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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/5/2011 12:33:51 AM

Termyn8or

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"what do you want it capable of doing?"

Most importantly ? To operate stably and reliably for a long time. See I have this problem findng screwdrivers around the house..........

Really, adequate performance, minimal compatibility problems, backward compatibility at least to XP and some older apps (which is usually not a problem). And if the onboard audio is not close to top notch, I'd rather not have it. The video I don't care. If I save enough to justify using an AGP card, fine, but the audio is more important. I'm not going to run six 3D monitors or anything like that, but speakers on the other hand ?????? And I don't really even need built in surround, I really need two channels, very good channels. And of course full, and I mean really full duplex. Not sure, but other than the audo quality being crucial, if it can run Skype it should be just fine.

And it will probably run 24/7/365. I want it to run many 365s. I don't need to overclock it until it bakes it's brain or anything. And I want full SATA and IDE. Does a card reader use up an IDE these days ? Whatever, the point is I want to be able to have two optical drives, two IDE drives and four SATA drives plus the card reader(s). I'm not hoping for PS/2 but it would be nice, so if not (likely I think) plenty of USB. Six at the bare minimum. Firewire, I can take it or leave it for now, it would be nice but there are always cards for that. Most boards have it anyway I think.

T^T

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/5/2011 4:33:22 AM

flcouple2009

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Why are you hung up on the ide? It's the easiest thing in the world to get an external case and pop the drives in it as needed.

Have you decided what chip you want to use? Intel or AMD? Pick a chip and then narrow down the boards.

I would suggest if you want something you can run for years stay newer and near the top. Don't buy sockets that are phasing out as you buy the parts. That way if anything should happen to go wrong in a couple of years your not digging under every rock to find a new part.

< Message edited by flcouple2009 -- 7/5/2011 4:34:06 AM >

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/5/2011 1:50:15 PM

FirmhandKY

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Good advice, fl.

My recommendations:

Intel 64 bit processor with a Gigabyte long-life or "durable" motherboard.

Get an I7 processor, but not top of the line.

Get a motherboard that has as many PCI slots as you can. It doesn't matter if it has IDE or not, or even as many USB ports as you intially want or not. You can get PCI cards that add both, along with an SATA card or a port multiplier for extra SATA ports. Try to get one that supports USB3.

If you don't like the on-board sound and video, (or if it doesn't have them) you can buy a card that does exactly what you want.

Use Win7 64x, as it seems to run any WinXP or or Win32 programs just fine in the compatibility mode.

Get at least 8 GB of memory.

I'd stay away from SSD drives, unless you had a lot of extra money, but go with a Western Digital VelociRaptors boot drive, and then some 2 TB hard drives for data. and backups.

Basically, you'll have a solid machine that is compatible with almost everything you already have, durable, upgradeable, and probably able to run 24/7.

Firm

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/5/2011 3:09:41 PM

Termyn8or

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FR

Thanks all. I got some direction now. Now is time to look around. I don't call it shopping. I don't go shopping. I go looking.

So Gigabyte is known for longevity ? Alot of other brands, I just don't know. I'm pretty sure there is alot of junk out there just like anything. I'm not sure but I think the failed Asus is about seven years old, that's a long time for a motherboard these days.

I found harddrive enclosures are not all that expensive, and an IDE to SATA adapter for around the same price. I haven't looked into a PCI IDE controller just now, but that would probably be even cheaper.

I'll have a look around and see what I find. I'll keep you posted.

T^T

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/5/2011 3:43:32 PM

ashjor911

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quote:

ORIGINAL: FirmhandKY

Good advice, fl.

My recommendations:

Intel 64 bit processor with a Gigabyte long-life or "durable" motherboard.

Get an I7 processor, but not top of the line.

Get a motherboard that has as many PCI slots as you can. It doesn't matter if it has IDE or not, or even as many USB ports as you intially want or not. You can get PCI cards that add both, along with an SATA card or a port multiplier for extra SATA ports. Try to get one that supports USB3.

If you don't like the on-board sound and video, (or if it doesn't have them) you can buy a card that does exactly what you want.

Use Win7 64x, as it seems to run any WinXP or or Win32 programs just fine in the compatibility mode.

Get at least 8 GB of memory.

