The Gang of Five
Beyond the Mysterious Beyond => Hobbies and Recreation => Computer and Electronics => Topic started by: pokeplayer984 on June 25, 2008, 09:13:14 AM
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Good news everyone! My Desktop has been officially reformated! I am definitely enjoying my LBT-custom made Desktop.
Thank you very much, LBTlover! You don't know how grateful I am for this. :^.^:
But geez! So much work! It took alot to get this up and running again. I'm just glad it's over.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to enjoy my Desktop some more! :)
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Yay, =D
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Congrads, and happy to have you back.
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have much enjoy-fun!
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Sounds like the reformat really fixed your troubles. :)
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Sounds like the reformat really fixed your troubles. :)
It did, and made it better than it's been in months! It seriously needed the reformat. I had never done that before and I had this baby for near 4 years. It was overdue for one, huh?
My parents wouldn't understand how badly it needed one, and they wanted me to take it into the professionals. In a way, I kinda did. :P:
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Your computer is 4 years old? It must have been a lot of money! His computer specs are as follows:
1.8ghz AMD athlon processor (single core)
512mb of ram (DDR)
80GB SATA hard disk
it has Windows XP SP3 now. :D
I bought a desktop brand new a little over a year ago and its specs are pretty comparable. It cost $700! :wow
I'm glad you like it. It was a ***** to find drivers for. It was obviously custom built. You've got a decent setup. Way more than you need for XP lite SP3. I would recommend a ram upgrade since your computers maximum memory expansion is 4gb though. It's really cheap to upgrade it to 4gb(4096mb) as opposed to your 512mb. Honestly though you can't live with 512mb of ram. You need at least 2gb this day and age. Your computer should be fine for a long time now though. I'm glad I was able to help. If we ever have to do this again, a better webcam on your part would be greatly appreciated. :lol
they wanted me to take it into the professionals. In a way, I kinda did.
Yeah, you did. I may not be certified, but I really don't need to be since I work for myself. I only need certification if I wanted to do something like be a computer admin for a school or something. :)
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Your computer is 4 years old? It must have been a lot of money! His computer specs are as follows:
1.8ghz AMD athlon processor (single core)
512mb of ram (DDR)
80GB SATA hard disk
it has Windows XP SP3 now. :D
I bought a desktop brand new a little over a year ago and its specs are pretty comparable. It cost $700! :wow
With mine, with what you've put up so far, add in a Samsung Monitor and a Logitech keyboard (It holds a nice rest at the bottom that makes it easy for me to go for quite a bit of time without stopping on a typing spree. Without it, I could find myself resting every 15 minutes if I had to do something long in a short amount of time.) that came with a wired mouse. (The last item was changed several months back to a Microsoft 5-button with scroll wheel wireless mouse just because the wired stopped working.)
Whole dang thing, along with free emergency service for life by the company that made it, cost me a whopping $1500. :o
I'd say it was worth EVERY penny. :P:
I'm glad you like it. It was a ***** to find drivers for. It was obviously custom built. You've got a decent setup. Way more than you need for XP lite SP3. I would recommend a ram upgrade since your computers maximum memory expansion is 4gb though. It's really cheap to upgrade it to 4gb(4096mb) as opposed to your 512mb. Honestly though you can't live with 512mb of ram. You need at least 2gb this day and age. Your computer should be fine for a long time now though. I'm glad I was able to help. If we ever have to do this again, a better webcam on your part would be greatly appreciated. :lol
I've got quite a bit of extra cash on me, so I'll take your advice and get some more ram. Hmm, I'm guessing Best Buy would be best for me to go to.
Yeah, you did. I may not be certified, but I really don't need to be since I work for myself. I only need certification if I wanted to do something like be a computer admin for a school or something. :)
Now my parents are amazed with what you've done with my computer. (Even the very nice custom made LBT Desktop you provided me with. Definitely satisfies the LBT fan in me.) I don't think they'll be bothering me about you EVER again. :)
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It's great that it worked out so well.
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I've got quite a bit of extra cash on me, so I'll take your advice and get some more ram. Hmm, I'm guessing Best Buy would be best for me to go to.
Actually, crucial would be MUCH better. DDR ram is expensive if you just go into a store and buy it. Go to crucial.com and do the crucial scan. It is incompatible with the firefox browser I installed however so you'll have to use IE (the program with the blue "e" as an icon). After that, it'll display what ram you can buy. I think I saw a whole 4gb for only $139. That's a killer deal. You'd be lucky to get one stick for $85 at best buy and here you'd be getting 4 of them!
I don't think they'll be bothering me about you EVER again.
Well, it is understandable. They don't even know who I am or anything so it's only natural that they'd feel a little bit uneasy about someone they don't even know doing work on their computer from across the country.
There is one other thing that I suggest you buy for your computer if possible. You need an external hard drive for backup purposes. They save ya tons of time and money. No more messing around with disks and your data is much more secure. You can get a 500gb for about $130 and a 320gb for about $100. It's definitely worth the $30 for the extra 180gb's. I'd get the 500 if you can afford it.
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I've got quite a bit of extra cash on me, so I'll take your advice and get some more ram. Hmm, I'm guessing Best Buy would be best for me to go to.
Actually, crucial would be MUCH better. DDR ram is expensive if you just go into a store and buy it. Go to crucial.com and do the crucial scan. It is incompatible with the firefox browser I installed however so you'll have to use IE (the program with the blue "e" as an icon). After that, it'll display what ram you can buy. I think I saw a whole 4gb for only $139. That's a killer deal. You'd be lucky to get one stick for $85 at best buy and here you'd be getting 4 of them!
I did see a 2 GB one at Best Buy for about $60. However, I was unsure if it was compatible at the time, so I didn't get it. I'll try that place as you advise, but I still wonder if I should go for the full 4 GB or not. I'm sure I'd do well without going so high.
There is one other thing that I suggest you buy for your computer if possible. You need an external hard drive for backup purposes. They save ya tons of time and money. No more messing around with disks and your data is much more secure. You can get a 500gb for about $130 and a 320gb for about $100. It's definitely worth the $30 for the extra 180gb's. I'd get the 500 if you can afford it.
I recall seeing quite a few of the 500GB ones at Circuit City when I was looking around for possible compatible ram. They look super sweet. It would definitely be nice having one of those. :) I'll look into getting one. :^.^:
Thanks for the tips! :)
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I did see a 2 GB one at Best Buy for about $60. However, I was unsure if it was compatible at the time, so I didn't get it. I'll try that place as you advise, but I still wonder if I should go for the full 4 GB or not. I'm sure I'd do well without going so high.
Trust me, if you can afford 4gb, get it. You can never have enough ram. Even though 2gb would do for now, it will soon seem like not enough and you'll have to go buy the 4gb anyway. The crucial kits are sold so that if you want to upgrade you have to remove all of the existing ram so if you get 2gb now and realize it's not enough, you can't go get another 2gb later. You'll have to pay for the full 4gb and then have 2gb of useless ram that has crappy resell value. In a sense you'll be double paying. You don't want to do that.
