Hardware - March 2007

I got a Dell Dimension 4400 about 6 months ago and upgraded several thing to it to make it decent enough to play some online games. Wih one of the games I have, I receive 100 frames per second until lots of things appear on the screen , the it will quickly drop to the 30s. This makes enjoying the game much more aggrivating to play. I can't figure out what would cause this problem but I'm thinking it's my processor. Here's the specs:

Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.60GHz
768 MB Ram
20 Gig Hard Drive

Video card: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5500
Monitor: Plug in and Play CTX Color Monitor

Since I believe the problem lies with my processor, I looked up a replacement one at dell and all I came up with was what seems like a slightly better one(could be wrong) for an enormous price($319).
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=3K363

I'd like to know what hardware is causing this problem and what I can do to fix it.

2007-03-06 15:26:04 · 3 answers · asked by Squawkers 4 in Desktops

Hi!
Well i have been through similar question but i have a little different scenario.
I am designer and developer who uses heavy softwares
I wish to buy a Laptop which is either available in UK or INDIA which is not only fast but good in looks too.
After surveying the market the info i have is
HP(DV 6117) is OK
Toshiba (M100)is Good
Sony Vaio(vgn fe 31M(UK model) vgn fe38(India) is both good in looks and performance.

As such i like the last one. But Please help me to decide the right one.
My Range is 900 GBP or 80,000 Indian Rs
Thanks

2007-03-06 15:19:31 · 5 answers · asked by CoolestnHotest 2 in Laptops & Notebooks

Hi, i have a old pc. (compaq amd duron) and umm its very slow 5-6 years with few upgrades. I just saved up 800 bucks and was wondering if i could get a decent gaming cpu for that, i cant buy stuff online cuz i got no credit card or paypal. but i can go to bestbuy or any cpu retail dealer. Can ne1 tell me specifially the specs to a great gaming cpu for 800$. I already have a dell 17 inch crt trinitron monitor so i just need the pc

2007-03-06 15:11:37 · 6 answers · asked by bigdaddyf50 1 in Desktops

would you mind giving me a full list of windows keys as I wanna learn how to use some programs without using a mouse & mousepad, have a nice day

2007-03-06 15:08:35 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Laptops & Notebooks

What drivers do i need to download if i want to play World of Warcraft? please send a link of the newest drivers and the newest DirectX

2007-03-06 15:03:27 · 2 answers · asked by Christopher B 1 in Desktops

I reformatted my computer with a new XP operating system, same as before. Now the icons are too small and i can hardly see them. Thanks for any help

2007-03-06 15:00:40 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Laptops & Notebooks

I have a Creative Web cam. I don't know how I messed it up but when I reinstall the software the webcam seems to work on like Yahoo messenger and such but when I try to open the creative webcam center it says :
Fatal Error - c:\program files\creative\shared files\CTTheme.dll load failed. Can someone help me with this ?

2007-03-06 14:58:52 · 1 answers · asked by Bob Marley 1 in Add-ons

Please do not report issues about parts that Dell did not design or make (like HDD, ODD, CPU, RAM, LCD); software issues)

What you can report: motherboard issues, chassis, overheating, etc.

BTW, what R&D does Dell do?

2007-03-06 14:49:15 · 14 answers · asked by RWC 3 in Other - Hardware

Will I be able to run DirectX10 (on Vista of course) with a GeForce 7900 GTX video card?? It seems that only the new GeForce 8 series "supports" DirectX10, is that true? Will I still have to run DirectX9 until I upgrade my card?

2007-03-06 14:47:03 · 4 answers · asked by therealmisa00 1 in Add-ons

I recently Upgrade my Video card from Radeon x1950XTX to 8800GTX. Im currently have a 19 Inch screen monitor. I was thinking about Upgrade it to a 27 or 32 Inch screen TV. Would one 8800GTX support it 27 or 32 Inch screen HD TV for Gaming?

2007-03-06 14:44:47 · 2 answers · asked by 180SX Silvia 1 in Monitors

I have a P3 mobo that supports a 1ghz P3 socket 370 this is a flip chip what is the difference will it work any way.Here is the link http://www.pcprogress.com/product.asp?orderid=82879115787481325864791&PID=INP3FC%2D1000EBOEM

2007-03-06 14:40:29 · 2 answers · asked by U can't B like me 5 in Other - Hardware

I have an older video card, an ATI All-In-Wonder 128 Pro AGP. I like this card because it has a video in port. I just watch TV and play my XBOX from my monitor. I'm unable to find all the proper drivers that will allow me to do this now. I'd be greatful if someone can tell me where to find them. The ATI site doesn't and the drivers I got from DriverGuide.com work but don't have the TV option.

Many thanks,

2007-03-06 14:39:06 · 2 answers · asked by Arch Teryx 3 in Other - Hardware

As far as I can see they are hooked up correctly. What could the problem be?

2007-03-06 14:29:32 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Add-ons

I am a student taking Digital Photography and would greatly appreciate some advice. For Me...I find Mac's not as user friendly as PC's. I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers...I know there supposed to be better and all...but switching from one to the other gets a bit annoying for me. This is not my question. Keeping in mind that I prefer PC's...what should I be looking for in a new laptop? I like the idea of being able to check your images on-site to ensure you've got what you need. Burning the images to DVD is also a bonus to free up my memory cards but, I also need enough memory to do the odd Photoshop retouch as needed. I know Photoshop uses allot of memory.

