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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,471 |
I've been using Norton Utilities since the DOS days, and I started using Norton AV when it was first introduced.
There's no longer a need for Norton Utilities anymore, since most of these are in Mac and Windows as part of the OS and everything else is available as freeware.
Norton AV worked fine for years, but a couple of years ago, on 3 computers (I had a 3 computer license) it started acting up. I forget what it was doing. Anyway the solution was uninstall and reinstall.
So I made a disk image with Ghost (something I do before adding or deleting any program), uninstalled and reinstalled on three computers. Then connected for a looooooooooong virus definition update.
A couple of months later, the same problem. Then a third time. That's when I dumped it for a competitor.
I still use Ghost, and it has saved my a** many times. Besides for weekly incremental back ups, and monthly disk images (on different external drives), I always do another disk image before adding or removing any software. I've installed some buggy software, and having the ability to restore my drive to the pre-new-software state takes the apprehension out of putting something new on the computer.
Recently I bought a guitar multi-effects pedal and it came with Cubase LE. I haven't tried Cubase in years so I installed it. The installation never got past the "virtual USB key" copy protection. It wouldn't finish installing the program, and every time I turned the computer on, it would stall for about 4 minutes and then ask to finish the installation before completing the computer boot. Needless to say I tried, it wouldn't complete, and the computer wouldn't boot.
Norton Ghost to the rescue!!! Restored my drive from the disk image I made before Cubase, and the problem was solved. Of course I never got Cubase on, but I no longer have the problem it caused either.
Anybody want a copy of Cubase LE????
Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618 |
Hi Critter,
If you find a new computer, could you keep us updated? I've been looking for over a month. I'm in the same price range and having no luck. So far what I've checked out that would be useful to me are all well above my $500 price range. Good hunting and if I find something I'll post as well.
You can PM me as well if you like.
Wayne,
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Don't overlook refurbished computers that come with the same warranty as new, often these can represent quite the cost savings advantage.
--Mac
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 679
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 679 |
It's getting to be a pain in the a##, Asus has some that would do but they don't have internal fans except for the processor, seems kinda dumb...........duh! Every one I look up for reviews at different sites, well you have to spend more for what you need and for expansion later...........anyway. The way I see it, this also needs to be my computer powerhorse because my good one died.....The best I found so far is an HP model HPE-210y for $899.99. Reviews are good on this one........it has a quad amd. Now I find for $100.00 more HP has a six core model amd, brand new system.....The budget is really gettin messed up here. I also found out that the lower priced models have power supplies that barely run what's already in the box.......I am on my old gateway and to load songs in Biab is well should I say have a beer and come back. I know you can get computers online, build it to what you want but, after seeing how UPS flings the Biab harddrive on my deck, I would hate to see what they would do with a computer........s*&^ it's not a paper........I went to the UPS depot in Sheboygan and told them about what I saw, and they said do you have pictures or a video........PG be carefull who have deliver.......FedEx knocks on the door and hands it to you!!!!!!! JUst a thought. I am still searching for the right box but I am afraid the budget is out the window....................................................................... 
Critter
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Off-Topic
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618 |
Same here Critter. I've given up at the moment. I can't buy what I bought in 2007 for $1000, for $1500-$2000. I found the same, bad graphics, one fan, a very small power supply etc. And if I see a $500-$600 PC the upgrades I'd have to do would be at least 2-4 hundred dollars and a new power supply. I've done the same research you're talking about and it seems I can't even replace what I have in my 2007 XP PC for the same money.
Lots of junk out there. I read an article that said Chip orders were way down. Companies aren't selling. So expect price cuts in the Fall. We'll see.
Wayne,
p.s. I've even brought my Gateway P4 2.0, that went through a flood back to life)
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Off-Topic
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
I've been getting good results with the slightly lower priced emachines offerings.
Good quality builds, lotta bang for the buck, but like the others you still may have to add a few things to take it to the top. First thing I always do is swap out the stock PSU for a higher wattage one that has a quiet fan. Especially if the use will be for DAW work or other application where you will be adding peripherals such as soundcards and/or more disk drives. And its always a good idea to throw more memory RAM at these things.
I have found that it is often the case where you can purchase a computer that does not have a lot of RAM in it and then purchase more RAM separately and come out ahead on the price, too. So I tend to avoid those "fullhouse" offerings and moave downscale a bit to the ones that may not come with all that RAM installed at the factory.
Another way to go and save money would be to consider upgrading the box you already have. New mobo and cpu plus RAM and new OS install disks. Careful spec. comparison can tell you if the other things you already have are compatabile with the new mobo and you should do that excercise thoroughly before buying or risk painting yourself into a corner.
--Mac
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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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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
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Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
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Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
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-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
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- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
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Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
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