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I did see a 2 GB one at Best Buy for about $60. However, I was unsure if it was compatible at the time, so I didn't get it. I'll try that place as you advise, but I still wonder if I should go for the full 4 GB or not. I'm sure I'd do well without going so high.
Trust me, if you can afford 4gb, get it. You can never have enough ram. Even though 2gb would do for now, it will soon seem like not enough and you'll have to go buy the 4gb anyway. The crucial kits are sold so that if you want to upgrade you have to remove all of the existing ram so if you get 2gb now and realize it's not enough, you can't go get another 2gb later. You'll have to pay for the full 4gb and then have 2gb of useless ram that has crappy resell value. In a sense you'll be double paying. You don't want to do that.
I promise to do so ASAP if that's the case. I'm going to have to save up my money a bit before I can go for the 4 GB of ram and the external hard drive for backup purposes. I've definitely run into a shortage on money, especially since I'm still paying off my laptop. (Payments of that won't stop til September.) At least I won't have to worry about such money problems the next time I do a reformat, huh? ;)
I'll try and get the stuff ASAP, but I don't want to run into many money problems at this moment, especially since I'm saving up spending money for an upcoming cruise that I'm having with the family in August. I hope you understand this. :)
Well, see ya later! :^.^:
Oh and BTW, I'm keeping the webcam I got. I can see many purposes for it. It'll especially make my upcoming LBT fanvids more creative when I get them underway. :)
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Sounds like things are working out for you. Good luck and hope you have fun on your cruise.
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I just recently ordered the 4 GB RAM from crucial, which cost me $148. I even did the overnight shipping, which cost me an extra $16.00. (Don't worry, I can afford it right now.) Add the tax and the total cost me $175.
Next up, the 500 GB external hard drive for backup purposes. I'll save up my cash before I buy that. :)
EDIT: Just recently learned how to install the RAM on YouTube. Geez! Didn't realize it was THAT easy. :^.^:
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Pokeplayer:
Just remember to ground yourself before even touching the ram chips. You could fry your almost $200 investment in a second if you're not grounded when ya touch them. Get a wrist grounding strap for all of your computer installing needs, or if you don't want to do that the next best thing is to make sure you touch metal before touching the computer components.
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Pokeplayer:
Just remember to ground yourself before even touching the ram chips. You could fry your almost $200 investment in a second if you're not grounded when ya touch them. Get a wrist grounding strap for all of your computer installing needs, or if you don't want to do that the next best thing is to make sure you touch metal before touching the computer components.
So true.
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If I mess around with the insides of my computer I make sure part of my bare skin, a part of a let, a foot, is touching either an unpainted portion of the case or the metal bookshelf that is not to far away. I've had no problems yet.
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Pokeplayer:
Just remember to ground yourself before even touching the ram chips. You could fry your almost $200 investment in a second if you're not grounded when ya touch them. Get a wrist grounding strap for all of your computer installing needs, or if you don't want to do that the next best thing is to make sure you touch metal before touching the computer components.
A grounding strap? Never heard of that. Where would I get one of those? :unsure:
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The best place to get them is small out of the way computer shops. Don't buy anything but a grounding strap though. They're always waaaaaaay over priced. Or you can always get them here. This is the one I have. You can buy it online:
http://www.bestbyteinc.com/TOL-KMI-ASW.html (http://www.bestbyteinc.com/TOL-KMI-ASW.html)
As you can see, even the best of brands only costs around $5. They are a remarkably simple thing.
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His computer specs are as follows:
1.8ghz AMD athlon processor (single core)
512mb of ram (DDR)
80GB SATA hard disk
it has Windows XP SP3 now. :D
I bought a desktop brand new a little over a year ago and its specs are pretty comparable. It cost $700! :wow
$700? Weak, dude. Weak.
I bought my desktop almost 2 years ago, came with:
AMD Athlon 2.0ghz Dual Core processor
1gb DDR2 RAM
160GB SATA Hard Drive
nVidia GeForce 7300LE graphics processor w/ 512MB video RAM
Windows XP Media Center Edition
Cost me about $600, including shipping and tax.
There must be something I'm not aware of, to cause such a strange price/performance difference…
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Okay, this was really weird. I got the new RAM and installed it, but there's some problems here.
Apparently, my computer wouldn't recognize the new RAM. (Yes, I did use the ones I ordered from that site that LBTlover recommended.) At one point, it did recognize 2 GB of it, but then stopped doing so.
So, I've reinstalled my old ones and it's working fine.
WTFH happened? :unsure:
Note: I made sure I had as little static electricity running through me as possible, so there's little chance that was the problem.
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The fact that it was able to be seen for some time proves that it wasn't static electricity from your body that caused this, so no worry there. It could be bad ram too....if they're gonna break it happens before thirty days of use.
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The fact that it was able to be seen for some time proves that it wasn't static electricity from your body that caused this, so no worry there. It could be bad ram too....if they're gonna break it happens before thirty days of use.
Guess I have no choice but to call up the company and see if I can get some replacements here. Ah, defective items happen I guess. -_-
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Your memory requires that you install it in pairs. See, there are 4 slots......2 groups of slots that contain 2 slots each. You must install the ram by putting the ram in the first slot and then install it in the corresponding slot on the other side in the other group. Really hard to explain. I'll show ya a pic. This is a clients computer that I'm gonna put 4gb of ram into. Its nice enough to have the clips color-coded, but some of them don't. See how the ram is arranged? It has to be in pairs:
(http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa146/tlordame/second%20album/pairs.jpg)
If the ram was all on one side in the top group of slots, it wouldn't recognize properly. With PCs that can handle 4gb of ram, it's really important that you arrange them properly. I would have guessed crucial would have said something about this with the ram they sent, but I guess they didn't. They always send some piece of paper, but I never look at it cuz I already know how to install the ram. Sorry for the bad pic. It's dark inside a computer! :p
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Well, here's some rather vital information I found out.
The scan the site gave my computer showed that my computer works with DDR PC2700 or DDR PC3200. However, when we got the new PC2700 ones, they didn't work. Only the old PC3200 ones did.
I think I see the problem now. -_-
Oh, and yes, I did do it in pairs and all that, LBTlover. Still didn't work and I think I see why now.
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I don't believe mixing RAM works. I believe that if you have PC3200, you have to buy more 3200.
Am I correct in this assumption?
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Mixing ram does work, but in order to put 4gb in, he had to remove the 2 sticks of 256mb he had in there to do it.
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Mixing ram does work, but in order to put 4gb in, he had to remove the 2 sticks of 256mb he had in there to do it.
