Off topic but...Our computer numbers have grown by one

[Toots Hibbert]

This is screamingly off topic I know but I'm burstng with pride and want to tell the people at my home in cyberspace...

I've just built a computer!! I did research over a few months, bought the parts on the internet and put them together. I have a mate who's an IT professional so I knew if I got into trouble I could call on him. In the end he helped me with the security settings of my wireless internet connection and that is all!

Honestly it's like doing Meccano! It took me probably twenty times longer than a trained person but I now have a computer that although not cutting edge, will chew through the latest games with ease (which means it can cope with anything) and down the track rather than buying a new PC I will be able to easily and cheaply upgrade.

I was really impressed with my buying experience over the net including both service and price.

Want to see some pics of my baby?

http://tinypic.com/ay95xz.jpg.........http://tinypic.com/ay97qo.jpg

I'd be very happy to share what I've learned with anyone here. That includes some thoughts on what to buy, as well as where to get good free antivirus protection and anti spyware that doesn't have hidden agenda's as well as how to get the knowledge required to put a PC together. I guess that should be done on the IT board. Post something here if your interested and I'll start a thread there.

[snap-shot]

cords, wires and cables...Oh My!

;) nice job Toots, long as it works for longer than 5mins...it's all good!

[Sheeds]

Congrats!!!! :D :cool:

I did pretty much the same thing, and you really do save a good deal of money doing it yourself than buying retail. In my case it was certainly worth it, Im with you that it took me a little longer to build it than it should have but all is well that ends well.

I am also using the Wireless connection on my computer, although the speed is a little slow at times, and I probably should sort some more high level security settings out rather than rely on the defualt settings.

[Toots Hibbert]

Here are some more pics and the parts I bought.

http://tinypic.com/ay9h12.jpg........http://tinypic.com/ay9ilv.jpg. It's my kids who play the games, honest!

Case:- Antec LifeStyle - Sonata QUIET Piano Black MidiTower Case - 380W Truepower PSU

Processor:- AMD Athlon64 3500+ Retail - Socket 939 - Venice Core

Motherboard:-ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe, nForce4, S939, DDR400, 2x PCI-Ex16, SATA, 2x GigLAN, ATX

Memory:- Corsair 1024MB (2 x 512MB) TWINX1024-3200C2 (400MHz) DDR RAM

Graphics Card:-ASUS Extreme N6800, 256MB, PCI-Ex16, TV/DVI

Sound Card:-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value

Hard Drive:- Seagate Barracuda 7200.8, 250GB 7200rpm ATA150 Serial ATA NCQ HDD - 8MB Cache

Optical Drive:-Sony 52x32x52x16 CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive, Internal IDE - OEM with S/W

Monitor:-Philips 190S6FB 19" LCD Monitor, Black, 12ms Response

Logitech Elite Keyboard

Logitech MX-518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition OEM

[deeps]

been building my own pc's for ages now, have a small (very small) business as well.

Costwise, it's not worth it nowadays, with alot of stores building the computers for you for no charge, as long as you buy more than $500 worth of their products etc.

Since you get to choose what parts you use, it's just as customisable too.

So essentially, there is no advantage, other than the experience. Disadvantage is that if you screw up, or it screws up later, there is no real warranty except the standard parts warranty.

what specs does that machine have?

[deeps]

Case:- Antec LifeStyle - Sonata QUIET Piano Black MidiTower Case - 380W Truepower PSU

Processor:- AMD Athlon64 3500+ Retail - Socket 939 - Venice Core


Motherboard:-ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe, nForce4, S939, DDR400, 2x PCI-Ex16, SATA, 2x GigLAN, ATX

Memory:- Corsair 1024MB (2 x 512MB) TWINX1024-3200C2 (400MHz) DDR RAM

Graphics Card:-ASUS Extreme N6800, 256MB, PCI-Ex16, TV/DVI

Sound Card:-Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Value

Hard Drive:- Seagate Barracuda 7200.8, 250GB 7200rpm ATA150 Serial ATA NCQ HDD - 8MB Cache

Optical Drive:-Sony 52x32x52x16 CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive, Internal IDE - OEM with S/W

Monitor:-Philips 190S6FB 19" LCD Monitor, Black, 12ms Response

Logitech Elite Keyboard

Logitech MX-518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition OEM

that's some nice stuff you got there...how much did it cost? Perhaps you should have forked out the extra $$$ for a dvd burner..wldnt have cost much more

[Toots Hibbert]

I don't plan on burning DVD's for a while and will put one in when I do need to. I'm sure you're right about the price side of things and warranty considerations are important too.

I paid just over $2,800. In hindsight I went over the top putting a sound card in and could have saved $100 there.

What this has done is teach me a whole lot and in a couple of years when the games are passing this machine by I can easily put in a dual processor and add a second graphics card and some memory.

