Hardware - August 2006

I've got lots and lots of pictures on my computer. I know that I NEED to back-up my files. But what is the best way? Burn a CD? Buy an external hard drive? IF an external hard drive, which brand/model would you recommend? How much should it cost? Which vendor should I use? OR is there a better way than either of these? HELP!!!

2006-08-04 13:51:45 · 7 answers · asked by dopey dwarf 2 in Other - Hardware

I have a Medion Desktop. Pentium4 3.0ghz. 800mhz FSB. I have 512mb ram.

1) I want to upgrade the Ram. How do I know what kind to get? I havent mucked with that stuff in years. I want to go to atleast 1GB.

2) My cooling fan is running NON-STOP! I think I need a larger heatsink and better fan. Sudgestions? Thermal lube? Is there a way to check the health of my CPU? To see if its too hot?

2006-08-04 13:34:47 · 9 answers · asked by wrgbarnebee 2 in Add-ons

I have some laptop parts laying around as a result of a broken LCD monitor. Among other parts, I want to reuse the CD-RW/DVD combo drive on my desktop system. I know there are adapters available that can convert the drive to work on my desktop, but I also want to mount the drive inside one of the drive bays. It looks like I may be able to fit two drives in one 5.25" slot. I'm hoping I can do this. Please give me good news! Oh and a few links to a product would be great too. :D

2006-08-04 13:22:47 · 3 answers · asked by mehhhh 1 in Add-ons

Okay this is most likely why it is not working, for the longest time I used my laptop like a desktop computer... you know keeping it on for LONG periods of time... it would heat up and yah.. (Yah I know it was a stupid thing to do) and after a while the laptop wouldn't work with out the power cord being plugged in; it would no longer run off the battery power. Also I had to start keeping it elevated by putting books under it or else it would just shut down on me, or if the plug fell out it would shut down on me. Also the light on the power card doesn't even light up anymore... so I can't even start up my laptop...

I am thinking two things are wrong with it, first the battery is probably bust and second the power cord probably needs to be replaced, I already got a new hardrive for it, so I don't think that is the problem. So do yah guyz think it is just the battery and power cord I need to replace or is there something else?

I am using a hp pavilion zx5000

2006-08-04 13:19:25 · 3 answers · asked by retrogamer4ever 3 in Laptops & Notebooks

This is my first build. Is every thing compatable? How is the graphics card? all i play is sims2 BF2 HL2 Flight simulater.
Is it Vista-ready? Will it go fast? What do you think about liquid systems? Thank you so much!! P.S. should i spend the extra money and go with a seconed video card (SLI)

2006-08-04 13:11:19 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Desktops

I'm looking at a motherboard that goes on about its SLi bits. Can anyone tell me though, even though it is designed for SLi (I have no intention of using two cards atm) coudl I use an ATi card? SLi is the nVidia standard but does this impact what I could put in the PCI-e x16 slot?

This will spark a war but what does everyone think? SLi or Crossfire?

2006-08-04 12:41:00 · 6 answers · asked by Master_Of_The_Web 2 in Desktops

I ran all my anti-spywears, anti-viruses and such but it did no good. Everything is much slower than normal, not just websites.

2006-08-04 12:20:46 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Desktops

my sound card is sb audigy value and my internet modem is d link

2006-08-04 12:09:07 · 2 answers · asked by carlo 1 in Other - Hardware

I've had to return a laptop from MESH 5 times for it to be fixed and about 30% of the time I had it it was being repaired. My experiences with MESH customer services have been truly bad.

2006-08-04 11:52:48 · 3 answers · asked by cognito44 3 in Laptops & Notebooks

I have a ViewSonic widescreen monitor and a great Intel Centrino 2.8Ghz with 1Gb Ram and plenty of hard drive space on my laptop. Once I connect everything and install the drivers, I press the Function and F8 key to try and switch from my laptop to the monitor but it isn't working. The monitor says No Signal even though everything is connected. What am I doing wrong?

