Hi Clint. What I mean. is when I try to turn the computer on. The lite.. starts to go on.. But, then immediately goes off. Sometimes, It refuses to go on at all.. Other times, after about 8 tries, I get it to stay on..? So what is that. I've checked the power cord, the Belkin Surge Protector. IS. 5 years old.(and I'm going to get a new one. when I get the new computer) though, I'll get it locally from Staples.. (as they're cheaper, I'm pretty sure).
The reason my friend said, I'm probably "out of Ram". is that the computer IS 5 years old. and I'm on it daily. and he said, Ram - doesn't "last forever" and "IF" it were only that problem. Then I'd just buy additonal Ram. and have that installed,, But being I've had so many other problems.. and now this. with the computer not starting.. It was time, to get a new PC.. Also, how long "should" a PC last. .I've been told. after 3-5 years.. consider then "ancient" and time to either upgrade or buy new?? Is that true.. If so,, it was 5 years in Aug. and maybe its just "served it's purpose I have already ordered the PC. last nite, but I'm sure I could change things.. if you feel I should. As far as the video card, this is what they were offering. As far as the monitor. I went for the digital. not the regular flat screen, as I was told digital is so much clearer and though even though it was a bit more expensive,, in the long run, I think I'll be happier with it(digital vs. regular flat screen).??? I'm going to call Dell. to see if they can tell me - which Monitor this is. and whether it's "True Digital.".. Thanks.. This tower, is very sleek and slim lined. So thats why they can't fit a floppy into it. I have plenty of space.. so a small floppy drive, wont' interfer on my desk.. Though I opted for this new sleek tower, instead of the regular one. I'm wondering. if thats a mistake.??? Have you ever seen them. and if so. Whats your opinion on that?? The CDRW drive is fine for me. cause I have no intention of even copying CD"s.. I dont' even listen to the ones I already own.. :-) I wouldve just gotten a regular CD drive, but they were offering this "free- as an upgrade.. so for free. I got it.." The CPU does have hyperthreading Technology.. Its a Pentium 4 Processor , 3.06 GHZ with MHz front side bus/HT Technology.. (thats from what I printed out. from the Dell site). As far as adding more memory. when the time comes.. It'll probably be - like now. .I had this machine for 5 years.. I used "up my ram" so to speak. and instead of adding Ram.(to this Gateway). I bought a Dell.. I have no expertise in adding Ram.. or anything of that nature. My computer is for me only.. home use. emails,, surfing, doing surveys.. (freebie lists) etc.. So I dont' play games, I dont' download much of anything.. Though I will have to re-install Norton System Works 2003.. which I have the disc for.. Also will have to re-install.. Ad-aware and Adobe,, I think thats about it. Oh, on my moms machine,(I had borrowed the disc) and installed it on my own. I have something called. Corel Picture... Do you know if I can install it on this computer, with XP.. On mine now, I have Windows 98 - Moms is windows 98 SE.. Also, I use Netscape. Okay, bad word here.. LOL.. I've had more problems with it. than it's worth. but it's something I started with years ago, and haven't been able to "give up". I had "tried" to download the netscape 7.l.. (and had to do a G0-Back, cause it refused to import/export my bookmarks, and my address book, emails. Okay, question,, I'm "thinking" about when this new computer comes in. I will switch to Internet Explorer. and then use Outlook for my email. Should I "NOW".. start putting my emails and address book, etc. in Outlook, and configure that. so I can just take it off - to a floppy. and then reload it to a new computer. Cause, when I've tried to put my address book, on a floppy, I can't seem to do it.. If you have any suggestions, on that. or how to do it. I'd love that. Also, your thoughts on using IE. and Outlook,, Vs. Netscape.. One more thing, and I promise - I'll stop asking questions. LOL :-) I have Earthlink.. They sent me a disk to install the latest version of Earthlink, But it doesnt' work with Netscape.. Only with IE.. So when I get my new machine, Should I just install the latest Earthlink - and then use IE..?? Thanks so much.. for all your help/advice, and bearing with me.. I hate "new" and I'm so afraid of change.