Computer help needed please.

dougdarter

dougdarter

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Douglas
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My computer is knaxed:gag: :eek: :'(

I've been running a 3.2ghz Pentium with 1.25gb RAM, and so far it's been sufficient, ie, PS and all my other RAM hungry apps have been doing OK.

I've decided that my new one will be dual core Pentium, with a min of 2gb RAM, and I'm pretty sure that'll be enough for my needs for the next few years, as I don't use it for gaming. I'm probably buying this one:

http://www.meshcomputers.com/Default.aspx?PAGE=PRODUCTVIEWPAGE&USG=PRODUCT&ENT=PRODUCT&KEY=197232

My question is this.......... Will all my Win XP programmes, incl PS2 and 3 work on the new Windows Vista, or are there any issues??, specifically, will I be able to transfer from old HDD to new, and vice versa, ie, will I be able to re-load all the images I have archived to DVD disc, and pen drives??

How does Vista compare with XP??

All help appreciated.

PS, before anybody raises the MAC question, no, I can't afford it - I'm a pensioner!!

Thanks,

Doug
 
There are still some compatibillity issues apperently, Doug.
The computer Techno's that I know, all still favour XP but say that that once all the crap has been beaten out of vista it should be good. I recently changed computers and went for a duo 2 core thingy and stuck to XP pro I would rather play safe than sorry

Edit computers bought recently, with XP usually come with a free up-grade to vista but I haven't had the courage to do it.....
 
Cobra said:
There are still some compatibillity issues apperently, Doug.
The computer Techno's that I know, all still favour XP but say that that once all the crap has been beaten out of vista it should be good. I recently changed computers and went for a duo 2 core thingy and stuck to XP pro I would rather play safe than sorry

Edit computers bought recently, with XP usually come with a free up-grade to vista but I haven't had the courage to do it.....
Click to expand...

I don't know whether I have a choice anymore! Every single new computer comes standard with Vista:bang:

I think it may have to be a question of suck it and see.
 
This new Dell Dimension 9200 dual core computers running Vista Home Premium. It has a 500Gig raid array hard disk (two 250Gig disks working in tandem writing blocks of data alternatively to one or other to speed up transfer to and from disk as I understand it?) so I expected a few more complications with it than my much simpler conventional old one.

I have not any problems so far with this, though a friend who bought exactly the same computer a few weeks later could never get his raid array disk to work properly so his is now configured as two separate conventional 250Gig hard disks.

I had a few minor teething troubles because I think the software has to be signed as compatible somehow or Vista gives you a message it is incompatible. Some manufacturers are providing patches for Vista, but some like Adobe are using the opportunity to try and force you into buying their new versions. They say they will not provide Vista patches for their older post processing software other than the newer Photoshop CS3, Elements 5 and Lightroom.

However I am running Elements 4 OK on Vista and have had no trouble so far other than when I click on the icon to start Elements Windows tells me Elements 4 has known incompatibility problems and to check for updates, but do I want to run it anyway? I click the "run" button and it seems to run OK, at least for what I use Elements for.

DaveW
 
MS have done their usual trick of releasing new OS software & letting their customers find the problems for them. I'd advise negotiating a copy of XP Home or Pro & loading that rather than risk the predictable compatability problems - especially with valuable images at stake!
 
Just my 2p, but I wouldn't go for Vista at the moment - perhaps never! :) There are compatibility issues, plus Vista is very resource hungry and does not make the best of your hardware. There are also all the usual Windows security and virus problems.

You say don't mention Mac, but in price/performance terms they don't compare badly with an equivalent PC, and OSX is (again IMO) far better than Windows. The prices are likely to come down now that OSX Leopard is due out in October.

I'm currently running UBuntu Linux for 95% of things, and XP for Windows-only software. I'm writing this on a 4-yr-old machine with a P4 2.4GHz processor (slower than yours), and it really flies under Linux. It would be good to know what's wrong with your current machine, because fixing it and sticking with XP (and maybe Linux dual boot, if you like) sounds the cheapest option and will probably be less hassle than Vista.

