Hardware - October 2006

In considering a new computer (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061021234433AA5sip1 ) many are advising me to get a dedicated video card in place of the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE. How does one replace an integrated video card? (Or does one leave the integrated card and simply install the dedicated card in an empty slot?) Which card might you recommend to someone who games infrequently, but wants the card to stand the test of time for at least five years or more?

2006-10-21 20:37:58 · 4 answers · asked by Dean 2 in Other - Hardware

i have a ati radeon 256mb x1600 pro agp graphics card is this a good card for gaming

2006-10-21 20:21:35 · 3 answers · asked by chriswinter82 1 in Other - Hardware

2006-10-21 20:20:10 · 3 answers · asked by sherm530 1 in Other - Hardware

2006-10-21 20:19:28 · 3 answers · asked by spawn2781 1 in Add-ons

What do you think the problem is? Tell me if you've got some solution...Well it did read only ONE of my CD's...

2006-10-21 19:51:42 · 4 answers · asked by linkin_park_rocks_my_socks007 2 in Laptops & Notebooks

Obviously everyone has different needs, but I basically want a really good computer that I'm not going to have to upgrade for at least five years. I don't do a lot of gaming but I want to be able to use my PC as a PVR while I surf the net, do some image editing and listen to music. These are the specs of a computer I've built on techdepot.com - how do you think it'll suit my needs? Should I upgrade anything even further?

Base System--HP Pavilion s7600e
Processor--AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Mobile, dual-core (2.0GHz)
Memory--2GB DDR2-533MHz SDRAM (2x1024)
Operating System--Genuine Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
Hard Drive--250GB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive
Optical Drive--LightScribe 16X DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
Sound Card--Integrated 7.1 Capable Sound w/ Front Audio ports
Video Card--Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE
TV and Entertainment--NTSC TV tuner with PVR, FM tuner, remote, & modem
Monitor--HP f2105 21" LCD, Spkr Incl
Speaker--Logitech X-530 5.1 Speakers

2006-10-21 19:44:33 · 6 answers · asked by Dean 2 in Desktops

My workplace gave me an X40, when I had ordered an X60. They say the two are bascially the same...is that true or is someone ripping me off? Why was the X40 discontinued?

2006-10-21 19:41:44 · 1 answers · asked by joanie 1 in Laptops & Notebooks

2006-10-21 19:39:40 · 3 answers · asked by Mirza M 3 in Laptops & Notebooks

I just went to cyberpower, and read the list of all the components of one of their systems, and picked out each exact component over at newegg.com and put it in my shopping cart...

The end result was the comp from cyber power cost $999 with free shipping, and all the parts from newegg cost $1,069 plus shipping

I know how to build a computer, and would like to do that, but if it's cheaper to buy a pre-built, why would I want to order the parts and build it myself? It seems like more money, more work and less warranty. Am I right on this?

2006-10-21 19:29:18 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Desktops

Ugh!

2006-10-21 19:20:02 · 8 answers · asked by geniusflightnurse 4 in Laptops & Notebooks

advantages?
disadvantages?

2006-10-21 18:51:19 · 3 answers · asked by amjustcurious 2 in Laptops & Notebooks

2006-10-21 18:51:16 · 3 answers · asked by harrisonshafer 1 in Printers

How do i know which graphics card will fit in my mother board and is this a good time to buy ?

2006-10-21 18:50:21 · 1 answers · asked by wcs_fynest 1 in Desktops

i want a more powerful power supply.
waht kind should i buy?
any tips?

2006-10-21 18:48:25 · 7 answers · asked by chinochang 3 in Desktops

i currently have 256 mb of RAM (DDR 184 pins) but i want to add another 512 mb (making a total of 768 ram) , is it possible to do? (sockets avalible for both 266mhz-pci2100 and 200mhz-pci1600)

each slot can hold DDR PC3200,DDR PC2700,DDR PC4000

CPU : AMD Athlon 1.67 mhz
Motherboard : ASUS a7n266-vm

2006-10-21 18:42:04 · 5 answers · asked by wcs_fynest 1 in Desktops

what should i be looking for when building an AVERAGE gaming computer ?? (cpu , how much RAM, graphics card ,ect )

2006-10-21 18:30:07 · 7 answers · asked by wcs_fynest 1 in Desktops

i currently have 256 mb of RAM but i want to add another 512 mb , is it possible to do that ?

