Built a PC

This is a wonderful thing...lol.

Some months ago my daughter's system crashes, (motherboard issue). Had been meaning to simply replace only the MOBO (motherboard), and use all the other goodies already on system.
Well, one thing lead to another, and I end up replacing everything, except for her CD/DVD player, which, now in retrospect, I should have upgraded that, too, as it seems to lag in comparison to all the new goods, but it's good enough for now.

Kristian helped me by picking out the specs for new. I compiled my list, went to Fry's Electronics, (one of my favorite stores...that, and hardware stores...lol). Picked up all that I needed, brought back and with Kristian watching through my system over Skype...(thank God he has such patience...lol), I put it all together.
Kristian also helped me configure the bios on the new OS (operating system), and how to reformat the old hard drive, (the system is almost a full Terra-byte of hard drive space now..(I want one of those...lol).

Anyway...Yes! I am sorta bragging as this is quite the accomplishment...building a complete system from scratch.
I definitely have a far better understanding of how to read the specs of any system now. Yay.
I've also discovered how MUCH cheaper it is to build your own and have a ten times better system, (which can be later upgraded), than buying a pre-fab system, (which most cannot be upgraded and become outdated in like a 3 years time).

Shangrala

Wow that's extremely cool Shangrala - good for you. I wouldn't have a clue how to do that. Maybe this is a start of a new career - take some courses and fix computers for a living - I'm serious. So how much did this cost, in comparison to having a trained person do it for you?

Good for you, Shangrala.

I really don't know what new, pre-fab systems go for, (they range from a few hundred to an easy thousand, or better), not very appealing to me considering what you get out of them, no where near as high of quality as custom made systems.

I paid almost $500 for all the parts to a "top of the line" gaming center system.
My dot does quite a bit of movie making, gaming, several messengers running and videos. I wanted to make something for her where she could do that simultaneously without lag, and where I can upgrade later when the time comes. I did just that.

If I were to buy a pre-fab system of the quality that I built, then it would have easily run a couple thousand. Gotta keep in mind though, most store bought (pre-fab) cannot be upgraded much. Can add maybe another gig of memory, (if the motherboard accommodates with extra slot).
With a custom built, you can choose a motherboard that offers 4 extra slots for memory, (as well as what's already onboard),and an extra slot for a second video card. As well as a quad core processor...oooohhhh, so sweet.

My system is a hand-me-down with only room for a second memory slot, which I've already filled. I've replaced the video card already, but because my system's already so old (about 5 years), everything on it is obsolete already and they don't offer upgrades anymore...so if, no, WHEN it crashes, (and it's getting there..lol), I can't buy anything to fixie it....it'll be on its way to computer heaven.

My turn for a great one is next....yay.
Taking a system in to be fixed runs into the hundreds.
(This was an idea that Kristian and I have seriously considered to begin as an in-home business (once he gets here). Between the both of us, we were intending to start a custom order/build computer shop and a web site design service.
We work very well together..sigh....(someday).....

Shangrala

Isn't making your own system the coolest thing ever??? When you start it up for the first time and the thing actually WORKS!

I will never buy a desktop computer again. Newegg.com, zipzoomfly and Fry's get all my cash

Good for you Mary.
My brother is a computer technician and builds his own systems.
You can buy an external hard drive that plugs into your usb port .
My dad has one , it's made by Calvary and its 1 terabyte.
1 terabyte = 1,024 gig. How many photos will that hold. Lol
My system is only 3 gig ram but I don't play games so it does just fine.

YES!

What I found upsetting was when we built my last (since stolen) system a couple years ago and I had bought Windows XP OS disc for an easy $100+, since had gone through my share of hard drives (in another system) and used the cd a few times. Discovered that I'm only allowed 3 reinstalls????....
I threw a fit. When I attempted to install it again (on a new hard drive) and was denied, I called up Microsoft and dove into them like there was no tomorrow.

Their argument was that there is allowed only the 3 installs....Period. My argument was that I had bought it, it was MINE, no matter how many freaking times I wanted to install/reinstall. I paid for it. It was mine to use as I felt necessary. I was installing on my systems, my software I bought from them, and there was no way they're getting anymore money out of me. Period.
After speaking with all the managers and even their supervisor, I was given a code which was an over ride for future installations, (should the need arise).

