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The Official Graphics Card and PC gaming Thread
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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4. February 2011 @ 18:58 |
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Don't buy a PC from CyberPower. You wouldn't believe the problems they have with build quality. The number of complaints, and even threads I've taken part in trying to help diagnose problems with the units is a disgrace. Use cheap quality parts and you get problems. You get what you pay for.
If you can build a PC yourself (it really isn't difficult), not only will you save some money, but perhaps counter-intuitively, you'll end up with a better machine for a result. It'll also help boost your knowledge about computers, and should you encounter any problems with the hardware at a later date, you can simply replace a part yourself rather than having to send the entire PC off for analysis.
We'll be willing to help you every step of the way through building a PC.
The HD6950 is an excellent graphics card, but its talents are largely wasted at intermediate resolutions (1920x1200, 1920x1080) or lower. The 2GB of memory, combined with the unique architecture of the HD6900 series is really optimised for eyefinity (multi-display) gaming, or the WQXGA resolutions of 2560x1600 and 2560x1440.
On an intermediate budget, I'd recommend a Radeon HD6850 or HD6870 at reduced resolutions. On a higher budget, two of these cards in crossfire. Two HD6850s only cost $350, little more than one HD6950, but will be vastly superior to it in performance at intermediate resolutions (typically a 50% increase).
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AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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10. February 2011 @ 00:43 |
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Tell ya what I'm sick of people on Bad Company 2 calling the M416/M4A1 the HK416. It is not labeled as the HK416 so there's no reason to confuse it and it really doesn't look like one. I actually happen to own both an HK416 and an AR-15 so I know the difference.
The basic firing mechanism(lower receiver) is the same exact thing, but the rest of the internals are different. To use an M4 as an HK416 you need a new upper receiver, buffer and drive spring as it uses an entirely new gas recoil operation from the G36. This allows it to have less recoil, be more durable and stay cleaner longer without regular maintenance. In essence, they're both just another AR model variation. In practice, the M4 and HK416 are two entirely different guns.
And there are people who obviously have never handled a gun in their life, trying to tell me about guns!
Quote:
Two HD6850s only cost $350, little more than one HD6950, but will be vastly superior to it in performance at intermediate resolutions (typically a 50% increase).
Agreed that those cards are recommended, but a little Crossfire action doesn't hurt even at the low low resolution of 1920 x 1200 :P
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. February 2011 @ 00:46
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AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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14. February 2011 @ 23:36 |
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Tell ya what I think I've finally gotten Oblivion as modded as it'll ever be. I always had the feeling that the game was rushed, and the graphics were nowhere near what the engine was capable of. I've tried to keep all of my mods limited to enhancements of existing material. So ie better graphics and more richly detailed world, without changing the game itself at all.
Just a quick list of modifications I've made to take Oblivion from underachiever to stunning:
- Modifications made in the INI file that allow for better multithreading and memory usage
- Manually unpacked the archived files for the game. Basically Oblivion's main data files are compressed, which adds to load time and stuttering at the benefit of lower memory usage and storage space used. With 3rd party tools, these files can be unpacked into their individual folders, which facilitates easier modding, less hitching, and quicker load times. With 8GB of RAM, what do I have to worry about memory usage? lol
- Improved performance through a mod called Streamline which clears the game cache on a regular basis for less hitching. Also dynamically adjusts LOD on several objects in order to further smooth out gameplay
- Several unofficial patches released for the main game and all the expansions that fix thousands of small bugs.
- New ultra high resolution textures on just about everything. About 90% of the game has been retextured completely with about 5 or 6 different texture packs including one main one that covers the whole game. Video memory intensive? You betcha :P
- Better LOD on just about everything including fixed distant land textures and shadowing. Using the Tamriel VWD(Visible when distant) Mod, you can see shrines and other structures from a greater distance so they don't just pop into view. And because it only affects buildings, it has only a small impact on performance.
- New random NPCs, the towns were a bit sparse because all the NPCs were manually created and there were very few of them. I found a mod that adds about a dozen or so random wandering NPCs to every town, adding a bit of life.
