Post by: HiTmaN on July 18, 2003, 05:55:20 PM
Sorry for the big link. Anyway its pretty cheap. I dont know anything about programming but does anyone know if its a fast reliable OS? It wont lock up randomly on me like my current OS, and is that the newest most current, or atleast a good version of Linux? Thanks for any help.
Post by: enigma487 on July 18, 2003, 06:29:25 PM
My recommendation: If you can afford it, run down to your local Best Buy or your favorite software store (or your friends house......) and pick up a copy of Windows XP Home Edition. you should be able to get the upgrade version for around $100. but if you really want to try RedHat, make sure you research, and can find drivers that will work with your hardware. if you don't have pretty mainstream hardware, you probably won't be able to find drivers. especially if you have a Brand Name computer (Dell, Compaq, Gateway). they use mostly proprietary parts that are less likely for someone to have created a linux driver for.
hope this helps
Post by: HiTmaN on July 18, 2003, 07:11:23 PM
Post by: cubefreak123 on July 18, 2003, 07:58:18 PM
Post by: aoi tsuki on July 18, 2003, 08:18:44 PM
Post by: enigma487 on July 18, 2003, 09:22:34 PM
hey aoi tsuki: when you say it lacks good security... are you running Home or Professional? with Pro and a good firewall you're pretty much set...
Post by: HiTmaN on July 18, 2003, 09:25:00 PM
Post by: enigma487 on July 18, 2003, 09:26:56 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 19, 2003, 05:51:34 AM
Personally, I dual boot Linux Mandrake and Windows XP.
Windows XP is actually a mighty fine OS. It's stable as hell, and is actually pretty fast. It does eat up a whole lot of resources though. It occupies about 1GB of space on your hard drive, and about 128MB of Memory, so if you have an older computer, just stick with Windows 98 for your Windows OS.
Linux is a pretty good alternative to Windows. It has TONS of free software available for it, which includes stuff from pretty much any application you might want to use. The single exception is gaming. There are emulators for about every system for Linux, including a good version of ePSXe. If you are like me, and only really play PSX games on your computer, then Linux might be right for you. Everything else that you have come to know in Windows, such as MP3 players, Movie players, Internet Browsers (YAY FIREBIRD!), and anything else are freely available, and Linux will run with a lot less overhead than any version of Windows, and with the stability of Windows XP. It does require some computer expertise though.
Post by: KnowsNothing on July 19, 2003, 05:52:16 AM
EDIT: Or you could go to Grey Ninja, he seems to be smarter than any website I've ever seen. Oh look, he's posted below.
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 19, 2003, 05:58:46 AM
ASUS CUSL2
Celeron 600 Coppermine
256MB PC-133 SDRAM @ 66MHz
3GB 5200RPM ATA 33 HDD
no floppy (although I do have a couple lying around, I don't know if they work)
no CDROM (no internal ones anyway... I have an external CD-Burner laying around I can use.)
Windows XP Professional
230W PSU
Integrated Video (Intel 815)
no sound.
6 free PCI slots
1 free AGP slot
2 free CNR slots
3 free IDE channels
Not bad for a PC made form spare parts I think.
I am going to fix it up real good and give it to my Mom as a thank you for all the help she gave me in the last couple of months.
Post by: enigma487 on July 19, 2003, 10:17:37 AM
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 19, 2003, 11:37:47 AM
I was a little torn when I bought it, because I really wanted the ISA slot that the P3V4X would offer me, but in the end, the CUSL2's onboard UDMA-100 won the day. I have been running an Athlon XP on an ECS K7S5A ever since, and I had forgotten how quiet and cool my celeron was. When I booted up my Celeron for the first time in about a year and a half, I was just amazed by how quiet the computer was. I have gotten used to the sound of a hurricane in my room, but the good old Intel CPU was nice and quiet, and under 40C with a stock cooling fan. I really miss having a Pentium based CPU, and I am sure that I will go back to supporting the evil Intel corporation when I build my next computer. I am just about done to death with buying all sorts of cooling fans for my Athlon. The Athlon might seem cheaper at first, but after buying 5 new fans, and a new case and PSU to meet the power and space requirements, it just doesn't seem so cheap anymore.
A Pentium 4 will run just fine without a fan at all. That's what I really want in a CPU.
Post by: HiTmaN on July 19, 2003, 03:39:06 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 20, 2003, 07:20:04 AM
If you already have a computer, I would advise simply buying the necessary parts to upgrade your computer at first. Expensive things such as Video cards and sound cards can be bought later on.
