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The Official PC building thread - 4th Edition
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In case you want to ask something like "What components should I pick for my new PC?", start a new topic to our PC building forum.
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10. October 2010 @ 13:48 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Wasn't anything to do with NTLDR, I've no idea what caused it.



Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13
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10. October 2010 @ 13:52 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I wasn't suggesting...

I was simply reminiscing ;)



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10. October 2010 @ 17:54 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
i never need to reformat but i do anyways, but i have found that about 6 months into a reformat, windows 7 (and vista when i used it) get very slow. very very slow. constant HDD usage and hanging. i cant even leave it on for a few hours before a reboot. could it be software i am using (eset antivirus) OR is it jsut vista/win7?



MGR (Micro Gaming Rig) .|. Intel Q6600 @ 3.45GHz .|. Asus P35 P5K-E/WiFi .|. 4GB 1066MHz Geil Black Dragon RAM .|. Samsung F60 SSD .|. Corsair H50-1 Cooler .|. Sapphire 4870 512MB .|. Lian Li PC-A70B .|. Be Queit P7 Dark Power Pro 850W PSU .|. 24" 1920x1200 DGM (MVA Panel) .|. 24" 1920x1080 Dell (TN Panel) .|.
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10. October 2010 @ 18:15 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Gotta be software. I've ran windows 7 closer to a year, without reformat and had it running good. Usually the OS is not the culprit, though it does happen ;) At least in my experience...



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10. October 2010 @ 18:28 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Originally posted by shaffaaf:
i never need to reformat but i do anyways, but i have found that about 6 months into a reformat, windows 7 (and vista when i used it) get very slow. very very slow. constant HDD usage and hanging. i cant even leave it on for a few hours before a reboot. could it be software i am using (eset antivirus) OR is it jsut vista/win7?
Shaff,
Re-Formatting is not always the answer. I know that I've come across several installations of Vista and Win 7 where if you didn't wipe the drive, you couldn't install XP on it. Something in the Boot sector needs to be removed, I guess. I know I won't be going back to a Dual Boot configuration this time. My Win 7 is already registered with M$, so it's going to sit for a while. I'm also less than pleased that Win 7 can do things without my knowledge or permission, while I am running XP!

Let's get real here. The only reason M$ dropped the active Internet activity icon, is so they could do things without you knowing it. When I see my internet activity light flashing for no reason, I investigate to see why. I'm not always happy with the answers I get!

Russ

GigaByte 990FXA-UD5 - AMD FX-8320 @4.0GHz @1.312v - Corsair H-60 liquid CPU Cooler - 4x4 GB GSkill RipJaws DDR3/1866 Cas8, 8-9-9-24 - Corsair 400-R Case - OCZ FATAL1TY 550 watt Modular PSU - Intel 330 120GB SATA III SSD - WD Black 500GB SATA III - WD black 1 TB Sata III - WD Black 500GB SATA II - 2 Asus DRW-24B1ST DVD-Burner - Sony 420W 5.1 PL-II Suround Sound - GigaByte GTX550/1GB 970 Mhz Video - Asus VE247H 23.6" HDMI 1080p Monitor


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10. October 2010 @ 18:38 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I very rarely ever reformat, plus my installs very rarely ever get sick so there's no need :).
A couple times i've 'reinstalled XP over the top' on the Quad machine, but both times it turned out the RAM was faulty. I personally find that a 'slow' OS is usually just down to the person who uses the PC, ie theeir usage habits, or maybe it's due to overclocking, which isn't something i know much about.



Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS-WPA2/AES ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 3node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G2 v1. *** Forum Rules ***
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10. October 2010 @ 19:03 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
hmm time to find this culprit software then.

best recomendations for antivirus/spyware etc? willing to buy if nessessary.



MGR (Micro Gaming Rig) .|. Intel Q6600 @ 3.45GHz .|. Asus P35 P5K-E/WiFi .|. 4GB 1066MHz Geil Black Dragon RAM .|. Samsung F60 SSD .|. Corsair H50-1 Cooler .|. Sapphire 4870 512MB .|. Lian Li PC-A70B .|. Be Queit P7 Dark Power Pro 850W PSU .|. 24" 1920x1200 DGM (MVA Panel) .|. 24" 1920x1080 Dell (TN Panel) .|.
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10. October 2010 @ 19:03 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Usage habits? LOL! I think I know what you mean. People find my computers very fast. And yet the computers they use should be nearly as fast. Its almost as though computers adapt to our style ;) At least it sure seems that way to me. My moms quad should almost keep up with mine. One of the only differences is that it has only the OS drive. I've recommended that she have a separate storage drive for her masses of pictures though. That way the OS does not have to sift through irrelevant files ;)

AVG tends to hang Firefox on startup. But with a Vraptor it isn't too bad ;) I think SSD's are gonna revolutionize the users experience ;)



To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question!