[deeps]

yeh that's a pretty gd sound card, dpending on what you use it for, you could have got away with a cheaper one.

a dvd burner would have cost you very little more, and looking at the total cost of 2800, an extra 20-30 bucks wouldn't have made a big diff.

Very good for backing up all your files etc.

[Andre]

Not too bad a system there. I usually put together my own systems (about half a dozen over the last 14 years), though I got my last one complete from Dell. The main reason as I could get a three year extended warranty on everything from one place.

Though couldn't you get a black DVD drive - the white looks out of place :p

[Toots Hibbert]

......Though couldn't you get a black DVD drive - the white looks out of place :p
No way Andre! I'm planning on getting a teal coloured DVD burner down the track! :D

Anyway the door closes over it. Do you like the nice blue lights on either side of the USB ports and headphone socket? :D

[Arsene Wenger]

jeez

impressive

I get confused using the printer let alone putting my own PC together.. That is a sensational effort...

[Port1978]

Nice work Toots :)

[domc]

well done!

Im interested in the free antivirus protection and anti spyware that doesn't have hidden agendas - what are they and where do I download them from?

cheers
Dom

[relapse]

This is screamingly off topic I know but I'm burstng with pride and want to tell the people at my home in cyberspace...

I've just built a computer!! I did research over a few months, bought the parts on the internet and put them together. I have a mate who's an IT professional so I knew if I got into trouble I could call on him. In the end he helped me with the security settings of my wireless internet connection and that is all!

Honestly it's like doing Meccano! It took me probably twenty times longer than a trained person but I now have a computer that although not cutting edge, will chew through the latest games with ease (which means it can cope with anything) and down the track rather than buying a new PC I will be able to easily and cheaply upgrade.

I was really impressed with my buying experience over the net including both service and price.

Want to see some pics of my baby?

http://tinypic.com/ay95xz.jpg.........http://tinypic.com/ay97qo.jpg

I'd be very happy to share what I've learned with anyone here. That includes some thoughts on what to buy, as well as where to get good free antivirus protection and anti spyware that doesn't have hidden agenda's as well as how to get the knowledge required to put a PC together. I guess that should be done on the IT board. Post something here if your interested and I'll start a thread there.

Well done, I also built my first PC earlier this year. It was a little bit stressful and like you took about 10 times longer than an expert would take to build it. The hardest and most annoying part was finding where the little plugs go for the hdd light, power and reset switches with it being a Thermaltake case there were numerous connections for the fans and neon lights, but it all went okay though after some initial stress.

If anyone needs a new PC and you are resonably computer minded build it yourself and you will save heaps of money !!!!!!

[PAFC2004]

I built mine too :o
Well done though.

[portentous]

Well done Tootsie. Is that your offspring also on the monitor image??

I wouldn't even bother building my own personally. My brother is a qualified computer technician (and car mechanic!), so it costs me nothing and saves me the aggravation.

[Toots Hibbert]

well done!

Im interested in the free antivirus protection and anti spyware that doesn't have hidden agendas - what are they and where do I download them from?

cheers
Dom
Here's a link to the anti virus software. It was recommended to me by IT professional mate. It's a teaser for a more fully featured version which is not required by the average user. I've had it on my system since Saturday night. The interface is very easy to use. It automatically updates the antivirus database on a daily basis or you can do it manually.
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2

The anti spyware can be obtained from the Microsoft site by entering "Microsoft" and "anti spyware" into a search engine. It's a beta version that's been out for around six months I think and updates automatically or manually as you choose. I don't know if Microsoft are planning to sell this down the track or incorporate it into Windows.

[relapse]

Here's a link to the anti virus software. It was recommended to me by IT professional mate. It's a teaser for a more fully featured version which is not required by the average user. I've had it on my system since Saturday night. The interface is very easy to use. It automatically updates the antivirus database on a daily basis or you can do it manually.
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2

The anti spyware can be obtained from the Microsoft site by entering "Microsoft" and "anti spyware" into a search engine. It's a beta version that's been out for around six months I think and updates automatically or manually as you choose. I don't know if Microsoft are planning to sell this down the track or incorporate it into Windows.

I agree I have been using Microsoft anti spyware and it seems to be doing a very good job. You can also use spybot search and destroy which is free and there is also adware away which isnt free but the serial is easily obtainable. Adware Away is the only spyware prog that I found to remove the dreaded about:blank malware which if you have it you will understand how annoying and how much of a pain it is.

[Jumbo]

Well done Toots, I'm still struggling with my Capsela I got 30 years ago! :o

[Capital Power]

Im interested in the free antivirus protection and anti spyware that doesn't have hidden agendas - what are they and where do I download them from?

Dom there are a few of these but for starters have a look at AVG Antivirus (Free Edition) at http://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01 and for antispyware the best is the Microsoft AntiSpyware - download via search from download.microsoft.com. It's a beta at the moment but very good (and free, and Microsoft have said the final product will also be free for home users).

