The times when I hate computers.

I haven't bothered to "upgrade" a computer in over 15 years. It has been my experience that the new hardware/software will find some critical compatibility issue with the old hardware/software and not play nicely at all.

I had a 1988 Zeos computer (Remember them?) which overall was a fairly nice machine once I had it running. When I first got it out of the box, it only booted successfully 1/2 of the time. Zeos sent a new MB and that cured that.

I tried to upgrade the memory from 4 MB to 16 MB, but it only recognized 12 MB. No matter what permutation of DIMM's I used or the jumper settings. I wanted more HD so instead of getting rid of the 20 MB HD, I ordered an 80 MB HD. For some reason, the machine only allowed me to use the 20 MB HD as the boot drive.

Networking issues are even better. I can almost guarantee that any sort of always-on connection has been hacked and you haven't even noticed, unless you run a very high quality router with appropriate antivirus software that is routinely updated.

And yes, I've noticed the quality of the parts (Motherboard, HD, DVD-R, etc) has been flushed down the crapper. Although you seem to have better luck with Genuine Intel MB, it's not guaranteed. Not by a long shot.

If you really want to have fun, do an Industrial Process Control upgrade. Take a DCS that has run without fail for 18 years. Management has decided it needs a "modern" interface AKA Windows XP, along with that $$$ "integrated" manufacturing software that is so s***** it reeks even when you're upwind of it.

Five weeks later, the operators are still using the old DCS and you're still stuck at the Windows XP splash, which is as far as it will go before giving a Stop. Before I start tugging at my hair or getting down on my hands and knees to chew on the carpet, I keep telling myself this:

"I bill by the hour I bill by the hour I bill by the hour I bill by the hour all work and no play makes jayman a homicidal maniac all work and no play ..."

This actually works for me. I calm down at once and hum a happy tune while jabbing the reset button, which by now is so worn out you can see sparks jump off it.

Maybe all this crappy hardware/software is the real reason our society is becoming so violent and going down the tubes.

 

yup "1 n 0's" nothing's simple in life.

 

Just underwent my my final Microsoft Windows PC crash. No more. I bought one of the new iMacs (20" screen). I now use both (after much pain getting my MS Windows PC back in working order - Still have internet related problems with it though). So, I use the iMac for internet work, chess, and new MS Office projects, and the PC for programs that I've collected over the years. So far, with the iMac, haven't seen so much as the hint of a popup, or any other internet related issue.

Here's what I recommend to any PC user (wish these had been available when I experienced my latest PC crash):

. Buy the new $495 MiniMac
. Connect your monitor, keyboard, mouse, and printer into it
. Use the MiniMac for internet work.
. Use your PC and your MiniMac for all other work (and play).

The New York Times article I read on this subject stated that you can get switch boxes that allow you to easily switch back and forth between your PC and your new MiniMac.

Imagine, being virtually free of viruses, worms, spyware, and popups. So far, that's been my experience with my new iMac.

 

I really do envy you folks who can mess around with the innards of these machines with impunity. Regretfully I almost know enough to ask an intelligent question. The latest computer I had tailor-made with all the bells and whistles, except added a Radeon 9800XT graphic card and a gig of RAM, read somewhere that twin HD's in raid 0 configuration might speed up data transfer so did that. Guess if I lose one drive I've lost the works. Anyway being retarded....errrr....retired I only use it for graphics, a little CAD, and my latest return to childhood, flight simulation and, of course, PriusChat.
I do have an electronic KVM switch so that I can bounce between the new and old computer using the same keyboard/mouse and display .

 

Thanks, Bryan, for the encouragement. I reckon I have maybe two more years and I might just give a home-built a try.

 

I built a PC a few years ago and can definitely recommend going that route. There's not much to it, especially since PCs are only made up of a handful of parts. I frequented some build-your-own websites for a while, did some web shopping, put it together, installed my software, and was cruising without incident.

The advantages of building your own are:

1. You can get it the way you want it. Do you care about audio, or video, or disk space, or CPU speed, or expandability, or fan noise? You can choose according to what's important to you.

2. The quality is generally better. PC vendors cut corners to save a few bucks. You have to buy the package. On the other hand, component vendors survive by the quality of their products because customers can easily get a similar part from another source.

3. You are not forced to pay a "Microsoft tax", so if you already own a Windows license, or if you install Linux, no money goes to the Evil Empire.

4. You save money. Some, but not a lot. You can probably get a PC for less, but not one that's as good.

5. It's easier to upgrade. Need a faster CPU, better video, etc.? You can put in new parts without tossing out the whole thing.

If you build a PC and run Linux on it you get the highest possible honors for Independent Computer User. It's not for the faint of heart, but it can do almost anything you want (if you put in enough effort) and it will be truly rock solid. I have run Linux systems continuously for years at a time and only shut them down to make hardware changes.

If avoiding hassles is paramount to you then getting a Mac is clearly the best way to go. It's as reliable as Linux but has a much better user interface. It's better than Windows in almost every way. You may pay a little more but you get a lot more value in return.

 

I too would recommend the 'build it yourself' route for the same reasons. I think Wolfman would possibly agree his recent experience is not the norm. ...but some days...) I have been putting my on PC together for years, starting back in the '386 days. Just a couple weeks ago I upgraded my processor and motherboard to a 3.2GHz P4 processor and so far so good. (knock on silicon )Like others have stated, these days it is quite easy: Pick your parts, put 'em together and install OS. By far, most of it autoconfigures these days.

