Pixies Place Forums

Pixies Place Forums (http://www.pixies-place.com/forums/index.php)
-   Advice (http://www.pixies-place.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4)
-   -   New Computer...Is This A Good Deal? (http://www.pixies-place.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30453)

1nutworld 04-15-2007 03:40 PM

Ahh...
Thanks Lilith!

LixyChick 04-15-2007 04:02 PM

LMFAO! Oh Lil...you remembered! The Lixionary lives on!

But I pose another question. Does anyone know what the "H" in JHCOAB stands for?



















Clue: A current band says it's a reference to them

1nutworld 04-15-2007 04:10 PM

I was told that the "H" you are referring to was Holy, but obviously WTF do I know.

Lilith 04-15-2007 04:29 PM

Hoobastank :D

LixyChick 04-15-2007 05:09 PM

Yeah Lil!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cobalt 04-15-2007 05:11 PM

Well, we were away getting my son married off this weekend, but it looks like the pixies here took care of you just fine. I knew if PF got a chance to he would explode it and give you a very complete and detailed description that you would be able to understand. Which when I read on, he did just that. GOOD JOB PF!!!!!!!!!!!
From what I read, I feel that you have had great advice. Just wish I could have been here to service you, I mean help you,LOL.

I am so surprised that you got along as well as you did with Windows ME, it is the worst operating system there ever was. Most people have nothing but problems with it, you were very fortunate.

You will be blown away with the speed and reliability of a newer computer. Hopefully!!!

Vista is so new, that they still haven't got all the bugs worked out yet. We prefer XP Pro, I haven't tried Vista yet!

Casperr 04-16-2007 07:05 AM

Amen to PF's post. It's so nice to be agreed with!

Everyones mileage will always vary, but you seem like you're on the right track.

But I will say this about your old system: there are probably two reasons it's so slow. The first is viruses and spam. Make sure you scan it with good software every now and then. But the second reason isn't really the computer at all. DIAL UP IS SUPER SLOW!!! 30 seconds to 2 minutes to load a page? Standard fare on dial up. The slowest DSL you can get, will be a dream compared to what you're on now. You'll actually think (Oh god, I can't believe I'm actually going to use this cliche....) that you're on the information super highway and not just the local parking lot!

Oh god, I can't believe I said that. Somebody, please, shoot me! Shoot me in the face!
No, no, I'm joking Mr. Vice President. Seriously, it's sarcasm dude - you need a sense of humour....

Lilith 04-16-2007 04:22 PM

/me pulls the buckshot out of CasperTG's bootay :D

sodaklostsoul 04-17-2007 11:04 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by CasperTG
This is where I'm going to disagree with strong vehemence. Symantec is god awful. Revolting interface, resource hog, expensive and ineffective. That's right, IT DOESN'T WORK.
My first computer was running it for about a year. I felt things weren't quite right with it, so I did the free online scan at housecall.trendmicro.com - guess what! Six full blown viruses. Stay. Away. From. Norton.

McAfee has probably the best reputatation of the paid-for anti-virus software.

But I've had no problems at all running Avast on my machines - works like a charm.

I like that Avast, love the little blue ball on the task bar. Thanks Casper!!

dicksbro 04-18-2007 03:56 AM

Lix, I think ya' done good. PF's got some good points (as do the others). I especially like his idea of the webcam and bigger monitor. Hmmmmm ... I'm going to have to look in on this. :)

One thing on the antivirus. A couple of years ago I got the Corporate version of Symantex's antivirus and I've loved it. It doesn't "expire" each year and automatically keeps the definitions up-to-date. It's caught several virus attempts prevented any harm. Used to have the "off-the-shelf" packages and hated it. Big difference with this. Got it from a local technology center and wouldn't trade it.

:thumbs:

LixyChick 04-18-2007 04:47 AM

Hiya Peeps!

I got lost for a few days (Nor'Easter was trying to bite us) but I'm back now.

TY, TY, TY for all the advice and replies! I've been checking in on PCWorld.com and ConsumerReports.com and places like that, and trying to get some info on Vista and Dell and other stuff.

I found out that Windows XP is being phased out for new puters. It's still available for office networks and upon insistance for home as well, but Microsoft would like Vista to take it's place ASAP.

I think this is where ignorance is bliss for us computer dummies. When I got ME I didn't know my ass from a hole in the ground and I navigated it quite well, if I do say so myself. Not that I know the difference between a hole and my ass, but still far behind most in the knowledge department, I'm just not scared of taking the leap to Vista.

I haven't confirmed anything yet and I am still researching and tweeking. I'll get back to you all when I get all squared away.

Congratulations to your son and his new wife Cobalt and Chey! Oh...and you service me just fine everytime you pop in one of my threads!

I agree about the viruses and spam and dial-up stuff Casper...and nobody is shooting anybody! Least I could understand that silly cliche...lol!

Soda and db...TY for the feedback! NOTED and NOTED! *hugs*

Coaster 04-19-2007 12:45 AM

Well Lix............. you certainly got an earful!!!! Next time ask us how to get a better orgasm and you'll get a........

Anyway, PF said everything I was putting together.... and his Lixyspeak was so eloquent! I also discovered AVG.... it found things that Norton did not.