I'd stay away from SSD drives, unless you had a lot of extra money, but go with a Western Digital VelociRaptors boot drive, and then some 2 TB hard drives for data. and backups.

Basically, you'll have a solid machine that is compatible with almost everything you already have, durable, upgradeable, and probably able to run 24/7.

Firm

as I mostly agree with all of the above,
only thing is that you need a 64 bit with that processor, Its hard to get programs for that kind of operating system,
( I am talking about adobe program photoshop & adution.... etc)
Mostly agree on the Gigabyte M.B which can be found with intel, ATI, Nevidia, grafic cards,
& you got alot of choices on USB, sound cards, PS2, I ran into M.B with 2 lan cards build in,
If you can not find Gigabyte that fits you, ASUS is good,
however,
On the processor I would like if it was Intel Core 2 Quad, with L2 cash is 16 MB,
PS: you will need an Extra big fan for that,

quote:

Try to get one that supports USB3

Just buy my new External hard drive USB 3 damn that badboy is fast,
Its up to 60 MB/ sec which is super COOL

quote:

I'd stay away from SSD drives

Amen to that bro

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/5/2011 3:45:52 PM

FirmhandKY

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

So Gigabyte is known for longevity ? Alot of other brands, I just don't know. I'm pretty sure there is alot of junk out there just like anything. I'm not sure but I think the failed Asus is about seven years old, that's a long time for a motherboard these days.

I found harddrive enclosures are not all that expensive, and an IDE to SATA adapter for around the same price. I haven't looked into a PCI IDE controller just now, but that would probably be even cheaper.

I'll have a look around and see what I find. I'll keep you posted.

I haven't looked at a Gigabyte board in a few months, but generally they have a "regular" motherboard, and then the "durable" board, with extra stuff and construction that makes it a "long life" board.

A PCI IDE controller shouldn't cost you more than about $20. Look on Newegg. There is one that has two IDE and two SATA for about $13.

Firm

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/8/2011 9:33:43 PM

Termyn8or

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I'll have to look into that. I've not heard bad things about Gigabyte.

FR

Now what I need is a bulletproof router. Damn things are always going on me. All the sudden, at one point it was when a power outage occurred, I mean in the milliseconds. The PCs didn't even shut down or anything, I guess they have bigger power filters.

But sometimes it happens for no damn reason. One time I was posting here. I thought the net was down, like a repeater or something. But plugging in any of the PCs to the modem directly would work. I want a bulletproof router I guess. Just for giggles let's say I want to build it into a wall. I don't want to have to screw with it, even hit reset. (BTW, when this happens the PCs can still access each other, just not the modem)

I don't know what happens. I know we do use alot of bandwidth at times. It might not be alot to some, but at times we might be on Paltalk on three accounts which have streaming audio and video both ways and a chatroom, and at the same time I might be downloading on P2P and on the net, like here. Or sometimes at the same time I have all this minimized and I'm watching something on IMDB or youtube. Does that overload the thing or something ?

I would just like to know what causes it, I have fixed it many times. Good ole 192.168.0.0 and I are quite acquanted. But sometimes I am locked out of the router settings. When not locked out I know to simply go into advanced options or something like that and set it to PPPoE. But why does the setting change ? One router is a high end Dlink, it does it. The one I'm on now I'm not sure, it is something else. But it doesn't matter, I want to know WHY.

Is it like a bullet cable companies used to send to hacked boxes to shut them down ? If so, does that mean my ISP is jealous that I can buy a router for alot less than they charge ? That I should pay them just like people used to have to pay for each extension phone ?

Whatever it is, I seem to be able to solve the problem, but I'd rather the problem did not occur.

Any ideas on that ? If it is an overload, which it could be because at times we are talking three PCs on the regular net, two P2P clients, and all three also on the realtime audio video chat. Can that cause it to screw up ? I would think that all the usage, which really is about eight connections through three ports on the router, it would just slow down. But it never does slow down. I got second tier DSL and I know it can pull over 4 megs. But does that screw the router up ? And if so is there a router out there that can handle it ?

I am an idiot in some ways when it comes to this shit, so don't bother calling me one. I just did that. I was somewhat of a hardware guru at one time, but I never got into networking, WANs and LANs and shit.

