http://forums.techguy.org Let us know about your experiences with particular companies or products. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:58:24 GMT vBulletin 30 http://static.techguy.org/v38/images/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.techguy.org http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/878150-solved-need.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:11:27 GMT System: Windows XP - Home Edition: Interested in knowing if anyone has tried using the services at MyCleanPC.com; if so...was it helpful or not? Please share comments? Have others used a similar toolset that works equal or better? System: Windows XP - Home Edition:
Interested in knowing if anyone has tried using the services at MyCleanPC.com; if so...was it helpful or not? Please share comments? Have others used a similar toolset that works equal or better? ]]> Reviews jaovlo http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/878150-solved-need.html http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/877263-looking-another-pc-what-i.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:09:40 GMT In the upcomming months I will be looking to get a new PC. I only have about $500 or so to spend, maybe slightly more. Right now... this is what I have. I have listed all the specs below. My question is this. Wouldn't almost anything today, even a "low end" e Machine type be an upgrade over what I have now?

Thanks in advance

DAVID

MY CURRENT PC

Specifications: Dell™ Dimension™ XPS T-450

General • System Information • Expansion Bus • Memory • Drives • Ports • Video • Audio • Power • Physical • Environmental • Regulatory Notices • IRQ Assignments • Default Dell-Installed Expansion Card Placements • DMA Assignments
General
Microprocessor type Intel® Pentium® III
Microprocessor speeds 450 MHz internal/100 MHz external
500 MHz internal/100 MHz external
550 MHz internal/100 MHz external
L1 cache 32 KB SRAM (16 KB data; 16 KB instruction)
L2 cache 512 KB SRAM
Microprocessor mounting single-edge contact cartridge 2 (SECC2) package connected to the system board contains microprocessor and cache circuitry
Math coprocessor internal to microprocessor
System Information
System chip set Intel 440BX AGPset
Data bus width 64 bits
Address bus width 32 bits
DMA channels seven
Interrupt levels 15
System BIOS chip 4 Mb (512 KB)
System clock 100 MHz (matches external processor speed)
Diskette/communications ports 48 MHz from the system clock
Expansion Bus
Bus types ISA, PCI, and AGP
PCI expansion-card connectors four full-length
Shared PCI/ISA expansion-card connector one full-length (slot contains both a PCI and an ISA connector, only one of which can be used at any given time)
AGP expansion-card connector one full-length
ISA bus frequency 8.33 MHz
PCI bus frequency 33 MHz
AGP bus frequency 66 or 133 MHz (based on video card)
Plug and Play revision 1.2a
PCI bus specification complies with PCI specification 2.1
PC-to-PCI bridging supported
Memory
Architecture ECC or non-ECC SDRAM 168-pin modules (To support ECC, all installed DIMMs must be ECC-capable.)
DIMM sockets three
DIMM capacities 32, 64, 128, and 256 MB
Minimum RAM 64 MB (non-ECC)
Maximum RAM 768 MB
Frequency 100 MHz
Clock cycle 10 ns (supports 4 clocks only)
CAS latency three
SPD revision 1.2
Buffering unbuffered
Voltage 3.3 V
Data bus width 64 bits non-ECC; 72 bits ECC (8 bits per chip)
BIOS address F0000h
NOTE: Only 100-MHz DIMMs are supported. The system can include both ECC and non-ECC memory; however, to support ECC, all installed DIMMs must be ECC-capable. ECC DIMMs have an odd number of memory chips on the module and non-ECC DIMMs have an even number of chips.