As far as totally destroying your old hard drive....... ( many months after you've taken out what you want) I was told the only true destruction is to remove the hard drive and drill 4 spaced out holes thru it. Then it's junk! PF mention bringing old stuff into your new computer..... I wouldn't want to chance bringing in crap (so be selective)and will your imported software be upgraded to run on vista?

I've got 8 Dell's and a Dell laptop..... I did start out with 4 Gateways many years ago.... my biggest complaint is that I don't speak Indian/English..... I always insist on tech support from Texas.... I can at least partially understand them!!! :D

A puter friend I've known since childhood told me years ago to turn my new puters on and leave them on for a week. If anything was to fail, it would do it by then. After purchasing 12 puters for my biz and another 6 for family, I've always done this and have only had 1 video card quit...... and it did it 1 month after my 3 yr extended Dell warranty expired. They did charge me for it and gave me misinformation on how to install the card and NEVER sent me the drivers after repeated calls...... until Dell brings tech support back to the states we will have to put up with the BS. Good Luck hun.... send me all those ol' pics of you and I'll keep them safe!!!! :D

LixyChick 04-22-2007 09:53 AM

Weeeeeeeee! TY my peeps!

I don't know if I ever mentioned this, but the computer I am on now is only my 2nd computer ever. And to top that off...our first system was used...never refurbished...out of an office system after they got new. We only got the first one to see if we were going to like/have time using a computer at all...LMFAO! But, I swear I didn't even know if I wanted to take the time when I initially got one. Of course I had no idea what an addiction/necessity it'd become. When we realized what we had been missing and that the used system was outdated and lacking upgradable memory we bought the Compaq I am on now.

That we even had the limited knowledge to realize we needed a new puter was such a breakthrough for us. We actually bought this system we have now at a local (yearly) computer "show and sale" and it was cheap, cheap, cheap! It came as is...everything in the box...no upgrades...what you see on the side of the box is what you get! We were still very ignorant of the "how's and why's" and have had to learn along the way since then. That was 6, almost 7, years ago. (<---not much time when I look back now)

As I said initially, we don't know nearly as much as most people out there. But I am confident that I have learned enough to warrant some bells and whistles in this next purchase. I have taken a lot of time to research this purchase...starting here! I've tallied all the very helpful responses, and with that and some off-site comparison shopping (checked out other systems such as HP...etc.) I think I can honestly say I am ready to make a confident purchase.

For what we felt we wanted and needed we can get a really good buy from Dell. With a rebate here and a discount there...for the money...Dell had the best offer. I've heard and understand the quirks and mishaps everyone has told me about Dell and their support. I TY Coaster, for cluing me in to insisting on US support if/when I need it. In setting up an ISP for my father-in-law for an "inexpensive" way to get on the net, I had to speak with plenty of East Indian representitives who are, supposedly, trained to speak English. I was the only one who had the patience (imagine that!) to sit on the phone for several hours and decypher the information they were trying to relay. It helped that I don't have a racist bone in my body too! My father-in-law is such a racist/bigot...and believe me he couldn't get past it in order to set himself up. LMAO!

BTW...I'm NOT saying everyone who doesn't like the support from East India is a racist!!!! I'm just saying that it was THE major reason why my in-law couldn't get himself set up. Eventually he dropped that ISP...for that reason only! But, I digress...again! LOL!

I've tweeked the system I put up initially. I took away the unecessary upgrades and kept the ones recommended as "good" or "you'll appreciate it" or "best for the system" or "good buy"....etc.

My total system, including tax, will cost $971.31.

It is:

Dell Dimension E521
AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core 4400+
Free Windows Vista Home Premium upgrade...1GB memory included
Upgrade to 2GB Dual Channel SDRAM
Keyboard and Mouse Bundle included. Didn't like their options. Will find my own mouse.
NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Integrated Graphics IPU included
Upgrade to 20" Widescreen Digital Flat Panel Monitor
Upgrade to 320GB Hard Drive w/Data Burst Cache (from 250GB)
No Floppy Drive
56K PCI Data Fax Modem included
Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 included
Upgrade to Dual Drives: 16x DVD ROM Drive and 48x CD-RW/DVD Combo (they've changed the price and made it an offer I can't refuse)
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
No Speakers (too pricey for our needs...we'll get our own)
30 Free trial McAfee included...will scout our own when needed
2yr. LTD Warranty and At-Home Service upgraded from 1yr. included offer (They lowered the price when I didn't bite on an initial upgrade. Offer too good to refuse!)
Microsoft Works Suite 2006-includes MS Word and a bunch of other stuff I liked. They'll pre-install and test it. They lowered the price on this one too. It's a good thing to be a hold-out!

And then there'll be a bunch of trial packs I can choose to install or not. Stuff like ISP's and New Yahoo stuff and Music thingies...a buncha stuff!

So...that's the deal! I can't wait! I should probably take a week or two vacation time cause I want to get a puppy soon too! YIKES!

Thank You from the bottom of my bottom to EVERYONE who contributed to this thread and helped me immensely. And to all who have PM'd me periodically to add a tid-bit!

I Love You Guys!!!!!! :loveyou:

Wish us luck!

sodaklostsoul 04-22-2007 09:57 AM

Good Luck!!!!

LixyChick 04-22-2007 10:24 AM

TY (((((Soda)))))!!!


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:58 AM.

Powered by: vBulletin Version 3.0.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.