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Now you've defined what works for you. Groovy. If I had a laptop or a handheld, perhaps I could do those things too. Still prefer paper, myself. Getting whiteout off a lappy screen is a b*tch.
lolz
r.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Rys, I'm really going to go where I know I shouldn't. You might consider replacing the computer. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.asp...671&topnav=That's a Dell system available at Costco. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.asp...671&topnav=This is a ZT system from Costco. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.asp...671&topnav=This is another ZT system from Costco http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.asp...671&topnav=This is from iBuyPower, and may actually be your best bet. It has an Asus mobo (which I use in my computers), a bigger power supply, only a dual core processor, but you really don't need anything else. All of these run 64 bit OS's, and as long as you can get drivers, you should be fine. Lots of companies offer 64 bit drivers for products now. In any of these choices, you can move the 160 gig hard drive from your old computer, and you'll have to use the monitor you have now. I wouldn't trust to update the BIOS in your old computer, I'm sorry to say. You could, easily, leave yourself in a situation where you'll not be able to use the computer at all until you physically replace the CMOS chips. I don't trust ECS/PCChips at all, I've known too many people who have had issues with them. It is even possible that the 80 gig is still good, and you may be able to save that, as well. I trust Steve Gibson, but if you have a BIOS issue, then Spinrite can get screwed up. My opinion is that a newer computer will save you a lot of hassles. I know, I'm sure, that price is an issue, but it's the best solution I have right now. I went out to iBuyPower's website, and they also have Weekly specials, like this one: http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/configurator.aspx?mid=69Plus, you have the ability to custom configure the system. The only things I would do to this system would be to be to put a 500 watt power supply in it for $30, spend an extra $50 to install a second 320GB hard drive, and if you wanted a 20" widescreen monitor, spend $170 more for that. Without the monitor, you're still under $600. Gary
Last edited by Gary Curran; 05/06/09 12:02 PM.
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Gary, I really appreciate the advice. I do. It's not that you shouldn't go there, it's just that I can't. I've nickel and dimed myself on this one, but the 500 Gb WD Caviar drive is it, todo, all there is. In the meantime I am getting useful work out of it, and I think the new drive will make the audio run seamlessly. I don't regret the nickels and dimes, either, because I've learned all along. Even though I've been frustrated along the way, it has led me to where I am now, with a dated but functional DAW. "Everything I know about computers, I learned in self defense."(c)
I've heard comments on Maxtor reliability, mostly from Lawrie as I recall. I lost an unbacked-up Maxtor 60 Gb main drive in my last move; it worked when I packed the machine, didn't when I unpacked it, and I'm the one who moved it. This drive is at least five years old, came out of a SOHO network server, and has half the throughput of my present main drive, so when the WD arrives I pull everything off and build a pr0n cruisin' virus catcher with the old drive, lol. I don't trust it for NOTHIN'.
R.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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And I figured as much, Rys. Still, computer prices are coming down, so at some point in the future, it may be possible to do something. But, let's concentrate on now. http://www.pcchips.com.tw/PCCWebSite/Pro...D=1&LanID=0This is the BIOS flash page, but you need to have version 5.1 motherboard. If you don't, you'll need to see what version of the motherboard you do have, and then get *that* BIOS. There is a link on that page that shows you where to find the version information. At the bottom of the page, there is a BIOS flash utility. You can open that up, load the flash data file, and then click whatever it says to do to flash it. You have to follow the directions exactly though. Failure of a flash will render your computer totally useless. Yes, that's scary, no, I've never had an issue with it...don't do it in a thunderstorm where the power may go out, or where you kitten will sit on your UPS switch and turn everything off (mine does that all the time!) You shouldn't have any issues updating the BIOS, it's not very hard. The thing I like about Steve Gibson is he doesn't give you any B.S. He lays it out and tells you WHY stuff isn't working. Since I've now read the link you posted, you may have the latest BIOS on your computer, if which is the case, then there is no reason to try to update it. As I've said before, I don't trust ESC or PC Chips. You *might* be able to find something compatible with your CPU on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/GIGABYTE-SOCKET-A-MO...93%3A1|294%3A50Maybe something like that, used, but inexpensive, and I've used Gigabyte in the past (still have one, a 754 socket, runs fine) and have been very happy with it. In fact, my other Gigabyte board now resides in my sister's computer, which is a 939 socket, and that one also continues to work fine. You can also find Asus, MSI, and others that will work well for Socket A for a relatively inexpensive, more nickles and dimes stuff, that would probably serve you better than the PC Chips mainboard you have now. http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ABIT-KG7A-RAID-S...93%3A1|294%3A50Gary
Last edited by Gary Curran; 05/06/09 04:43 PM.
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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