Is my computer dead? (Not anymore, need advice)

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Casio

Casio

Born From Jets
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BradleyH131
Question #1:Here is the problem It used to happen every month or so. But it's started to occur more frequently. It's happened 3 times today now. It reminds of my old 286 with 4 bit colour and windows 3.1....

death25qm.jpg


It really, really annoying. All my drivers are up to date and it says it's working fine :rolleyes:

death33dg.jpg


So does anyone know anyway to stop this. I have to restart my computer everytime it happens. It won't let me change the colour/resolution settings back to normal until I've restarted.

Question #2: Since this junk of a computer is probably dead (Athlon 1200), I think it might be time to finally face the facts and get a new one. Anything you guys recommend? Games arn't really a priority. But I'd like it to run things reasonably quickly. I don't want to spend a fortune either (I wouldn't want to spend more then 500$AUD really {~380USD}), I've got monitors, keyboards etc, etc so I don't need any of that. I've also got a GeForce FX5200 lying around which I brought for this about a year ago without knowing that this computer has a broken AGP port. Is that still ok? Or would it be better to just get a new video card? Is a AMD64 in my price range?

EDIT: One more thing. Do I really need a Vista ready computer? Or should I even wait until Vista comes out and just buy one with it installed? Sorry for all the questions guys :lol:

~Thanks for any help guys.
 
Hmmm... maybe you just need to update the display driver because it could be corrupted....

As for a new computer all I would recommend is that you go AMD 64.....
 
You're computer sounds like it is due to be replaced. You could wait until Vista comes out as you suggested, but we're talking 2007 for that now. Can you really wait until then?

As you've got a limited budget, i'd suggest buying a pc with a 64bit AMD processor (3200+), a PCI Express graphics card (nVidia 7600 GS) and 1GB of RAM if you can afford it. Any motherboard that supports this setup should come with a good enough built-in soundcard and all the ports you should require.

That will be good enough for now, will run Vista nicely and will be easily upgradeable whenever you feel like it.

If that's too much for you, go for a new AGP based system with similar components to those listed above but drop the graphics card and use your FX5200 (which is good enough for Vista).
 
I just build a comp on dell.com and came up with this:
Code: 
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 521 w/HT Technology (2.8GHz,800FSB)[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]PC Restore recovery system by Symantec[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Memory[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2x256M)[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer
[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy® ADVANCED HD Audio[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Integrated 10/100 Ethernet[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Months of America Online Membership Included[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Dell USB Keyboard[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Dell® 2-button USB mouse[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Musicmatch by Yahoo! Music - Basic music software[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
Corel Photo Album™ 6 Starter Edition - Organize and Edit your photos[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]
Purchase is not intended for resale.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]1 Year On-site Economy Plan
[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2][IMG]http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif[/IMG][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Corel WordPerfect® word processor only[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Limited QuickBooks Trial[/SIZE][/FONT]
Price: $404 US
 
donbenni
As you've got a limited budget, i'd suggest buying a pc with a 64bit AMD processor (3200+), a PCI Express graphics card (nVidia 7600 GS) and 1GB of RAM if you can afford it. Any motherboard that supports this setup should come with a good enough built-in soundcard and all the ports you should require.

If that's too much for you, go for a new AGP based system with similar components to those listed above but drop the graphics card and use your FX5200 (which is good enough for Vista).
Click to expand...

Is there really any difference between the AMD64s, and the P4s with HT? Also, what advantages do PCI cards have over AGP cards?

@TB:

Unfortuantly. Dell Australia don't let you 'build' computers. And the cheapest one they have is 700$AUD and is really poor compared to what I could A) Do myself, or B) A non-commercial PC store could get me. 700$ Get's me:

  • Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.8GHz with 533Mhz Front Side Bus
OR

  • Intel® Celeron® D Processors up to 2.66GHz with 533Mhz Front Side Bus
  • AND
  • 256mb of RAM.
Wow.
 
I would go any other way apart from 64, its more backwards compatable and will run the best versions on Vista (the aero ones)..... Intel will eventually release mainstream 64 chips but AMD is by far your best best..... Ive got a 3200+ and its great and future proof...
 
Casio
Is there really any difference between the AMD64s, and the P4s with HT? Also, what advantages do PCI cards have over AGP cards?
Click to expand...

I don't really know about Pentium chips. You mentioned 64bit AMDs so i assumed you knew you wanted one :P

PCI Express (not just PCI) is the new standard for graphics slots. It's been AGP for a while and now it's starting to turn towards PCI-E. You could get a computer with an AGP slot but you'll struggle to upgrade the graphics card in future as more and more companies are ceasing production of the latest cards. PCI-E is a good choice if you want to keep your computer future proof. On top of that, PCI-E versions of AGP cards are supposed to be faster, and they're quite a bit cheaper (ATi x1600 Pro is £10 cheaper if you get the PCI-E version).
 