Then again, I occasionally consider the Mac option too, especially now with the sweet little Mac mini that just came out.

 

You can get much the same effect by switching to firefox and using a good email spam-filter (I recommend the open-source package "POPFile").

I've got a Mac powerbook as well (freebie from work), but I still use my PC 90% of the time.

Dave

 

Way back when they came out with an upgrade to turn a plain-Jane PC into a 286 I was advised by computer-geek friends that I'd be better off with a whole new computer. Too many compatibility problems.

My current computer was assembled by a local store that does only that. You tell them what specs and features you want, or if you are more savvy you can specify component parts. They put it together, test it, install the OS and whatever software you've bought from them, and finally tack on a one-year warranty. I've been quite satisfied with it overall. The difference between what it would have cost me to assemble one myself, and what I paid them, was money well spent for the exasperation avoided, and their superior experience and testing equipment to assure a properly-working machine.

 

You all and the build-it-yourself thing makes it sound soooo easy... my first computer was built for me by a guy in Reno in 1995.. you could get a 486 at Sears at the time... a friend had found Ming a Chinese man to build one for him.. the friend and Ming had some kind of argument and when I told Ming I wanted a computer that was better than my friends, Ming smiled and built me a 486/75..and was fast for the day.. the hard drive was 80megs.. I would crash the computer and take it to Ming... looking like Linus in Peanuts he crouch on the keyboard and fix the machine... his line was "how you screw up'? .. my come back was ' if I knew, I wouldn't be here...fixxie box..he would and I was off to play some more.. in 2001 I was in Denver, no Ming.. a very old computer although I'd had some upgrades done..but it didn't have a math co-processor and couldn't do some things.. I went to Dell and Gateway chatting with techs on line... when they'd laff at my computer..I always said ' I got here to talk to you, didn't I ?' I have a Gateway, that is not big enough...but I'm here..aren't I...

Bob Andersen

 

Until I get the courage to build one myself and take the financial risk of destroying a major piece of the puzzle I find my local "assembler" Sneakers Computers warranty pretty attractive:
" New computer systems (owner specified)- 2 years parts with lifetime labour warranty and unlimited phone support warranty".
I researched PC World and Smart Computing magazines over the six years I've had subscriptions and regularly visit the geek forums before I decided which components I wanted in the beast. System now one year old and only one visit to the computer doctor when I stupidly plugged the mike into the speaker jack.

 

I finally learned one of life's secrets (works for me anyway): Get good at what I do and pay someone else to do what they are good at. It costs me more in money, but less in time and aggravation . Money comes and goes, but time (and aggravation) are finite. Another lesson I learned is I never have too much money, but there is always enough. Why I was too stoopit to learn these lessons 30 years ago I can't say.

 

Hard drives are so cheap, that we all use them for backup (in addition to DVD-ing the data). I back up one hard drive to the other using Ghost. I always build my own so I can have a case that has two open bays for two removable hard drives (in addition to one DVD and one CD). When we had a fire next door, I was ready to just pull out the hard drives and go. Very easy and convenient.

I also organize all my data on D drive to more easily back it up.

 

I back up to an external HD. It was pretty cheap. Plugs into USB2. Once the backup is started it requires no attention. The rest of the time it is physically disconnected from the system. And during a backup the modem is switched off.

 

Woo, you are not alone :roll:
I also had bad luck for computer this weekend. My Toshiba Raptop decide to die Saturday nite. 2nd time with in 8month :roll: It seems alike HD drive crash or Fried so no longer function. So she is going to repair center in Japan and worst part is it take 3 to 4 weeks to get fix :cussing: Because I bougth this raptop in U.S market :roll:
Good thing is I have back up laptop.

 

Interesting. As an IT guy and a system builder, it's cool to me to read the problems people have. ---and no, I'm not being patronizing or anything. Of course I build all my own systems and several for work on a regular basis so I'm extremely confident in my abilities. It's like a mechanic friend of mine said about car maintenance--- "You can do it, it's easy!" WRONG! It's easy if it's your hobby or job, but for regular mortals it doesn't come that easily.

Part of the PC building thing is to be certain to buy parts from good manufacturers. When I read 'ram, cpu, and motherboard for 200 bucks', I shuddered. Not trying to sell anything here, but the only motherboards I ever buy are ASUS boards--- you pay a few dollars more (literally), but ASUS is a top-tier maker. Whether you buy AMD or Intel these days is irrelevant--- I've very, very rarely had a DOA cpu. I HAVE had a number of DOA motherboards and RAM, though, mostly from super cheapie sources. Avoid.

Don't forget that Windows XP really requires a minimum of 256 megs of RAM to run acceptably smoothly, but 512-1 gig of RAM is a must if you're doing anything demanding like playing games or working in Photoshop.

As to the long hard drive format... during Windows XP setup, you can choose a full format or a quick format. The quick format takes seconds. If the drive has bad spots, you can try a full format and if it takes an inordinately long time to complete you may have a bad drive on your hands. Oh yeah, a note on SATA: at this point, better specs don't mean squat. Hard drives have long been limited by their hardware (caches, rotation speeds, access times, etc.) so no amount of bus improvement will be apparent to the end user. Most drives barely saturate the ATA/66 bus, much less 133 or 150.