2006-10-21 18:25:06 · 7 answers · asked by wcs_fynest 1 in Desktops

i had computer repair class waay back in the day and i don't remember. Isn't it that if you don't ground yourself and then touch the hard drive it could fry?

2006-10-21 18:05:53 · 9 answers · asked by bob888 3 in Other - Hardware

anyone know where i can find a : VideoSeven (v7) L17PS : monitor driver? ive searched everywhere i know and cant find it.

please if anyone can find the driver for the monitor i would be extremely grateful..

model number again is : L17PS
of the V7 series

thnx

2006-10-21 17:42:54 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Monitors

My brother has a DVD drive and CD-R drive from his HP computer and he isn't using it. He switched those hard drives with his old computer's drives. Now I am wondering, my computer (Compaq Presario) lacks a DVD drive and I sometimes wanna watch dvd's on my comp....can I put the HP's DVD drive into my comp? It has a missing spot where I can hook up a drive. Is this possible?

2006-10-21 17:38:58 · 3 answers · asked by Amelia 2 in Add-ons

2006-10-21 17:29:15 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Desktops

So ever since it's gotten colder outside and warmer in my place, the fan seems to continiously run on and off every couple of minutes. My question would be, is this normal or what?? It really isn't even that warm in my apartment. The only thing I can say "might" be a reason is that it sits next to the A/C. Would this somehow screw with the temp inside the computer?? Like I said, it's not hot in here and this is something that has just started this past summer. I had this computer for almost 1 1/2 years now and was brand new. If any new details are needed, I will provide it. Also, I can stop the fan by putting it into standby mode.

2006-10-21 17:16:35 · 5 answers · asked by Pipers02 2 in Other - Hardware

2006-10-21 17:03:19 · 3 answers · asked by Mirza M 3 in Desktops

I would like o fix this myself but don't know what to do anyone that knows anything? I would rather not electricute myself!

2006-10-21 16:55:33 · 3 answers · asked by spfld_chris4 1 in Monitors

when i started my computer it went to safe mode. fixed that. but everything is enlarge. my home page all my icons are enlarged wording is enlarged. my icons used to take up half of my screen now it takes up the whole thing. when im on the internet 1/3 of my screen is tool bar at the top of the screen and start/clock bar at the bottom of the screen some pages i cant see the whole page. im missing the scroll bar or i can't see it. HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!oh yeah im on a dell inspiron 7500 laptop, if that matters.

2006-10-21 16:53:56 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Laptops & Notebooks

2006-10-21 16:49:28 · 5 answers · asked by keithdli 1 in Laptops & Notebooks

Ya know how electrical outlets have safety plugs... do they have those for the usb, firewire, and ethernet ports?

2006-10-21 16:43:53 · 1 answers · asked by amanda 3 in Laptops & Notebooks

Can you use an "external hard drive" as you would a normal hard drive. Can I run programs off it and treat it as if it is my primary hard drive? The reason is because my current hard drive is too small, and rather than buy a new computer, I'd just like to buy an "external hard drive." Would that work okay?
thank you, David

2006-10-21 16:30:04 · 11 answers · asked by David L 1 in Other - Hardware

The same hardware plays CD's and CD-ROM's O.K. I've tried uninstalling the DVD drive "52*32COMBO" in 'Device Manager', but to no avail. Both "PowerDVD" and "Real Player" software give similar responses (for example: "no disc in drive D:"). Zero ("0") DVD disc capacity shows in "My Computer". Is it a missing registry key mayhaps? "System restore" is not a viable option, as I don't know when this problem developed, could've been many months ago and I've installed stuff since. If relevant:: In Device Manager, the "Secondary IDE Channel Properties" says that the "Current Transfer Mode" is "PIO Mode" although I've changed the "Transfer Mode" entry to say: "DMA if available", but that didn't do anything.

2006-10-21 16:15:00 · 6 answers · asked by Peter H 1 in Other - Hardware

I don't really like Real Player, and everytime I want to watch A movie on my comp, real player launches, But I don't want to use RP, how do I stop it from being my automatic player. I have other media players such as windows and something else.

2006-10-21 15:55:20 · 7 answers · asked by Raziel 3 in Add-ons