[ballaratdragons]

Oh. Ok Steve. Thanks.

Is a laptop just like a desktop only smaller or nothing like it?

In other words if I got a laptop, will it do what a desktop computer does?
What's the difference apart from the size and the monitor being attached.

There are no computer people around here to ask, just mainly farmers.

[Jonathan]

Welcome back Ken. I bought a Dell for $1299 a few months ago. If these are the same Acer's I looked at don't bother with them. Battery life of 1 hour instead of about 4 hours with the Dell. The Dell also has a DVD burner, bigger screen and is easy to upgrade RAM and other parts on. Dell also has good support and service if you have any problems. I wouldn't buy a second hand laptop. They tend to "wear out" over time, batteries and screens tend to have problems and aren't cheap to replace. Also cheap LCD screens give crap image quality. I'd stay away from a laptop unless you need the portability because you pay a lot extra for them in comparison with a desktop. Google anything you are interested in and you'll find heaps of reviews.

[Striker]

Ken...welcome back....

A laptop can do just as much as a desktop now a days.....the only problem is most people want AGP or PCI video card not video that's on the motherboard...it does make a difference running graphical programs....

Yes you can get lots of laptops with graphics cards running on the AGP or PCI slot but it boosts the cost of the laptop up considerably.....

For example....you would have to pay around $1800 for such a laptop...but if it was a desktop with the same specs....cost around $1000.

Just remember what ever you get...make sure you get heaps of RAM...the more the better....1 gig is fairly average now a days....but 512 is minimum.

Couple of minimum specs if you want a good computer.

3 gig processor
512mg DDR Ram minimum
80 gig Hard drive
64 - 128mg Video card (AGP, PCI)
Burner DVD or CDRW

Ken If you see something you like PM the specs to me and I will let you know if its any good....

[ving]

we went down 2 seperate roads with our puter...
the old one was stuffing up and was generally slow any how. on ebay (gotta love ebay sometimes) we got a tower with motherboard, chip (2.4 ghz), and ram for about $300 then just added our old harware to it (eg: more ram, floppy drive, dvd burner, etc).

we also bought a lap top on ebay recently. its not super fast or anything but it;ll do. its a IBM thinkpad with 1 ghz chip, dvd rom, video card, floppy, etc... I had to go to the ibm site and download a few drivers and install my own OS but it was cheaper than getting them to install it. all up it cost just over $600. works fine.
the problem with getting a secondhand laptop is there is no guarentee the battery is any good, but we got a good one.


btw welcome back ken :)
kept your seat warm!

[ballaratdragons]

Wow! Thanks everyone but I don't understand the lingo.

2.4 ghz I understand. It is the speed the computer works. But the other stuff? Ram, more Ram, OS, and all the other terms you are all using.

I have never learnt all that stuff. I just turn the pooter on and use it. Sounds like I just need to get a newer model tower and use my current keyboard, mouse & monitor.

Thanks for keeping my seat warm David. Thanks to all of you that sent PM's welcoming me back. Anyone would think I had been gone for 6 months! Nice to recieve them.

[Striker]

No we just wished it was 6 months Ken......i'm kidding....

I'm happy to help you with your computer if you need advice...you dont have to spend big dollars now a days to get something decent.

[janoskiss]

Whatever you do Ken, do not listen to Striker!! :) Nah only kidding. I agree with him on the sheep (ah sorry RAM, i.e., physical memory), but disagree with needing a 3GHz CPU as a minimum. The CPU speed should be the least of your concerns (slower and/or older CPUs are heaps fast enough; all most modern CPUs do is sit there and do nothing because the rest of the system can't keep up). Also, ... even though laptops can do what desktops can, a laptop will cost 2-4 times more than a desktop of equal computing power.

Without needing a monitor & other peripherals you should be able to get a very slick and fast new system for under $500 and a very capable system for under $350 --- provided you already have the software you need or can get it for free. But you will need to find someone to set it up for you if you want the box to just work out of the box. (Geez that sounds aweful familiar or am i just repaetin moyself..??)

[MiG]

Yeah, there's no way you need a 3 GHz CPU unless you play games or do cpu intensive stuff (e-mail, www browsing and typing documents do not fall into that category).

I reckon around the 1 GHz mark or lower (eg PIII 800) is fine. I bought a computer for my mum's business like that (IBM Netvista, P3 800, 256 MB RAM and Win2000 license) so I'm not saying one thing and doing another.
A large quantity of RAM is nice though.

I have an Athlon64 3000+ but it is at 100% cpu for 100% of the time. When it's not being stressed by flightsims, games or CAD it's doing distributed computing work.

[Striker]

Correct Steve.....but unless he is going to go for a second hand system...the P4 3 gig is about the average processor at the moment....you could go for a Celeron at lower speed and cheaper....but I wouldn't waste my money.....if your only going to be running 1 application at a time...I wouldn't worry about your processor ken......but if your planning on multiple application....and graphical work...I still wouldn't go for anything less then 3gig with a decent graphics card and plenty of ram......least then you will have a computer without limits....go for a celeron system without a graphics card then your better off keeping the system you have.....

AMD processors are another option Athlon 64 3000 is where I would start....

Ken just look at what you have planned for your computer and make a decision based on that....different systems for different applications....

Just like how I love my games meaning I want I high quality graphics card.....My Graphics card alone cost's $800...this is the system for me...but not for you if your going to use it for word processing and office applications.

[frogman]

If she's old and freezing :

Unplug the power.
Pull the case off.
If you have access to an aircompressor use it and blow the dust out of it.
if not buy a little paintbrush and do it by hand. DO IT OUTSIDE 95% of problems i had with old machines were fixed that way

Hope it helps

ANthohny

[acropolite]

Frogman, I'd completely forgotten that one, but you're right about dust, especially paper and cement dust as both attract moisture. I did some work on a site where building alterations were being done and we had to blow out the P.C.'s twice a day or they crashed. I've also had the same happen on a phone system in a jewelry shop; the dust from the jewellers polishing stopped the system completely. While you're at it, check all fans for lubrication as most fans have bronze bushings which tend to dry out.

[Thiink]

Welcome back Ken!

It's a shame you live so far away from one of the Ice In Space resident computer experts, I'm sure one of them could have helped (I'd be willing if I lived near you).

I don't know how far you want to go to see if you can fix the problems with the current machine. If you want to start ruling out some of the problems others have mentioned before throwing it away, running something like Memtest86(+) can rule out a variety of common Hardware related problems (depending on results), without pulling the thing apart. It's not hard to get working if you want to try it.

Also; if you are running Windows 98 (especially one pre-second edition), that could also be half your problems.

Message me if you want some things, or want to get Memtest a go.

[acropolite]

Win ME was absolute crap caused lockup problems with my P3-800 and Gigabyte motherboard. Once XP was installed all was OK. :bashcomp:

[Crash Nebula]

Welcome Back!
Major news for me was that i got my binos, and im really happy with them. Good to have you back and good luck with the computer.
Cheers,
Crash.