All that may be 4p... :thinking: :p
 
dougdarter said:
I don't know whether I have a choice anymore! Every single new computer comes standard with Vista:bang:

I think it may have to be a question of suck it and see.
Click to expand...

If you go to a "specialist" and have one built to your spec you should get the option of which operating system you want installed, but they are not normally the cheapest unfortunately
 
With some manufacturers you can still opt for XP if you'd prefer. Might be interested in Dell here.
Rich

ps my daughter just bought a new HP laptop with Vista and she's very happy with it. No probs at all so far, but (like others have said above) I understand some software has issues with it.
 
Just to balance the scale a little I am running Vista Ultimate with no problems at all Doug.;)

Just make sure you get the 32 Bit version and not the 64 Bit version.

People still have difficulty finding drivers for the 64 Bit version but everything working fine here with my 32 Bit version Doug.

Photoshop/Internet/Mail/Office Suite/Hardware all working fine now..:thumbs:
 
Brains said:
What do you mean exactly....is it completely broken or just slow?
Click to expand...

It has just stopped working!

It boots normally, and everything loads as it should, but as soon as you load up any programme that requires the processor to work hard, ie PS2 or PS 3, or download any large files, it throws an hissy fit and stops.

The screen freezes, and none of the normal actions I would use work - ie, ctrl/alt/delete brings up the dialogue box, which then freezes. The only way out is to re-boot.

I tried writing all my unsaved images to disc, and it would write a dozen or so, then everything would freeze.

This old machine is 4 years old now, it's worked hard, and done me proud, so I think it's time for a new one.
 
I'll echo Busterboy, and go for Vista, I've been running for a good while (in Beta and now the full version), and I find that it runs a lot smoother than XP, especially how it manages resources/memory.
The only compatibility issue I had was with an oldish firewire card reader, so I just changed to a USB2 reader.

The spec you are suggesting looks good.

One way round the transfer is to buy a harddrive caddy (around £15 on flea-bay) and use your hard drive from your old machine as a USB drive, transferring all your images from that drive to your new drives.
 
If you go to the M$ website, you can download a little programme that will scan your computer for software and it produces a report which tells you what is supported and what is not. You will find all programmes will run, however some features may be disabled until the software company provide an update.

Personally, id avoid vista like the plague. you'll find you 2gb ram will offer the same performance as 1gb under xp.
 
dougdarter said:
It has just stopped working!

It boots normally, and everything loads as it should, but as soon as you load up any programme that requires the processor to work hard, ie PS2 or PS 3, or download any large files, it throws an hissy fit and stops.

The screen freezes, and none of the normal actions I would use work - ie, ctrl/alt/delete brings up the dialogue box, which then freezes. The only way out is to re-boot.

I tried writing all my unsaved images to disc, and it would write a dozen or so, then everything would freeze.

This old machine is 4 years old now, it's worked hard, and done me proud, so I think it's time for a new one.
Click to expand...


Take the lid off and...
- Fans there are 2 or more, they must all be running.
-- One main one on the back of the PSU (where the mains lead goes in)
-- One on the processor
-- One on the graphics card maybe..
(the first 2 are nearly always individually replaceable, the Graphics card fan might be integral to it..)

- Gently blow/suck out all of the dust and nonsense that will have acumulated everywhere
This will increase the airflow around the bits that are throwing toys out of the pram.

- If you are feeling confident then take out and re-seat the memory. One or more of this sticks could be going wibble.
 
Hi,

Thanks for all the help, but I've decided to go new:D

I've just bought a Dell Dimension (upgraded 9200)

Intel Core duo E6600
4.96gb DDR2 RAM
2 x 250gb SATA Raid 0 Stripe hard drives
20" high res monitor
256MB nVidia GeForce 8600GTS graphics card

Best of all, Windows XP professional loaded, with a free copy of Vista on CD if I ever decide to use it.

