[Finally Building A New Computer...]

Wireless router: I have an old wireless G card that I think works, so I can probably use that in the computer. But I need a wireless router. G or N? Keep in mind that I don't game much, mostly CAD, graphics, house design, etc. And keep in mind that my budget is getting really thin... I spent more than I had planned on what I have already (for upgrade potential).

OK, I've done some research, and will stick with G, as that will be fast enough, and will give me an upgrade path in the next couple of years, when the dust settles on N. Now to find a good price on a good one. I just plug this in between my DSL and wired computer & wired printer (Spankin'new HP Office Jet 6310), right?

[Finally Building A New Computer...]

OK, My bank account is happy again, so I can keep shopping.

Today: Looking for:

OS: I think I'll stick with XP, but what's the difference between OEM at $90, and retail box? How about 32 vs 64 bits? 64 bits seem intuitively twice as fast, but I think this is mobo dependent? Sorry about all the dumb questions, but this old dino-puter limits my surfing and learning ability.

... I'm wondering if I should ask questions in separate threads, or keep it all here?...

CPU cooler: To my understanding, Intel recommends 450g or less for a cooler. Most cool ones I see are a lot heavier... up to 2.5 pounds! I think I might go with the cheapie at xoxide.

Wireless router: I have an old wireless G card that I think works, so I can probably use that in the computer. But I need a wireless router. G or N? Keep in mind that I don't game much, mostly CAD, graphics, house design, etc. And keep in mind that my budget is getting really thin... I spent more than I had planned on what I have already (for upgrade potential).

TV Tuner: I know zero minus nothing about these, except what I read in Maximum PC, but I'd like a two tuner card, compatible with DishTV, so I can record Dexter.

That will probably max out today's budget... tomorrow, I will be able to start looking for 2 HDDs. I think this is all I need to get this puppy fired up, then, budget allowing, I get a Big A$$ monitor, new speakers also this week.

As usual, any advise is helpful to this first time builder.

[Power Surge Then 3 Beeps]

Thanks, all for your advise. My son has been too busy to get back to me, so I'll let this thread rest, until or unless I have any updates, but I think you all have gotten up on the right track. Thanks again for your expertise.

[Finally Building A New Computer...]

Wow, Pete! Lots of information here! You are always SO good at giving through, detailed explanations, and understandable. Also, you don't just answer what is asked, you always give us the information we really NEED, and didn't know how to ask!

I will absorb this information, as I continue shopping. I especially like your info about the printer, as I want the computer wireless in the bedroom, but can leave the printer wired in the living room/office. then I will be able to totally get rid of this dino-puter. KEWL!

[Power Surge Then 3 Beeps]

Thanks, Pete. My son's busy all weekend (he works at a music store & he's a musician), so I'll follow up as soon as I find out what's up.

Thanks again!

[Power Surge Then 3 Beeps]

You may want to take a look at the capacitors of both the motherboard and video card. If they are bulged or leaking, it may show you the problem.

Thanks, Shanenin... will check the caps first thing when he gets home from work!

[Power Surge Then 3 Beeps]

My son leaves his computer on all the time, and he came home the other day, to find that the power in his house had been off. He talked to an IT guy in the neighborhood and found that there had been a power surge... no, he has no UPS, or voltage conditioner, straight to the wall... I think he has learned now...

Turned computer on, and drives spin up, but nothing else, video does not come on. Took out sound, network cards, extra drives, etc.; has to leave in video card, because can not find vid port on mobo. F1... F1... F1... nothing.

Last time he turned it on before he went to work this morning, the drive spin up, and he heard three loud beeps, that he said sounded like they came from the hard drive.

When he gets off of work, he is going to tell me the model of the mobo, cpu, etc., but do you have any ideas until then?

[Finally Building A New Computer...]

Hi, all! I used to hang out here, but, with my funky old computer, family health problems, and other things, I've been away. It's too depressing to look at all this cool information, and struggle along with my little old eMachine business computer at 1.7GHz with one little core, no sound card, no graphics card.

Well, for my seventh anniversary, my husband is letting me build a new toy! I've started buying parts, but want to share them with you all, and humbly ask for any advise/recommendations/words-of-encouragement... whatever. I'm building with an eye to future upgrades.

Thanks, all!

This is what I have so far:

Case: Sunbeam Transformer... deep blue... yeah I know... Transformers... but I see it as a transformation from my dino-puter to a blazing new machine... haven't named it yet... maybe y'all can help.

Mobo: EVGA nForce 750i SLI Socket 775

CPU: Intel Quad Core Kentsfield 2.4 GHz Q660

RAM: 4G Crucial... I don't have the specs in front of me here.

GX: EVGA 8600GTS 256... yeah, it's not the best, but the best I can afford, and I can SLI another in a few months

PS: Hiper 650 W, SLI ready

Optical: Sony DVD RW... I'll Add a Sony DVD Player later

Audio: SoundBlaster Audigy... yeah, I got the littlest SoundBlaster they have, but I live in a small place...

Lots of blue and UV lights/lighted fans

Whew... I am so stoked!!! This is my first build, so I expect a few bumps. I think the main things I need advise on right now are:

CPU Cooler: No overclocking, but most of the cool looking coolers are way over the weight of 450g, which, I think is the max that Intel recommends. (Shoot, this thing just started using the single quote as a hot key to FireFox Find... I saw somewhere here how to fix that. Hope I can find it again... weird that it started happening just after I read about it...) Just started reading the Thermal and MEchanical Guidelines PDF, all 199 pages, but I am pretty sure that 450g is max. WHat do you all think about these heavier, nicer looking cpu cooler fans?

TV Tuner: I have Dish TV, and also would like to upload my old VHS to DVD

Network: I have wired DSL, would like this new machine to be wireless in another room. Plus, I want to leave the printer in the living room, and print from the new machine from my bedroom. This old dinosaur will be turned into a 98 machine for play, or I will clean it up, and give it to my Mom's 80 year old neighbor, who still has ME.

Dual Boot: I've never tried this, but I'd like to try Vista, XP, maybe 98, and Linux (used to program, with this new machine, I can bring up my skills again)

Well, that's all I can think at this moment... I'm sure I'll have more questions soon...

Thanks for all of your time!