I think Microsoft should allow the person who is buying the software to use as many times as they see fit without that freaking humpty-million digit code to call in every single time. The software costs a small fortune as it already is.

The OS I got for my daughter is the most recent version of Vista with all the upgrades and unlimited reinstalls....Yay. No code to call in every time, though I seriously doubt her system will ever be in need of a reinstall...I built it too good...lol. Unless she catches a major virus of some kind..unlikely, though.

What a marvelous thing you did!!! It is always a terrific high to do something so challenging and have it turn out well.

As far as building systems for a living, I did that for three years and made no money at it. I made my money repairing systems. Building new systems and making money at it is difficult due to the competition of big companies buying parts in bulk. They buy the best parts at reduced prices in bulk and then mass assemble them. You as an individual can't beat their prices.

But don't give up that knowledge. I would love to be a bench technician again. That's my fave. I love making broken things work again.

Great going, Mary!!!!

Yeah, those external hard drives are very cool, but for my dot's system, the less on the outside, the better, as she has yet to learn how NOT to tangle wires, or go through SO many headphones....my LORD. I have NO idea what it is that she does to them, but...headphones, microphones and camcorders. Oh, a couple keyboards & a couple mice, too..(wait...IS it called mice, or are they mouses, since they aren't rodents...lmao)...anything with that cord on it...is history before it gets old..(needless to say, mine are off limits to her...).

I love to fix things, too.
There for a spell, I had my lamp reconstruction phase, (went to thrift stores, bought all the old "antique looking" lamps, refurbish them then sell again for great profit. My favorites were the stain glass ones with brass).
I went through a toy phase too. Again, hit all the thrift stores, picked out all the Barbie's, Bryer's, Ty's, (and a few others), reconditioned them, then sold for great profit.
Gawd....have to wonder now....why DID I stop doing that?...lol.

OK, first off, I would like to congratulate you on what you accomplished!

I've recently built two computers (my current rig, and a computer for my father) and have started another for the sole purpose of selling.

Yeah, it is amazing how cheap it is building the machine yourself, unless of course, you mess up, then it costs a lot more.

I know it isn't the latest-greates machine, but the computer I now use, that I built:

2.3ghz AMD Athlon 64 processor (512kb L2 cache / overclocked by 300mhz / Cool 'n Quiet technology / 200mhz FSB)
2gb DDR RAM (333mhz) - Total of 4 DDR RAM slots (BIOS RAM underclock for the CPU overclock)
(IDE) 100gb HDD & 168gb HDD (Ultra100 / S.M.A.R.T support / S-ATA support / RAID support)
nForce3 Ultra based motherboard (DFI)
(Gigabyte) ATI Radeon X800 GTO AGP8x 256mb DDR3 RAM MCS = 400mhz & CCS = 475mhz (possibly wrong mhz's)
AC97 onbard sound device (EAX 2.0 support)
Windows XP Professional (Vista support / probably Windows 7 support)
5 PCI slots
6 rear working USB ports and 2 front unfunctional USB ports (all 2.0 / 2 are via a PCI card)
(IDE) DVD-RW (40x CD read / 12x DVD read / 8x DVD write / 24x CD write)
350watt PSU (no ATX fan / 4x power cables / no S-ATA support)
Fully customizable BIOS (same as before, with lots more / Phoenix)
(IDE) 1x FDD drive

..give or take some hardware that I've recently added, such as a £50 LG CD-DVD/RW and a 5 port USB 2.0 hub.

I'm happy with it, mostly because of the hassle that has gone into modding it part by part. I did also build this from scratch, bar the motherboard and CPU. My current project, I've already fitted the motherboard, I'm just waiting for the chance to get some more RAM. The computer listed above, was in such a mess when I got it, for free. The motherboard wasn't even connected up. It drives me insane seeing motherboards with incorrect LED and switch settings. It was dirty as hell inside. I essentially gutted it and started again, bar the motherboard and CPU. I'm very proud of it, as it's my fastest rig yet. The graphics card is pretty sweet too. Keep in mind I got it FREE, bar a lot of added parts that I've paid for over the years. heh.