The bare essentials of a computer are as follows:
Case with a decent Power Supply (300W minimum)
Stable motherboard with all the features you require.
CPU that is as powerful as you want within your price range, along with a cooling fan and heatsink.
Memory module fitting the motherboard and CPU you have chosen.
Hard Drive big enough to install the operating system of your choice.
Some way of displaying a picture on the screen.
Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, etc.
The motherboard, CPU, and possibly memory are about all that you will require if you intend to scavenge parts out of your old computer. If you have a name brand computer, you will probably need a new case as well. Those components will likely cost you about $200 - $300 USD.
Post by: manunited4eva22 on July 20, 2003, 08:15:57 AM
If you want to talk about what kind of parts and what kind of price range you are looking at im me on aol im at masculinematale. I will help you as much as I can.
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 20, 2003, 10:29:41 AM
I just installed 3 new fans in my computer though... I can't believe it actually got louder... I thought that my computer had reached the point where it wasn't possible to get any louder. I guess I was wrong.
Post by: HiTmaN on July 20, 2003, 01:09:42 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 20, 2003, 01:28:56 PM
Mind you, to fully realize the vision, the video card needs about a $30 upgrade, and I need to add another hard drive, and more memory. The hard drive's data rate must also be at ATA-133 levels. Due to limitations in the system customizer, I was unable to do this. Total cost would go up about $300, but I could easily ditch the LCD monitor and just get a CRT monitor to get it back under $3000.
Check it out.
Post by: Caliban on July 20, 2003, 01:30:10 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 20, 2003, 01:36:06 PM
Post by: Uglydot on July 20, 2003, 03:43:07 PM
Linux is hard if you want it good. If you want it to run like windows, you gotta do some work. By some, I mean a ton. Linux is hard. I used mandrake, hated it, then used slack. I love slack, but it took a while to learn, and I am a total nerd. ATI drivers suck for linux as well, btw. Unless you want big name FPSs or a few other big name titles, support sucks too. I use it still, and enjoy it, but the support is nothing to windows. I spend most time in windows now, I found that anti-MS was a pretty dumb reason to use and OS with such terrible support, no matter how much I liked it or not.
Post by: manunited4eva22 on July 21, 2003, 08:16:25 AM
As for a computer built if you want high performance, go for 2 SATA drives, and put them in RAID 0. You can get this off of any canterwood, springdale, or KT600 chipset. I remember nvidia spouting off about SATA, but don' know of any motherboards that use it.
For processors, I would recommend
for intel: 2.4C-2.8C, anything over that is overkill. If you intend to wait for the prescotts, you will be waiting until mid next year until they are in socket T and under 500 dollars a pop.
for AMD: If you are an overclocker, there are 3 chips I recommend. 1) the athlon 1700+: this chip is very cheap, can reach speeds of 2.2ghz on air (with a slk-900U), which is something like an 86% gain. Overall a good overclocker 2) Athlon 2400+, this chip is a more consistent overclocker, and I have seen it's mean overclock at around 2.3ghz 3)Barton 2500+, this chip has the added bonus of the extra cache, so even if it does not reach the highest speed, it can still be as fast. I have seen the bartons get to 2ghz-to 2.5ghz, 2.2ghz can be done on air, again with a slk-900U. The highest I have seen with the 2500+ is 2.9ghz, with a vapor chiller.
Motherboards: For intel: Canterwood and springdale, really are basically the same thing. It comes down to which features do you want. Both now have PAT (basically anyway), and both are decent overclockers, minus intels chipset, which is made for stability. Boards I recommend are Abit IS-7, IC-7. ASUS P4P800, P4C800, Albatron 865PE PRO.
AMD: I really like the new Nforce 2 400 chipset. It is single channel, but is faster than the dual channel set up. Nforce 2 Ultra 400 is good, and the asus A78X Deluxe from ASUS is a top favorite. It comes with 5.1 sound, dual LAN, and is fairly easy to overclock with
RAM: A lot of people will tell you how great Corsair is, but frankly I despise it. I would go for Kingston HyperX PC3500, Micron PC3500, or OCZ PC3700 Gold. I have also heard good things about Buffalo PC3700 if you do the voltmod on the P4C800, capable of getting absurd timings of 2-2-2-6.