- Better sounds, replaced and enhanced a lot of the combat and atmospheric sounds
- Martigens Monster Mod, which adds some 150 new enemies to encounter that look natural to the game. Plus it adds more guards to the cities, ups weapon damage slightly to make combat more exciting, more wildlife in the wilderness etc
- Better water with full reflections including the player character through ini tweaks
- Better weather through the Atmospheric Weather System Mod. You can see storm clouds rolling in and it adjusts the HDR and sounds so everything is more natural. Everything isn't sunkissed yellow anymore. Also added the Get Wet mod which simulates the effect of water running down characters bodies in the rain or after leaving the water.
- Better prettier lighting using the Real Lights mod. Literally disables global lighting completely and makes every single light in the game a dynamic light source. Has a big effect on nighttime and indoors scenes. Much moodier. Also looks miles better because torches and lanterns all over the cities actually throw light. Also, I have added a mod that makes building windows light up at night, which plays very nicely with this mod. Really looks nice :P
- The addition of clocks and clock towers all over the game that accurately tell the in-game time and date. The actual Elderscrolls lore makes mention of clocks even in the "ancient" days so they fit perfectly.
- Better more attractive people using several mods. Have several face mods stacked that first lay a higher res base texture, then replace the facial features of everyone in the game to look better and make everyone more unique. Also have body replacer mods that make the women more beautiful and the men more muscular.
- A small weapon expansion that reskins a few weapons and adds a few new types and some unique ones in dungeons.
Last but not least
I have added the Unique Landscapes Compilation mod. Basically most of the wild areas in the game are procedurally generated by an automated process. This mod is a collection of about 20 uniquely detailed areas that range from wide swaths of hand detailed forest to small streams added to the existing area. Everything in this mod follows my own standard of leaving the core game intact, and simply enhancing it to make the world feel richer and more cohesive. Some of the included landscapes also include some new wildlife for that extra touch. These are evenly spread all over the game and seamlessly blended into the surrounding geography.
What I've done is take Oblivion from simply a decent game for its time, to one of the best looking and most richly featured games I have ever played. It's still instantly recognizable as the same game. I have only changed a few small mechanical elements and added things which look and feel natural to the existing game. I have given Oblivion a massive graphical overhaul as well.
So yeah, basically a big long project I started forever ago. The beauty of Oblivion is I can install it and all the expansions and patches, then copy over my modded program files. I can play my fully modded game from a fresh install every time. Man that engine takes some abuse.
I know this is a lot of trouble to fix a badly rushed game. But I truly love Oblivion, and felt it deserved any improvement I could make. I have now created version that I feel Bethesda would have released themselves if they had spent more time on the game.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 15. February 2011 @ 00:03
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AfterDawn Addict
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15. February 2011 @ 04:07 |
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wow. I thought sam had dropped a wall of text, but its you jeff. Should have guessed as it was about oblivion. Any chance you could supply us with screen shots of your modded glory. Never played before.
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) .|. |
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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15. February 2011 @ 06:53 |
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I played Oblivion for a bit, but stopped playing it, and I'm guilty to admit one of the reasons for that is how suddenly shockingly bad it looked when I got outside. I'd perhaps be willing to try it again with all the mods you use.
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AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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15. February 2011 @ 07:01 |
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Here, took a few screens from my TV.
Notice specifically the reflections in the water, the foliage and the lighting
Here I want you to notice the textures on the wall. The originals are downright muddy and blurry.
Just a beauty shot of some rolling forest land :P
Here notice specifically the ground textures on the large island to the front left of me. The originals are practically gameboy quality which is, I believe, one of the main things that turned Sam off to this game.
Just a shot of the Market District in the Imperial City. Notice the textures for all the stonework including the road and every single building. This scene is transformed by my modding. Also notice the sun-kissed glow on the buildings, courtesy of my tweaked HDR.
Just a shot to demonstrate my improved faces. Basically every single person in the game is butt-ugly without mods. Elisa Pierrane here is particularly ugly in the stock game. Would say she's quite attractive now ;P
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 15. February 2011 @ 07:13
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AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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15. February 2011 @ 07:11 |
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One last shot specifically showing the Real Lights mod as well as my improved night sky. Notice how the torch is the only light source except for the moonlight. Due to my mod, only actual light sources cast light. YES the moon and stars actually cast light. Global lighting has been disabled completely.