It's worth getting into the computer world, for the simple reason that computers are taking center stage now. Most of us use computers and the rest want one. There's repairs to be made, and much, much more. There's also money to be made. I've made a fair bit with building, customizing, fixing and tweaking, both the software and the hardware. I've been doing this computer shizz (as a hobby and a way to make cash) for *thinks* wow, quite a while, I think.. about.. well, I'm 23 now, so since around 16. Before that I was always using computers, but I never really delved into the hardware until I was around 16. Happy days.

I would love to work professionally, as I have plenty of experience and know-how. What holds me back is the same shizz, mental health and financial issues! Ah well... hopefully one day, eh? Mean while, I get to learn and enjoy the rewards of sortin' other's PC's out. One time I fixed some simple OS problems and common (also laughable) slow downs, and the owner thanked me... with a big bottle of whiskey!

EDIT:

3GB RAM is actually more than enough for games! Hah. Mine has "only" got 2GB but it kicks butt with games.

I also have an Maxtor External HDD at 500GB. It has over 300 movies on it, heeeaps of games and Gawd knows, plenty other GB's of crap. hah

I noticed somebody pointed out 1GB was 1024MB, well, just to let those who don't know, know, it's the same with all of 'em. 8 Bits = 1 Byte, 1024 Bytes = 1KB, 1024KB = 1MB, 1024MB = 1GB, 1024GB = 1TB and finally, I think 1024TB = 1 Exabyte, which I think is apparently the theortical limit, but IDK how legitimate that statement is.

EDIT 2:

Felt like sharing with you my plans for the modding of my current rig. I'm planning to upgrade the PSU, CPU, possible RAM, adding an exhaust fan as well as perhaps a docking station fan and finally, I plan to upgrade the PC to S-ATA, with the exception of the expensive CD-DVD/RW I have recently aquired, heh. There, I think I've bored any poor soul, reading this.

Congrats on the build. I DREAM of the days when I can get 3 GIGS, hell, even 1 GIG of RAM on my computer. I currently run with just 256. Maybe Santa Clause will take pitty on me.

LOL! 256MB RAM!? Man, I feel for you! I'd sort that out for you, if I had any spare modules. I really feel for you!

Side note: Please, for the love of God, stay away from Vista!

Oh, wow.
Now, ONLY if half of that made sense to me without having to read it over a few times....lol.
You obviously have that down to an art, (though you're fortunate to be at that age where it all makes sense naturally...lol).
I'm just now beginning to understand the various specs and their purposes...thanks to Kristian, of course.
I hope to obtain a FAR greater understanding to all that detailed stuff as that is what is needed in order to know what's what regarding the construction, upgrading and troubleshooting systems.
(Understanding the tweaking of the bios is very important, too....I tread lightly with that...don't dare to venture in there on my own....yet...lol).

Shangrala

LOL!

Yep, the BIOS can be uber dangerous, but I've used many BIOS' over the years on many different machines. I've messed up countless times, and thus learnt my lessons.

I'm very familiar with the Pheonix BIOS as it seems to be very common.

Yeah, I am lucky, I guess. I'm amazed you jumped right into hardware like that, and if I'm honest, I wouldn't recommend it at all, however, you built it, and it seems, successfully, so kudos! Understanding the software really, REALLY helps when it comes to understand the hardware.

Here's a tip: now, I don't personally do this, because I've never really needed to. I'm so used to settings and aaaall that shizz that it's second nature to me now, but until that happens, I really recommmend you write down all settings you make in the BIOS. Also, should anything go wrong (and it will) then there are a few ways of resetting the BIOS. Incase you don't know, here's some of those ways:

1. Some motherboards support the resetting of the BIOS with simply turning the computer on WHILST the Insert key is held down.

2. Moving the CMOS jumper over and then back. Do this while the computer is plugged in but switched off. I wouldn't do it with the OS booted.

3. Removing the CMOS battery, booting up, inserting the battery back in and saving the now reset settings.

4. Smashing your computer with a ruddy great big hammer until it showers you with beautifully colorful stars... and... um...

So, yeah! Hope that's of use.

EDIT:

Oh yeah! I knew there was another one. Some motherboards have a small button next to or located near the CMOS battery, and when pressed, it resets the BIOS. VERY useful.