Sound: If you are big into sound and want to wire stuff into your computer, go with the soundblaster audigy 2 with the front panel. If you want quality sound, go for the m-audio revolution 7.1 If you want gaming surround the soundstorm on the nforce 2 really is great.
GPU: Graphics cards have been a big topic lately, especially with all the nvidia optimizations getting caught. I personally would go for a 9700Pro, or 9800Pro for high end graphics. If you want midrange, go for the 9500Pro, because it is actually more powerful than the 9600Pro. Also have seen some good things about 5600 Ultra, but wouldn't take it personally.
That will be all for now. If you have questions, just ask.
Post by: HiTmaN on July 21, 2003, 10:57:41 AM
Post by: HiTmaN on July 21, 2003, 05:53:23 PM
Post by: PIAC on July 21, 2003, 06:27:58 PM
Post by: HiTmaN on July 21, 2003, 06:54:18 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 22, 2003, 05:26:27 AM
I would really REALLY advise using the version of Windows 98 that you have, even if it is incomplete.
My Windows 98 CD is corrupted, and there's one file that I can't use when installing. I eventually managed to install it using Windows 95 at first, then upgrading to Windows 98. It wasn't the most stable OS ever, but it was a hell of a lot better than ME.
I would seriously advise finding a copy of Windows 98 or 2000 ASAP if you are sick of Windows ME.
Post by: ThePerm on July 22, 2003, 09:56:43 AM
I still use 98...iv had it for five years and i know the ins and outs of the interface...XP is a nice operayting system... stable and all...but im really not used to it. Theyve gona and changed things around and it serves me better actualy to use the older operating system.
Post by: manunited4eva22 on July 22, 2003, 11:06:26 AM
Socket T- this is intels new socket it consists of 775 pins and is on a land grid array
LGA-the land grid array basically means there are no pins, really only soldering point.
Socket 940-this is actually an optoron socket, but athlon 64 will be introduced to it
Socket939-the athlon 64 will reduce to this quickly after 940
socket 754-this will be the athlon 64s single channel socket until mid next yuet
socket 940 (again?) - sometime next year amd will release the dual channel athlon which because of the built in memory controller will need a new socket. Since opteron already uses dual channel this is the best clue we have so far.
About new cpus:
Prescott: .09 micron process, 13 Prescott new insturctions, extended hyper-threading, 1MB cache starts at 3.4-4.4 tejas introduced 800mhz bus
breaking that down: Prescott has what we will call SSE3 built in this time as it will probablly be pentium 5. From what has been slipping out linux makes great use of the hyperthreading, but windows hasn't gotten crap from it (lazy bsatards at microsoft) the 1MB cache will though make this a very speedy chip. If its any indication the 2.8Ghz xeon with 1MB cache blows away the 2.8ghz with 512 by 15% or so.
Now if you are an overclocker... the idea of having a new core start at 3.4ghz makes us wonder how far this thing will go. At even a modest overclock of 250mhz fsb thats 4.25ghz, the highest OC I have seen yet if it could attain the 300mhz fsb some 2.4Cs have gotten, well 5.1ghz is overkill. Most likely I would say normal OC would be 266fsb, which would give you dual ddr2 533mhz, and a chip of about 4.5ghz, not bad at all.
But alas we are getting into higher multipliers, so maybe not.
Athlon 64: don't even worry about it until it hit .09 process q2 next year. it won't be worth it until then.
Post by: HiTmaN on July 22, 2003, 03:27:33 PM
Post by: HiTmaN on July 22, 2003, 03:41:47 PM
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 22, 2003, 08:23:20 PM
Post by: HiTmaN on July 22, 2003, 10:50:00 PM
1. Normal
2.Bootlog
3.Safe Mode
4. Step by step configuration
When I put the Windows98 cd in and hit F8 at the bottom if I pressed F5 it said command prompt. I hit that then it took me to this thing where it said <A:/> or somethin like that and I couldn't get out so I restarted. I tried calling Microsoft for help, but of course the richest company in the world wants a measly $30 to speak to a representative.
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 23, 2003, 05:44:20 AM
It's been years since I have used Win9x, and I have forgotten subtleties like that.The thing that said A:\ on the screen was in fact the command prompt.
All the instructions I gave before and after that point are valid.MAKE SURE THAT YOU BACKUP ALL YOUR IMPORTANT FILES
The reason I say that is that by typing format c: at the command prompt, you will be erasing every last scrap of data on your hard drive, starting completely fresh again. That's not a bad thing, as it will make your computer run faster by removing all the excess baggage, but it will take you a while to get everything back to normal.