I didn't mix them. I definitely took out the old ones and put in the new ones when I did the replacing deal. Only at one point did the new ones actually work. I'm guessing that the PC2700 is only partially compatible (if anything, considering they did work at one point) while PC3200 is FULLY compatible.
Besides, my current PC3200 ones are working, so why wouldn't other ones be compatible?
Oh, one other thing, the inside of my computer was QUITE dusty. I had to use a special cleaner that didn't harm the insides of the computer to clean it. (Obviously wouldn't be working if it did harm the inside.) With how much dirt and dust there was, I'm surprised there weren't cobwebs in there. :P:
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Getting a can of compressed air and blowing the crap out of the slots for ram is a good start. Remember that only 2gb recognized? I'd say it's quite a coincidence that you had 2 chips in before and only 2 chips worked. I think the other slots might be dirty. Also, look in the setup menu as you start your computer with the 4gb in. Does 4gb recognize on the board? If not, then you've still got a problem. If so, then it's something with your OS.
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Getting a can of compressed air and blowing the crap out of the slots for ram is a good start. Remember that only 2gb recognized? I'd say it's quite a coincidence that you had 2 chips in before and only 2 chips worked. I think the other slots might be dirty. Also, look in the setup menu as you start your computer with the 4gb in. Does 4gb recognize on the board? If not, then you've still got a problem. If so, then it's something with your OS.
Well, this computer won't start up unless it recognizes the RAM. So basically, if it doesn't read it, it won't start up. That's basically what happened when me and my dad tried the full 4 GB. It just wouldnt' start up. At one point, it did start up with 2 GB in it, but then he turned it off, had a conversation with me, then turned it back on with the 2 GB still in it and it didn't start up again.
After all the switching and combinations we tried, it could only start up with the original RAM the computer itself came with.
If anything, it's easy in the end to see if it's compatible or not with this one.
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Okay, an interesting thing has come up.
My dad said that if this works, he wishes to use my currently being used sticks of RAM in another computer. However, he also questioned what the best course of action one should take after removing their old RAM. Should one keep it or should one give it to someone else who is willing to take it off your hands?
So, what exactly should be done with the old RAM once this is all over?
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Your computer uses the old DDR ram. Chances are, it'll be compatible with 99% of the PCs out there. Even computers that take DDR2 will accept DDR ram. The question is, if your other PC will actually benefit from the ram. If you've got 333mhz ram, then probably not so much. Just look up the other computer via crucial.com (http://crucial.com) to see what sort of ram it takes and then compare the two ram modules that are required. I can tell you however right off the bat that ram from your desktop will NOT go into ANY laptop and vise-versa.
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Okay, I'm on my laptop now. New problem with my Desktop.
I got the new RAM right before leaving for work yesterday. I didn't have time to insert it. (2 minutes left to leave basically.) I waited until just an hour ago to insert the new RAM. I tried the first 2 GB, found the RAM just fine, but would freeze up while trying to start Windows.
Then, figuring everything was okay, I turned it off and inserted the last 2 GB. Now, while trying to insert the final stick, I noted that some wires were in the way. I carefully moved them and put in the final stick.
I start it up and now my computer won't detect my keyboard, my C Drive or my A Drive. It basically goes into a system fail. WTH happened?
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This is most likely caused by another piece of hardware that is in conflict. I would go in and remove each removable card (not the graphics card otherwise you won't be able to plug in your monitor to see the screen) one by one. Don't just pull them all at once. For example, remove the sound card and then start up. If it fails, put the sound card back in and remove the network card..........
If at any time you didn't insert the ram in pairs, you could have fried your motherboard. *YIKES!* Even if you inserted them in pairs and one wasn't totally pushed in and you turned the computer on....*fry*. Put the other ram back in. Does it work?
Also, if you don't put the ram in all the way you'll experience anomalies like this. Try switching the ram around. Put all 4gb in right away. Don't screw around and put only a gig or two in.
You might also want to try resetting your CMOS settings. Remember how we entered CMOS to adjust your boot priority? A BIOS update is also an option. When you go to crucial, it will tell you your board number. Type in your board number as well as "bios update" into google and try some updates. One thing that really sucks about your computer is the fact that it isn't a name brand store bought model. You can't just type in "HP Pavillion 1970a bios update" into google. You'll have to find your board model before trying a bios update.
As a last ditch effort, you can remove EVERYTHING you can from your computer including your floppy drive, CD drive and ALL of the cards except for your graphics card and see if it'll boot that way. If this doesn't work, crucial is giving you s*** incompatible ram that won't work with your system.
But lastly, I have to ask. DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ED (Electrostatic Discharge) PREVENTION??? Do you know how to ground yourself before touching ANY computer component? Geeze man. If you so much as take a step and then touch a computer component without grounding yourself, you're gonna fry it. Ground yourself every time you can think of it.
This situation is EXACTLY what would happen if you fried your ram with ED and then tried to put it in. I gotta admit that I'm a little suspicious.
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I take quite some precautions to ensure I don't fry the inside of my computer. Last time, when I first got my new RAM, I was just touching metal as often as possible. The latest times, I was touching metal as often as possible and wearing a grounding strap properally. Seriously, what are the chances of me frying the thing when I take precautions like these?
Anyways, I put in the old RAM and the computer started up just fine. No errors whatsoever popping up. I'll check out a few things with the old RAM in and see what's up.
However, there is one thing I think I should note. If I have my computer shut down for a period of over 30 minutes, it tends to make this strange, rather irritating, loud, humming noise when I turn it back on. It does go away after a few minutes, but I feel it to be a problem. My Dad thinks it's the cooling fan inside, though I'm not sure myself.
I think it's wise I provide you a picture. I'll show you one ASAP. Because I'm suspicious that it was set up in a way that made it and so that only the people who made it can handle it properally, both hardware and software maintenance-wise.
Well, see ya later! -_-
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Okay, here we go. How my computer looks inside:
(Note: Pardon the quality and weird angles. I took these with my Webcam and the sun is shining into my room.)
First, this is where you insert the RAM:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/pokeplayer984/2008-07-15-37225.jpg)
Could someone explain to me why two are blue and two are black?
Now here's what's right below where you insert the RAM:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/pokeplayer984/2008-07-15-37268.jpg)
This thing ends up being below the first two RAM switches at the bottom. It's so close that it makes it almost impossible to remove the RAM without touching it. That and you can barely move the bottom switches enough to remove the RAM before they touch this thing. The other two RAM switches are well enough out of the way.
Okay, this is the stuff near the bottom of the computer:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/pokeplayer984/2008-07-15-37282.jpg)
With these things, we suspect the thing making the noise is either the cooling fan I'll show you in a few pics or the circular unit you see at the bottom of this pic.