Apologize for the quality of the screens. Tinypic's resize didn't help either, but I hope these screens get the basic effect of all my modding across. The actual amount of stuff affected by my mods, is almost countless. About 90% of the game has been changed.
Yes, it is that demanding and that's not much worse than stock. The performance is bugged though. The second you get around any NPCs, the framerate plummets. And going from no AA to 8xAA, has very little performance difference on any part of the game.
I will note that the Shivering Isles expansion, brings some large graphical and performance improvements to the game. Even in the same unified engine much like Source, it is simply better coded and better made. The large majority of my modding covers improvements to the main game. Shivering Isles is another story entirely and needs very little done to bring it up to standard. Very few of my texture improvements apply to SI, but all of my non-texture and non area-specific mods do apply, so the game as a whole feels quite seamless.
For Shaff's benefit, never having played Oblivion, here is one of the more descriptive reviews: http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/theelderscrollsivoblivion/review.html
Basically imagine all the detail and beauty the reviewer describes, but doubled or even tripled in some areas. Even without the mods, please do give this game a chance. It really is one of the most significant game releases in the last decade.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 15. February 2011 @ 09:14
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 00:36 |
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Just built a lite gaming computer for a buddy. Just emulators :p
Here's the thing, I set all the emulators up so they would recognize an xbox 360 controller. Well...his aren't like mine. Infact, windows is giving a bad connection sound. And none of the emulators will acknowledge the controller. Are the new ones simply not compatible? Or is there a driver I have to download somewhere. He doesn't recall a disk coming with them :(
The one he wants to use, is supposedly brand spanking new. It has the transforming D-pad:
To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question! |
AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 01:01 |
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Yeah there does happen to be some software for it. Google 360 Controller Drivers, should come up fairly quickly...
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 01:10 |
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I did lol. I just thought there might be something special for this controller, that you guys might be aware of :p That might perhaps make it incompatible with PC at the moment. The controller model is still pretty new.
Thanks though :)
To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question! |
AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 02:13 |
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Have you tried using it in the back USB ports? A lot of cases don't have fully powered front USBs.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 02:42 |
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That's not a bad idea. The sound windows makes, is the error connecting. But the thing is, I used mine just fine in the front while setting it up. But mine is the basic model Controller. Perhaps his require a little more juice eh? I'll recommend his trying that.
To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question! |
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 06:37 |
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Hardware error noise will never happen, even with a device that has no driver for it. It can only happen if there's a fault with the USB hardware somewhere in the system, be it the controller/hub, or the end device. The only properly working device that will ever produce that noise is a 360 play and charge cable, as it doesn't have any data wires, since it's just a power charging cable.
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 12:48 |
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That's it sam! I think he was using a play and charge cable! So the controllers he has are exclusively wireless. Wow, that really sucks! IN my opinion they really dropped the ball on that one.
To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question! |
Senior Member
4 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 12:49 |
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when this controller error occurs, are lights 1 and 4 (sometimes it will be 2 and 3) lit up on the controller if so try another usb port(you must turn off the power to the computer completely, shutting it down wont cut it. either pull the plug or flip the on off switch on the power supply) also unplugging the controller for about a day works.
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Senior Member
4 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 12:52 |
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nvm its wireless didn't see that, the above post only works on wired controllers
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 15:28 |
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Correct, the wireless controllers cannot send data through the play and charge cable. That does not happen for the 360 console, nor does it happen on PC. You need the wireless dongle to use a wireless 360 pad with a PC.
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 15:35 |
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I decided to just give him this. Does the xbox simply recognize the wireless controllers, or does it also need the dongle. Anyhow, I just decided to give him this:
WIndows 7 automatically recognizes it, and installs appropriate drivers :) I no longer use it, so no big deal.
To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question! |
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 15:56 |
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The actual xbox has effectively the same hardware as the PC dongle built inside it.
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AfterDawn Addict
7 product reviews
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18. February 2011 @ 15:57 |
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That answers my question. Thanks :)
To delete, or not to delete. THAT is the question! |
AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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28. February 2011 @ 12:51 |
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Pics from HardOCP.