2006-08-04 11:48:18 · 4 answers · asked by achristian520 2 in Monitors

If so how hard of a job is it to do, and are there any other important issues with this that I should know before attempting such a task?
I've been inside already and I'm quick to figure out stuff.

2006-08-04 11:43:19 · 5 answers · asked by MS_WITTY_KAT 4 in Other - Hardware

Ok so I've decided to buy a new computer, with....
3.2 ghz pentium D
2gb ddr2 ram
2 hard drives 300gb each
a simple video card
and a 7.1 sound card

heres the problem. I only know so much about computers and dont know anything about cooling, or which motherboard for dual core processors. heres the link of where i will buy from http://www.magicmicro.com/smoreinfo.asp?iid=1087 , what do i need to configure to get good cooling (computer will be on 24/7), as well as which motherboard supports Dual cores. it would be bad if i bought a non working computer. soo.. help me out guys!
(dont know whether to post this onto add-ons or desktops)

Thanx

Narumi

2006-08-04 11:42:47 · 3 answers · asked by n4rumi 2 in Desktops

I need a new hard drive. I have an older model dell dimension that only has 20gb harddrive. Would you recommend a portable external hard drive or just install a new internal one?

2006-08-04 11:40:11 · 5 answers · asked by gruntlicker 3 in Desktops

2006-08-04 11:33:24 · 2 answers · asked by njjtc 1 in Other - Hardware

2006-08-04 11:32:12 · 2 answers · asked by bosoxxrwd 2 in Desktops

i have a lexmark 2300 its a all in one printer i put the cd in and i dont know what to do next it says i may have lost the server

2006-08-04 11:27:11 · 5 answers · asked by honeybun 1 in Printers

what can I do Help Help Help

2006-08-04 11:22:38 · 2 answers · asked by Sara s 2 in Other - Hardware

I have all of my family's history digitized and cataloged on my hard drive. It is taking about 120gigs and I really do not feel like burning a bunch of DVDs. If I just use an external hard drive, park it, wrap it up in the bag it was shipped in, how long would it last in storage?

2006-08-04 11:21:11 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Hardware

Anyone know how fast a USB data connection is relative to an internal EIDE connected drive? Also - how can you be sure your system is USB "2" and not USB "1"?

http://www.cheapstingybargains.com/cheapster/hard-drives/

2006-08-04 11:18:40 · 3 answers · asked by HomeSweetSiliconValley 4 in Other - Hardware

i press it nothing happens what is it for can some plaese tell me

2006-08-04 11:11:25 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Hardware

I can't find a download site to find drivers for my legacy audio card.
Its a "Hi-Live Pro 6" card exactly like the kind shown at
http://www.jpmccom.net/store/product_info.php?cPath=39&products_id=178

If you can provide a link to a driver download source, then 10 pts for you! :D

2006-08-04 11:05:14 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Hardware

whts factors does clock speed have an impact on and wht should i look for in a processor if i want one for gaming

2006-08-04 10:54:47 · 4 answers · asked by Bhaumik P 1 in Desktops

my computer just stopped working today and the repair guy said that the mother board needs replacing. What would cause this??? I am on a friends computer at the moment....

2006-08-04 10:52:33 · 4 answers · asked by kaz1 3 in Other - Hardware

2006-08-04 10:33:47 · 1 answers · asked by Eric 2 in Laptops & Notebooks

I know with most electricals its a year,
Has anyone had experiance with a problem and had it sorted out quickly ?

2006-08-04 09:59:55 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Desktops

2006-08-04 09:34:29 · 3 answers · asked by Zaq 2 in Desktops

2006-08-04 09:17:19 · 6 answers · asked by RationalAnimal 1 in Printers

2006-08-04 09:13:46 · 1 answers · asked by pvaseur 2 in Desktops

typewrite something using a computer? i mean like you have a page and you put it through the printer and somehow the typing comes out on the lines that you write on? i have to do it for a scholarship application and i have no idea how.

2006-08-04 09:02:23 · 4 answers · asked by malintzin 2 in Printers

2006-08-04 08:52:55 · 8 answers · asked by ballrmotsq 1 in Laptops & Notebooks