Drives
Mini tower chassis:

Externally accessible bays five total: two 5.25-inch bays for diskette, tape, or CD-ROM drives; three 3.5-inch bays for diskette or tape drives

Internally accessible bays two bays for 1-inch-high EIDE or SCSI hard-disk drives
Desktop chassis (available only in certain locations):

Externally accessible bays four total: two 5.25-inch for diskette, tape, or CD-ROM drives; two 3.5-inch bays for diskette or tape drives

Internally accessible bays two bays for 1-inch-high EIDE or SCSI hard-disk drives
Ports
Externally accessible:

Serial (DTE) 9-pin connector; 16550C-compatible

Parallel 25-hole connector (bidirectional)

PS/2-style keyboard 6-pin mini-DIN connector

PS/2-compatible mouse 6-pin mini-DIN connector

MIDI/game* 15-pin connector

Video 15-hole connector on an AGP video card

Audio* three miniature jacks for LINE IN, LINE OUT, and MIC IN

USB two USB-compliant connectors
Internally accessible:

Primary EIDE 40-pin connector

Secondary EIDE 40-pin connector

Diskette drive 34-pin connector
* Available in integrated audio systems only

Video
Video 2X AGP video card (see manufacturer's specifications for information about the card and any utilities and drivers included)
Audio
Audio Yamaha 724 DS-1 chip set

Power
DC power supply:

Wattage 200 W

Voltage (switch selectable on back panel) 90 to 135 V at 60 Hz;
180 to 265 V at 50 Hz;
100 V at 50 to 60 Hz for Japanese systems

Heat dissipation 778 BTU (fully loaded system without monitor)
Battery 3-V CR2032 coin cell
Physical
Mini tower chassis:

Height 43.69 cm (17.2 inches)

Width (with base) 20.32 cm (8 inches)

Depth 44.45 cm (17.5 inches)

Weight 11.3 to 13.6 kg (25.0 to 30.0 lb)
Desktop chassis:

Height 16.00 cm (6.3 inches)

Width 42.42 cm (16.7 inches)

Depth 44.45 cm (17.5 inches)

Weight 11.3 to 13.6 kg (25.0 to 30.0 lb)
Environmental
Temperature:

Operating 10° to 35°C* (50° to 95°F)

Storage –40° to 65°C (–40° to 149°F)
Relative humidity 20% to 80% (noncondensing)
Maximum vibration:

Operating 0.25 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 1/2 octave/min

Storage 0.5 G at 3 to 200 Hz at 1/2 octave/min
Maximum shock:

Operating left side (for mini tower orientation) and bottom half-sine pulse with a change in velocity of 50.8 cm (20 inches)/sec

Storage 23-G faired-square wave with a velocity change of 508.0 cm (200 inches)/sec
Altitude:

Operating –16 to 3048 m* (–50 to 10,000 ft)

Storage –16 to 10,600 m (–50 to 35,000 ft)
* At 35°C (95°F), the maximum operating altitude is 914 m (3000 ft).
Regulatory Notices
FCC (U.S. only) Class B
IC Notice (Canada only) Class B
CE Notice Class B
VCCI Notice (Japan only) Class B
NOM O24 Information (Mexico only)


IRQ AssignmentsIRQ Line System Resource IRQ Line System Resource
IRQ0 System timer IRQ8 RTC
IRQ1 Keyboard buffer IRQ9 Available2
IRQ2 Enables IRQ8 through IRQ15 IRQ10 Available
IRQ3 Available1 IRQ11 Default PCI IRQ3
IRQ4 Serial port IRQ12 Mouse port
IRQ5 Available IRQ13 Math coprocessor
IRQ6 Diskette/tape drive controller IRQ14 Primary EIDE channel
IRQ7 Parallel port IRQ15 Secondary EIDE channel
1IRQ3 is available provided that no other device in the computer (such as a modem) is using COM2 or COM4.
2IRQ9 is available to PCI cards only.
3The PCI IRQ is assigned to an available IRQ line after an ISA expansion card has been configured. If an ISA expansion card is configured for IRQ11, the PCI IRQ is assigned to another available IRQ line.

Default Dell-Installed Expansion Card Placement

Table 1 provides the default Dell-installed expansion card placements if a system is ordered without a TV tuner card. Table 2 provides the default Dell-installed expansion card placements if a system is ordered with a TV tuner card.