I am not trying to be mean by saying this or anything... but I find it truly sad that in today's world, someone can actually not know what the command prompt looks like... It's like looking at a NES and not knowing what that is. 10 years ago, everyone who used a computer would know exactly what a command prompt was, and would have some idea of what to do with it. Nowadays, it seems like the only way people know about it somewhat is by playing Enter the Matrix.
Post by: HiTmaN on July 23, 2003, 09:27:09 AM
Post by: HiTmaN on July 23, 2003, 10:52:18 AM
.
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 23, 2003, 10:55:52 AM
Find either format.com or format.exe (not sure which it is). Copy that file to your boot disk, and you are good to go. Just restart with the boot disk in your drive.
You cannot format your hard drive from within Windows, as Windows won't allow you to overwrite a file that's in use.
Post by: HiTmaN on July 23, 2003, 11:40:44 AM
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 23, 2003, 11:42:38 AM
Post by: HiTmaN on July 23, 2003, 12:18:27 PM
Post by: manunited4eva22 on July 24, 2003, 07:02:19 AM
If it is a pentium 2, pentium 3 early model, or early model athlon it will most likely be a slotkey. That goes for xeon pentium 2s and 3s.
When you are looking at your motherboard try identifying the main parts first cpu, ram and slots, ata inputs (drive hookups)
The ATX cable input. If you have a 12V booster line or an AT in line check those too.
Identify your PCI risers, if you have an ISA find that too. Identify AGP slot.
Now look for the BIOS chip/ bios socket chip. it will have a shiny sticker on it saying something bios. Most likely an AMI or Award bios if it is gateway.
Now look on your motherboard for any motherboard names anywhere. You will probablly see some little snipit, or maybe you wont. Download CPU-z or wcpuid to get some information on your cpus bus speed and speed of cpu. Also try to identify what kind of RAM you are using. With that I could probablly tell you the chipset and probablly the motherboard you are using.
Post by: manunited4eva22 on July 24, 2003, 07:03:22 AM
If it is a pentium 2, pentium 3 early model, or early model athlon it will most likely be a slotkey. That goes for xeon pentium 2s and 3s.
When you are looking at your motherboard try identifying the main parts first cpu, ram and slots, ata inputs (drive hookups)
The ATX cable input. If you have a 12V booster line or an AT in line check those too.
Identify your PCI risers, if you have an ISA find that too. Identify AGP slot.
Now look for the BIOS chip/ bios socket chip. it will have a shiny sticker on it saying something bios. Most likely an AMI or Award bios if it is gateway.
Now look on your motherboard for any motherboard names anywhere. You will probablly see some little snipit, or maybe you wont. Download CPU-z or wcpuid to get some information on your cpus bus speed and speed of cpu. Also try to identify what kind of RAM you are using. With that I could probablly tell you the chipset and probablly the motherboard you are using.
Post by: Rhoq on July 24, 2003, 10:06:56 AM
PCs...Blah!
Buy a Mac. Once you experience the awesome and superior MacOS-X, you will wonder how you ever put up with Windows
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 24, 2003, 10:35:55 AM
Besides, I would like to see someone build a Mac out of spare parts.
Post by: Rhoq on July 24, 2003, 10:43:35 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Grey Ninja
Yeah, you will be thrilled with your Mac, right up to the moment that you want to use it for something... I mean, browsing all the OSes features has to get boring sometime right? Sooner or later, I am sure that you will want to play a game or something... right then is where the faults come to show themselves.
Besides, I would like to see someone build a Mac out of spare parts.
I've never been into computer gaming (afterall, if I want to play games - I have my GameCube
)My Mac does exactly what I need it to do - runs all of the software that I need to use.
I rarely ever "browse" though the OS features, and I am never bored
I use my Mac for music production and editing, something that Macs have always excelled in - which is the main reason why I got into Macs in the first place.
As far as building a Mac out of spare parts - why would I want to? Apple holds their machines to higher standards
Grey Ninja - it's all in good fun, bro.
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 24, 2003, 10:57:14 AM
I mean, in this day and age, saying that Macs handle video and audio editing better is sort of a myth. On a PC, there's all kinds of software to do whatever you want. Photoshop runs about as fast, if not faster than a Macintosh, and just about every type of software that you could want on Macintosh is available for PC in some way.