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. October 2010 @ 19:04

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10. October 2010 @ 19:11 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Not using chrome are you? If you are malware scanning needs to be turned off.
Also Russ, I'm sorry, but I'm not readily believing those conspiracy theories :P



Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13
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10. October 2010 @ 19:25 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
It's more usage habits than different antivirus products.



Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS-WPA2/AES ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 3node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G2 v1. *** Forum Rules ***
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10. October 2010 @ 19:59 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
hmm well normally something is downloading constantly, at the same time i will be watching TV/films. or listening to music, and i will stop downloading for gaming. maybe burn some xbox games. but no really heavy heavy stuff unless its gaming.



MGR (Micro Gaming Rig) .|. Intel Q6600 @ 3.45GHz .|. Asus P35 P5K-E/WiFi .|. 4GB 1066MHz Geil Black Dragon RAM .|. Samsung F60 SSD .|. Corsair H50-1 Cooler .|. Sapphire 4870 512MB .|. Lian Li PC-A70B .|. Be Queit P7 Dark Power Pro 850W PSU .|. 24" 1920x1200 DGM (MVA Panel) .|. 24" 1920x1080 Dell (TN Panel) .|.
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10. October 2010 @ 20:42 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Originally posted by sammorris:
Not using chrome are you? If you are malware scanning needs to be turned off.
Also Russ, I'm sorry, but I'm not readily believing those conspiracy theories :P
Sam,
That's fine in my book, but someone will have to explain to me how Win 7 repaired itself, without being accessed! Especially after the repair BS failed to begin with! Win 7 should have been doing nothing while I was using XP! Another big minus was Win 7's inability to make the repair, leaving you without a clue as to what you could or should do to resolve the problem! M$ seems to have aligned itself with hundreds of repair programs from the past, and shares a common bond with them. The fact that it mostly doesn't work, and when it doesn't, it denies you access to the program! Had it been XP, I would have had the opportunity to repair it myself. A bad, on-board sound chip should never be able wipe out any OS! I thought M$'s answer was interesting. They said that they really don't recommend Dual Boot with Win 7! My attitude is that if M$ sanctions it, then it should work!

Russ

GigaByte 990FXA-UD5 - AMD FX-8320 @4.0GHz @1.312v - Corsair H-60 liquid CPU Cooler - 4x4 GB GSkill RipJaws DDR3/1866 Cas8, 8-9-9-24 - Corsair 400-R Case - OCZ FATAL1TY 550 watt Modular PSU - Intel 330 120GB SATA III SSD - WD Black 500GB SATA III - WD black 1 TB Sata III - WD Black 500GB SATA II - 2 Asus DRW-24B1ST DVD-Burner - Sony 420W 5.1 PL-II Suround Sound - GigaByte GTX550/1GB 970 Mhz Video - Asus VE247H 23.6" HDMI 1080p Monitor


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10. October 2010 @ 22:20 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I definitely need a career in the computer industry. It's obviously not going anywhere anytime soon. It'll probably evolve into bigger/better things much like we have, but programming is here to stay ;)

My buddies computer apparently just had a PSU pop. Easy fix I'm sure. He has an earlier Pavilion model than my 2001 HP pavilion 7905. Not sure the model(1999 there abouts), but they're highly similar. Mine being one of the successors. Ultimately, their shell/case is about the same size. I believe they take identical Micro Atx 200W PSU's. I believe Athena makes the right size. Otherwise I have to pay full price for an HP model. I think I'll start with Ebay ;)



To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question!
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11. October 2010 @ 04:04 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Originally posted by creaky on 9/28/10, about windows 7's constant/incessant refreshing of the network:
Maybe it's IPV6, try turning it off, it's not needed (yet) anyways. It's always one of the first things i turn off when doing Win7 builds (and it's on by default in some linux distro's too, damn annoying). The other week i was doing some work on someone's Win7 machine and there were (i kid you not) 90 or so network connections showing in ipconfig. Win7 can be a bag of crap sometimes.
LOL! Finally got around to it. It did not help. The network still refreshes itself if the window gets closed, and ~5 minutes are allowed to pass. My secondary took even longer to refresh the network :S

The following is what I used to disable IPV6. Though I only used the temporary solution ;)
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tip...6-in-windows-7/



