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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> Hey Computer Gurus
        
(Message started by: BobG on Feb 16^th, 2006, 6:54am)

Title: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by BobG on Feb 16^th, 2006, 6:54am

My home computer took a dump. It has power but it won't start.

The computer is only used for simple minded stuff like card games, jigsaw puzzles, easy games and sending rude e-mails.

What's a decent computer for, say, under $500? Compact? Dell? Gateway? And not one of those cheap crap that only have Windows good for 90 days and then you get stuck having to pay $250 to buy it.

Thanks for any advice.

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by maffumatt on Feb 16^th, 2006, 7:58am

Bob my old pc crapped out on me last week so I bought the cheapest dell, it cost 299.00 after a 50 dollar rebate, took it apart and put the hardware from my old pc into it. Even the old hard drive, even before that it was a decent machine and could do what you need it for. Oh shipping is a 100 dollars so I got it for a total of 400 dollars.
Matt

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by Opus on Feb 16^th, 2006, 8:57am

on 02/16/06 at 06:54:37, BobG wrote:

My home computer took a dump. It has power but it won't start.

Does it POST at all? Is there video? If it starts then stops with an error you may have a bad card. Try pulling them one at a time and see if that helps. If it stops with a No-OS found then either your hard drive died, or more probably your OS took a dump. If it stops on a windows screen then it is probably a Microsoft Windows problem. If it is not that then you are probably screwed. Finding the difference between a bad processor, memory or motherboard can be tough if you don't have the right tools (http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/) and spare parts. Recently my box reported 1/2 the memory then promptly crashed on the boot loader. I found the video card came unseated in it's slot. Removing the cards and re-seating them is a good fix a lot of times.

on 02/16/06 at 06:54:37, BobG wrote:

The computer is only used for simple minded stuff like card games, jigsaw puzzles, easy games and sending rude e-mails.

What's a decent computer for, say, under $500? Compact? Dell? Gateway? And not one of those cheap crap that only have Windows good for 90 days and then you get stuck having to pay $250 to buy it.

Thanks for any advice.

If you just want a computer for Internet and simple games, why don't you look at a Mac Mini. (http://www.apple.com/macmini/)You can reuse you monitor, USB keyboard, USB mouse and speakers, and get a easy OS without worrying about the latest Windows worms, ad-ware, spy-ware, defragging, and viruses.

If you get one of those 90 days Windows boxes ( Is there really such a thing?) then just put Ubuntu Linux on it (http://www.ubuntu.com/) and enjoy the same benefits of OS X but without Aqua of course. If you want games I believe Linux will have much more than a Mac.

Need any more help, just ask :)

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by BobG on Feb 16^th, 2006, 9:15am

My computer has a little green light on the back next to the power cord. The light is on so I know there is power to the machine. The monitor is OK, I think. It has a message “Check all power cords” I did that and all are tight. It’s just that nothing happens when the computer ON button is pushed. I’ll try the removed-the-card-and-put-it-back-in thing.

Quote:

those 90 days Windows boxes

Yep. The sales people refer to them as “Our Low Price Specials” or some such crap. They sell for about $250. On the box it does say, in very tiny print on the bottom of the back that the Windows is only for 90 days trial period. The sales people don’t point it out. They have Windows installed but at 90 days the Windows dies and you’re forced to fork out about $250 for the package to get it started again. My next door neighbor warned me about it. He got screwed at CompUSA when he bought a Compac a year ago.

Thanks Matt and Paul

Title: Any of the below...
Post by Richr8 on Feb 16^th, 2006, 9:17am

on 02/16/06 at 06:54:37, BobG wrote:

.

under $500? Compact? Dell? Gateway? And not one of those cheap crap that only have Windows good for 90 days and then you get stuck having to pay $250 to buy it.

