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Re: pc update 

By: monkeytrots in CONSTITUTION | Recommend this post (1)
Fri, 17 Aug 12 9:26 PM | 85 view(s)
Boardmark this board | Constitutional Corner 		Msg. 19342 of 21975
(This msg. is a reply to 19340 by lkorrow)
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My experience - it is NOT worth the effort to attempt upgrading obsolete tech - it consumes more money than simple replacement. Especially when power supplies start to fail (after the first year or so - otherwise replace it - manu defects happen). Power supply failure, imo, is indicative of two things
1.) General component level failure/age that effects the entire machine - so, everything is on its last legs.
2.) Increased current draw by the pc components CAUSING power supply issues - so simple replacement, even upgrade of the power supply - does NOT solve the problem - and in fact, can actually cause a cascade failure. (IE. More current to a failing component simply allows that component to complete its burn down actions.)

Just a quick word on alternates to Dell. Have bought, used, and maintained Dell's in business - they are good machines, but the CONSUMER LEVEL support sucks hind tit. The much more expensive BUSINESS SUPPORT (ie. Server Support Group) are better.

That said - I find Dell to be horribly overpriced.

HP - Hewlett Packard make an excellent line of consumer grade PC's - and they are long lasting also.

The one's that they make for specific distribution from other retailers (such as MicroCenter) locally offer the best bang for buck.

Still have a 7 year old HP desktop that is running quite well. Got an HP ProBook 4530S in February, running Windows 7 - Laptop - and am very pleased with it. Large screen works well for me, 'pro' level offers the 'home premium' edition of the OS (always worth the upgraded cost) - and the built in wireless allows me to use publicly accessible connections. That last part is the sole reason for the Laptop - cut my monthly costs by around 50 bucks by allowing me to get rid of personal ISP. No, it is NOT an ideal way of accessing the internet - but, in current circums, is sensible.

Anyways - Microcenter locally - here's the cost (usually better than NewEgg, whom I do use, but their warranty etc. is problematic at best considering shipping and authorization issues): $400 + ttl.

Excellent buy - good performing, solid Laptop - (yes, a bit heavy - but worth it):

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388286

I have had good luck and bad luck, both, with generic type PC's that are offered by certain retailers. Some have lasted, others have not. The HP brand has been solid on value for many years for me. Have not gotten zapped by one yet.




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pc update
By: lkorrow in CONSTITUTION
Fri, 17 Aug 12 6:58 AM 		Msg. 19340 of 21975

It appears most of my pc problem was the router. When I had no internet jobs running, it showed 100% utilization. This didn't impact the PC's CPU utilization, but it had an impact, for sure. I managed to clear that up and overall performance has been much better. Even IE's acting better, lol.

I have a theory on the mute. I'm using headphones, but to make them work had to define them as quad speakers which suggests maybe I have them plugged in the wrong place. Anyway, I suspect the adapter card measures its performance and perhaps launched a task to mute and/or lower the volume to eliminate a feedback problem. What I should do is find where to plug in my external speakers so I can easily use either. Who knows all the grief these minor things can cause, too.

I'm still suspecting a memory problem for the broad range of issues I've seen and intend to pick up some, if it's cheap enough, although I do have low swap file usage. I want to replace it and see if stuff improves and avoid buying a new system, if possible. I tend to buy the best configuration I can get, within reason, expecting it to last a very long time. I don't know how long they typically last, but this one's 8 years old and counting.

Oh, and those files I mentioned. I noticed Microsoft uses them for minidumps when your system hangs. When I rebooted, a window asked if I wanted to send them to MSFT. I looked at the file names and gulped. But this time, they didn't contain those questionable files.

Spyzooka's still coming up with those trojans that Webroot doesn't see. Still have to follow up on that. I'm not downloading their stuff, since webroot caught viruses in it. Wacky.

Micro, if you're reading, I think you were right about the battery. I didn't get inside yet, working these other things, but when I dragged the pc out to open it up, the date reset back to when I bought it, so I suspect it is not seated well or held down well. So I'll be looking things over inside, including finding the memory and seeing if it's seated well, although I'm not doing much as things are working now. Gotta get some work done, this stuff's outrageous!

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