Re:

[John]

Hey Bubba, I found something you might be interested in. Remeber though that prices have fallen on parts and that faster processors are available. Try this site. www.duxcw.com/ There is some great informatin there. Go to the how to link on the left side of screen. My wife says I can build another computer (ouch stop that, ok I can't build another) I need some Bubba lessons. Hope this helps,   John



 

[LTC05RET]

quote:

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,,,



I must have caught my wife at a weak moment,, as I mentioned using my "bonus" money to perhaps get a new 'puter,,[ an important strategy is then to say you are going to give the old 'puter to one of the kids, perhaps a borderline dirty tactic, but it can bring on desired results ] and she did not knock me down,, so it looks good.





Looking at:

Dell

900 to 1G-something Speed

Pent 3 or 4

Ram 128 [ there seems to be much more ram available, is 128 ok for a home pc/toy ?

Hard drive size not such a big deal

CD-rom speed , same as above [ No interest in DVD]

CD-RW drive in second bay

32m 3D video card [maybe force-feedback ]

Sound card upgrade

Speaker upgrade

Modem upgrade

19" monitor,,, [ I have a Mag Trinitron 17" now, not sure if I need a Trinitron ]



The above system is around $1900 + or - .



What is the opinion of my selection,, I have a Quantex now,, very happy with it.





http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/gmrkar/jc.gif" border=0>



Bubba

 

[LTC05RET]

FYI I bought a Dell 4100 w/ WinME back in Nov

00. When I tried to open Windows  Explorer

using the new prescribed path, I got My Docu-

ments.  Called Dell Tech Support thinking it

just a minor ME glitch.  Would you believe

they had me format the HD and ultimately re-

placed the computer.  It had the same glitch

(as have all computers with ME that I've seen). Also, not one of the 6 reps I talked

with said that he/she had ME on their compu-

ter so we weren't even reading from the same

screen!  How's that for good Tech Support?



 

[Bubba]

????????

LT that price  has dropped,, can it drop more  ??



http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/gmrkar/jc.gif" border=0>



Bubba

[Bubba]

Is it the windows me that is goofy ?

My son's Gateway was three days old, when his hard drive crashed,,, they did send him a drive right away,,,,



Do you "have"to take WinMe on new Dells and G-ways, or can you request Win98. [ I also heard some growling about WIN98 Second Edition when it first came out]



http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/gmrkar/jc.gif" border=0>



Bubba

[LTC05RET]

I think it's ME that's wrong.  For some reason Microsoft saw fit to change the old tried and true path to Win Explorer and  screwed it up.  Yes, you can order Dell and

G'way with Win 98.  I wish I had!



 

[Joanie]

HI ltco5ret,



Welcome to the Forum.



ME works for me. Sorry you and Bubba are having trouble with it. It has bee VERY stable for ME.



Joanie



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[n/a]

Hey, Bubba,



So how are you swinging the new truck part of the deal?



My wife found the potato in the tail pipe, so I need some clues.



http://www2.mmind.net/bskarky/bb1cc.jpg" border=0>

     --Bear

[Bubba]

Well, Bear,,, it takes years of experience, and a special talent to match wits with a woman,, "timing" is the most important aspect,,,however, one must also expect horrible setbacks,,,the flower/balloon/purple teddy bear thingy on Valentine's Day was a massive strike that completed the strategy of  the total destruction of her armies,,,,,, she has come to the table, hat in hand,, to surrender.





or just have an '87 Dodge 4WD that your wife does not like anymore,,,,,





http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/gmrkar/jc.gif" border=0>



Bubba

[n/a]

Well, my wife received the World's Smallest Teddy Bear this year, blue, not purple. It was pretty cute, but I pointed out that she would have gotten a bigger present if my pickup wasn't old and likely to require major repairs any minute. Was that good?



Trouble is, my '85 Toyota SR5 4WD with 170K miles on it is dang near indestructible, and she knows that from personal experience. Plus, it's paid for.



I spilled some really stinky gear oil on the carpet, but that didn't seem to faze her.



Maybe I should just work on a new computer, huh. After two+ years of bug-fixing and tweaking, now that it's obsolete, there's nothing wrong with this one.



Besides, I sort of lost my credibility on picking winners when Fountain went bust.

I'm still living with this one under the onus of, "You picked it out and bought it, now you live with it."



Darn that Chang guy anyway.



http://www2.mmind.net/bskarky/bb1cc.jpg" border=0>

     --Bear

[Joanie]

Hey Bear,



Your not doing it right.  Follow Bubbas lead cuz so far he has the right idea.