Now, here are some wires connecting to my C Drive:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/pokeplayer984/2008-07-15-37292.jpg)
Here are wires that connect to my A Drive:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/pokeplayer984/2008-07-15-37316.jpg)
This is my DVD/CD Drive:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/pokeplayer984/2008-07-15-37331.jpg)
You can see a part of the unit that powers the whole dang thing up top.
Finally, my Cooling Fan:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/pokeplayer984/2008-07-15-37361.jpg)
That purple thing you see in the background is where I get information on my motherboard. Which I took a look at and says it is: A8NE - FM/2. Not: A8NE - U, which is what the cruical scan showed.
I'll show you up-close pictures of the RAM later. I don't have the time. I need to be to work early and I have a lot to do there.
See ya later! :)
EDIT: Oh, and when I checked out the Start Up, there weren't any problems. So maybe it is the RAM.
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Could someone explain to me why two are blue and two are black?
That's because your motherboard supports dual-channel RAM.
Dual-channel simply means that the motherbord can give twice as much bandwidth to your RAM modules, allowing data to transfer to and from RAM much more efficiently, basically by using two 'highways' to transfer data on, in parallel.
In order to use the dual-channel capability, you need to use either 2 or 4 RAM modules. The colours on the motherboard show how the RAM modules have to match.
Basically, you need to put the exact same speed/size/preferrably brand as well into both slots of the same colour. Aka the RAM in both of the blue slots have to be the same to use dual-channel. The RAM in both of the black slots have to be the same to use dual-channel.
If you only have two RAM modules, put them both in the same-coloured slots to use dual-channel. The RAM modules should ideally be the same as well.
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Exactly what Action said in so many words. :) I still think a bios update would do you a world of good. I'm sorry but I'm not close enough to zoom over there. You don't have a good enough webcam for me to able to effect repairs on the inside of your computer from where I'm at. There's either a problem with that ram or there's a hardware issue with your computer. I'm about 75% sure it's a problem with compatibility of the ram, 20% sure it's a problem that can be fixed with a BIOS update, and 5% sure it's an issue with another type of hardware in your computer.
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My brother in law came over and, taking a chance, I asked him to insert the RAM. Now, he inserts it all at once and it started up fine. Read the RAM properally, but new problem now.
Apparently, a file in my computer is either corrupt or missing and without it, I can't start Windows.
This is the following file:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM
I tried using the burned CD for XP SP3 Lite that I originally used to reformat it, but it didn't fix the problem.
So, now what? :(
PS: The newly installed RAM though did seem to take care of the irritating noise that was going on. I didn't get it when I turned it back on after having it off the whole time I was at work. So I can be glad of that. :)
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If wiping it with the disk didn't work, then you didn't do it right. If you want to fix this problem without wiping the computer (recommended), follow the steps in this Microsoft tutorial:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545)
But first, put the old ram back in and see if it will start up. If it does, it's just a ram issue and has nothing to do with a corrupted registry.
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Started up and loaded Windows with old RAM. Looks like they gave me useless RAM again.
Twice the RAM was the issue. I feel like not trusting cruical now. -_-
Why are they doing this to me? :(
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I wonder if it really is a RAM issue or if there's something else going on.
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Perhaps there's something wrong with the ram slots on the motherboard. I know you put in just 2gb before, but I want you to do it again. First fill the black slots and try to start up. If it doesn't work, remove the ram from the black slots and fill the blue slots. See if either of those work.
Oh, and you mentioned something about your 512mb ram being 2700 and your new ram being 3200 or something like that. Did crucial send you the 2700 ram you needed or did they just replace the ram that was incompatible?
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MY RAM is PC3200. The ones cruical gave me were PC2700. They just gave me replacements for what they sent, which is what I asked in the first place.
You see, I picked what they recommended the first time around. I made the shipping a one-day rush because I wanted it ASAP. (You don't know how badly I don't want this computer going slow on me again.) I tried what they recommended and wounded up with useless RAM. I called them up and had them replace it, and just recently you saw the progress of my problems. I tell ya, it's been (Seriously, no other word in the English Language explains it better then the one I'm about to say.) $h1t!
I'll try what you recommend LBTlover, but I don't know if it'll help. I'll keep you guys up-to-date on the progress of whether or not my Desktop works through my laptop. :)
See ya later! :^.^:
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Combination #1: Starts Windows in both black and blue, but makes mouse undetectable. (Even if I replace it with a wired one that most likely would be detected.) Low on Virtual Memory error appears.
Combination #2: Starts Windows, detects mouse in black, but has low on Virtual Memory error. However, programs that require more RAM work fine. (Since it's working, I stop without testing the blue.)
So, the second combination worked, despite the notice.
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Try adjusting the virtual memory paging file to recommended settings by the computer. Right click "my computer" and go to "properties". Go to the "advanced" tab and then click the first settings button that's highest up in the window. Another window will come up. Go to the "advanced" tab again and then click on "change". Once inside the new window, select the C drive and then select "system managed size". After that, click the "change" button and then click "ok". Go ahead and restart the computer like it says and tell me how it goes.
NOTE: When you do get this ram to recognize, it won't say there's 4gb in there. It'll either say 3.5gb or 3gb because xp lite is a 32-bit operating system. I didn't make a 64-bit version because honestly if you need an OS that can support more than 4gb of ram, you can run regular xp just fine. :p
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If you can't get this to work at all, send the ram back for a refund. Crucial scan was able to find compatible ram for your board, but maybe it made a mistake. I don't know. I can't check your board model manually for you. If all else fails, go to bestbuy and buy pc3200 ddr ram that's DUAL CHANNEL. It'll be more expensive, but it'll be compatible. I've never had a problem with crucial before, of course I've also never had a computer that's such a pain in the a$$ as yours is.
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Okay. Here's what I want you to do. You NEED to do a bios update. First, download this little handy app:
http://dw.com.com/redir?edId=3&siteId=4&oI...f78ba2b1629c8b2 (http://dw.com.com/redir?edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3000-2098_4-10175528&ontId=2098_4&spi=6cb29cdf76c81fe10f78ba2b1629c8b2&lop=link&tag=tdw_dltext<ype=dl_dlnow&pid=10595816&mfgId=113426&merId=113426&destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.download.com%2F3001-2098_4-10595816.html%3Fspi%3D6cb29cdf76c81fe10f78ba2b1629c8b2)
This app will tell you all of your bios info. Then simply go to this site and look up an update:
http://www.bios-drivers.com/ (http://www.bios-drivers.com/)
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Second combination of 2 GB in black after adjusting the virtual memory paging file, no notice pops up and everything works beautifully. (Even the programs that required more GB.)
I'll try the full 4 GB now and see what happens. I'll keep in mind which RAM sticks are working at this point though to ensure everything goes well. :)
Wish me luck! :^.^:
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Agh! Just make sure not to put in 3 modules! If one of your slots is shot, they're both shot. You MUST install them in pairs. Also, please read the above post (my previous one) about the BIOS updates. You do need that.
