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Got a headache this morning. Brain overload.
I have been thinking (OH! No !) https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Mosaic, did you mean that I would be kicking myself because I didn't go ahead and get the Intel IV or because I didn't wait until the III's come down in price because that will happen.
I found a link off one of your's, bistro, that compares the two (AMD K6 and Intel Pentium III) and gaming capabilities or something built into them concerning this) seems to be the big difference. Price right now is about the same. And happiness of users.
This is only one article so far. I'm still digging.
Another thing:
In one of those links I read if you used pieces from an existing system you could get by more reasonably. Not possible here, but it also mentioned the lousey resale value. What about that ? What if I found one somebody was just itching to get rid of (so they could get the latest) and it was just what I need as far as basics. Then, I gut most of it and put in what I want.
Maybe for my first, I wouldn't feel so intimidated if I knew I wasn't experimenting with so much money. It's not like I can hide this "fashion mistake" in the back of the closet. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
I know ..warranty.
Hi mach ! Thanks for stopping in ! Yep good idea.
sdtech, I didn't know there was such a thing as a static bracelet. Thanks ! and for your links above which I will get to.
Mosaic mentioned the static earlier, and I forgot to ask about the belt that was mentioned. I had not realized what a big deal that was. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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Class, there will be a quiz on Monday from your homework....Sample questions:
1. How much money do I want to spend on this project?
2, How much money do I REALLY HAVE to spend on this project?
3. For the computer I REALLY want to build, do I qualify for a small business loan from the bank?
4. "What's that funny looking thing right there in my computer case...*ZAP* OWWWW!
QOH: Your idea of "horsetrading" for used parts that are better/newer than what you have now is a great way to upgrade---just make sure you know what you are buying, that it works OK, and better yet know the person you are buying it from. Would recommend staying away from the "Clearance Bin" in the Ma and Pa computer shops--(those shops can be good sources for parts/advice--but "The Bin" is full of evil and is "forbidden" for the unknowledgable... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/).
I've also read a lot of reviews comparing PIII and AMD. Some are pro PIII, some pro AMD. The AMD is certainly less $$ than the PIII. However, in my experience, there are fewer problems with the PIII both with gaming and applications and possible overheating. Take all those "gaming benchmarks" with a grain of salt. (Most of the differences the average person would not be able to pick up with the naked eye). In my book, I'd rather pay a few more bucks for the stability.
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bistro,
I couldn't care less about the gaming stuff, and the kid's would be tickeled just to be able to play something. They'd never know the difference.
Since the Pentium III seems to be the most stable, and as Mosaic said, they should be coming down...it'll get more of my attention now.
I'm not going to worry about the case until I have made these decisions about which processor and motherboard.
I will look into the "used" too this weekend. I sure don't want somebody elses problem. [The article also said most motherboards either arrive DOA or die within the first year if they're going to.] I wouldn't mind a system with a few miles on it. I've seen loads of people not be able to stand if they don't have the latest thing. Most get handed down but I bet I could find somebody that has no heirs and just has to have a new one. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
I'll be studying for the test. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
[This message has been edited by Queen_of_Hearts (edited 12-01-2000).]
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Bistro, I took the sample test and bombed it. Looks as if I'm going to be really challenged here. I'm still wondering why the people at SBA haven't stopped laughing. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ I think I will develop a checklist for us since we've never done anything like this. The stuff on static electricity I never thought about.
All I ever wanted in a computer was something simple, dependable, and powerful and then I met you guys and my whole world has fallen apart. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
I'm with the Queen of Hearts. Have info overload, can't sleep, and my Excedrin is disappearing. Y'all have ruint me - but I'm having fun. Thanks very much, again, to all of you.
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STATIC electricity.
The spark that jumps from one person to another is a MINIMUM of 50,000 volts. Luck being that the amps are not high enough to hurt us. But guess what it does to electronics. Why they cease operations immediately if not sooner.
Tried and proven many, many times. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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SMILE
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Train, I did not know it was that high. So these small operating voltage components would have to be affected. E=IR would convert to I=E/R and something would have to blow. And it would not take but a fracion of a second I bet. Wow.
Queen of Hearts, Here's some more reading, courtesy of John King on one of Mach's threads. Sorry, just buy some more excedrin.
http://www.fadden.com/cdrfaq/
Got every thing hardcopied for reference. How you coming along. Just thought I'd ask. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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yeah...don't be like me...one time worked on a car battery and my computer at the same time... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
The best thing you could do (besides the reading) again is to take a peek inside the one you have now. Identify the basic parts:
DIMM slots: Where the RAM "sticks" are sitting.
Motherboard: That big green or brown square where all those gizmo cards are sitting on.