To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question!
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11. October 2010 @ 04:39 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Originally posted by omegaman7:
I definitely need a career in the computer industry. It's obviously not going anywhere anytime soon. It'll probably evolve into bigger/better things much like we have, but programming is here to stay ;)

My buddies computer apparently just had a PSU pop. Easy fix I'm sure. He has an earlier Pavilion model than my 2001 HP pavilion 7905. Not sure the model(1999 there abouts), but they're highly similar. Mine being one of the successors. Ultimately, their shell/case is about the same size. I believe they take identical Micro Atx 200W PSU's. I believe Athena makes the right size. Otherwise I have to pay full price for an HP model. I think I'll start with Ebay ;)
Oman7,
Start with Google! You will be amazed at what you can find there for the price that way! I don't even bother to look on ebay! make and model number of the PSU, or whatever it is you are looking for. I once found an HP PSU, a real odd-ball for $23. HP wanted $158 for the same PSU! In fact the one I bought was a higher wattage upgrade, 50w better than the original 100w PSU that HP was selling, right from the PSU manufacturer! Real wierd looking PSU too! It had about a 60mm fan on the top of it, and looked like a fat + sign!

Russ

GigaByte 990FXA-UD5 - AMD FX-8320 @4.0GHz @1.312v - Corsair H-60 liquid CPU Cooler - 4x4 GB GSkill RipJaws DDR3/1866 Cas8, 8-9-9-24 - Corsair 400-R Case - OCZ FATAL1TY 550 watt Modular PSU - Intel 330 120GB SATA III SSD - WD Black 500GB SATA III - WD black 1 TB Sata III - WD Black 500GB SATA II - 2 Asus DRW-24B1ST DVD-Burner - Sony 420W 5.1 PL-II Suround Sound - GigaByte GTX550/1GB 970 Mhz Video - Asus VE247H 23.6" HDMI 1080p Monitor


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11. October 2010 @ 04:54 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
When you say google, do you mean "http://www.google.com/products"? I use it frequently. And just for the record, its connected to ebay results. Though most irritatingly, often I run into results that are expired...
Very handy engine though ;)

I have my buddy bringing his tower to work tomorrow. Then I can have a look at it tomorrow night. He lives 20 miles away, so I can't be bothered to drive over there LOL! Besides, at this point, I prefer to work out of my home. Why pack all my toys over to someones house, when all I need is the tower on my desk ;)

I finally opened up the external optical drive case. Nothing visibly wrong. But I did reconnect some things. I don't like the way the usb cord felt. I wonder if that's my problem. I'll play with it more tomorrow. Its late here :p Been playing Fallout 3 here for a bit. Interesting game. Finally getting the hang of it :D



To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question!
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11. October 2010 @ 11:47 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Originally posted by omegaman7:
When you say google, do you mean "http://www.google.com/products"? I use it frequently. And just for the record, its connected to ebay results. Though most irritatingly, often I run into results that are expired...
Very handy engine though ;)

I have my buddy bringing his tower to work tomorrow. Then I can have a look at it tomorrow night. He lives 20 miles away, so I can't be bothered to drive over there LOL! Besides, at this point, I prefer to work out of my home. Why pack all my toys over to someones house, when all I need is the tower on my desk ;)

I finally opened up the external optical drive case. Nothing visibly wrong. But I did reconnect some things. I don't like the way the usb cord felt. I wonder if that's my problem. I'll play with it more tomorrow. Its late here :p Been playing Fallout 3 here for a bit. Interesting game. Finally getting the hang of it :D
Oman7,
Yes that Google! I just ignore the ripoff artists, ebay! Haven't used them in years!

Russ

GigaByte 990FXA-UD5 - AMD FX-8320 @4.0GHz @1.312v - Corsair H-60 liquid CPU Cooler - 4x4 GB GSkill RipJaws DDR3/1866 Cas8, 8-9-9-24 - Corsair 400-R Case - OCZ FATAL1TY 550 watt Modular PSU - Intel 330 120GB SATA III SSD - WD Black 500GB SATA III - WD black 1 TB Sata III - WD Black 500GB SATA II - 2 Asus DRW-24B1ST DVD-Burner - Sony 420W 5.1 PL-II Suround Sound - GigaByte GTX550/1GB 970 Mhz Video - Asus VE247H 23.6" HDMI 1080p Monitor


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11. October 2010 @ 12:45 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Quote:
I thought M$'s answer was interesting. They said that they really don't recommend Dual Boot with Win 7

And neither did I, because it doesn't work properly. If you're doing something the manufacturer of the software does not recommend, you can hardly moan at them when it causes random errors!

Omega: An Athena PSU probably won't last 11 months, let alone the 11 years of the HP's previous unit. You must be able to find another unit. Seasonic make mATX PSUs I believe.