The HD6990 reference evaluation boards are with reviewers awaiting the NDA lift release date, which has not been disclosed.
The card features a dual 8-pin power supply [only seen previously on non-reference giants like the 4GB HD5970 and MARS295] allowing up to 375W of power.
This allows two full-speed HD6970 GPUs to reside on one card. This is going to be a seriously fast dual GPU, possibly eclipsing the HD5970 by a full 50%.
Seemingly, to avoid being one-upped by nvidia using an enormous amount of power on their card to get dual-fermi performance up, AMD have gone with the biggest solution they can provide. Anything from nvidia that competes with this is likely to be a water-block only affair, with three 8-pin connectors. I can't see them bothering with that. The GTX590 is in hot water. It's worth bearing in mind the GTX590 is only getting 1.5GB per GPU versus the 6990's 2GB per GPU.
The 6990 has 5 outputs (4 Displayport + 1 DVI-I) allowing 5x1 eyefinity setups.
On the performance scale (HD4870=100, HD5870=180, GTX580=230, HD5970=280) the HD6990 is likely to score 400.
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harvrdguy
Senior Member
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3. March 2011 @ 01:00 |
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Wow, what is that thing going to cost?
I've been gone forever - blame it on Jeff and BFBC2. (I didn't know you were a big Oblivion fan - never heard of it - more RPG right? Obviously you should be in the game building business.)
Anyway - back to BFBC2. I got totally sucked into Vietnam! Man!! It threw my whole business schedule off, and I am just in the first phase of getting back to work. I have so much I could post, but I'll just start with something tiny for now.
Vietnam - like the guy says in Black Ops, "You're in 'Nam baby!"
What a ride. When I'm playing a GI - "where are those sneaky little gook basta*ds?" "Got one" a soldier says. When I'm playing a Cong - "take that you imperialistic white-uniformed American pr*ck" - but my buddies don't say anything I can understand, since they talk in genuine Vietnamese!
On any map you're playing, they switch sides automatically - you're a GI one minute - you're a Cong the next. So you don't start shooting the wrong guy - you have to look down at your left arm - if it's wrapped in swathes of leather, you're Cong baby. If not, you're a GI Joe.
And all of this stuff really happened, not like the made up Russian vs America battles in the other maps. (I have about 60 hours of Vietnam, and about 2 hours of the other so far.) I can't stop humming the main theme song of the Vietnam maps - the war protest song by Credence Clearwater - Fortunate One - talking about the red white and blue, and the guys who go off to serve as cannon fodder for a war that somebody figured out that we needed to be in. "No no no no no, I'm no senator's son, no ...... It's not me it's not me it's not me - I ain't no fortunate one."
Hahahahaha.
Rich
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AfterDawn Addict
4 product reviews
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3. March 2011 @ 21:35 |
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Probably $650-$800. Potentially less depending on what the competitor (GTX590) is like.
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AfterDawn Addict
15 product reviews
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3. March 2011 @ 23:35 |
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Finally bit the bullet and started playing the Stalker series on Steam. There was a great deal going so I bought all 3 games. Using the "Complete" mod it's actually quite enjoyable. Basically, the games look mediocre and the weapons are all named wrong. Complete fixes that mostly. Having gotten into the rhythm of gameplay, it's turning out to be a great series.
Finding myself fonder and fonder of these basement games made by foreign developers. Even though their programming and design are kind of unpolished, they always seem to make a great game.
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388
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harvrdguy
Senior Member
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4. March 2011 @ 23:54 |
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Ok, $650-800, for the 6990. You didn't have 6970 on your performance comparison. Let me ask you about 15 questions in a row, lol. Speaking strictly in regard to 30" gaming - where is the 6970, and then, where is the 6990? Is it two full blown 6970s? Yes, right? Assume it gets 16 lanes of pci-e, no other card plugged in, and the cpu is not the bottleneck, is it going to scale 185-190% more powerful than the 6970? And if the other choice were crossfire 6970s, would that crossfire choice make more sense?
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For a second, Jeff, I thought you said "fodder" as in cannon fodder - I've got BFBC2 Vietnam and Credence Clearwater on the brain.