CPU:That flat thingy sitting on a white square (or in a slot) that has that "cute little fan" attached to it--usually close to the RAM.
Cards:What you've been plugging all those wires into at the back of the computer (sound, video, modem). Found sitting upright on the motherboard. Each has it's own "slot", which brings us to....
Slots:Don't put quarters into these!!!
They are for your "cards" (see above). Your number and type of slots may vary according to what motherboard you have, but generally all motherboards have 3 types:
AGP slot--the newer mobos (lazy techie slang for "motherboard") have just one of these and are for the "newer" AGP video cards. Make sure your new mobo has one. Usually brown or beige in color and is the closest slot to the CPU.
PCI slot(s)--those slots all lined up right after the AGP--white in color--you may have 3 to five of these. Sound cards, older vid cards and newer modems can go into these.
ISA slots--black in color--may have one to three of these--older "legacy" slots--not much used these days, but still around in most mobos to accomodate slightly older modems and older sound cards, etc..
*Some mobos have an ISA and a PCI slot "sharing" the same position and opening in the back; also the same circuitry on the mobo--I won't go into any more detail than that--no real need now.
If you look up in the corner you'll see your CD, Hard drive(s), etc. ("Ooohhh...so THAT's what they look like....". Self-explanatory.
Pay special attention to those ribbon cables dangling down to where they are connected to the mobo...that's the IDE connectors or "ports". Usually just two: IDE 1--primary, IDE 2--secondary. (Some newer mobos have four of them to accomodate ATA 66 hard drives). Look at them with awe...make friends with them...know them by their unique number...for if you don't,they might bite you in the butt later for putting the wrong cable in them. Note also that the floppy drive has it's very own connection port.
Finally (geez...can't this guy ever shut up??), look up there at that box with all those colorful wires (called "wires")protruding out of it. That's your Power Supply---without that, your computer has a real hard time booting up....a good power supply in a new system should be at least 300 watts or better. When you buy your case, the power supply is usually included.
OK, that;s enough to get you started---sorry if I'm stating the obvious--not entirely sure how much experience either of you have with this. Will try to keep it shorter next time.
I'll go and take some Tylenol now to take the pain out of my fingers...
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Bistro, Please just keep doing what you are doing, I'm not having any trouble understanding you, nor I think does the Queen of Hearts, although she should speak for herself. The detail is outstanding. This is one heck of a crash course. You could be a tech writer or even better a teacher.
Background includes electronics, early computers to the 70's, teaching and development of courses and hardware for the FAA etc. I have to play catchup in state of the art. Did not have what we have today in operating systems. What has been developed both fascinates and amazes me.
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Yeah...my next "upgrade" project is building a Cray 5 Super-Mainframe for myself...now, all I need to start is a big basement....have to decide if 20 Terabytes of memory is enough to play my games on....
http://smilecwm.tripod.com/cwm/eek2.gif
[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 12-01-2000).]
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That is big. Take over the computers.
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Bistro, OK, took your physical component list and took a look at boards and components in the Compaq Manual and it becomes planer what is what. These manuals are not detailed though, not like the info I have been getting here on VirDr and other sites on the net. How fragile are these cables and boards that are used?
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Excellent bistro !
Basic, that's perfect. Just exactly what I needed.
Do these little boards and cards come in different colors ? I'm into maroon and sage this fall. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Greegoose,
Tylenol !? We're talking Imitrex today. (seriously) Nothing to do with this ....wish I did know why.
I saw the link johnking put in mach's thread and already been there. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ ....it's a good one.
Great idea keeping all this on file. Wouldn't want to loose all this teriffic info !
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Take a good look at the circuitry embedded in those cards and mobo....see how thin the "wires" are. Gotta handle all the components very carefully--a lot of pieces in there won't fit/work properly if bent or
zapped by static or if just a little piece is broken. Handle them as you would a fine piece of china. Wanna know how "hard" a hard drive is? Try dropping it a couple of feet and then see if it works properly https://discussions.virtualdr.com/. Now, I'm not suggesting you rent out a surgical room and do all this by robotic arms; just treat the components of the computer with care. Besides, you need to go slow; some of the metal edges inside the case are sharp enough to shave with.
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greengoose1
Now you understand way static is real bad with these fancy machines. Found out about the that in a electrical course. And have seen what it can do.
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SMILE
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Bistro,
Some of the "little wires" already do look bent. I was tempted to straighten those out.
Guess not, huh ?
Lot's of dust too, since I last peeked in there !
What does the hard drive look like ? Can I see it ?
[This message has been edited by Queen_of_Hearts (edited 12-01-2000).]
