custom built desktops

[Cozmo]

Hmm... I don't know what to say here. Do I offer my services at my church so that they come ask me computer questions every single time they have a problem? For that, I will charge them a fee unless I feel that God wants to use me to help them. Do I think it's wise to tell people to go ahead and build their own computer, read the directions carefully and make sure everything is compatible? Never. Why? Because if and when they run into problems they don't know what to do. That's when you have to rely on someone who's been building them for years. Granted, I'll admit it's a lot easier nowadays than it was 10 - 12 years ago, but a thorough knowledge of how computer parts work and how they communicate with each other as well as the OS, and how to fix problems when and if they arise, pays off tremendously. It's not just something you'll pick up because you want to build a computer. My recommendation is to have a knowledgable friend help you build one.

Shadow RAM is just a copy of the BIOS routines from the ROM into an area of RAM so that it can be accessed more quickly. -- That's just a basic definition of Shadow RAM. Anybody with their A+ should know that

 

[Durelen]

Shadow RAM is just a copy of the BIOS routines from the ROM into an area of RAM so that it can be accessed more quickly. -- That's just a basic definition of Shadow RAM. Anybody with their A+ should know that

Yep, right on!

 

[icebreaker]

Anyone know of a good company that offers some type of air filter with the fan or just by itself. I opened up my presario so that I could start getting more used to "basic" components of a computer and how they go together well anyway I believe it was my heatsink not sure what its called but ontop of my cpu there was a fan and between fan and cpu was this metal object with a bunch of nooks and crannys lol thats only way I can describe it well it was completly filled with dust infact my entire motherboard had an infection of dust bunnies all over it.

 

[xMinionX]

For nice, attractive computer parts, I suggest these websites. Good products, they look great, and good service and prices.

www.svc.com (Excellent prices)
www.xoxide.com (try for X-hour, every sunday. Great deals)

I know my case mods. My case = Sunbeam Acrylic w/6 lightup fans, 2 meteor lights, and three hyper LEDs, with more on the way.

 

[jamesvwalsh]

I would go with Durelen's idea and check out his site recommendation. It's got some good step-by-step you could use to help keep you on track. I think any problems that occur though, anyone on this forum seems glad to help you resolve. I offer my help. I agree with Pennyless that it is not difficult to build a PC. I know MANY people that can do it, it's just a matter of getting through those little "nitches" that come up.
I would recommend that you keep track of ALL receipts until after you have USED the PC for 3 months. Also, save the money if needed, THEN purchase everything around the same time.

I'll say a little prayer for you.

James

 

[Wild_Thrasher]

I have had very good fortune by buying bare-bones systems. I usually order them with a case, mother board, processor, heat sink, fan, and power supply.

I usually wind up paying around $250 - $300 for a fairly nice system. That just leaves me with having to add in the rest of the hardware. It is always a good idea to have an idea ahead of time which pieces you are planning to add so you can do some research to look for any incompatibility issues that are present.

 

[Durelen]

Anyone know of a good company that offers some type of air filter with the fan or just by itself. I opened up my presario so that I could start getting more used to "basic" components of a computer and how they go together well anyway I believe it was my heatsink not sure what its called but ontop of my cpu there was a fan and between fan and cpu was this metal object with a bunch of nooks and crannys lol thats only way I can describe it well it was completly filled with dust infact my entire motherboard had an infection of dust bunnies all over it.

Ummm… if you have an air compressor just blow all that junk out. You can get a can of air at any computer store as well. No need for any filters, they may block airflow if not regularly changed. Computers don’t die from dust bunnies. Just blow it out every year or two.

Just remember to either ground yourself before you touch anything and don’t touch anything unless you have no choice. I had three semesters of Electronics (among other classes)and we use to destroy stuff just for fun almost. Static electricity is stronger than anything you can get out of an outlet and grease from your hands will arc or degrade any circuit board. Sure static electricity seems like nothing to you but it can be like a nuclear device goin off overhead to your components.

Surrre, it’s reallll eeeasy slapping a computer together for the first time as they are saying, until you run into a problem at least. Or even destroy you computer before you even turn the power on (seen it many times). But it’s your dime. Read a book and get someone to tutor and or take a class is your best bet. It’s your bankroll though, and you can easily spend two or three times as much building it than buying a built system. But failure does not happen every time though, just a lot if you have no idea what you are doing.

 

[SirKenin]

Heh. I can't even recall the number of times know-it-alls have brought blown up computer components to me hoping for warranty replacement. lol