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Yep, my magic throne from which I whored Subaru forums all day started making nasty noises from its hard drive, now it won't boot back up.

I'm getting a new computer this summer, but until then, my only access is school and work. I'm at work right now, and I shouldn't even be on the computer here

So THAWA, petridish38, etc. etc. you probably won't see me on AIM or IRC for a while

Frys has a 200GB 7200 RPM 8MB cache Retail boxed hard drive with Ultra ATA controller included for 139.99!!!!

OH NO!

You mean the same Compaq that I have?!

Thats not good!

Andrew

What are you going to look at porn on now?

BAC5.2 wrote:What are you going to look at porn on now?

I hope for his sake that he has a backup box under his bed

Andrew

want me to send you a hd?

ciper wrote:Frys has a 200GB 7200 RPM 8MB cache Retail boxed hard drive with Ultra ATA controller included for 139.99!!!!

What did i say? a frys hd is overpriced at any price. Failed contamination. You especially should know what that means for reliability, ciper.

Doesnt matter, a hard drive is a consumable item. If it lasts 3 years then its done its job already.

Anyone expceting them to last forever just doesnt get it.

I've had Western Digital and other HDs last less than a year. Computers are the most overpriced trash available. Just wish I didn't need the damn things, but it sure beats writing things out with a pen and type writer.

Steve

They are only overpriced if you insist on getting the best of the best.

The value drops so quickly, you can get a blazing fast machine (relative to your current rig) for 700$ or so.

See, I consider that expensive. I spent that much on my kayak and it should last indefinitely with little to no maintenance - I know its a bad comparison, but I think anything over $300 should last at least 5 years. I don't like the ever increasing trend towards ever sooner planned obsolescence with electronics for all the insecure guys that need the newest thing and never own anything long enough to find out how much it sucks. TVs used to last 20 years, VCRs just as long, even old computers lasted a lot longer than the current ones. I just had a Panasonic DVD player die just out of its 1 yr. warranty. The $50 one I replaced it with will be acceptable if it lasts as long as its so cheap, but the $300 Panasonic pisses me off.

All I need a computer for is Word, Excel, and internet - the rest of the stuff is a waste for me, but I have to pay for it anyway and then they can't even make the damned things last a few years. If its not hardware, its software needing to be reloaded for who knows what reason. I certainly don't put these things through their paces (I hardly ever even download anything). My car's computer still works fine even in its relatively extreme operating environment, so I know they can do it. I'll pay $700 for a stripped computer that lasts 10 yrs and not complain. I must be the only one that would want one, I guess.

Steve

Methinks you need to source the parts individually over a period of time and put it together yourself. For what you do it shouldn't cost you more than 300-400 bucks, and that's going with bleeding edge stuff. My mom's celeron sucks balls but it's lasted almost 5 years and only cost 500 bucks. My two current comps have lasted almost a year of full cpu usage and mem bandwidth(i love the idea of folding), and doesn't look to have any problems. But yeah, build it yourself and save some bank.

I dont agree.

Start with a base system and add whats needed. A decent machine can be had from the dell returned units for around 700 (latest processors and good ram) then add a good video card.

he doesnt need an add-on vid card. he doesnt do any 3d tasks. word excel and browsing take up very little resources. At the most you'd want a 1ghz processor but would do fine with 500 mhz or so. You can get a biostar m7vkq with an athlon xp 1700+ for 70 bucks. 256 sdram for 50, el cheaspo or refurbd monitor for 100 or less, cd rom for 30, 20 gig hd for 50-60, keyboard and mouse for as little as 15-20 though I wouldn't skimp out on those. Go big and get the logitech cordless mx duo for a lil over 70, and lastly, and 20-30 dollar case would do ya fine. So you're lookin at 390 less all the other little odds and ends, and you've got a good system right there. Of course you can always go with used or a slower processor.

Yes, 390 that will need to be replaced in 2-3 years. The system I speak of would more likely last for 5-6 years. The price isnt much different but the enjoyment is higher.

why do you say it'd need to be re[;aced in 2-3 years? word processing excel and browsing don't take up much resources so there's no real need to even have a 1700+. If he did other things like video or sound editing, or played games yes I'd agree with ya, but with jus those three things there's no reason for all that other stuff.

I have a 500mhz with 256 RAM. My problem is what I consider premature HDD failures and random software problems. Like my USB no longer works for no reason and I get communication errors when I try to burn a CD (I've used the burner all of 10 times to burn soundtracks to my book - none of the songs were downloaded). I didn't touch any of these things before they failed and checked all connections. I'm sure Microsoft's somehow to blame, but reloading Windows (ehem! cough! WIN98SE) didn't work.

Steve

THAWA: Its not that the use needs more power its the software needs updating. Sure windows 2000 is okay now but what happens when the patches are no longer available and the next worm comes out to infect your machine?

evolutionmovement: 98? The machine is fast enough for 2000. Purchase a new hard drive, slave your current one to it and install a fresh operating system. No excuse for running what is basically a 10 year old operating system

I have a new 80 gig HD and I'm waiting for my brother-in-law to get XP. I don't want to spend any money on it as I'm saving for a laptop (among 100 other things on unemployment ).

Steve

makes sense but there's still updates for most all older windows versions. worms can usually be prevented with good firewall/virus software though. I still see your point but with the hardware i listed that should last him through xp's end. What all would be on this dell system though out of curiousity? Not trying to totally disagree with ya, but thats like 300 between the two, and you could save that to buy a new os when the time comes, know what I'm sayin. But it would be good to just have it all in one thing. Either way, what's in the dell?

Man, that was hard! A whole weekend without any BBS, AIM, IRC, or as previously mentioned, porn!

I'm not going to waste my time getting a new HD, reload all my info back on it (as much as I didn't back up and is gone ). I'm getting a new computer this summer...

Actually, any recommendations? I know Compaq/HP is garbage, Dell sounds good, but my friend has had flaky customer service from them...

This really sucks. It's probably good for me in a way, can't stay at home on the computer all day when the computer doesn't work . but when you have things you NEED to do online, waiting until you get a free chance at work makes it tough.

They are all equally garbage. Dont believe the hype. A Compaq branded machine would be a GREAT deal, they are getting rid of all of them near cost!

I say find a Compaq branded unit or the Dell refurb site. You already have a good monitor?

Monitor is A-OK. If you think Compaq still has merit, I could give them one more chance.....

Unless you purchase something special/proprietary they are all built from nearly the same crap.

I dont know if any more of the compaq machines exist, they may have sold them all.

I wasnt asking if the monitor worked, I meant is it easy on the eyes? An LCD that has the same viewable as a 19 inch CRT can be had for around 300$. You would probably a 1ghz machine with a good monitor over a 3ghz machine with an old 17 inch CRT

Woohoo! I thought I was getting a portable DVD player for my birthday, but it appears I got a new computer for an early birthday present!!!

Yeah, it's another Compaq, but I forgot to mention that my old computer was a floor model. It had already been through a lot when I bought it. This one is brand-spanking new.

So, I can check my email and post-whore and look at porn at home again!