computer experts ahoy
computer experts ahoy
I know there are a few computer experts online here.
In an attempt to get Rhianna her own computer, I paid $100 for a computer from a "garage expert".
The specs are as follows:
AMD Athlon XP2500+( 1.82 GHz 226 MHz speed, Socket A (462))
Windows XP Pro Performance Edition
I had it online for a time, and got the available updates for Outlook Express and Internet Explorer.
C Drive 15.9 GB free space
F Drive 111 GB Free space
Video Card ATI Radeon X700 ASP 256 m
RAM 512 MB (one ValueRAMKVR266X64C25/256, and a similar stick)
I was informed that this RAM is very samll, so I ordered a pair of 1 GB sticks from New Egg, to arrive next week.
This computer will not run my daughter's games. It appears that the gaming card is not sufficient. The garage expert has gone away for the holiday (u-huh), and totally I realise I get what I have paid for..., thus....
What would you recommend I try to get for improved video card?
My ex- is coming over tomorrrow with her broken computer...to see if there are parts we can switch over. I had a hard-drive (the current "F" drive) from a different broken unit, which we are utilizing.
She says her video card is a "good one". If it isn't..............
Is the GeForce 8400 GS 512 Express Graphics Card something I would want to buy?
I don't want to throw good money after bad...(this is like buying a cheap used car........)
Trying to "learn",
Roger
In an attempt to get Rhianna her own computer, I paid $100 for a computer from a "garage expert".
The specs are as follows:
AMD Athlon XP2500+( 1.82 GHz 226 MHz speed, Socket A (462))
Windows XP Pro Performance Edition
I had it online for a time, and got the available updates for Outlook Express and Internet Explorer.
C Drive 15.9 GB free space
F Drive 111 GB Free space
Video Card ATI Radeon X700 ASP 256 m
RAM 512 MB (one ValueRAMKVR266X64C25/256, and a similar stick)
I was informed that this RAM is very samll, so I ordered a pair of 1 GB sticks from New Egg, to arrive next week.
This computer will not run my daughter's games. It appears that the gaming card is not sufficient. The garage expert has gone away for the holiday (u-huh), and totally I realise I get what I have paid for..., thus....
What would you recommend I try to get for improved video card?
My ex- is coming over tomorrrow with her broken computer...to see if there are parts we can switch over. I had a hard-drive (the current "F" drive) from a different broken unit, which we are utilizing.
She says her video card is a "good one". If it isn't..............
Is the GeForce 8400 GS 512 Express Graphics Card something I would want to buy?
I don't want to throw good money after bad...(this is like buying a cheap used car........)
Trying to "learn",
Roger
Re: computer experts ahoy
Roger, what game is she trying to play? The X700 is a 6 year old card - but, it seems hard to believe it doesn't have what it takes for gaming. Have your ex check to see if Microsoft's "Direct X" is installed, and if not, install it and see if that doesn't improve things. Definitely, adding memory will help - provided you ordered the right type for your computer (hope so).rogerh wrote:I know there are a few computer experts online here.
In an attempt to get Rhianna her own computer, I paid $100 for a computer from a "garage expert".
The specs are as follows:
AMD Athlon XP2500+( 1.82 GHz 226 MHz speed, Socket A (462))
Windows XP Pro Performance Edition
I had it online for a time, and got the available updates for Outlook Express and Internet Explorer.
C Drive 15.9 GB free space
F Drive 111 GB Free space
Video Card ATI Radeon X700 ASP 256 m
RAM 512 MB (one ValueRAMKVR266X64C25/256, and a similar stick)
I was informed that this RAM is very samll, so I ordered a pair of 1 GB sticks from New Egg, to arrive next week.
This computer will not run my daughter's games. It appears that the gaming card is not sufficient. The garage expert has gone away for the holiday (u-huh), and totally I realise I get what I have paid for..., thus....
What would you recommend I try to get for improved video card?
My ex- is coming over tomorrrow with her broken computer...to see if there are parts we can switch over. I had a hard-drive (the current "F" drive) from a different broken unit, which we are utilizing.
She says her video card is a "good one". If it isn't..............
Is the GeForce 8400 GS 512 Express Graphics Card something I would want to buy?
I don't want to throw good money after bad...(this is like buying a cheap used car........)
Trying to "learn",
Roger
Does she get an error message when she tries to play, or is it just slow?
Dan
"If it's new, Plymouth's got it!"
