I Hate Computers

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Big_red_S

I've been in the IT field for almost 15 years so...

1) Don't send your computer to get fixed, take it to a local store perferbly an independent one, especially if you have sensative stuff on it.
2) Best Buy, Dell, etc. recycle computers so if you buy a new computer it's only new to you.
3) They don't do a good job destroying hard-drives (they put a drill through the middle), but a pro can still get the information off
4) There is no number 4
5) backup, backup, backup - don't forget this technology is new.

Don't give up, computers are wonderful tools.

2) Best Buy does not recycle computers and sell them as new, if it is not new it is sold as "open box" at a discounted price.
3) Once the platters of a had drive are broken, it is VERY difficult to get info off of them.

[Pajaro]

Best Buy. Don't get me started. The last time I went there I was ask to leave. 12 weeks it took them to put a new hard drive in a PC I got from them a few years ago. The only reason I took it to them because it was under warranty. I WORK ON COMPUTERS FOR A LIVING,,,, IT DOSE NOT TAKE 12 WEEKS TO CHANGE THE HARD DRIVE. The reason was the had to go to the manufacture to get a hard drive. It was a Sea Gate drive of which they had 20 of them on the shelf at the store. But were not allowed to use them because it was a warranty item. Need less to say. It has been years since I set foot in Best Buy. But I still need to see my shrink because of them.

And whether or not they use old, new, refurbished stuff is not the problem. There service xxxxxxx stinks. Pardon the my french. This is not my two cents worth, cause they are not worth two cents.

[Big_red_S]

Originally Posted by Paladin

2) Best Buy does not recycle computers and sell them as new, if it is not new it is sold as "open box" at a discounted price.
3) Once the platters of a had drive are broken, it is VERY difficult to get info off of them.

Best Buy doesn't.
Computer manufacturers do, I've seen several "new" computers that had old hardweare in them.

[Rolf]

Big_red how do you know the componets are old?
It isn't like getting a saw with sawdust on it.

[Dragon]

Very sorry about all the problems you are having. I love computers. Been working with them forever. Since the whole 6th floor of Northern Electric was THE computer. Learned how to fix my own a long time ago. I take it apart and change things in it. If I'm not sure then I will call around and ask.
You never, never buy a ready made computer from anywhere. You shop around and decide what is the best for you depending on what you are going to do with it.
Shop for: video card, sound card, motherboard etc.
Once you know what you want then shop around to see who will build it for you. Best price and also best technician. Usually a smaller computer store is the best. You can get to talk to the technician and not the salesman. Big difference.
Before you leave the shop with you newly built puter, have them open the back and check to be sure the parts you have ordered are the ones you got.
Sorry for the long paragraph. I can still go on and on and on but let's stop right here.
Diane

[will8989]

Thank all of you for your suggestions & reply. I had to take it to Best Buy as it was still under warranty. I'm heading over there today to see what the story is. My neighbor was over last night, who is also an IT guy, and told me to insist on the harddrive and he could transfer it to a new computer for me. And to get TWO external harddrives as backups he would hook them up to back to both simultaneously, in case one goes down I"ll have the other. If they junk mine, I am stuck to go back there to get one as they won't give me a refund, just a $ for $ replacement. Think I'll take my neighbor with me. Yes, computers are wonderful things just too bad we get ripped off by some of the people selling & repairing them.

Betty

[Big_red_S]

Originally Posted by Rolf

Big_red how do you know the componets are old?
It isn't like getting a saw with sawdust on it.

Actually that's an excellent analogy.

When a computer has a used hard drive there are always "used bits" (sawdust if you will) on it. If one knows where to look you can tell whether or not it is a refurbished HD or not.

Unless a hard drive has been totally erased at least seven or eight times, from scratch, there are remnants of previous software on it, either in the registry or hidden somewhere.

As you know, pressing the “delete” button doesn’t really delete and uninstalling a program doesn’t totally uninstall.

[Toolman56]

Goodmorning, yippee i have the day off finnly, i'm going to state fair, had to work the other day, now i dont know if i can post a link here or not but last night i found a very good web site for all you non computer type's like me, very good site, top nocth, so here it is, or i'm gonna do it this way, it's called computer hope, Everett.

[Old Dude]

Well, I'm with Dragon. I built my first computer over 20 years ago, back in the day when you had to solder parts to a printed circuit board, and usually debug the board in the process. There were no operating systems to speak of.

Today it's much, much simpler. Buy some components:

case w/power supply
motherboard
processor
memory
video card
couple of hard drives
CD drive
operating system (XP if you can find it).

if you don't already have them you will of course need a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

if you don't want to buy the mb, processor and memory separately, you can buy them already installed and tested...probably a good idea for the first one.

It really is just plug stuff together and load the operating system. Okay, now that that's said, if you've never done it it's very intimidating. Dragon suggests a good approach. If possible, arrange to watch and learn so you can become the master of your computer destiny.

There are pluses and minuses to this approach. The biggest minus is that Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your computer be. You will possibly run into a snag or two during the process. It can initially be slightly more costly to acquire the components compared to a similar computer available from Dell, etc., because you don't have the volume purchasing power they do.

The greatest plus is that you now know what's under the hood, and when something breaks you can replace it yourself. Furthermore you can upgrade piecemeal...ie, motherboards usually support more than one processor. If you decide you want something faster it's often possible to just swap out your processor. Same with memory...want more?...buy a stick and plug it in. Want a faster video card?...same. Higher capacity hard drive. On and on. And you're not buying a new monitor with each upgrade.

Suggestions for the case:

Buy at least a mid-tower style case. Mine sits on a small table beside the desk, so it doesn't take up desk space. There's also more room inside so it's easier to work on, and air flows better so heat problems are reduced.

Don't be afraid to spend some money on the case and power supply...they will be with you through many upgrades.

Suggestion for hard drives:

Divide the hard drive space into at least a C: and a D:. The C-drive can be smaller than the D. Reserve the C drive for the operating system and your application installs. Put all your data on D. That way you can use Ghost or some other backup program to make an image of your C-drive (some folks call these "slams"). If your C-drive ever gets in trouble (ie, virus, goes belly-up, etc.) you can slam your backup on and you're good to go...and you haven't lost all your data that is on D. Of course you still have to have a backup regimen for D...the external hard drive that your neighbor suggests is an excellent way to go.

Okay, sorry about the spiel. I preach my gospel whenever I think I might have an audience.

Good luck with it.

Cheers.

[will8989]

Well, hubby went over to Best Buy for me yesterday and they told him, yes it was shipped, should be here by Monday (it will, we have the tracking number) BUT they wiped the harddrive and I need a recovery disc. Ok, we all know how computer smart I am and no I don't have a recovery disc!! It's probably good my husband told me this so I can settle down before I see someone over there on Monday and the earthquake will only be 10.0 instead of 100.0. I am so furious I can't see straight. I have backups but I don't have any recovery discs except the utilities & drivers. Stay tuned!!

Betty