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[crabtruck]

Originally Posted by bradrhale

i havent understood about the last 3 pages. it is painfully obvious that IT work is not in my future.
if anyone wants to know how to fix a truck, ill be over here in the corner.

Here the summary brad:
A bit is like a light switch on(1) or off(0) (only computers talk this way )
A byte is something useful, like a letter in your name: "b" or "r" or "a" or "d"
Multi tasking or threading is like a traffic cop at an intersection.
Multi cores is liike having more cops at same intersection.

Tweaking, overspeeding, hive mods, task priorities is like adjust carb or valve lash.
"Building a computer" is like swapping whole engine or tranny.
For computers like trucks, you can be a driver, a tune-up guy, or a mechanic.
None of those are designers or inventors.
See....simple !

While your're over there in the corner...
do you see my geek hat ?

[hotrodpc]

Yep, about that simple too. It appears everyone has their own scenario how to explain how easy it is. So far, between Crabs, BB,and mine, I don't think either of us have been wrong, just one description may work better for some. Like the Bits, lanes of traffic or size of the vehicle moving a warehouse. Really, Brad, if you can work on gas and diesel engines, you probably have enough mechanical skill now days to build a computer. Pretty much, if the chip fits the socket, then it goes, if the memory fits in its place, then it works, and if the card fits in the I/O slots then it works too. Maybe a little more compicated than that, since you need to know whats compatible with what. But, before Plug and Play, Windows 95 A 16 bit, you would have to use jumpers to set an address for anything that went in and out (I/O) on the hardware, then tell your OS (Operating System) the address so it knew how to communicate with piece of hardware. And in most cases, not all, but about 95% of the time, each item had to have its own address and could not live with anything else or other device. Then you'd also have to give it a IRQ #, (Interupt Request) so when that piece of hardware wanted to access the bus system to travel info throughout the motherboard whether it be DMA Channel (direct memory access) that went direct to memory to another device and was able to bypass the CPU, or if it had to go to the CPU then it could get permission to interupt the bus and do so. Kinda as Crab used the term. A polite way to ask the traffic cop if I can cross the street and take some data from the keyboard (IRQ #2 forever if I recall) across the street to the CPU. Then the CPU can tell which direction that piece of data needs to go, and send it down the right part of the bus system. Not all devices needed a DMA channel because they could not bypass the CPU anyway. But now with that, you are likely really confused. Don't sweat it, you don't even need to know that stuff now days. Motherboard BIOS and Operating systems are smart enough to know what to do with these things provied you have the proper driver for the device to match the Operationg system, and most drivers are included in the OS now days too unless its something that was released after the build of the Operating System. So now with plug and play, its not so complicated. You ought to build you a system like I did, then once you do, you think dang, pretty cool, I do did that. Now I wonder how it works, and read and learn what is doing what and why and how. That is what I mean by I learned backwards. You can do it, I'll assure you. Do keep in mind though, and Crab and BB will probably agree, buiding your own computer, will probably cost you more than just buying a proprietary system like HP or Emachine from Best Buy or Office Depot. But its built with all the stuff you want. Cheat where you want and go high dollar where you want. Upgrades are likely very simple as technology improves where as with a propiertary system, you got what you get and thats what you got forever., Almost. Things like memory you can probably add some, many systems now only have 2 slot and both are used so you have to take out say 2 512mb DIMMS to put in two 1 gig DIMMS (Provided your BIOS will allow DIMMS that size) so you have little chips that are now worthless, and you bought 2 gigs, but only benefit from 1 gig. Where as if you bought your own mobo to build, you probaby would select a mobo with 4 DIMMS slots. Advantages, disadvantages, pros and cons. But really, its fairly simple these days.

[BernieB]

To simplify what HotRod just said...

You can buy off the lot, from dealer stock, or you can go play in the factory and build it the way you want.

Me, I've never bought dealer stock because my requirements are kind of specific. I need plenty of horsepower (memory) and torque (CPU speed) and a big fuel tank (HD). I don't need a killer stereo (sound card), or in-dash DVD player (multi-media), but I do need high end graphic ability so I go with a good video card and monitor (gauge cluster). I prefer a workhorse (Win XP Pro) over a delicate Formula 1 (Vista), and I keep it all running smooth and cool with with a custom case and plenty of airflow (scoops, heavy duty radiator and high volume water pump). I never know what I might be called on to tow or hook up to, so I'm rigged for all of it (USB, Firewire, multiple card reader, external SATA, BluRay, DVD and CD burners) and I don't want anyone messing with my ride so security is solid and top notch (no wireless, all connections hardwired, NAT router, firewall, good AV). I also keep track of all the TSB's and recalls (updates) and make sure they get done promptly.

[hotrodpc]

Well Put. The last power house I built has most of what you got. I run dual monitors on this system, and can run 2 cards for 4 monitors, or just add the memory off the dedicated video cards and not use all the monitors. You sure won't get that off a dealer stock system. XP Pro for me too. Nothing but. In a nice Ultra Alluminum case with CRU data port hot swap SATA drives, and I also run a RAID array to mirror my hard drives so I don't lose any data. I do have external SATA on one system, but don't use it. NO Blue Ray yet either. USB 2.0 and Firewire too, but since USB 2.0 is now faster than firewire, I am thinking that technology will be gone soon and will not acquire anymore firewire stuff. Multi Card reader is an absolute must and have that. Also all handwired. I do use a wireless router though for the Dell D630 laptop to walk around the house. I have 5 computers up and running, inlcuding the laptop, but only 2 get used most of the time. The dual monitor system is the one I use the most. I am so used to that now, I am not sure I could function without 2 monitors anymore. One system can run 2 DVI motitors, the other has to be one DVI and one Analog, but its not really that bad. Hard to tell a difference with what I do.