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Ugh! I've been search the net for an Update on my BIOS (Even what you recommended, LBTlover.) and no luck in finding an update. Ugh! Someone help me find one!
Here's the info:
BIOS Type: Phoenix - Award BIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Date: 07/19/05 (Was updated in the first year when I had to take it into the shop due to a MAJOR virus/spyware/trojan/etc. problem. (Can't remember exactly what caused it, but I do know it's related in that area.) Greatly weakened the BIOS. :()
BIOS ID: 07/19/2005-NF-CK804-A8NE-FM-00
OEM Sing on: ASUS A8NE-FM ACPI BIOS Revision 1005 07/19/2005
Super I/O: Unknown
Chipset: AMD 1100 rev 0
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Version: 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
CPU
Type: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3000+
Speed: 1800 Mhz
Max Speed: 3700 Mhz
ACPI
1.0
BIOS ROM[U/]
In Socket: Yes
Size: 512 KB
____________
Please help, because I'm seriously starting to wonder if mine's SO out of date that it doesn't exist anymore. :(
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Sorry, but something is terribly wrong with your BIOS chip. It won't even tell you the manufacturer of your chip. The information that's required to look up the BIOS update is all in the BIOS ID section. It should look something like this:
TOSHIBA EDW10 BIOS Version: V1.30
Your BIOS scan doesn't have any sort of brand in the beginning, so there's no way to look it up. I think the place you took it to seriously screwed up your BIOS by installing an incompatible version that was made for a different computer but sorta-kinda worked with yours. I believe that's why the RAM isn't recognizing properly.
(Can't remember exactly what caused it, but I do know it's related in that area.) Greatly weakened the BIOS. sad.gif)
I wouldn't recommend saying anything else that computer place told you. Do you even know what a BIOS is? You can't weaken a BIOS! It's like a 12kb chip that holds all of your setup information. As you get newer parts, it needs a upgrade. This means replacing the entire BIOS with a newer version. I doubt your computer even had viruses. The people you took it to sound like real idiots.
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Okay. It took a crapload of research, but I found something. Here is the ORIGINAL bios you should have in your computer. See, what makes it so hard is the fact that your board isn't an ASUS, it's a cheap ripoff Fujitsu. You can download this ISO file here. NO NO NO! I found a newer version. Download this:
LINK REMOVED. SEE LINK TO MY SERVER.
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I doubt your computer even had viruses.
Tell that to what a McAfee Back-up disk found at the time. Couldn't even cure all the problems. HAD to take it in.
I wouldn't recommend saying anything else that computer place told you.
Well, to be fully honest, I can't remember everything they told me, so my mind may be saying certain things just to fill in the gaps. It happens to some of us.
Okay, I'll look up what I can there, but I don't know what I'll find. If I'm unlucky again, I'm guessing I'm stuck, huh?
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Just click the download link in my previous post and burn the disk using the UltraISO program I gave you. Then put the disk in, restart your computer, and follow the instructions. Be warned however. DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER OR RESTART DURING THE UPDATE!!!!! If your computer goes off, you'll corrupt your BIOS!
Crap. The link no longer works. I'll put it up on my server.
Okay. Download the thing from my server:
http://67.171.50.184:8081/Restricted%20Upl...803_1016573.ISO (http://67.171.50.184:8081/Restricted%20Upload%20Folder/FSC_BIOSUPDATEAsusP5SD2FMACPIBIOSRevision0803I_0803_1016573.ISO)
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Truth tell time. -_-
I've taken it in to the company that made it, PC Laptops, a few hours ago. (Was Totally Awesome Computers a few years back, but they changed their name.) Now, I took it down to some REAL experts. Basically, they know what their doing and I can trust them. (According to what they said, you still have a few things left to learn about some computer models, LBTlover. Not much, but still some things.)
Apparently, my model of a computer is more complex than LBTlover here expected. Even though it can hold 1 GB of RAM in each slot, it won't run under 4 GB, only at 3 GB. (Which explains the start up problems when all 4 GB was inserted. It's just NEVER going to run properally with that much in it.) Now, if you don't believe me, they have EVERY bit of information of how my computer works in their Data Base, so no arguing with that.
I'm having them update the BIOS, if they can, and fix whatever other problems it may have.
Basically, it was different than what LBTlover expected. It's why we had so many problems from the start. Time to let the people who really know it handle it.
My Desktop is gone for the weekend. (Since they won't open til Monday.) So, I've got my laptop until then.
Well, I have to go now. See ya later! :^.^:
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I already told you that only 3 or 3.5gb of ram would recognize. Trust me, I know just about everything about computers. All you had to do was download that BIOS update and it would have ran great. When you get the computer back, look inside it. The 4 modules will be in there, but only 3 or 3.5gb will recognize. Do you even ready my posts? :angry:
All you're paying them to do is download the file I have a link to in my post. That was a really dumb move. I bet they charge you like $150 for it too.
The reason why only 3gb will recognize is because you've got a 32 bit processor and operating system. It will still run with the 4gb in there, but only 3 will recognize. Just go ahead an look inside it when you get it back. You're gonna be sick to your stomach when you see you paid them all that money to download a file and spend 2 minutes upgrading the BIOS.
I upgrade computers like yours all the time to 4gb and only 3gb recognizes. It's called 32 bit. There's something seriously wrong with your BIOS, but the file I gave you would have fixed it in less than 5 minutes. If you can get your computer back without paying, you should.
Apparently, my model of a computer is more complex than LBTlover here expected. Even though it can hold 1 GB of RAM in each slot, it won't run under 4 GB, only at 3 GB. (Which explains the start up problems when all 4 GB was inserted. It's just NEVER going to run properally with that much in it.)
They are explaining it to you totally wrong. You MUST put in either 2 or 4 chips. You can't put in just 3gb unless you get 512mb modules. Go ahead and look inside it when you get it back. All your 4gb of ram will be in there, but only 3 of it will recognize because your computer is 32 bit. I'm telling ya, NOTHING is wrong with this computer except for the BIOS being corrupted and out of date. They're gonna tell you there was a million things wrong to justify charging $150, but the truth is the BIOS is the ONLY PROBLEM.
Ask Action9000 or Littlefoot. Both of them can confirm what I'm telling you.
When I was 10 years old I secretly worked at the most reputable computer repair place in town. They swindled and cheated everyone who came through their door an the people never even knew it. I'm telling you, they are going to tell you that there's a lot more wrong with it than it is. A real computer repair place wouldn't even charge for a BIOS update, but I can guarantee you that this place will spend 2 minutes upgrading the BIOS and then move onto something else. When you come to pick it up, they're gonna charge you for a new hard drive, new ram, and a new operating system. :rolleyes: 99% of computer places just rip you off and from what you've told me about them, they're idiots.