T^T

< Message edited by Termyn8or -- 7/8/2011 9:38:02 PM >

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/9/2011 7:04:05 AM

FirmhandKY

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What I know about networking, I basically learned through trial-and-error and Google.

I do know that some routers/switches/modems are flaky when it comes to becoming overloaded, and some can "collect" address errors or something like memory errors until they shut or slow down.

I'd google for reviews of some professional quality equipment and invest the money to get something that ranks well by companies that have large networks and need solid performance.

Or just work through several consumer grade ones, until you found one that worked for you.

Firm

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/9/2011 1:26:15 PM

Termyn8or

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Hmmm. I have one eight port, it is from a company and I think the brand name is Avanti or something like that. This thing is actually made out of metal ! I never got it to work but it might be a more pro type thing that must be set up manually. What's more the company uses Macs, that might have something to do with it, I simply don't know.

I am fairly sure I didn't go online and get the manual for it or anything, but at this point I think it may be worth a try. I also have to find the wallwart for it, but that should be no problem, it's marked, runs on only 5 volts and the polarity is marked, or it's AC, whichever. I can find something that'll run it.

Right now I have to get ready to go to Microcenter, and I am taking all this advice with me. If they have a suitable mobo I will be building my sinister a system this coming week. I will still try to get a good one with IDE, but failing that I can just get an IDE card and at that point I might as well get a SATA drive for booting.

But I will also ask them about routers. That will be taken with a grain of salt of course. I know they want to sell what they make the most money on, but I am not getting duped.

So now I guess I'll put my shoes on. Hmmmm, don't really have to because they don't serve food there........no, I think I will wear shoes. If I don't they might figure that I'm a hillbilly.

T^T

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/9/2011 1:32:51 PM

DavidLee44UK

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usb 3 not 2

http://sales.buysmrt.com/GIGABYTE+GA-P67A-UD4-B3+-+LGA+1155+Intel+P67+chipset+ATX+Intel+Desktop

< Message edited by DavidLee44UK -- 7/9/2011 1:37:28 PM >

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/9/2011 1:48:42 PM

Termyn8or

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Yes.

Now that I think of it I have an addon firewire card from the old system. What to do with that ? I built that PC for someone else and years ago he deided to upgrade, he sold it to my sinister. She's had it for about five years. But neither the original guy or us have ever had anything that uses firewire. I'm not even sure what does. And, is USB 3 better than firewire and it was another beta versus VHS thing ?

If the new board has decent onboard viseo I can probably snatch up her old Radeon 7500. I really don't give a shit about super high resolution video with refresh rates in the thousand and shit like that, but the card will capture from my old betamax, and I am chomping at the bit to rip those old tapes. I got stuff that'll blow your mind. I will be a youtube star. Some of the really off the wall shit I will put in dropbox so our fellow kinksters can enjoy. It also has a TV output which would come in handy if I decide to hook up a TV. There is a decent 36" Sony XBR in my basement that hasn't been plugged in for a couple of years......

We'll see what happens. That old 7500 will be compatible with my older OS and all that.

T^T

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/9/2011 2:08:51 PM

NeedToUseYou

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That card is probably AGP, most of these new motherboards use PCI EXpress, which is different than regular pci slot. Anyway, be sure to check if it has a AGP slot, if you are set on using that card, personally I wouldn't if it's AGP, that is like extinct now, or going that way fast.

I really would be surprised if any of the boards you select have AGP slot.

Quick searched it, argghhh, that card is from 2001!!!!!!!!!! Heart Attack, just use the built in video, really, or buy a video card for like 30 bucks it'll be better. LOL.

2001 was like pentium 3 beginning of pentium 4 era. That thing is so slow it's going to be crazy.

Edited to add.... It could even be a PCI video card, SHUDDERS, if it is a regular PCI card, don't do it, step back from the old tech slowly, add grab a broom and dustpan, and dispose of it properly in the nearest trash bin.

Really, it's over for that thing. Really.

Arghhh, looked up more, it says it has 64 Megabytes of memory and uses ddr memory. Really that is crazy old. Most newer video cards even cheap ones have like 512 MB of memory and use ddr3. So, almost any video card for sell today new, would be better than that one.

