Calling all computer nerds for advice!!!...

[OU-HSV]

I haven't been on here in a while cause the hard drive fried on my laptop computer that I always use. The tech couldn't fix it unless I put about $300 into it. I figure on going ahead and buying a desktop...So for all you computer wizards. Here's what I'm thinking about getting, let me know what you all think. Office depot has a Compaq desktop system for an in store price of $809.97. After all the rebates it will only cost $489.97. It's a Desktop computer w/AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Processor w/Enhanced Virus Protection w/17" CRT monitor and a color printer. Here's the specs: -processor operates at 2.2GHz-1024MB memory-200GB hard drive-Double layer DVD+-RW drive features LightScribe Technology-Windows XP Media Center 2005 9in1 digital media reader
Tower SR1830NX 591-155/Monitor FS7600 190-200/Printer DJ5440 213-440

[GottaHavePride]

Sounds like apretty good price. I'd either build my own or check out www.maingear.com myself, but I'm picky about my computers.

[Scott D]

it sucks..enjoy the low grade hardware

[OU-HSV]

Thanks GHP..I told the tech that was working on my lap top about it..he said it looked like a great deal.

Scott D you don't like compaq eh?

[Tailwind]

Sounds close to what I got used for $100.00. It sucks. Here's what mine has per Belarc Advisor:
Operating System System Model
Windows 98 SE (build 4.10.2222) Compaq Compaq PC
System Serial Number: 1X02DCTXR39N
Enclosure Type: Mini-Tower
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
533 megahertz AMD K6-2 w/3DNow!
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: Compaq 0648h
Bus Clock: 97 megahertz
BIOS: Compaq 686S4 07/25/2000
Drives Memory Modules c,d
4.30 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
1.81 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

Lite-On LTN483S 48x Max [CD-ROM drive]
Generic floppy disk drive (3.5")

Generic IDE hard disk drive (4.30 GB) -- drive 0, No SMART Driver
IOMEGA ZIP 100 [Hard drive] -- drive 255, rev 14.A 376 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot '0' has 256 MB
Slot '1' has 128 MB
Local Drive Volumes

c: (FAT32 on drive 0) 2.84 GB 1.55 GB free
d: (FAT32 on drive 0) 1.47 GB 262 MB free

Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
BABET
SSFREAK
None detected
Controllers Display
Standard Floppy Disk Controller
Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
VIA Bus Master PCI IDE Controller Trident Blade3D/MVP4 (63) [Display adapter]
COMPAQ MV720 Color Monitor (16.3"vis, January 2000)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller (2x) ESS Allegro-1 Device Manager
ESS Allegro-1 DOS Emulation
ESS Allegro-1 PCI AudioDrive
Gameport Joystick (no joystick connected)
Communications Other Devices
HSP56 MicroModem


AOL Adapter
Diamond HomePNA & Ethernet Based Adapter
primary APIPA Address: 169.254.104.96 / 16
Physical Address: 00:90:00:0A:48:76

Networking Dns Servers: 64.136.28.120
64.136.20.120
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
WheelMouseIM (PS/2)
USB Composite Device
USB Root Hub (2x)
Virus Protection [Back to Top]
No details available
Missing Microsoft Security Hotfixes [Back to Top]
No details available
Installed Microsoft Hotfixes [Back to Top]
W98SE.DV.UPD (Windows 98 Second Edition Digital Video Update)
Internet Explorer
Q235666 (details...)
Q235667 (details...)
SP2
UPD236934 (details...) Reinstall!
Win98.SE
UPD3781 (Windows 98 Second Edition UHCD Update)

[soonerboomer93]

the system you got is several years old. the amd 533 came out in '99.

[yermom]

not a fan of Compaq really, but they aren't usually awful

watch out for integrated video, whatever you do

that sounds like a lot of rebates, are some of them MSN or something?

and if it is just the harddrive that is fried, you can get a laptop harddrive for ~$100

http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Su...ubCategory=380

[OU-HSV]

not a fan of Compaq really, but they aren't usually awful

watch out for integrated video, whatever you do

that sounds like a lot of rebates, are some of them MSN or something?

and if it is just the harddrive that is fried, you can get a laptop harddrive for ~$100

http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Su...ubCategory=380

Yeah, I've thought about going ahead and fixing my laptop, but I wouldn't know how to install the hard drive if I ordered one. The tech had a used hard drive that fit into my system, but every time he tried to start it up it had a bunch of errors or something.
The rebates are as follows:
$50 mail in rebate on the PC
$150 Office Depot Bundle Mail in Rebate
$50.00 Monitor mail in rebate
$70 Printer mail in rebate

[12]

I can't wait until computers come in "good," "great," "Super-Duper!," and "RMFFO!" models. All of these computer terms are not good for the soul.

[yermom]

whatever Mac boy

[OU-HSV]

Well, this special I mentioned on the Compaq is only goog through Saturday, so I've got some thinking to do it seems.

[yermom]

that doesn't look too bad, it's got PCI-Express so you could upgrade the Video Card later if you wanted

CRT's are a bit passe though, especially 17"

the Dell Dimensions for Small Business are coming with free 19" LCD's right now

[Partial Qualifier]

Sounds close to what I got used for $100.00. It sucks.

Actually it's quite a step up from your machine

HSV, that's not a bad price considering you're getting a DVD burner, printer and 17" monitor with it. If you just need a P.C. for email, web surfing, burning movies, etc. that deal would work nicely. I think the Compaq desktops' quality has improved since being taken over by HP.

[slickdawg]

Best Buy has a Seagate 60GB laptop HDD for $69 this week.

[Tailwind]

Thanks guys. Yeah, I know it's an older model. It's slow, but it works. And the monitor is pretty cool.

[OU-HSV]

....HSV, that's not a bad price considering you're getting a DVD burner, printer and 17" monitor with it. If you just need a P.C. for email, web surfing, burning movies, etc. that deal would work nicely. I think the Compaq desktops' quality has improved since being taken over by HP.

Yeah, about all I do is email, sf.com, web surf, and we use a web cam occasionally to show our son off to some of our family that doesn't get to see him often. This computer would be good for that too right??

Oh and Yermom..I can upgrade to a flat LCD for like $100

[yermom]

it should be fine for that stuff, you just may not be able to play FPS games very well

[OU-HSV]

Well, I guess I'm ok there..cause I don't know what FPS games are

[yermom]

[SoonerWood]

200GB SATA drives at PC Club for $99. that's a lot of pr0n storage space