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I'm going to side with Austin on this one, even though I do little upgrading. There is a wall with how much RAM is recognized in 32-bit systems. A bios update might have worked considering you've admitted this machine is a bit old (in computer years). Its similar to motherboards only recognizing so much harddrive space in the early days.
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Its similar to motherboards only recognizing so much harddrive space in the early days.
Oh, I forgot about those times Petrie! I remember when I had to upgrade my old 486's BIOS chip (in those days, you had to physically buy a chip and put it in, not just install some software). It wouldn't recognize my new 10gb hard drive because it had a 6gb gap. Ahhhhh, when 10gb was large...........
Your BIOS being from 2005, I think in 2005, 2gb was like unheard of. Sort of like how 16gb is unheard of today. You can get it, but it's REALLY uncommon. Your old BIOS probably just can't support 4gb of ram even though your motherboard can. A BIOS upgrade to December of 2007 would fix that easy.
If you buy computers today, some of them can handle 16gb of ram on the board, but the BIOS can only support 8gb. If you want 16gb, you have to download a BIOS update right after you buy it brand new. It's sort of dumb and I don't know why they do that, but the fact remains that they do.
I have one computer that can support 16gb of ram, but it only has 4 slots and 2 of them are dead so it can really only handle 8gb. I can't afford 4gb modules so it's only got 4gb in there. When I went to buy a brand new computer that could handle 16gb of ram, they told me I had to do a BIOS update after I bought it BRAND NEW! I didn't get it of course. The thing was over $5,000 so I think you can understand why. :p
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I don't know if a BIOS update would solve the problem of a physical memory limit in this case. I know some motherboards probably have limits that existing software updates don't address.
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I haven't physically looked at the computer, but according to the MANUFACTURER the board, it can handle 4gb with a BIOS upgrade. Of course, only 3gb will recognize because of the 32 bit OS. That's what the computer place was saying to Pokeplayer, however I KNOW that you can put in 4gb and it will work even though only 3gb will recognze. Did you look at his BIOS specs? They look really screwed up. I'm guessing his BIOS is corrupted in some way. Even if it's not, it could still use an update.
I would be willing to be a quad-core computer with 8gb of ram that all he needs is a bios update to get the ram to work (up to 3gb). Either that or there's some damage to the ram or another component in his computer.
Pokeplayer, make sure to get a receipt showing every bit of work that was done on your computer. I'd like to see it.
Take a look at your motherboards manual Pokeplayer. It says straight out that your board will work with 4gb of ram, but will only recognize 3:
http://www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/rl/servic..._A8NE-FM_uk.pdf (http://www.fujitsu-siemens.co.uk/rl/servicesupport/techsupport/boards/motherboards/asus/A8NE-FM/Man_A8NE-FM_uk.pdf)
I also read here somewhere in the BIOS section that a BIOS update was required to get past 2gb.
I don't know if a BIOS update would solve the problem of a physical memory limit in this case. I know some motherboards probably have limits that existing software updates don't address.
I'm not denying that there's a 3gb limit. I know there is. What I'm saying is that the computer will work with 4gb in even though only 3gb will recognize. If it's not working with the 4gb in, there's something else going on. After doing some research, I found out that the older BIOS versions don't support more than 2gb of ram. Updating the BIOS will fix all of the problems.
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In conclusion Pokeplayer, your computer WILL work with the 4gb in even though it will only recognize 3gb. If the place you took it to charges you for anything more than a BIOS update, they're ripping you off. You really shouldn't have taken it to them. You could have done the update yourself. The risk is minimal and the rewards would be you wouldn't have to pay them to spend 2 minutes on your computer.
I don't appreciate what they said about me. If I was within 200 miles of you and I had a car with a V6 engine, I'd go to their shop and give them a piece of my mind. I DO know what I'm talking about. They're just trying to get a lot of money out of you for doing nothing but a BIOS update. :angry:
This is what they do all the time:
(http://www.solarpowerrocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/scam23.jpg)
Ya trust 'em and then they bite ya in the a$$.
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I don't appreciate what they said about me. If I was within 200 miles of you and I had a car with a V6 engine, I'd go to their shop and give them a piece of my mind. I DO know what I'm talking about. They're just trying to get a lot of money out of you for doing nothing but a BIOS update. :angry:
This is what they do all the time:
(http://www.solarpowerrocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/scam23.jpg)
Ya trust 'em and then they bite ya in the a$$.
:lol XD
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Okay, I did put up that little message up in a hurry. The minute I was done posting it, I had to leave for work. I didn't look it over carefully enough.
First, to be fully honest, the guy did seem a little tense when talking to me and he had to basically explain to me how my thing works, so he could've said something wrong because of how tense he was. (Having my own experience with many customers up front everyday, I know the feeling. I sometimes forget important pieces of information and can't think straight myself.)
Secondly, as I was learning more and more about what a BIOS was, the pressure DID get to me. I was starting to feel rather uncomfortable handling it myself. Don't ask me why. I just was.
Thirdly, the guarentee of free maintinence on a number of things the company gave me when I bought my computer is quite intimidating. I hear it's for life, but I'm unsure on that. What it exactly covers in the end, I am unsure of, but it is a nice thing to have. (One thing they drop on you immediately if you own a computer made by them is that labor charge, which is $79/hour. Good thing for that at least, huh?)
Fourth, the computer IS custom made by them. So they would know how it works and exactly what BIOS update to put in. I can trust them with it.
Finally, a part of me does feel that I have betrayed you, LBTlover, and for that, I'm sorry. However, there's little I can do about it now. I have little choice but to wait until Monday to get it back. They won't be open until then. -_-
I know I made a stupid move in the end and I'm sorry. :( It just all got to me in the end. :slap :bang
I'm so sorry! :cry2 *feels in need of a friendly hug right now*
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I really don't like it when computer illiterate people don't trust me and do rash things. Just remember one thing. That company will tell you there's a lot wrong with your computer when there's nothing wrong at all. Get that BIOS update and get out of there.
You don't understand when it comes to making computers. These people aren't the "computer gods". There is the common misconception that when someone builds a computer that it's their creation. It's not. Even a total idiot can build a computer. All you're doing is taking a whole lot of parts and putting them together. The information I obtained came from the MANUFACTURER....the person who actually MADE the parts in the computer. I'd trust them before I'd trust some idiot who just took the parts and put them together.
First, to be fully honest, the guy did seem a little tense when talking to me and he had to basically explain to me how my thing works, so he could've said something wrong because of how tense he was.
The guy couldn't come up with lies fast enough. When people who aren't total dumbasses come in, it makes some techs feel nervous. You showed that you weren't like that by having the ram (and buying the right kind to boot), acting like you knew what you wanted, and KNOWING what was wrong with your computer....the BIOS. He didn't say wrong things because he was tense. He LIED to you and was having a hard time doing it. He wondered how smart you really were. Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm sure you sounded a lot smarter than you really are. He knew that if he said something you knew was false, you'd leave right there and he'd get no business.