Toots, your machine is missing its PAFC wallpaper. Otherwise very impressive :)

[Toots Hibbert]

Dom there are a few of these but for starters have a look at AVG Antivirus (Free Edition) at http://www.grisoft.com/doc/289/lng/us/tpl/tpl01 and for antispyware the best is the Microsoft AntiSpyware - download via search from download.microsoft.com. It's a beta at the moment but very good (and free, and Microsoft have said the final product will also be free for home users).

Toots, your machine is missing its PAFC wallpaper. Otherwise very impressive :)
Hey Capital Power, is this your car? I snapped it outside the War Memorial when we were over there recently. :D

http://tinypic.com/azgtb4.jpg

[Jabsy]

well done!

Im interested in the free antivirus protection and anti spyware that doesn't have hidden agendas - what are they and where do I download them from?

cheers
Dom

AVG have always offered a free AV. They are at www.grisoft.com
I dont use it myself as I'm a reseller for NOD32, which offer a 30 day trial which you can download.

As for spyware, use a combination of Firefox for you web browser, Spyware Blaster 3.4, Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4 and the Microsoft AntiSpyware tool. All of these are free and do a much better job than the stuff you pay for. The only downside of free stuff is that you have to do the updates manually.

I would fix on average 5 PC's a week for virus and/or spyware infestations and if you dont have the above stuff then you'll be either paying someone like me a lot of money, or reformatting your PC, as there is some really nasty spyware doing the rounds at the moment.

[Jabsy]

Adware Away is the only spyware prog that I found to remove the dreaded about:blank malware which if you have it you will understand how annoying and how much of a pain it is.


Call me cynical, but I believe that the company responsible for the original about:blank hijack are the same company responsible for "adaware away".

There's no way I'd be paying money for it.

[deeps]

get zone alarm, incorporates a firewall, anti virus, and spyware checker all in one.

doesn't take up too many resources either.... download the trial version and make it free ;)

[Capital Power]

Hey Capital Power, is this your car? I snapped it outside the War Memorial when we were over there recently.

Sorry, Toots, no it isn't. Unfortunately I'm not allowed to display my membership sticker. Luckily for me my eldest daughter did circumvent this regulation by procuring me a PAFC number plate frame on her last Alberton trip, for which I am very grateful and of course display proudly. Gets me the odd dent in the car park though....

PS If anyone on the board has a Windows-based mobile phone I have a Power theme including wallpaper, colours and Power song wma ringtone that I'm happy to share :)

[Toots Hibbert]

cords, wires and cables...Oh My!

;) nice job Toots, long as it works for longer than 5mins...it's all good!
Well the first little glitch has occurred with my machine. My son reported that it had become very noisy. Took the side panel off and the noise was coming from the fan over the chipset. Rang Asus, who are the manufacturer of the motherboard, this morning to enquire who, in Adelaide, supplies replacement fans.

The guy took my name and address and said that one would be sent out. When I enquired about cost he informed me that it would be free of charge because this is a known fault. Apparently the chipset fans for the A8 series of motherboards are prone to wearing out due to a fault in the ball bearings. The fans they're making now are OK.

I do hope I get the fan before the end of the week as promised otherwise my kids will get a bit toey over Christmas.

[Pred]

Good job Toots! Congrats. I'm a roll-your-own man too, have been forever really.

<geek>
By the way, we have exactly the same mouse - sweetest mouse I've ever owned. Recently wore out after about 18 months heavy usage, and I bought another one exactly the same :)
</geek>

[Rory]

Wow that's a nice machine you made there, well done :thumbsu:

I'm jealous I want one :p I will be getting a new PC next year at some stage I would imagine. Not sure if I will get myself a gaming PC or not. I hope it is though. Just depends on the ca$h.

[Ported]

Speaking of expensive electronic things, i'm picking up one of these in the next month or so...

http://www.espacioblog.com/myfiles/rafikisland/cintiq.jpg

Worth twice as much as my car :o

[Pred]

Speaking of expensive electronic things, i'm picking up one of these in the next month or so...

http://www.espacioblog.com/myfiles/rafikisland/cintiq.jpg

Worth twice as much as my car :o

Wow - that's a nice lookin' gadget!

I finally got a tablet a few months back - Intuos3 12x19.

[Toots Hibbert]

Wow that's a nice machine you made there, well done :thumbsu:

I'm jealous I want one :p I will be getting a new PC next year at some stage I would imagine. Not sure if I will get myself a gaming PC or not. I hope it is though. Just depends on the ca$h.
You might want to check out the concept of the "sweet spot" which PC World magazine discusses. http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php.

The idea is that the further you go up the performance curve the less improvement you get for each extra dollar spent. This mag identifies what is, in it's opinion, the best value for money in machines and parts.