Table 1. Default Dell-Installed Expansion Card Placements for Systems Without TV Tuner CardExpansion-Card Slot Expansion Card
AGP Port AGP video
PCI Slot 1 NIC
PCI Slot 2 DVD/audio
PCI Slot 3 Audio/SCSI
PCI Slot 4 PCI modem
PCI Slot 5 PCI/ISA shared
ISA Slot 1 Open


Table 2. Default Dell-Installed Expansion Card Placements for Systems With TV Tuner CardExpansion-Card Slot Expansion Card
AGP Port AGP video
PCI Slot 1 DVD
PCI Slot 2 Audio
PCI Slot 3 TV tuner
PCI Slot 4 PCI modem
PCI Slot 5 PCI/ISA shared
ISA Slot 1 Open



DMA Channel AssignmentsDREQ Line Used By/Available
DREQ0 Default audio DMA channel assignment
DREQ1 Default audio DMA channel assignment
DREQ2 Generated by I/O controller to enable DMA cycle for attached diskette drive
DREQ3 Parallel port (ECP)
DREQ4 Reserved
DREQ5 Available
DREQ6 Available
DREQ7 Available ]]> Reviews BigDaveinNJ http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/877263-looking-another-pc-what-i.html http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/877111-msi-good-laptop.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:12:36 GMT I'm considering getting a MSI Laptop.... (processor Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor)
3 GB, 320 GBSATA Hard drive. I'm considering this because this is what our local computer store offers for $599.00. I can always go to a "big box" store, but I'd rather have a local guy to help me if I have a problem with it. I'm wanting a laptop for portability issues. I basically want to run Word, Excel. I'm not going to surf the net with this or run games. Just for office use. So is the MSI a good product. Thanks for your help! ]]> Reviews Suzie267 http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/877111-msi-good-laptop.html http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/876247-one.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:02:51 GMT Within the next few weeks, I'm going to purchase a new laptop.

This laptop will mainly be used for:

- internet surfing - wireless
- music
- itunes library management
- minor photoshop editing

This laptop must have:

- wireless b/g/n
- 3 to 4 USB ports
- HDMI out
- 15" to 16" screen

This laptop must be:

- reliable!

The two models that have caught my eye are:

Dell™ Studio
15 English
i7-720QM, 15.6-in. HD WLED
4 GB, 500 GB
512 MB ATI Mobility Radeon® HD 4570
Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
$1,049.99 CND


or...


Toshiba
Satellite® A500-02J
P7450,
16-in. HD WLED
4 GB, 500 GB
1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT130M
Microsoft Windows® 7 Home Premium
$1,099.99 CND

Your thoughts/suggestions, would be appreciated.

Thanks. ]]> Reviews radar2ooo http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/876247-one.html http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/876107-getting-ready-buy-new-laptop.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:03:07 GMT And I need some recommendations on a good reliable computer. I'm currently using an HP ZD8000 Laptop (quite possibly the worst computer HP has ever produced). And I'm sick of it... I need something for day to day use with good portability. Any suggestions for a USA buyer in need? ]]> Reviews BlazingPhoenix http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/876107-getting-ready-buy-new-laptop.html http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/875812-dell-complete-care.html Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:22:27 GMT I don't know if this is where to put this, but it didn't seem to fit elsewhere.

I was wondering if anyone else uses the Dell "Complete Care" warranty (or similar for other brands). I know we tend to use it quite a bit (and every computer we buy has the 3 year NBD Pro Support warranty as well as a 3 year Complete Care Warranty) but I didn't know if we were just accident prone of if that is something standard for other businesses. ]]> Reviews ComfortGroup_IT http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/875812-dell-complete-care.html http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/875572-laptop.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:14:47 GMT I am looking to get a laptop for my birthday or christmas. I will be using the laptop for internet browsing, watching videos online (youtube, vimeo, etc.) , downloading/listening to music, and typing up papers for school. I would like to get the new... I am looking to get a laptop for my birthday or christmas. I will be using the laptop for internet browsing, watching videos online (youtube, vimeo, etc.) , downloading/listening to music, and typing up papers for school. I would like to get the new OS (Windows 7). I am looking at this laptop currently : http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pav...=1218123526907

Please let me know anything good/bad about the laptop above. And if you have any other suggestions, feel free to add!