Re: computer experts ahoy
I agree with Dan that the number one issue to solve is the lack of memory. Newer games mean that you need more memory, the graphic card is not the best but it should do OK. Most games need a recent version of direct X but it is usually included on the CD/DVD.
Ron
Ron
Cars are to be Enjoyed, not Admired...
Re: computer experts ahoy
If I understood the geeks at GeekSquad, the graphics card I have is the older AGP style, not the PCI-E. We tried to put Pamala's decent graphics card in there, but you can't put an IDE into a SATA.
SO-o, they figured out Pamala's computer just needed a new power supply, so we bought one and she is installing it now. GeekSquad pulled all the connections out during their bench test, so it is a bit of a challenge to figure what goes where. Pamala is willing to let Rhianna have her computer, so next I will need to figure out what to do with the $100 computer (plus $60 for the RAM I've ordered). We may still try to put the first one online so to try that DirectX thingy...
SO-o, they figured out Pamala's computer just needed a new power supply, so we bought one and she is installing it now. GeekSquad pulled all the connections out during their bench test, so it is a bit of a challenge to figure what goes where. Pamala is willing to let Rhianna have her computer, so next I will need to figure out what to do with the $100 computer (plus $60 for the RAM I've ordered). We may still try to put the first one online so to try that DirectX thingy...
Re: computer experts ahoy
Yeah - well, AGP is a special graphics slot, most computers now don't have 'em. PCIe is a general purpose extension to PCI (thus the "e"), used for all kinds of cards. IDE and SATA are both disk drive adapters (SATA the newer flavor). But whatever!rogerh wrote:If I understood the geeks at GeekSquad, the graphics card I have is the older AGP style, not the PCI-E. We tried to put Pamala's decent graphics card in there, but you can't put an IDE into a SATA.
Dan
"If it's new, Plymouth's got it!"
Re: computer experts ahoy
You wanna buy this computer from me? 
pamala worked on both computers for hours. Finally she told me to take the "new" one back and get my money back because
1) it is very slow
2) graphics card won't display Rhianna's games, even though it technically meets minimum requirements.( pamala searched and searched for DirectX on line because it doesn't show up on the screen as a prompt as normal drives will do. When she found it and used it, no improvement was noticed)
3)sometimes the power supply will power up but the other components won't...=?faulty power switch up front?
4) bare minimum RAM (I ordered more, but hopefully can return them)
I could wait ro receive the new RAM, install it and see what happens. Or i could quit now. I might get my $100 back. I think I can return the RAM.
We also took Pamala's computer in for a quick diagnosis...a bad p/s. We bought a new p/s ($60) and pamala said she'd install it. Well, BestBuy GeekSquad guy had pulled all the connections off to test it, so she worked hard to install new p/s and make all connections correctly. Guess what...it wouldn't power up! I went back and told my tale. They said they would check it over, install a new p/s if needed, and charge me for the installation only. ($60). I told this to Pamala and it infuriated her. "They sold us a bad p/s, we installed it, they should not bill you for anything!"
Pamala decided to gift the computer and monitor to Rhianna. This one will run her games. In time Pamala will buy a new one for herself. Right now where she lives there is no room for a desktop computer.
To me it's all a big headache.
pamala worked on both computers for hours. Finally she told me to take the "new" one back and get my money back because
1) it is very slow
2) graphics card won't display Rhianna's games, even though it technically meets minimum requirements.( pamala searched and searched for DirectX on line because it doesn't show up on the screen as a prompt as normal drives will do. When she found it and used it, no improvement was noticed)
3)sometimes the power supply will power up but the other components won't...=?faulty power switch up front?
4) bare minimum RAM (I ordered more, but hopefully can return them)
I could wait ro receive the new RAM, install it and see what happens. Or i could quit now. I might get my $100 back. I think I can return the RAM.
We also took Pamala's computer in for a quick diagnosis...a bad p/s. We bought a new p/s ($60) and pamala said she'd install it. Well, BestBuy GeekSquad guy had pulled all the connections off to test it, so she worked hard to install new p/s and make all connections correctly. Guess what...it wouldn't power up! I went back and told my tale. They said they would check it over, install a new p/s if needed, and charge me for the installation only. ($60). I told this to Pamala and it infuriated her. "They sold us a bad p/s, we installed it, they should not bill you for anything!"
Pamala decided to gift the computer and monitor to Rhianna. This one will run her games. In time Pamala will buy a new one for herself. Right now where she lives there is no room for a desktop computer.
To me it's all a big headache.