Fourth, the computer IS custom made by them. So they would know how it works and exactly what BIOS update to put in. I can trust them with it.
First of all, as I said above they did NOT make that computer. The manufacturer made it. They just put it together. I can't believe you trust them when they put in the wrong BIOS in the first place! I got the BIOS update files from the manufacturers website. There's no way to go wrong.
__________________________________________________________________
From what you've told me, there is another possibility for the ram not working in your computer. I have experienced anomalies like this in the past. They're very rare, but they do exist. Sometimes when a card in the computer doesn't work quite right, the computer freaks out if you put in too much ram. It wouldn't surprise me if the people who built your computer put in a defective part KNOWING that it was defective. I can't explain why this happens sometimes, but it does. The last computer that had this problem had to have the sound card taken out before it would recognize more than 1gb of ram. It was a very strange problem.
My guts tell me that the BIOS is the issue, but there is still a very slight probability of it being something else. If the people charge more than for a BIOS update when you go to get your computer I want you to get the receipt except don't pay for the computer. Instead, take the receipt to me and show me it. When they ask why you're not paying, tell them that you are taking the receipt to someone else to have it looked over. If they resist, you know they're being deceitful. That thing won't need any more than a BIOS update.
Another thing they might try is to get one of your ram modules (the 1gb kind). Since they know your computer will only work on 3gb, they'll probably steal one of the chips and put in 2 of the 512mb modules. Look at your ram before you leave to make sure they didn't do this. You can tell your ram by the "crucial" sticker on it.
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Same applies for cars. Just the way it is, the mechanics are less likely to lie to a man bringing in something and saying what he thinks is wrong, than they are to a woman who says the same. They read you to see if they think you know what's going on.
There's always bad apples out there.
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I'll use the car scenario as an example. A car mechanic doesn't repair parts on the car. He just replaces them. When he builds a car, he doesn't build the parts or know how they work. He just puts them together like they're supposed to go. It's like legos. You don't trust the word of a mechanic on what's wrong with your part. You trust the manufacturer...the person who actually MADE the part that needs repairing. Normally in your case, the mechanic would just replace the entire mechanism, however a new motherboard would need to be put in which would cost in the high hundreds. In response to this, the repair tech goes to see if he can repair the programming on the motherboard. He turns to the manufacturer, just like I was doing. He doesn't know what your computer needs any more than I do. He had to surf the net for the same file I found. You're paying this jerk to download the file I linked to here and install it, which takes less than 2 minutes. In addition, he'll probably try to rip you off because he can't get any money off of a BIOS update. I wouldn't charge for an BIOS update and no respectable company would either. I can guarantee you that they're gonna lie about a million things that's wrong with the computer and charge you tons of money. Or worse, they might tell you your computer is scrap and trade you for a less powerful computer AND make you pay for it. That's what's called the "double jab" in the computer repair tech world. I've done it a couple of times unintentionally because I made a bad call and scrapped a computer when what was wrong with it wasn't that severe. Most repair techs do it all the time though.
____________________________________
Final conclusion: If they want to do or did do anything more than a BIOS update, it's a scam. If they charge you for it, they're total asses. If you do get charged, it shouldn't be any more than $5 or $10. DON'T PAY FOR ANYTHING BESIDES A BIOS UPDATE WITHOUT TALKING TO ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!
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Okay, I know I told LBTlover that I wouldn't post here until I got it back, but I have a serious thing to say...
I AM NEVER TRUSTING A COMPUTER REPAIR PLACE AGAIN!!!
Why? Because they're taking too damn long to get something so simple done. I should have it back by now. In fact, do you want to know just how pathetic they have become in my eyes now? Well, I just called them up and found out that they have yet to get around to my Desktop, but told me that I was one of the next ones in line. So we're definitely looking at today or tomorrow. (Wednesday if they continue to show their patheticness.) Unless they had a good load of really messed up computers to deal with before mine, there's just NO excuse for this. :angry:
Either way, if they charge me even a cent, I am NOT paying them. They just took too damn long for something like this. :mad
Now, if you don't mind, I'm seriously angry and would like to be left alone today. *goes off to beat up his pillow to relieve anger.*
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Damn. I've never made someone wait more than 5 minutes for a BIOS update. Seriously! I can do it with them standing in front of me the instant they bring it in. They were just hoping that you'll pay them more after they lie to you about all this crap that's wrong with it. And you have to pay them if you want your computer back. Just go pick it up before they do any work on it because they can seriously charge you $100 to do the BIOS update if the want to and if you refuse to pay them that amount, they'll keep your computer. If you get it before they touch it however they won't be able to do anything about it.
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I'm getting it back tomorrow.
They're done, but they finished while I was at work. At least it's done and I'll have it back first thing tomorrow.
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Okay Sorry about not updating for most of the day. I've just been a little upset at them. You see, they did the BIOS update, but I still don't have it back. Why? Let me explain:
I went to pick it up as planned and when I got there, they told me that it wasn't ready yet. They told me that there was another problem with it. Apparently, one of the fans was worn out. (I did have a feeling something else was wrong because it did make a noise of some kind that it shouldn't have been before I took it in.) They deliberately told me that they weren't giving it back until that was fixed.
I tried to talk with their manager to get it back, but I even lost that arguement. So now, I have to pay $100.00 more just to have that fixed and I can't get it back until they're done.
They just totally ripped me off, and I'm so mad about it now. :angry:
They took advantage of the extra time they had and ripped me off with it. I really shouldn't have done this in the first place. -_-
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We got a computer hostage situation here.... :angry: Very peculiar answer...you sure they didn't actually break something and are trying to keep you from the computer until they fix what they broke?
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I went to pick it up as planned and when I got there, they told me that it wasn't ready yet. They told me that there was another problem with it. Apparently, one of the fans was worn out. (I did have a feeling something else was wrong because it did make a noise of some kind that it shouldn't have been before I took it in.) They deliberately told me that they weren't giving it back until that was fixed.
I tried to talk with their manager to get it back, but I even lost that arguement. So now, I have to pay $100.00 more just to have that fixed and I can't get it back until they're done.
Well, unless I'm misunderstanding something here, I think keeping the computer to fix a broken fan is a good thing. Honestly, if I were in that situation, yeah I would be frustrated in having to pay an extra $100, but at the same time I would be grateful that they didn't just overlook it and give me a computer that still wasn't completely fixed.