Thanks! :) ]]> Reviews newguy1 http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/875572-laptop.html http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/875519-fast-computer-can-take-some.html Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:34:28 GMT These are my laptop requirements. Any suggestions? Thanks!

1) What is your budget?

$1,000

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

14"-16"

3) Where will you buying this notebook? You can select the flag of your country as an indicator.

US

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

Nope

5) Would you consider laptops that are refurbished/redistrubited?

Redistributed

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?

Microsoft Word
AIM
Internet Browsing
Minimal picture/video editing


7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?

Both

8) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games or types of games?

No

9) How many hours of battery life do you need?

Not a big concern.

10) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?

Would be nice, but not needed.

11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista or Windows 7), Mac OS, Linux, etc.

Windows

Screen Specifics

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

Which is best for watching movies?

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?

Either

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

No

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?

2-3 years

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 500GB? Do you want a SSD drive?

About 160 GB; No

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?

At least a DVD Burner but Blu-Ray would be nice. ]]> Reviews JoeyMack http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/875519-fast-computer-can-take-some.html http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/873752-aggravation.html Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:46:50 GMT Lol, I really didn't know where to post this, perhaps we need a "rant" forum. :D

First of all I want to say I'm not picking out a single reseller, or a single board manufacturer, but overall resellers and motherboard manufacturers advertising just aggravates the hell out of me. The items I chose in this rant were just chosen at random.

We see it time after time after time where purchasers purchase processors that are not compatible with their motherboards when picking out components for a new build. The fault is the purchasers, however the resellers and board manufacturers contribute greatly to the problem.

For the most part, 1st time builders are generally naive and confused about the components they need, but the resellers add nothing but confusion to the purchasers decisions.

For instance a purchaser may go to Newegg to compile their list of components. Let's suppose they have picked this motherboard as the board they would like to use.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131600

So they go to this page and look at the board specifications to choose a processor. Under the heading Supported CPU the following information is provided.

CPU Socket Type LGA 775
CPU Type Core 2 Quad/Core 2 Extreme/Core 2 Duo/Pentium dual-core/Celeron Dual-Core
FSB 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz

Being somewhat naive the purchaser believes since this is a Socket 775 board that it will support ALL the Type processors shown, i.e. Core 2 Quad/Core 2 Extreme/Core 2 Duo/Pentium dual-core/Celeron Dual-Core.

So now the builder purchases all of his or her components, puts the machine together, and they are ready for the big moment. They push the power button, and surprise, surprise, surprise the machine "no worky".

So now the builder "messes" with everything until they become completely frustrated because the machine still "no worky" then it's time to seek help at TSG or another support site.

So now they make a thread and post their problem (in most cases leaving out pertinent information) and seek help. After playing "20 questions" with the poster it's now determined that the processor they purchased is not supported by that particular motherboard which they don't understand since the resellers specs stated under the heading Supported CPU that Core 2 Quad/Core 2 Extreme/Core 2 Duo/Pentium dual-core/Celeron Dual-Core processors were supported.

What really aggravates me is why ALL resellers can't put an additional short paragraph under the heading Supported CPU something to the affect of "CHECK THE MOTHERBOARD MANUFACTURERS WEBSITE FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF SUPPORTED PROCESSORS".

Newegg and other re-sellers do provide a link to the Manufacturers Product Page, but for some unknown reason 90% of the 1st time builders never go to the Manufacturers Product Page and if they did, they don't think about searching out the motherboard manufacturers supported processor list since the resellers have made a overly broad statement that the type processors they list are supported under the resellers Supported CPU list.

End of rant! ]]> Reviews win2kpro http://forums.techguy.org/reviews/873752-aggravation.html