Any of those you listed are fine as well as Sony, HP, Toshiba, etc. Just stay away from brands you do not recognize would be my advice. All reputable PC manufactureres have excellent machines for under $500. Especially if you plan to use your old monitor and such. It's hard to go wrong. Don't you just love technology.

Happy hunting.

Rich

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by BobG on Feb 16^th, 2006, 9:22am

Thanks Rich.
My keyboard, monitor, mouse and all work fine so they don't have to be replaced..........yet.

Title: Word of caution.
Post by Richr8 on Feb 16^th, 2006, 9:51am

Sometimes the package deals are far better than if you buy the tower (PC) standalone. In some cases for an additional $50. to $75 over the tower price, you can get a complete system that includes a new monitor , keyboard, mouse, etc. For $50. it's definitely worth the upgrade. And don't be fooled by the software claims. If they are claiming, "includes XYZ software" make sure it is the full and not trial versions if it's stuff you really need, like an operating system.

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by Guiseppi on Feb 16^th, 2006, 9:56am

My wife is a computer goddess. All my family bugs her for info, she refers everyone to Dell. Says their packages are the least expensive and especially for the home computer set up are ideal. Good luck

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by Opus on Feb 16^th, 2006, 10:36am

on 02/16/06 at 09:15:56, BobG wrote:

It could be a bad power supply. It would be hard to tell without spare parts to swap out. I had one that would do nothing until I unplugged the power cord for a while, when it does it again i will change the power supply.

on 02/16/06 at 09:56:12, Guiseppi wrote:

Cool, get her on chat when we get going on computers.

Now is the first time I would recommend a Dell. Their low prices in an attempt to stay in business make their products actually worth the cost. Dells have cheap motherboards that slow them down. They also use non standard cases and Motherboards so you can't simply swap them out for a better one. So once the MB dies you simply throw it and the case out.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by Guiseppi on Feb 16^th, 2006, 2:24pm

I'll try to get her on sometime, she's anti chat when she gets off work! She works at home and spends her whole day pounding the keys. At least she explained your LINUX thing for me.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by BobG on Feb 17^th, 2006, 5:08am

Thanks Guiseppi. I have to go to the Maul tomorrow (my wife said so). There’s a Dell store there I’ll look into their products.

Opus, Thanks. It does have a bad power supply. I took it to the store I bought it from and they checked it. They can replace it IF they can find a replacement and the part will be at least $93. They will then check the rest of the parts to be sure the power failure didn’t break something else. Labor charge is $119 for the first hour. Screw that place. I’ll go elsewhere.

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by Opus on Feb 17^th, 2006, 8:37am

Bob,

OUCH, I can't believe what some places charge. If it is a non standard PS like Gateway then it might be as high as $40. But there might be other damage like they said but that is rare unless it got hit by lightning. Always use a UPS to protect from that. A power supply swap isn't hard, and you can unplug the old one at a time while plugging the new in. Either way don't go there again.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by BobG on Feb 17^th, 2006, 9:34am

No lightnng strike and it is protected with a surge protector. UPS? as in uninteruptable power supply? Nope, it's just plug into the wall.

I'll go look at new computers and then decide about a new power supply or not.

This case is a pretty strong box. It would be a good jack stand. That old cheapie Dell box is starting to bend. ;)

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by Drk^Angel on Feb 18^th, 2006, 11:03am

If ya get a Dell, I hope you don't need to call customer service for anything. But then again... It's gettin' harder and harder to find a CS rep that actually speaks English, even when the call center is in the US anyways.

$93 for a power supply and $119/hr labor? Damn... I knew I was in the wrong business. They must contract with the government. It would explain those $500 screwdrivers in the 80's.

PFDAN........................................... Drk^Angel

Title: Re: Hey Computer Gurus
Post by Jasmyn on Feb 18^th, 2006, 3:16pm

Sorry Bob I can't help one bit.

I just like it when the techies talk dirty about motherboards, hard drives, processors, boot loaders and screwdrivers in the same slot ;)