Help me choose a desktop computer

M

MichaelW

New Member
Hi,

I'm looking for a desktop computer that is fast and reliable. I'll use it to surf -- several sites at once; possibly run multiple applications at once, and update my website.

What do I need in the way of hard drive capacity, RAM, and, and a processor? I'm considering 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and either a Celeron D processor or an AMD Athlon or XP, or 64.

Is this sufficient hard drive capacity, RAM, and which is the better processor? What about a Pentium 4?

Thanks for any suggestions!

MichaelW
 
I'll buy a prebuilt; my budget is less than $500.

My present computer has an AMD Sempron 2200+ processor with 1.50 Ghz and 512 MB RAM. It wasn't performing very well on dial-up, and then I got satellite internet, but the computer started acting up -- not letting me get a valid ip address. A technician said the nic card might be going bad. I considered taking it to a repair shop, but decided to just get a new computer. I want something fast.
 
Why upgrade?

Your Sempron is more than capable of handling the tasks you've mentioned. Besides faster hardware will not make your connection any less of a pain, maybe your having ISP problems.
 
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My wife's computer was doing okay on satellite internet, but mine wouldn't get a valid ip address. Even on dialup, hers was performing better than mine; she has an Intel P4 with 2.2 Ghz and 512 MB RAM.

I thought my problems might be due to the phone line, and that's possible, but the new satellite internet system works on hers but stopped working on my computer. I had a lot of security stuff installed -- thought that might be the problem, but turns out it wasn't.
 
So, I have several issues -- (1) What caused the satellite internet to stop working on my computer, (2) Should I spend money on trying to find out if there's something wrong with the computer, or (3) just buy a new computer. If I choose number 3, should I get an AMD Athlon, or AMD 64, or Intel Celeron D processor, or a P4?

Any suggestions will be appreciated and welcomed. I'm tired of spending money only to have things go wrong. My present computer is only a year old.
 
The first thing you should do is call your ISP and let them know you're not getting an IP address on your computer, I'm not very familiar with satellite connections but I would tell you to check on your router settings [often 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 is the address to access them] and make sure all the settings are correct. Also check on your nic card properties, going to Control Panel, Network Connections, right click on the card that you're using, then Properties, then look at the options you have, under "this connection uses the following items:" look for "Internet Protocol [TCP/IP]", select it, then click on the Properties button and make sure the 'obtain ip automatically' is checked, same for DNS... if that doesn't work, then leave that where it is, go to your wife's computer, go to Start, Run, type cmd, type " ipconfig /all " ... write down all the numbers corresponding for IP address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DNS numbers, both of them. Then go back to your computer to the same place I told you before, type in all those numbers, apply. Restart computer if necessary [though it shouldn't be] and try going online again.

If you still want to buy a new computer, I have one up for sale, I can't advertise it here but if you want more info just PM me.

AJ
 
I forgot, if you get the IP address from your wife's computer it should look something like this: 192.168.1.100 or any ending number other than 100, it could be 2 or whatever. Change that last number to something else, most likely a number higher than the one in your wife's computer.
 
Hi, The_One (AJ),

I had previously tried all that, on the advice of a technician from the satellite internet company, but it didn't work.

But guess what, I just now tried it again, using your exact instructions, and my satellite internet home page came in on my computer -- whoopeeee!!

I hope it continues to work. Thanks very much for your help!!!

I'll PM you.
 
wow

Amazing :D glad that was of help, I know how tedious it becomes when your computer keeps messing up and you cant find a way to solve it. Have fun on the net now! :D

AJ
 
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