Well...what do you think? I'm all ears--so to speak.

2007-03-06 14:29:23 · 3 answers · asked by greeneyedstargazer 1 in Laptops & Notebooks

My computer wont read the cd.Is there any other way?

2007-03-06 14:27:31 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Add-ons

to the Australian region. What can i do? Can i download another dvd drive or do i need to buy a new one?

2007-03-06 14:15:56 · 7 answers · asked by babyt51283 3 in Laptops & Notebooks

Alright Ive got a Dell 2400 series, and a 128 stick in one slot and a 256 stick in the other. So that makes 384mb, simple. Well my system properties registers it as 384mb of RAM, and I've got a RAM optimizer program that recognizes the 384mb, but when I restart my computer, right at the beginning, only 256mb is listed. I was thinking it could be that the RAM slots only register 128mb each but why would my system properties register 384? It doesnt seem to be affecting my perfomance, I could be wrong though, and just havent noticed since its probably been like this awhile. If anybody knows, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

2007-03-06 14:12:55 · 2 answers · asked by Hawk 3 in Desktops

I have a laptop that I want to give to my dad. The thing is, I want to transfer all my data from that laptop onto my new laptop. Both laptops are under a year old (just fyi). I don't have an external hard drive. Can someone tell me what the fastest and easiest way to transfer over my data? Thanks.

2007-03-06 14:06:12 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Laptops & Notebooks

dissapered i can't find it anywhere.how can i get it back and how?

2007-03-06 14:04:40 · 2 answers · asked by robin j 1 in Desktops

I have 2 desktop but would like an inexpensive laptop. Those two along with Compaq came up as low priced. Just wondering if they was worth looking into.

2007-03-06 14:03:10 · 7 answers · asked by Life is Sweet 3 in Laptops & Notebooks

I just got a E6400 Core 2 Duo assembled with DDR2 667. But i noticed in some cpu monitor software that it was running at 237 Mhz x9=2129 Mhz instead of the Intel spec of 266x8=2128.
Should I be suspicious? Concerned? Why would a builder do this? I'm not a serious OC'er, but I know a little about it. Should I switch it back to spec? I would hate to ruin this brand new comp if its running with odd settings. Any thoughts?

2007-03-06 14:02:08 · 4 answers · asked by camshiva 1 in Other - Hardware

i mean like for like days and stuff? do you think its bad for a labtop to be left on..would it be damaging to it? what about desktop computers?

one more question:

if my video graphics keeps on laggin, is it the graphics card? and how do i upgrade it for a labtop?

2007-03-06 13:59:05 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Laptops & Notebooks

On Windows 98, I am trying to connect a USB hard drive in order to back up data from it and retire it. It's a hard drive I put in a generic enclosure, so I don't even know what device to get a driver for, is it the drive or the enclosure? Where can I get the drivers at? Are there generic drivers for USB drives?

2007-03-06 13:57:46 · 4 answers · asked by Indiana Jones 6 in Add-ons

what are my printer instructions to correct.?

2007-03-06 13:54:38 · 6 answers · asked by Michael R 1 in Printers

I'm looking to buy a laptop. I'll just be using it for internet browsing purposes. My budget's $1000 or less. Any suggestions?

2007-03-06 13:54:31 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Laptops & Notebooks

A client sent me a "G Raid" external hard drive that connects via FireWire 400 or 800. I turned the drive on, connected it and heard Windows XP give the "bing bong" connected sound, but no drive showed up in My Computer.

So, I went to the Disk Management tool. The drive is there, but it's listed as uninitialized. My only option is to initialize it. I haven't done this for fear of losing any data that "should" be on there.

Ideas? Is it possible that this drive was initialized on a Mac and there's some discrepancy between the two computers?

Thanks in advance.

2007-03-06 13:49:10 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Add-ons

How do external hard drives work? My computer is slowing down bigtime, because I have literally a couple of weeks worth of music in Windows Media Player. If i got an external hard drive and put all this music on it, and I wanted to use these files for some reason such as listening pleasure or sync to and mp3 player, would I have to go in and retrieve it out of the new equipment or would it just automatically show up. I guess what Im asking is how easy these things are to use with windows media player. And please put in laymans terms, Im not that computer literate.

2007-03-06 13:45:05 · 3 answers · asked by echo13ng01 2 in Add-ons

I'm pretty technologically challenged. I've decided on buying a laptop but I have a few questions regarding internet.

How DOES one get internet on a lap top? I've heard stuff about wireless cards. What are wireless cards? Are they cards you insert into your lap top and they act as modems, giving you internet? Or do these cards catch internet signals from other internet users (kind of like a router)? Is there a way to have your own internet connection on a lap top, without using anyone else's?

2007-03-06 13:38:28 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Laptops & Notebooks

What is the equivalent of Control Panel in Windows on the new Macbook,if ther is one.Thank you

2007-03-06 13:38:02 · 1 answers · asked by capaldi30 1 in Laptops & Notebooks

Im guessing no...But just wondering if its possible?

2007-03-06 13:37:42 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Laptops & Notebooks