PCs just make it a lot easier to upgrade your hardware.
Post by: ThePerm on July 24, 2003, 11:16:37 AM
everyone talks about how linux is so hard to use...and how the user interface isnt that great...soon im sure they'll prolly come out with a version everyone can use.
Post by: Rhoq on July 24, 2003, 11:30:17 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Grey Ninja
I am not much of a Mac person. I find their computers to be too user friendly to be useful, and their software to be over-rated.
I mean, in this day and age, saying that Macs handle video and audio editing better is sort of a myth. On a PC, there's all kinds of software to do whatever you want. Photoshop runs about as fast, if not faster than a Macintosh, and just about every type of software that you could want on Macintosh is available for PC in some way.
PCs just make it a lot easier to upgrade your hardware.
I respect that. In the past Macs were the only option for audio & video, and PCs have begun to catch-up, but honestly, Macs still do it better. (I'm not PC bashing)
What it really comes down to is personal preference.
Upgrading - Apple's towers are just about as easy to upgrade as a PC. The all-in-one systems such as the iMac and eMac are where you run into trouble. Those machines are not meant to be user upgradable, which does suck. Still, I managed to upgrade my iMac (G3/350) without any problems.
Post by: Rhoq on July 24, 2003, 11:36:05 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: ThePerm
Macs are really cool for doing editing...they are a bit better at it...its not a myth they have enormous bus speeds and there are really no bottlenecks. That being said i do all my editing on games i get. level editing..character modeling...texture editing, music making, but since macs lack the games i have a pc. Also right clicking is a must lol. I like both(well i like pcs....not windows)
With the new G5 processor (IBM's PPC 970), a lot of people in Mac community feel that developers will begin to bring more and more games over to the Mac. My iMac G3/350 MHz which is 3 years old runs just as well as my PC at work (Pentium 4, 2GHz). MacOS-X supports right-clicking (but Apple still only ships the one button mouse) - so you can plug in any 2 button USB mouse and right click without any problems.
Post by: HiTmaN on July 24, 2003, 01:22:46 PM
http://support.gateway.com/support/supinfo/index.asp
http://support.gateway.com/support/detailedinfo.asp
Post by: Grey Ninja on July 24, 2003, 01:26:51 PM
Post by: manunited4eva22 on July 24, 2003, 01:53:10 PM
Post by: HiTmaN on July 24, 2003, 02:16:14 PM
Post by: HiTmaN on July 24, 2003, 02:27:36 PM
Motherboard: 1100 MHz PIII Processor and Motherboard
Processor: INTEL 1100MHZ PENTIUM III W/ INT SOUND, GRAPHICS & MODEM
Memory: GW 256MB Memory Module
Hard Drive: QTM 20GB IDE 4M U100 Hard Drive
Monitor: EV700 17 Monitor ( 15.9 Viewable)
Video Card: Integrated Video
CDRW: NEC 12X CDRW Drivers
Sound Card: Integrated Sound Blaster compatible audio
Speakers: GCS300 Speakers
Modem: Integrated V.90 56K Modem
Network Card: Linksys 10/100 NIC Card w/ Low Profile Bracket
Operating System: MS Windows Millennium
Keyboard: Multifunction USB Keyboard
Mouse: Logitec USB Mouse
Floppy Drive: NEC Internal Floppy Drive
Heres a pic of my case http://www.jp.gateway.com/helpspot/faq/000559/image/essential_slimcase.jpg
To open it you push the 2 buttons on the side and push on the front.
Post by: ThePerm on July 24, 2003, 03:15:42 PM
AMD Athlon xp 1500+..supposed to be 2.3 ghz processor..but it only runs at 1.5 with my settings
with 512 mb of ram
i have an nvidia geforce 4 mx 400 with 64 mb of ram(not the best but half life 2 won't care much)
30 gb hard drive
a cable modem that gets an average 300k sec
operating system windows 98
Mouse: Logitec USB Mouse
Network Card: Linksys 10/100 etherfast card
a netgear router
qic speakers(they are awesome...i dotn htink the company is in business anymore though)
Sound Card: Integrated Sound Blaster compatible audio
cd rom 1: Memorex 48X
cd rom 2: ?(company...no label) 52x24x52x
Post by: HiTmaN on July 24, 2003, 04:52:24 PM
Post by: manunited4eva22 on July 24, 2003, 05:09:29 PM
If so OEM all the way.