Quote:
I just ignore the ripoff artists, ebay! Haven't used them in years!

You do realise how ebay works right? It absolutely baffles me that anyone would have that attitude.
The only problem with ebay is warranty issues. If you're buying something small and cheap, ebay is the best 'store'. Best product range, lowest prices, cheapest delivery, etc.



Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13
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11. October 2010 @ 12:49 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Seasonic would definitely be preferable. I need the exact dimensions of the PSU before I begin looking. Just to be sure :p
The 300W seasonic I got for the HTPC is still rock solid. Gotta be one of the best available ;)



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11. October 2010 @ 12:55 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Dual (& triple, & more than triple in fact) boot most certainly does work, and if done correctly, perfectly fine. I'm not imagining the triple boot machine in the other room, nor the ones i've built previously :).
I have no idea what Microsoft's stance on multi-booting is (nor do i care!, i don't need nor care for their opinion, whether technical or otherwise, on what i do with what combinations of programs).
If MS do in fact frown upon dual booting XP with 7, that'll be their laughable attempt at dissuading people so they can foist Virtual XP mode (or whatever it's called) on the unsuspecting.



Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS-WPA2/AES ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 3node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G2 v1. *** Forum Rules ***

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 11. October 2010 @ 12:56

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11. October 2010 @ 13:41 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
XP mode is crap. Its only purpose is to get the vhd file for free so you can use a proper virtual machine program.

Either way, dual booting alongside Vista or 7 is not without issues, especially when it comes to reformat time.



Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13
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11. October 2010 @ 13:49 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Nothing in computers is without issues, and yes reformat time can be a can of worms with multiple boots, but it just takes common sense and a bit of planning. Easy peasy with the right know-how (not much know-how, truth be told), but most definitely not something to be dismissed as not recommended. I've personally multi-booted since forever, i just don't find the need much anymore as i now prefer to have just a few machines, some of which stay up and running hence a multiple boot becomes redundant.



Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS-WPA2/AES ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 3node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G2 v1. *** Forum Rules ***
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11. October 2010 @ 13:55 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I'll admit to being an idiot! I should really have redundancy's for at least 2 of my 1Tb drives, but I don't. If they crash, I lose an absurd amount of data LOL! I trust WD probably too much LOL! Which is why I was willing to risk a lemon with the WD20EARS. So far its performing well.
The christmas season usually brings on opportunities for me to make some money. I'll likely be buying more drives in the not too distant future. I'll likely have redundancies for each and every drive, AND an SSD boot drive :D I can't see running XP again, but I do see myself running Linux eventually. I've found the more stuff I surround myself with, the more things start to make sense. Does that make sense? :p



To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question!
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11. October 2010 @ 14:01 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
My drives arrived this afternoon, am beginning the long process of copying a little over 10TB of data. Using eSATA with my £15 Icybox hotswap, getting 55-62MB/s, which is probably limited by the fact that both the eSATA connector and 3 of the internal drives are hooked up to cards on the PCI (not PCIe) bus. First drive seems to be working OK so far, touch wood that the other 7 all work as well, haha :P



Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13
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11. October 2010 @ 14:04 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I think i mentioned it in a previous post but my supplier has run out of the 2TB Hitachi drives i've just got a taste for (i bought 2) so today i caved in and bought a WD20EARS (£72.33 exc VAT so that's all i had to pay). As cheap as they are i didn't buy a backup drive for it as i'll be using the 4 WD5000AAKS's that the WD20EARS will be replacing. The new 2TB drive will only be for documentaries and TV shows so the changes wouldn't be as often as those done on AVI drives. Just need to label them sensibly and have a sensible folder structure and whilst more fiddly than having a single 2TB -> 2TB it's fine, i can't just shelve the old drives, and it's not worth selling them anyways.

I'm now au fait with setting up the WD20EARS i think. When it arrives i think i'll just find a Win7 machine at work and mount it either internally or maybe via a drive dock, format it correctly under Win7, that way the partitions will be correct for XP and linux. Then the only thing left is to see if i need to mess about with tweaking the idling. But i'll read up on that tomorrow.

edit- As the source data for the new 2TB drive is split across a few existing 500GB drives i won't be using the SATA dock to sector-copy the data, i'll just copy them over via their existing USB caddies (they're IDE drives btw). Am tempted to ditch all my USB caddies as a few of them have dead PSU's now (cheap Chinese crap) and buy one of these for future data changes ~






Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS-WPA2/AES ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 3node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G2 v1. *** Forum Rules ***

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 11. October 2010 @ 14:11

 
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