The Techno Clinic

[Hunter]

Okay, So I know there are multiple threads on all sorts of aspects of the computer world. I figured I would start a thread where I can type out loooooonnnnggg spools of information on whatever topic you ask about. Just so we all know, I'm good with PC's, Digital Camera, digital editing, DVD, CD, formats, software, some hardware, and coffee.

Also, remember, you're talking to someone who general tends to fall on the other side of the norm when it comes to copyrighting and that fun stuff. That said, it's also the reason I give out a lot of free information. I won't give you information that can get you into trouble, but some of your questions may require some skll set you don't have. I'll try to keep it simple. Remember, everything thing above, \"How do I turn on my computer?\" is not a stupid question. We all had to start somewhere, we just did it at different ages.

[ZeroG]

you're talking to someone who general tends to fall on the other side of the norm when it comes to copyrighting and that fun stuff.

What side is the norm? It seems everyone \"shares\" their stuff nowadays.

I got a soundblaster board and it came with some software which will record \"What U Hear\". This allows me to play a song I bought from napster, and record it in non-copyrighted form so I can burn it on a CD. I have heard there is similar software which will do the same thing to multiple songs at 4x or greater speed. Have you heard of this?

[Hunter]

Well, yes i have heard of it. Seen it too. Want me to find you a copy? And the \"other side of the norm\" means that I don't simply share, I - I can't mention it, it could mean trouble.Oh, speaking of this kind of thing, if you ask me FOR software, please designate whether you want commercial, freeware, opensource (there's a difference), or something else. If you don't know, tell me what you want to pay, and the quailty you'd like, as well as what you ACTUALLY want to do, I'll help you find what you need. Please be specific. I'll help you with anything I can. Oh, and ZeroG, I'll pm you with the results of any opensource or freeware I find.

[Hunter]

Okay, So I'll be making headings for each of the different areas of this little forum. The clinic in and of itself is where you can ask me any technology related question, even how to fix something (thus the name). Hope it helps!

[isara.org]

Hunter - Do you know anything about Joomla CMS and PHP programming?

[Hunter]

Sorry, not yet. I have a PHP manual but I haven't studied it yet. I know nothing about Joomla CMS though. Sorry. I'll look into it for you though.

[KitKat]

Hunter, I have a question.  I would like to place a quotation at the bottom of my post. How do I do this and  does the quotation stay or do I have to write it each time I make a post? 

[Ginafish]

I think  you are actually trying to do something called a signature that stays the same after ever post you do. Click the profile tab (See above, Isara, forum, profile, my messages,etc)
On the next window is this:
Profile Info
Summary
Show Stats
Show Posts

Modify Profile
Account Related Settings
Forum Profile Information
Look and Layout Preferences
Notifications and Email
Personal Message Options
Edit Buddies


You will want to click on "Forum Profile Information" and when that page opens look for a box that says "Signature"
I hope that helps!

[Hunter]

Thank you, Gina. Sorry, mom. I don't get in the office till about this time (Hey, its 7:50 A.m. here.) otherwise I would have posted a response sooner.

[KitKat]

Gina, I did everything and wrote my quotation, but their was no submit or save.  It didn't save my info.
Maybe I should try again.   

[In2Kermit]

When you're done writing down your saying, you have to hit the 'change profile' button, at the very end of the screen. Then it will show up for you.

[KitKat]

Heather Thanks, I'm so silly, I thought it wanted me to change what I had written!!

[KitKat]

The signature feature is cool. Thanks Gina & Heather. Have a great day!

[Darth Gamerak]

Can You help I with signature making and  Debuging Affected Software??

[Hunter]

Signature making, probably

Debugging affected software - well, that depends on what you mean. Maybe.

[wendygirl]

I am looking at getting a new computer.  The one I have is a Dell with XP, Intel Pentium III, 9.31 GB hard drive, 797 MHz and 512 MB of RAM.  One problem is I am almost out of hard drive space.
My questions are:
  1. What is the difference between AMD and
     Intel processors; which do you recommend?
  2. What do 2MB L2Cache,2.00GHz,800 FSB and
     1MB L2,1.60GHz,800FSB mean?

FYI: I am looking at Dell Inspiron 530 Desktops.

[PK]

1. A lot of people will tell you to get an Intel CPU and a lot of people will tell you to get an AMD. So basically there is no difference between those two CPUs. It's like comparing a Honda and a Toyota. Both of them will take you to work and back.

2. The L2 cache chip stores data that can be accessed very quickly on the motherboard (much quicker than RAM or your harddisk). So the larger cache chip you have the faster your computer (so 2mb is better than 1mb). But most people (like myself) hardly notice a difference between the two. I wouldn't let it effect your purchasing decision.

2GHz and 1.6GHZ is the speed of the CPU. There is a noticeable difference between those two, with 2GHz being faster. But 1.6GHz is twice as fast as your current 800MHz computer so if you get the 1.6GHz you'll still be very happy with the speed increase.