All with 3 years at home warranty:D

Dell rep was extremely happy, and ended up knocking of nearly £200 when I started getting excited about the rising cost!!:lol:

I'm not at all sure what all this means, but I'm prety certain that it will do all I need it to do!!
 
dougdarter said:
Hi,

Thanks for all the help, but I've decided to go new:D

I've just bought a Dell Dimension (upgraded 9200)

Intel Core duo E6600
4.96gb DDR2 RAM
2 x 250gb SATA Raid 0 Stripe hard drives
20" high res monitor
256MB nVidia GeForce 8600GTS graphics card

Best of all, Windows XP professional loaded, with a free copy of Vista on CD if I ever decide to use it.

All with 3 years at home warranty:D

Dell rep was extremely happy, and ended up knocking of nearly £200 when I started getting excited about the rising cost!!:lol:

I'm not at all sure what all this means, but I'm prety certain that it will do all I need it to do!!
Click to expand...

Get rid of that RAID1 for a start. you'll regret it when you lose your piccies.
 
brummie said:
Get rid of that RAID1 for a start. you'll regret it when you lose your piccies.
Click to expand...

:thinking: :thinking:

I don't understand? These drives were recommended as being excellent for storing image files!
 
Yes excellent as for speed of transfer but CRAP when they crash as the data is stripped accross two drives... Plus XP only uses 2GB of your 4GB RAM so you should see if you can change it - also Vista will only see probably a max of upto 3GB of the RAM too - only the 64 Bit versions see the full amount :(

Other than that not a bad PC - Could of bought one of my advertised ones on here for £350 and it would of been just as good!

Finally Dell have excellent support if anything does go wrong!

Enjoy!
 
i'm sure the drives are fine but RAID0 (sorry i typo'd before) is very insecure
 
StuvUk said:
Yes excellent as for speed of transfer but CRAP when they crash as the data is stripped accross two drives... Plus XP only uses 2GB of your 4GB RAM so you should see if you can change it - also Vista will only see probably a max of upto 3GB of the RAM too - only the 64 Bit versions see the full amount :(

Other than that not a bad PC - Could of bought one of my advertised ones on here for £350 and it would of been just as good!

Finally Dell have excellent support if anything does go wrong!

Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Thanks Steve.:lol:

TBH, until now, I've never had an hard drive crash, perhaps I've been lucky. Should I re-spec to a pair of non Raid drives, and 2gb of memory??

I hadn't seen you ad, perhaps if I had, I'd have made a different decision.:bang:
 
I am sure most points have been previoulsy covered, but I will have my tuppence worth.

Vista, has varying releases, each with their own level of compatibility, functionality and cost.

At the top end there is Vista Ultimate which I as far as I haev seen so far is fairly well compatible with older things,
It does often give a warning about compatibility, but has a continue anyway function.

The real problem with Vista is performance, Vista is very very memmory and processor hungry.

I understand minimum memmory requirement is 1.5gig and with the 2 gig that I use on top of a reasonably high end CPU Intel Conroe core 2 duo cpu i see very definate performance drops with some things (games are the worst for it) and start up is quite slow.

But if you have a new high end computer it is still goign to feel quicker to you with vista on.

Vista also has a very very differnt User Interface. If you can adapt easily thaen that isnt a problem, if you cant adapt or find functions easily (for example control panel / add remove programs has gone and is now found under programs) then dont go to vista.

My advice would be, dont buy a prebuilt / preinstalled computer, but instead build or get one built yourself. If you don't have the technical know how or the confidence to do that your self, ask around your family, I can almost gurantee somebody will build them or have afriend who builds them. That way you can have exactly the machine you want, and also stick with XP if you want to.

Alternatively get some extra memmory into your current pc, and maybe bigger hard drive. Get somebody to reformat and reinstall it for you (if you dont know how to do it yourself) and spend the money saved on a new lens (or buy me one :P )

A 3.2 gig cpu is more than adequate for CS
 
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