< Message edited by NeedToUseYou -- 7/9/2011 2:31:24 PM >

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/9/2011 2:13:53 PM

DavidLee44UK

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http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&xhr=t&q=motherboard&cp=8&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1366&bih=643&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=13541278179862045073&sa=X&ei=VcQYTpbpLIixhAebrKXMBQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEoQ8wIwAg

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RE: NOT a computer problem - 7/9/2011 5:59:11 PM

Termyn8or

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FR

David.., that board is out of our range. I don't mean money, I mean it's just too much, like killing a fly with a sledge hammer.

NeedTo.., it is AGP. The new board can't use it (yes I am back with a bunch of stuff). I want that ATI for my own older box to rip old video tapes, and maybe off a video (gasp) camera.

I am back. The sales associate (or whatever) at Microcenter was pretty good I think. She kept up with my mile a minute shit and as she was on her workstation, it looked like she opened up a command line window. Probably to impress me but I don't care. Unfortunately I didn't get USB 3, but for the money I think it wasn't too bad of a deal. First of all I got single IDE, which means no new hard drives are necessary. I know it would be possible to boot off IDE running on a PCI card, but when things go wrong and a PC won't start, one of the main things to do is start taking things out. The would mean taking out the controler that runs the boot drive, maybe. So I consider that undesirable.

I did get an IDE controller card, but that will be for the burner and one other drive. I could just give her an 80 gig SATA I'm not using, but now I don't have to. I'll boot from the board, the 80 IDE boots and the 250 is for data. We got the controller which will run the burner and another drive, which once was one too many back then. Back then we still had CDs, and when I built the thing I figured why burn up a DVD burner to play a CD ? Now CDs are out because she has a copy of my collection. I handle all those needs, downloading, ripping and all that. I've told family and chosen family to just stay off of P2P because it is a minefield. Worse than a salted goldmine. (definition on request)

Anyway, for the bang for the buck, I think we did pretty good, and the shit is in hand now, not waiting for them to leave it on the porch who knows when and all this. I got the Gigabyte 880GN-UD2H which is dubbed an Ultra Durable 3 mobo. It has the AM3 socket, takes 16GB RAM and has plenty on it other than the USB3. Five SATA ports, single IDE, six USB on the back and plugs for more in the front. Onboard video with VGA, HDMI and DVI outputs, and you can use two at a time if you don't use the HDMI, something like that. It already has firewire and an eSATA plug on the back, which I didn't even know existed. See how up to date I am ?

It has 7.1 audio which means shit to us as we are purists. Two really good channels is fine. She doesn't need the full duplex but I do want it. If it does have it I will probably get this board for myself sometime. It just better be ultra durable because the other day I threw a different extra drive in one of my PCs and really, this is not bullshit, I actually didn't remember where the power switch was at !

A nice Seagate ½ TB would have been about $60, but we don't need it right now. Save that money for other things. Got the board, a Phenom 2 processor and 4GB of RAM plus a new keyboard and wireless optical mouse for two hundred and change. That's USD, it was about $230 altogether including sales tax. (7.5%)

I don't think I did too bad, but I could be wrong. If so I'm sure I'll hear about it. I don't know where else I can use of the old parts, but the RAM should work. The old 7500 might not, I have to check into the slot situation. It is AGP either 4X or 8X. It doesn't matter what the Foxconn I have has, it is almost a basket case. A bucket of bolts. If it fits I'll get my ripping done which will probably give it a stroke. I mean this thing starts getting Windows Explorer errors out of nowhere and that's with a fresh reload. The back PC is an emachines T6524, which was bought after they got bought out, by Gateway I think. I am not sure if the vidcard will work in it but I'll download the manual, or maybe find it on the restore disk. If it doesn't work oh well. I'll just figure something else out.

The next step is to have a couple more beers, then take my foot and clear off the kitchen table. I want to install the mobo into the case so static doen't get to it, or something else. It's a good thing it has a new power supply in it, the old one might not've run this board because it has the bigger power connector. This PS has all of them.

But I discovered after getting home that the IDE card also provides a couple of SATA ports. So she is limited to ten harddrives or something like that. Poor baby.

If the build goes well it should serve it's purpose for quite some time. It is going to be XP, that's what we're used to. They said it should be fine with SP3. I just hope I didn't get rooked on the price too badly. But it is in hand now.

T^T

< Message edited by Termyn8or -- 7/9/2011 6:09:51 PM >

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