And that trick about the oil on the carpet, not too good at all, NOT AT ALL. Sorry, no points there.



I love you guys.



RahRah



http://www.poasters.com/images/rahrahsm.gif  " border=0>

[n/a]

You're probably right, RahRah, especially about the oil on the carpet. So next year I'll go with a flower and balloon and a purple bear and not spill any oil on anything.



But I am working at a disadvantage here--I was a bachelor for a LONG time. My poor wife had a lot of counter-programming to do. It took her years just to get me to match my socks, so how am I expected to match wits with her on the the important things like new trucks/computers?



Marriage is rough.







http://www2.mmind.net/bskarky/bb1cc.jpg" border=0>

     --Bear

[Deduece]

Don't listen to what Bear is saying here. It's just part of his campaign for a new lawn tractor.



Dedeuce

--De two is better dan anon



 

[pat]

Hey Bubba

Here is another helping of "Good" advice.......

http://www.zdnet.com/pcmag/stories/opinions/0,7802,2682112,00.html





 

[Bubba]

thanks patman,, rumor has it my bonus check will be sent sometine in March,,, then "look-out",,,,,, blastoff !!!!



really looking at that Dell 8100,,,but have not forgotten about that 21 inch Gateway monitor package,,, starting to loose my edge on the build-your-own plan,,, mainly 'cause I threw away all my Tiger-Direct catalogs,, and also would have no idea on whether to buy  a Ford, Dodge or Chevy motherboard,, or the rage,, tnt,,or blah blah video card,,,just too stupid....



http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/gmrkar/jc.gif" border=0>



Bubba

[Joanie]

That will do it Bear, a big balloon and a purple bear. Those goodies will get you everywhere.



RahRah

quote:

You're probably right, RahRah, especially about the oil on the carpet. So next year I'll go with a flower and balloon and a purple bear and not spill any oil on anything.



But I am working at a disadvantage here--I was a bachelor for a LONG time. My poor wife had a lot of counter-programming to do. It took her years just to get me to match my socks, so how am I expected to match wits with her on the the important things like new trucks/computers?



Marriage is rough.







http://www2.mmind.net/bskarky/bb1cc.jpg" border=0>

     --Bear

http://www.poasters.com/images/rahrahsm.gif  " border=0>

[Bubba]

Rumor almost verified ,,,, week of March 12,,,$$$$$ time,,, then a call to Dell,,,, er',,,, Gateway,,,,,,'er,,,,,, dang,,, I just don't know ????



http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/gmrkar/lil88.jpg" border=0>



Bubba

[Bubba]

I am real close to calling Dell,, perhaps this week,,, then a guy in a Nascar 3 Sim Forumn blasted Dells for being junk,, [ the 8100 specifically,, he said the AGP video slott was backwards from P2's and P 3's ...?? ]and he said the support was lousy, all they want to do is have you format and reinstall, instead of talking you through a problem,,,,, well,,, I often wondered why Dell or Gateway,, or anyone should try to straighten out a software conflict that the user did him or herself,,,, anyway,, here is another opinion about the Pent 4 chip, from another guy there,,,,







I have several Dells and I also build my own. Dell is a good computer, but I would stay away from ANYTHING with a Pentium Four processor. It ain't ready for prime time due to the new chips. I prefer the Intel BX and 815 chipsets for gaming. The 850 chipset is just an interim chip until DDR is supported. Send that 8100 back IF you are still inside your 30 day window.



Again,, I am trying to be the infromed buyer,, like I did 3 years ago, when I got this Q,,, now I am wondering if I should just get the 'puter that comes in the prettiest box !!





aaaaaaaarrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhhh !!





http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/gmrkar/lil88.jpg" border=0>



Bubba

[Joanie]

Bubba the DVD drives are great and it should be just fine if it comes installed by the folks you buy the computer from. Really, you would like it I promise.



The Pentium 4 is wonderful and there is no problem with the i850 chip with RDRAM. For car racing games and graphics the P4 is the way to go. If your using mostly windows applications a P3 is all you need. Don't settle for less than the P4. I love my HP and the DVD is super as well as the CD-RW.



Joanie



http://www.poasters.com/images/rahrahsm.gif  " border=0>

[query]

It is true that Dell has taken a hit in its reputation for service and support over the last six months or so  -  they're coming around to the reality that support is expensive, and that people aren't willing to pay for it up front, with more expensive computers.