(as in, I hate electronics.. HONEST).. LOL.. But I'm going to try to deal with this. as a "new experience, and that I'm going to love my NEW - FASTER - COMPUTER.. :-) Thanks again, Helene [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >First, I assume you mean the "computer" won't boot and not the >"processor". The processor (CPU) is the tiny postage stamp >size or cracker size chip that's the brains of a PC, the >"calculator" so to speak. What you describe is usually a power >supply problem, but other hardware could cause the problem in >fewer instances (motherboard, CPU, or a card). "Running out of >RAM" is not going to keep a PC from booting, but defective RAM >could also cause it. > >If it's not already a done deal, you should get a video card >and not some integrated on board video. "Shared" means the >video card is integrated into the motherboard and it takes from >the 512mb of system memory for it's memory. You also want to >get a true digital LCD monitor w/DVI input and not one with an >analog input. This would depend on the video card; it has to >have a DVI connector on it. > >A conventional internal floppy drive would preferable to an >external one (mainly due to space issues). > >You want a CDRW drive with "BurnProof" technology, AKA >"SmartLink", "buffer underrun", et al. More so for when you >copy CD's than doing the "drag 'n drop" data backup method. By >today's standards, 24x is rather slow, but if you're not going >to be doing a lot of CD copying then you really don't need a >faster one. However a faster one may be needed in order to get >the buffer underrun protection. There are 24x CDRW drives that >do have it though. So, this one may or may not have it. > >You should have asked them if it's upgradeable because most of >these name-brand PC's aren't. For one, the video card can't be >upgraded (unless it has an AGP slot) but usually when there is >integrated video on these type PC's, they don't have one. The >"533mhz" means the CPU is a 533mhz bus P4. There are 800mhz >bus P4's out now (starting at 2.4ghz) but the motherboard must >be capable of supporting that bus speed. These 800mhz bus >CPU's also have something called "Hyperthreading" (HT) which >mimics dual CPU's being used. Some 3.06ghz/533mhz CPU's do >have HT technology. > >You also want to be able to add more memory if the need arises. >512mb may be it's max. Since it's dual channel, that means >that two slots (2x256mb) are taken up now if it's really being >run in dual channel mode. Some places will give you a dual >channel capable mobo, but only put one stick of memory in it >making it single channel. If it has 4 slots and only 2 are >being used (or one @512mb), then you can upgrade the memory but >you MUST use the EXACT memory you're using now to upgrade it. >In dual channel configurations, each of the dual channel slots >must have exact matching memory or you can take a performance >hit at best. Sometimes the board won't even boot. DC memory >mode gives you much more bandwidth. >-Clint > >God Bless Us All >Clint Hamilton, Owner >http://OrpheusComputing.com ) > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Helene" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Hi All. >I've had MANY problems with my Gateway.. 5 year old computer.. >in the >last 2 or 3 months. .and the latest.. is the processor wouldnt' >turn >on.. It's been doing it. every few days. not turning on. until >I hit the >button about 4 times. and yesterday, a 'record'.. 8 times, and >I finally >got it ON.. and left it on all day. as not to lose the system.. >Today, >the same thing. Its 'finally on'. but I'm leaving it on all >day. A >friend who's a computer guy.. said, in 5 years, I've probably >run out of >ram.. Cause on top of everything else, this machine is SLOW. >and I kept >getting all those "timed outs'.. > >Okay, I bought a Dell Dimensions 4600 C Desk top. yesterday. > >The computer is.a Pentium 4 Processor at 3.06 GHZ, with 533 MHz >(it's >the new slim line one). > >It has 512 MB Dual Channel shared DDR SDRAM at 512 > >I got the Dell Enhanced Multi-media keyboard, > >Ultra Sharp Digital Flat Panel Display.. 17 "... > >I got an 80 GB Hard Drive > >And an external Floppy drive.. > >Also comes with a 24X CD-RW Roxio Easy CD Creater Inegrated 5.l >( CD Drive) > >I got a Digital Optical Mouse > >Operating system is Microsoft Windows XP Professional. > >For software I chose, Microsoft Office XP Small Business > >It comes with 6 month of free Earthlink.(which I have >Earthlink). so I >have to call them, and have them adjust my bill. > >ALso got a 4 year, in home service contract with Dell. > >Oh, speakers, I got the basic ALtec Lansing ADA215 >speakers..(cause I >have speakers now.. with a sub-woofer) and dont' even use >them.. but I >could've eliminated the speakers, for a savings of 10.00 which >was >silly.. So, I just ordered the new ones. > >Am I forgetting anything. Should anything be added to this .. > >I was going to get a "basic Dell" with a 2.20 .. but decided to >upgrade, >and get the better one. It's more money. but maybe in the long >run, >it'll last ?? > >Anyway, thoughts on this. > >I know. to those that make your own computers, buying a Dell or >Gateway >(which I had previously had). seems silly.. but to someone who >has no >computer expertise, and needs the tech support. and the >"safety" if you >will of big company.. I guess this was the way to go.. > >Any advice, any thoughts.. Should something be added?? >I dont need multi-media stuff, and I dont' play games.. Also, >dont' do >pics. so no need for that stuff.. > >Thanks. >helene ============= PCWorks Mailing List ================= Don't see your post? Check our posting guidelines & make sure you've followed proper posting procedures, http://pcworkers.com/rules.htm Contact list owner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribing and other changes: http://pcworkers.com =====================================================