$500AU is a damn tight budget, considering we get ripped off with prices over here... Anyway:

Athlon 64 3000+ (Socket 939) - $169
Asus A8N-E nForce 4 - $146
XFX GeForce 7300GS - $99
512mb PC3200 Kingston RAM - $67

Comes to $481AU from Umart.
 
I could probably stretch to 600$. But I can't really justify any more then that.

Anyway. I was looking here at parts and they seem pretty cheap?

So if I got.

AMD64 3200+ - $185
Asus A8V-AGP - $83
512MB Samsung DDR 400 - $61
My FX5200 - $Free
W.B SATA 80GB - $68
Benq DL 16x DVD-RW - $53
Super Flower X-Mask (W/P/S) - $80
(^I could get a cheaper one from that page, but do they all come with power supplies?)
Netcomm 10/100 NIC - $13 (If it doesn't come with one...)

All that amounts to 530$ An extra 40$ would get me 1GB Generic DRR400

Is that all I would need to get? (Apart from Windows of course....) Although, I must say, the last computer I was putting together ended with a loud bang and smoking power supply :lol:
 
donbenni
Well for au$ that sounds alright. Surely the 20$ more that the 3200+ costs than the 3000+ has got to be worth it?

I don't think i'd buy a computer from them though. Their website looks scary.
Click to expand...

Yeah I guess you're right. The 3200+ is probably the way to go 👍. And yeah, for a computer business you'd expect that they'd have a website that was readable. Check out this page. It's unreal :lol:. I'd be going to one of their outlets anyway, so it doesn't really worry me.

Question #3: Since you guys have talked me into getting this. Is it better to build it myself, or pay someone to do it? How hard is it to do yourself?
As I said, last time I tried to do it was when I was rebuilding an old P133 for my Cert II in Information Technology and it blew up when I turned it on...However, since then I've completed that and almost done my Cert III so I have a much greater idea on how things 'work'.

​
Question #4: I don't think there is an answer for this. But if Vista is coming out in January 07 and it's rumored to be pretty cheap. Should I bother buying XP? Could I just use the beta Vista (I saw a link around here somewhere), or use something like Ubuntu until Vista arrives?
 
Casio
AMD64 3200+ - $185
Asus A8V-AGP - $83
512MB Samsung DDR 400 - $61
My FX5200 - $Free
W.B SATA 80GB - $68
Benq DL 16x DVD-RW - $53
Super Flower X-Mask (W/P/S) - $80
(^I could get a cheaper one from that page, but do they all come with power supplies?)
Netcomm 10/100 NIC - $13 (If it doesn't come with one...)
Click to expand...
You're better off getting a case without a PSU (unless its a good reputable-branded case like Thermaltake) and getting another power supply. Generic power supplies usually don't last too long, are made from cheap components and usually don't offer the wattage they claim.

Athlon64 3200+ (Venice core) - $189
Asus A8V - $85 (it includes onboard LAN according to the Asus website, so you don't need a NIC)
512MB Kingston PC3200 (DDR400) - $69 (although, I'd recommend the 1GB stick for $132...)
Western Digital 80GB SATA - $71
Samsung 16x DVD+/-RW - $49
Thermaltake TR2-430W PSU - $69 (PFC for better efficiency, sleek cable sleeving and dual 80mm fans to keep the thing cool)​

Again, all parts from Umart because I can't be arsed decyphering that other website. :P Runs out to be $532 excluding shipping. You could get the Thermaltake Soprano case for $135 and you wouldn't need to buy the PSU then. That brings it to $598, excluding shipping.

Casio
Question #3: Since you guys have talked me into getting this. Is it better to build it myself, or pay someone to do it? How hard is it to do yourself?
As I said, last time I tried to do it was when I was rebuilding an old P133 for my Cert II in Information Technology and it blew up when I turned it on...However, since then I've completed that and almost done my Cert III so I have a much greater idea on how things 'work'.
Click to expand...
Well, I built my current rig and its the first one I've ever built. It isn't that hard once you know where everything goes and how it goes together. :P You could always find a tech-savvy friend to supervise you put it together, but you get more sense of achievement once you do build it yourself. ;)

Question #4: I don't think there is an answer for this. But if Vista is coming out in January 07 and it's rumored to be pretty cheap. Should I bother buying XP? Could I just use the beta Vista (I saw a link around here somewhere), or use something like Ubuntu until Vista arrives?
Click to expand...
The problem with Vista is there is going to be something like 7 versions of it. The cheap ones will obviously be the ones with the least amount of features, but IMO, it does seem pointless buying XP until Vista is released and we find out what each version actually includes.
 