I agree that the P-4 is not a good buy right now.  What is on the market was rushed there to compete with the AMD Athlon - it is not an advance over the current PIII architecture.  A P-4 1300 will actually trail a PIII-1 GHz in performance under almost any software currently on the market - and a P-4 1500 will trail an Athlon 1200 similarly.  That, plus the fact that either the PIII or Athlon is a cheaper choice, makes those the systems to beat.



The second-generation P-4 is due later this year, and will be not only physically incompatible with the current P-4, but will also likely include many of the design features left out of the current generation.  That may be the chip to beat.  For now, if you need a Dell, the 1 GHz PIII will do just fine by any software you choose to run.



Otherwise, the AMD Athlon is the CPU to choose - the 1200 MHz unit is the fastest X86 processor on the market - and far from the most expensive to boot.



 

[Bubba]

????????thanks ????????? I need to move on this soon before my wife scuttles it all together,,, our daughter told us she  is getting married in October,,,, AAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH   $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$



http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/gmrkar/lil88.jpg" border=0>



Bubba

[scuzzy]

Hey Bub,



I have to side with query on this. With any current software (including games), you're better off staying with the P-III, 1GHz, at least for now. Not only is it cheaper (especially the RAM), but it will out-perform the P-4. In your case, I'd worry more about getting the right video card. If you simply want the best CPU available right now, forget the P-4 and go with the AMD Athlon.



As far as I'm concerned, I won't be buying another Dell unless they pick up on the AMD chip.



http://www.poasters.com/images/scuzzy.gif" border=0>

Scuzzy

[Bubba]

yeah but that Black 8100 Dell sure looks cool,,,,,,,,,,ok,,ok,,,I will quit looking at it,,,



video card: I assumed I would get the 32mb NIVIDA GE Force 2MX 4X AGP card,,,there is a 64mb card,,,,,, is it worth 230$ more ??? Some say right now this minute,, there is only one program that would take advantage of the 64mb card,,, I know things move fast,, but maybe I can take that 230$ and get the 21" monitor instead,,,



http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/gmrkar/lil88.jpg" border=0>



Bubba

[pat]

Bubba Hello

I have to say I agree with query and scuzzy on the P4. Everything I have read lately pretty much says stear clear of p4 for the time being.

Here is an interesting article.

http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/01q1/010130/index.html



Cavet Emptor





 

[n/a]

I'll probably wait till the next-generation P4 arrives, then give it a year or three to see how it does in real life. And gets very, very cheap.



http://www2.mmind.net/bskarky/bb1cc.jpg" border=0>

     --Bear

[Bubba]

Well,,,,,, I did it,,,,,, after some tossing and turning I went with the Dell,,,,

4100  P3 1 gig cpu

256 sdram

19" Trinitron monitor

32mb DDR nVida GeForce2 GTS 4X AGP video card

US Robotics modem

Altec ADA885 speakers

48x cd-rom

12x-8x-32x cd burner



Thanks for all the help guys and gals,,, I did avoid the hype and steered clear of the P4,,,maybe next time,,



greg



http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/gmrkar/lil88.jpg" border=0>



Bubba

[n/a]

Hey, Bubba,



Congratulations, looks like a sweet machine. And apparently you're still married.



Keep us poasted on how they treat you. My friend Jeff received his the day before it was scheduled to be shipped, so have your box blade ready.



http://www2.mmind.net/bskarky/bb1cc.jpg" border=0>

     --Bear

[Bubba]

thanks Bear,,,,, still married,,,,,,,,,cause ma' don't know yet,,,, she knew I was goina' order one,, but don't know I did,,,,,that ain't so bad,,,,but,,,,,,I need to get 117$ out of her purse to meet my spending limit,,,pray for me,,,,,,I may need another purple teddy bear,,,or something ,,,, if not some of my important body parts may get "purpled" !!! Perhaps Joanie can give me a woman's perspective on my situation,,,



http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/gmrkar/lil88.jpg" border=0>



Bubba

[Joanie]

Yo Bubba,



First you start off with "look at all the money I saved us by being a shrewd negotiator". Then show her all the other Puters out there that cost much, much more and she will praise you for being so clever.



Then she will go into the kitchen and smile under her breath and say "who does he think he is kidding" but since she loves her Bubba and her purple terrybear she will be very happy you have a new toy. Now with a little luck all your parts should remain the same color.



Joanie







http://www.poasters.com/images/rahrahsm.gif  " border=0>

[pat]

Congrates Bubba

Sound like a great system. What OS did you get? I'm sure your wife will love it.