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A fan? A FAN!!!?!?!???!?? F****** S***! A new fan costs in the neighborhood of $1-$3. CPU fans run a little more around $5-$7 (Note that these prices are only for repair techs and are not available to the public). There is no way that they can charge you that much. If I had a customer like you, I would charge you $20 to put the fan in and just throw the cost of the fan and the 2 minutes it took to upgrade the BIOS along with it. :angry: I mean, I can get fans for as little as twenty cents! What a**holes! :mad
EDIT: 99% of fan problems can be fixed by simply taking the case off and blowing on the inside of the fan, which takes like 2 seconds. The dirt and crap makes the fan spin slower or make weird noises. Don't think your house is dirty? Well, when you take off your computers case you'll be mortified. :blink: :o I once removed a dust bunny the size of a basket ball from one of my master machines. It was behind the front cover where I never take the case off. I had to take it off to replace the DVD burner and I noticed that thing and I was like "Holy F***!" :lol
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On Newegg various fans are fairly cheap. Some cooling things for a pc are $10.
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Personally, I'm not surprised they charged an extra $100, considering it's a computer repair place. From Clint's and Kylie's experience with a computer repair place (they both went to Geek Squad I believe), they are pretty expensive. A family owned repair place would be cheaper, I think, than an official place.
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Okay, I'm using an edited pic from earlier to show you guys something here, okay?
The red arrow in this pic points to which fan they'll be fixing on me:
(http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb237/pokeplayer984/2008-07-15-37282-1.jpg)
Sure, nice they're fixing it and all, but they could at least not charge me so much. :(
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(they both went to Geek Squad I believe)
Don't even get me started on how awful geek squad is. They employ people that don't know any more about computers than a mcdonalds worker and then give them NO training. I know. I went to work for them and they didn't give me an ounce of training. Figuring it was because I had so much experience, I talked to this other dumb guy they had put me with only to find out that he doesn't know crap. :o :blink: That job was really boring. You worked like 5% of the time and the most complicated thing you had to do was pop in an xp disk and wait. -_- I only worked there for 3 days.
Sure, nice they're fixing it and all, but they could at least not charge me so much.
Aw crap man. There's no way that little fan is causing the noise issues. They know that so they plan to replace it and then say "oh, well that wasn't the problem. We have to charge you an extra $150 for your CPU fan." :angry: They're gonna charge you until you agree to give it to them. I'm sure the reason they want to keep it so long is because they want to get my version of xp sp3 lite edition with vista style off of there. This is what 99% of computer places are like. They invent problems and then fix them. You should have never taken it to them. I'll bet you a million dollars that they install the wrong BIOS and you'll have to do it yourself anyways. :bang
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There is a good chance that if these people know what they're doing that they will try and tell you that your OS is corrupted and that you'll need to pay $99 for another copy of xp. Don't listen to them. They might try to push the "Oh, that guy you took it to doesn't know what he's doing. He installed an illegal copy of windows xp so we have to install a legal one and charge you $99." That's a classic line that repair places use if you reveal to them that you had your computer serviced elsewhere. True, my version of xp lite sp3 isn't exactly standard Microsoft issue, but we used your license that came with your computer so it's fully licensed and legal. I would guess that they're gonna try to give you grief about the OS. Their goals are to 1, get as much money as they can out of you and 2, after they've gotten a few hundred out of you they will say "oh, the computer is just worthless. I'll pay you $50 for the parts inside." They want you to say yes and that way they would have gotten hundreds of dollars AND a PERFECTLY WORKING computer out of you. This sort of thing goes on all the time.
Oh, and don't be fooled if they say something along the lines of "well your computer is worthless and it'd be better if you bought a new one but I'll tell ya what. I'll buy your computer for parts and then give you this one in exchange." If they do that line, DON'T LISTEN TO THEM! If you do they would have gotten a couple hundred dollars, a perfectly working computer, and they would have gotten rid of a worthless computer without having to go to the dump all in one wonderful package! :angry: This stuff goes on every single day in most repair shops.
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Dusting the outside of the case and the fan can do wonders.
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Don't even get me started on how awful geek squad is.
I recall Kylie was getting very upset because she sent in her computer a month or so ago and they kept in for so long. I can't even remember how long she had to wait. 2 weeks or more, and all they were doing was fixing the keyboard (only one key was broken).
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It's cases like these that makes me glad I have my dad to handle all of my computer problems. As far as I'm aware, the only thing he couldn't fix on my computer was a problem with the clock having a tendency to reset itself every hour. I've gotten used to this problem and I don't even consider it an annoyance anymore. My computer is fine, but it doesn't need to be perfect.
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Wow. That's a simple problem. Open the case and write down the number on the little coin battery on the board. Then go to walmart and buy one. :rolleyes: It's easier than replacing a watch battery.
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Okay, I officially have my Desktop back! :^.^: (Feels great typing on my Desktop keyboard again. :D)
Anyways, the fan I pointed out wasn't really the problem. Now, the fan in the very back that's used to force out hot air, was severed. They completely removed that. My computer should still have good enough cooling conditions, but I should be looking into getting a new back fan just to be safe. However, there was another problem apparently. The noise was really the computer warning me that the power supply was in bad condition. It had to be replaced. That's what really cost me $100.00.
In the end, that's all I really paid for. With tax, it came to about $107.00.
I don't have time to test the bios update as I need to head off to work now.
Just wanted to quickly report my computer being back, and right now, I'm happy with just that. :)
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That's a bunch of BS. When you PSU (power supply) is going bad, it's REALLY LOUD!!! It sounds like a freaking jet that's taking off in your back yard. Besides, most PSUs last at least 7 years. That's how long the warranty is on them anyways. You should try to install the 4gb now. As I said before, putting in the 4gb is okay. Only 3gb will recognize, but 3gb is better than 1/2gb!
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Well, the full 4 GB works. It read the amount you said it would and Windows XP SP3 started up properly, mouse and keyboard work, all Drives workable, so they did put in a compatible BIOS update. :)
Well, maybe it was the power supply, because it's no longer making the noise with the new one in. So maybe they were right, maybe not, we'll just see if the noise comes up again.
Anyways, everything's working perfectly at this point, so I bet there's nothing more that needs to be done now. :^.^:
The only really bad thing, they took too damn long. :angry:
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Well, maybe it was the power supply, because it's no longer making the noise with the new one in. So maybe they were right, maybe not, we'll just see if the noise comes up again.
No. I'm 100% convinced that it was the little $2 case fan that they replaced. They thought you really knew your stuff so they justified the high price by saying that the PSU needed to be replaced. What total a$$ holes. You could have done what they did in less than 5 minutes. :angry: There's no excuse for them taking so long.
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True that there is no excuse, but I did get one out of them, which is still inexcusable.
They put you on a list is the main thing. Even if it's something quick and easy, you have to wait until it is your computer's turn to get worked on. On top of that, they do multitask themselves, working on up to 15 computers to one employee.
But seriously, do you think they had 100 computers in front of me? I doubt it. Lazy bums. -_-
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On top of that, they do multitask themselves, working on up to 15 computers to one employee.
I do that as well, but I don't neglect computers in the process. :angry: They were making you pay while other peoples computers were serviced and yours was just sitting there. :mad