Whereas 2GHZ/1.6GHz is the speed of the CPU chip, 800FSB (Front Side Bus) is talking about the speed (in MHz) of the main motherboard.


RAM is also an important part of the computer. If you save money by getting the 1.6GHz computer then consider getting more RAM (1gb+) with that money. A computer with a 1.6GHz CPU can feel like a computer with a 2GHz CPU if you load it up with RAM.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck with the upgrade.

[wendygirl]

Thank you very much.  I think you have really helped me.  I am very glad it finally occurred to me that I could ask the computer savy people here on Isara for advise.  As usual, every once in a while my brain actually functions:)

[Hunter]

Before I give you advise, I have to ask what the primary use for this computer is going to be. This is going to be the biggest deciding factor of what computer to buy. Also, what kind of money are you looking to spend. Obviously a bigger budget means a faster machine.

My first piece of advise, stop looking at Dell. Seriously, they aren't giving any help to the private sector. Dell is more concerned with the business sector and are priced accordingly. BTW, how did you ever last this long with a 10Gig Hard drive???

Okay, now the rest of the advise. If you just need more space, we can always help you install a second hard drive. However, a new computer is definetly going to be a good idea.

Right now TigerDirect.com (I use this company for all of my personal and business tech) is going to be the best option for an inexpensive, capable PC.

Also, with the new release of another intel Dual-Core design, Dual-Core pricing will be decreasing dramatically, making Desktops and laptops with this technology less expensive. This means that the question won't be 1.7 or 2.0 Mhz processors but 2.0 or 3.0 Mhz.

As for specs and what they mean, PK has pretty well covered everything. Wish you luck!

[wendygirl]

Thanks for the advice.  I have heard from some people that Dell is giving them difficulties (hardware problems and they can't get it fixed) but I was uncomfortable with anything else.  Guess I will have to check out the TigerDirect.com. 
Not sure how I lasted so long with less than 10GBs but it is no longer enough.  I mostly use my computer to surf the web, send e-mails, do a little photo editing (would like to do more), rip CD's for my MP3 player, and do a little MS word and spreadsheet.  I am not really into games or anything like that.  I would like to be able to burn CD's and maybe even DVD's.

I know that I limited myself with my last (and only) computer purchase and I don't want to make the same mistake twice.  I know that I don't do much now but that could change in the future as it has in the past.

P.S. until about a year and a half ago, I only
     had 64MB of RAM.  Scary, huh.

[Hunter]

Well, I guess this gives us a good place to start.

The brands you'll want to look for are HP, Compaq, Systemmax, or Lenovo. I realize that you may not have heard of a couple of these brands but trust me - I trust them. TigerDirect is good for the facts that A) customer support is actually there to help you, and B) even though it may say 6-8 weeks for delivery, it is usually only about 3-5 days.

By todays standards you'll definitely want something with these specs:

1.7 (or Above) GHZ Processor (It doesn't matter if it's Intel or AMD. You won't be using it that hard.)
512+Mhz RAM (Memory)
120+ Gigabytes Hard Drive (go for bigger, but that's a base number)
DVD R/RW/CD R/RW Drive (to burn DVD's and CD's)


Now, with OS's it probably won't matter for you. Vista is what's given out these days (though Windows announced that you can ask for down grades to XP until 2008). I personally prefer XP because it works with most software and Vista has issues with some hardware and software. Windows is working on this problem, but it probably won't be fixed before Windows 7 comes out in late 2008 (That's 2011 in Microsoft years.)
All in all Vista or XP, it doesn't matter for the average user.

On to some other things to consider. Small Form Factor computers can be great, as long as you aren't looking to upgrade them. They can be kinda of tight and need specific pieces of hardware.

In TigerDirect.com you'll notices that there is a lot of refurbished product. This is definitely not a bad thing. These computers can be anything from a computer that was sold and sent back, a system that is off lease from a company, or something that has been repaired. I've only ever had one problem with this and that was do to a power supply. Keep any boxes you recieve until the end of your warrenty. You'll need all of the packing materials and the box if you need to send it back for replacement.

Anyway hope that plethora of information helps you and anyone else looking for advise.

EDIT: BTW, DON'T throw away your old hard drive. You can easily save the date and convert it into an external drive with a $30 enclosure from RadioShack, bestbuy, etc. It's incredibly easy. But you can always ask if you need help.

[Ginafish]

I'd say that if you already have Windows software you want to use on a future purchase, take advantage of the Microsoft offer of downgrading to XP so you aren't having to purchase a lot of software.

[wendygirl]

When you buy a computer through TigerDirect.com, do you get backup discs for the software on the computer?

[Hunter]

Yes, they do -gernerally- give you the necessary discs to reinstall if necessary. I say generally because, well, I can't speak about everything, since I can't be 100% sure. I know that everything I've recieved came with appropriate software.

[PK]

I would also look into NewEgg. They have a great reputation for prices and delivery.

http://www.newegg.com/Sto...y=10&name=Desktop-PCs

HP makes a good computer.