All of you computer lit people have me totally awed! I always have to call the nerds and let them guide me or take over remotely. Then when a computer flakes out on me, I go buy another! I am a baby boomer and most anything I know, I have had to learn the hard way by trial and error. I still entertain ideas of taking some courses but I have shied away because I am not looking for a degree but the mini courses I do see, (as in libraries, etc) seem geared to first time users. I would like to learn about building web pages, learning about making movies, (etc) and also be able to troubleshoot simple problems. I live in a small town but I am in driving distance to Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. Does anyone have suggestions on what courses I need to look for? I get easily intimidated when I don't know what I'm talking about, which is quite often! lol! Any ideas would be really appreciated. Respect to all of you! Thanks.

Awww! Julial! Well, if I was even remotely near you, I'd maybe help fill your head with some computer jargon. I'm into all sorts on computers, it's ludicrous. Web developement is an interest of mine. I usually use a GUI (Guided User Interface) but I know (assuming I can remember) HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language).

Was looking at a B&H Catalog I got the other day. Used PC's for sale in there. One I saw was a HP Slimline, 4gig Memory, 640Gig HD, nVideo card, Win 7 Home Premium...
They want $488.99.

I cant stay focused on the project long enough to build my own. PLUS, $488 is damn near what me and my wife live on in a month.

Like I said, need to make sure I am on the Nice list for Santa Clause

O.o lol Wow. Best be a good boy/girl and hope Santa notices!

What are your exact specs? <<<<< Computer Geek

I have to admit, that's a good deal.
My concerns with pre-fabs though is always the fact that they have short life spans, (the fact that what they put into them is the minimal quality for the money paid, and the fact that some cannot be upgraded..even from online sources). It's those dink of towers (those tiny ones) which limit upgrading motherboards.

LOL..Julial....I'm a baby-boomer, as well, (51 yrs old). I love to tinker with things....especially build/fix...which is probably why I dove straight into building of my own.
Same with when I went through that lamp phase of mine...I had NO concept of how electrical wiring was at the time I began. I just examined how the wires already were...and went from those as guidelines....something like that.
(I must admit, though....I certainly get p.o'd at self when it doesn't turn out right....lol).
Lessons learned through trial n errors....(now if only I can apply that to my every day scenarios...lmao).

Shangrala

Not sure who you were asking about exact specs. This is mine.


XP Home SP2
Pentinum 4 2.4 GHz
256 M Ram (not sure which kind) Dell Dimensions 8250
nVidea GeForce4 MX 420

One Major issue we had with this damn dell was that memory had to be upgraded in pairs, and it was > $100 for it... nowhere near most other peoples RAM.

RRU96,

O.o

OUCH.

Probably DDR.

GeForce4 MX 420.. ouch, that's quite old now. But, if you don't use it for heavy gameage, then you're all good. You know, it's a coinkadink, because, thanks to my new rig, I now have a graphics card spare, the nVidia GeForce 6600LE 256MB AGP8x.

Good processor. I mean, most will dissagree, but they're too stuck on what's the 'latest' or the 'best', but you do actually have an adequate processor, unless you're considerably impatient. If you're gaming reasonably heavily, then you'd be screwed, as far as those specifications are concerned.

I personally dislike Dell, and also Packard Bell. *shudders*

I will neither recommend or dissuade, but, as you may or may not know, there is a Service Pack 3 out for Windows XP, which I use, and find it to speed up the OS in addition to fixing a few issues.

Out of interest, why on Earth did your RAM have to be upgraded in pairs? If the speed between the modules are variable, it will simply set to the speed of the lower module, as to avoid damaging the components with unsupported speeds. For example: a 166MHZ module with a 133MHZ module, would force them both to run at 133MHZ to avoid damaging the 166MHZ module. Unless Dell are sneakier -BEEP- than I though. and made something unique and difficult about it all, then I'd say you were possibly duped.

Regards,
Akuma

I have researched the specific type of RAM in the past... and every place I read stated it HAD to be pairs..I do serious gaming on my XBOX... hence the 6.0 DSL. Never got big on games on my PC... but they may have been because I Couldnt. If I do gaming on my comp, its usually an old SNES emulator, or MAME.