[bradrhale]

i am going to have to read all these posts when i get some time tomorrow. as for building computers, been there, done that. the one i am currently on, i built about 7 years ago. excellent learning experience and has lasted longer than any store bought computer that i have seen. of course, i download absolutely nothing and run spyware/adware and virus scans every day.

[hotrodpc]

My Dell computer that I bought when working for Dell with a 40% off coupon, then an employee discount of 10% is close to 5 years old now and works great. AT that price I did have some goodies put in it. For a "Not made by me computer" I really like it. I have since upgraded the CPU as new BIOS became available and added RAM. Past that, its still cruising with no repairs whatsover. About every 6 months, I clean it, take it outside and blow all the dust out of it. Its running XP Pro and NEVER has had a blue screen error, NEVER been restored, and runs a RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) #1 Mirroring. I coudl not beat the price I got it for, and being it was percentage off of everything I could put in it, I got most all decent stuff as far as sound and graphics and the Pro OS. Although its a Dell system, its not as proprietary as most. Now don't go thinking I am saying buy a Dell, cuz I am not. They have also gotten on the band wagon with proprietary stuff more so, and I got one of the last of the good Dell computers. If I did have to buy a proprietary system, I will say it would be a Dell before a Gateway, and with a Dell you do get options to choose as to what you want in it. That does not mean its easy to upgrade later like mine is. So if yours is 7 years old Brad, you are not even running any kind of Hyperthreading I don't beleive. Sounds like a good candidate for Taylor and some Reader Rabbit Games and no Interent and build you a newer system. I am sure there is enough help here to help choose some good parts at a good price. I agree with you on the scans and security. I do not like it since it runs in the background and does slow the system down, but I will sacrifice the speed for the security even though its not perfect, but I use Norton Internet Security. Noting else. Not all the 360 crud or any of that. Just the IS with Scanner, Viral protect, and software firewall. A hardware firewall is better, but most hackers are looking for the easy targets and I hope that my software FW is enough of a deterent being that I do not have any info here valuable to any one but me. I also do frequent back ups even though I run a RAID 1. I have external USB 2.O drives that I back up my comptuers to and then I put those drives in the gun vault. That way if someone breaks in and steals my compters, or the house burns down, I still my data backed up, all the way to the last back up. And my documents and Qucik Books PRo, gets backed up daily on Memory stick and also put in the gun vault, so I'd lose very little. Can't expess enough to always back it up, back it up, back it up. And yes I am talking about hard drives in the computer, not the wife.

[Crmzendrgone]

Originally Posted by hotrodpc

Its running XP Pro and NEVER has had a blue screen error

I just got one of these errors on saturday. What the heck are they?????

[Crmzendrgone]

Originally Posted by BernieB

And just to get really back on topic, your downstream S/N margin and attenuation are both very marginal, and that's reflected in the number of errors you're getting (CRC errors). You might want to have the line checked but the most common cause is marginal interior wiring. If it's not already, try hooking up your modem as close to the network interface jack as possible, and remove any extra jacks or wiring in the house that you don't really use. You don't actually have to rip anything out, just disconnect it as close to the network interface as possible.

Of course, all that depends on you having run this test when no one was one the phone. If any phone was actually in use at the time you ran the test that's going to affect the results.

No phones were in use. Funny you say that cause we have been having a problem with our internet for the passed few months had a couple of techs come out play around with the wiring supposedly gave us a direct/filtered line to the modem. but yet it doesn't seem right. One tech said there is an issue with the wire underground going to the jumper box in our backyard in the corner. He said that they need to come out and fix it but there is paper work and engineers blah blah so that will never happen said we'll have fiber optics by then so I guess I am waiting for that 40mb(B)ps that fiber has.

[Crmzendrgone]

Oh and Brad I'll sit with you in the corner. I pretty good at reading lips so maybe I can learn something in the corner with you.

[BernieB]

Originally Posted by Crmzendrgone

No phones were in use. Funny you say that cause we have been having a problem with our internet for the passed few months had a couple of techs come out play around with the wiring supposedly gave us a direct/filtered line to the modem. but yet it doesn't seem right. One tech said there is an issue with the wire underground going to the jumper box in our backyard in the corner. He said that they need to come out and fix it but there is paper work and engineers blah blah so that will never happen said we'll have fiber optics by then so I guess I am waiting for that 40mb(B)ps that fiber has.

Yeah, it was pretty obvious there was a problem just reading the numbers. As for fixing it... A new line could be pulled in about 30 minutes, but it's gonna take six months for the paperwork and to get an engineer out to say, "Okay, just pull a new line"

One of many reasons I no longer work for the phone company.

(Worked for NY Telephone as an installer when I got out of the Navy. Quit before I drowned in the BS we had going on there. Then got stupid and went to work for Bell Atlantic twenty years later, as an operator. Quit after they became Verizon and I got written up for calling an 85 year-old customer "Ma'm")