I thought I would just ask seeing as everyone is recommending computer parts are ECS motherboards any good...... I have the Nforce 4 939 one and it seems great but people have been saying that they are rubbish and budget...... Is this true because I dont see how its bad?
 
Sorry to hijack your topic but i have a simmilar question and i didn't want to open a new topic for it.

I have just replaced my CPU fan, and now my PC won't start up anymore. When i press the power button, after about 2 seconds you hear a beep , and then it shuts down again. I removed the fan, but to no avail.

Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be? Thanks in advance.
 
It's quite easy to build things yourself. Just have alot of spare screws around and alot of patience. Once the motherboard is in, it's really self explanatory. If you get a small case, the motherboard mounting can be the hardest part. After you get it in, it's really easy from there. Hey, I'm 13. If I can do it, I'm sure you can.
 
Just a little update. I've purchased a swag of computer parts and am currently attempting to put it together. It all seems to be going smoothly at the moment....(fingers crossed)

UNTIL NOW: The motherboard has a 20-pin ATX Power thingy, but my power supply has a 24-pin thingy. Help!

EDIT2: Don't worry. 4 of pins like slide off. Worked it out 👍. Now. I've still got a few problems. In the manual it says I have to connect three things, the CPU_Fan (Assuming that's the thing that goes on top of the CPU - Done), but I also have PWR_Fan and CHA_Fan. Coming off the power supply I have two 'strands of cables'. Each have 2, 4-Pin Big Female thingys (The ones that go in the back of DVD Drives, HDs, Etc) And a little white bit on the end. Is there any difference between the two? Where does the white bit go?

EDIT3: Don't worry guys. I winged it. And it all seems to work swimmingly. Now I've got to hope like hell that XP reads my SATA drive...
 
Casio
EDIT3: Don't worry guys. I winged it. And it all seems to work swimmingly. Now I've got to hope like hell that XP reads my SATA drive...
Click to expand...

Which is doesn't!

Any ideas? (I also don't have a working Floppy Drive...). Oh, and it won't boot off my old HD....It was all going so well....
 
It doesn't even show up in the BIOS. I went out and brought a floppy drive today (Cost me half as much as my DVD burner...). Anyway, I installed it and it works fine. When I press F6 during the windows install it comes up and I can load the XP SATA Drivers, but it still can't find my HardDrive!

So I'm currently making a streamlined XP Disk with SP2 and the MSD drivers on it. Cross your fingers...
 
Ok guys. I finally ended up getting this computer to work.

However, I think this FX5200 is a pile of ****, I can't even run older games on full graphics. (I think a AMD 3500+ should be able to run NFS:U2 on something better then 640x480 without slowing to a crash)

So I'm possibly looking for a video card, I don't want anything to expensive, 170$ AUD is probably the most I'd be wanting to spend at the moment.

The store I get my stuff from has the following at about that price range

AGP:
256mb 6600LE Leadtek
256mb Sapphire 9600XT

PCI-E
256mb 7300GT
128mb 6600GT
256mb 7600GS

Also, I just got a new 19" LCD Widescreen monitor, which has a DVI input, is there a big advantage getting a DVI card to match it? I don't know if any of the above list have DVI, but the 256mb Sapphire X800GT DVI, I assume has DVI and I could probably afford.

Any ideas on what would be best?
 
If your motherboard supports PCI-E, then the 7600gs would be the best. It also has DVI. But looking back, it looks like you have an AGP motherboard. Both of those cards aren't that great now, but the 9600xt should be the better of the two.

Have another site?
 
My motherboard is an Asus A8v. Googling I've found some variants of the A8v seem to support PCI-E, but I'm not sure about the standard one, or which one I have.

I'll look into that 9600xt too 👍

Thanks for your help
 
I have the Sapphire 9600XT. It's a fine card, but some of the latest games are showing it up. It's fine running Half Life 2 at full settings 1280x1024, but I had to drop down to 1024x768 to retain full settings with the Lost Coast and Episode One add-ons.
 
Yeah, a 9-series Radeon card will get you knowhere. I would reccomend at least a 6800XT or better if you want a budget, bang for your buck card.
 
Casio
My motherboard is an Asus A8v. Googling I've found some variants of the A8v seem to support PCI-E, but I'm not sure about the standard one, or which one I have.

I'll look into that 9600xt too 👍

Thanks for your help
Click to expand...

Yeah, but isn't your fx5200 agp?
 

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