I looked closer and see that you like Stalker. Well, okay, what is the series about? It's not another "freaks in a subway tunnel" is it? LOL
Isn't it some kind of radiation thing? Maybe I should hit google. Oh, yeah, I was right - Stalker, that Chernobyl thing. Freaks, but not in a subway tunnel.
Well, if you like it, maybe I shouldn't pre-judge.
I did finish Dragon Rising and it was a helluva game. It was quite a challenge to capture the sniper rifle without getting wiped out by fresh Chinese troups with their 50 round high-powered fully-automatic Scar. I picked one up later - very powerful. And good range too. No wonder they were wiping us out.
I ended up leaving all my squad behind, within sight as I raced down the hill having stabbed the sniper in the back. One time I stopped and hit the M key for map, and two red dots were closing in behind me. Yikes!
I read the comments below the new OF game trailer, and a lot of guys were upset with the Dragon Rising game, and didn't plan to buy the new one coming out in the summer. I attempted to add some fairer comments, and then the bulletin board didn't log me in correctly, and my comments were gone. One more bug, kind of like the game. That steamed me, so I just left all the negatives and moved on.
But I will definitely buy the new game.
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Wow, I finally took Sam's great advice on how to use the bios to dual boot with sata drives. I found out a bunch of stuff about how sata is different from my former IDE way of doing things. On Ide, or P-ATA, if memory serves me, you HAD TO boot off ide 1, master. No ifs ands or buts about it.
But Sata does not constrain you like that. Which opens the door to Sam's bios method.
With Sata, your system does not care which sata cable any particular hard drive is connected to. (If you have some ide hard drives also, that may cause complications, I don't know - my system does have ide connections, but I am using ONLY sata hard drives.)
I discovered that each sata cable is uniquely identified by its physical connector location on the motherboard. So you have Sata 1, Sata 2, through Sata 6 in the case of my rig. Finding some articles on google that backed up Sam's way of doing it, one guy said - "Disconnect your other hard drives, so you don't get any cross-contamination, and boot the new O/S off the optical."
With that method, I installed XP fresh on the sata 2 drive, and now after years of XP on D (dual boot with windows 98 on the C drive) my XP is now on C. The XP disk manager sees C as disk 1 (sata 2) and D as disk 0 (sata 1.) XP doesn't care that C is not the first physical drive location. For me, that was a revelation. Sata means flexibility!
So then I unplugged that drive, plugged back in Sata 1, and installed Windows 7. Windows 7 also sees itself on drive C, and it sees the xp drive as drive D. All operating systems are on drive C, just as Sam described! It's actually too easy - Sam was holding out on us as usual!
I set up the bios to default boot to the XP drive. That was indeed absurdly simple, just a few key strokes as Sam had mentioned. But it's even easier now - I don't have to go into the bios ever again.
The default boot is XP. But when I want windows 7 I wait for the bios splash screen, with the little instruction to "Hit Del for bios." Then I hit F8.
I wait a few seconds, and lo and behold, a little boot order menu appears, showing all my hard drives. I hit the down arrow to select the drive with the name that starts with ST, a seagate drive, rather than the name that starts with WD, the Western Digital drive that XP is on. Voila, Windows 7 loads, and that's how simple it is! Life is good. If I become a big Windows 7 freak, after buying a 2gig graphics card, which will give me a total of 6 gigs of ram and vram, then I'll go into the bios, hit a few keys to set the default boot for that Windows 7 ST drive, and I'll only use the F8 trick once in a while for XP.
Here is the best part. Totally gone is all the interdependency between disks, and the "cross contamination" of having part of your boot process on another drive. Each operating system, and all of its boot information, is on that drive. I can move drives around, change cables - no worries!
The other way has caused problems. But nothing like the recent problem I had when I installed Vista, dual boot, in order to play Medal of Honor single player, which wouldn't save the games properly on xp. I completed the single player, then I uninstalled Vista, because it was not letting me load into XP. But uninstalling it did not fix the problem. Believe it or not, remnants of the Vista boot loader remained.
I enjoyed this kind of fun:
How about trying to load xp, and having it blue screen when you log into your user account - but not a BSOD - just the Vista bootloader blue screen, meaning it's Vista time, except that THERE IS NO VISTA!
Ho hum, back to bios, over and over again. Yeah. Fun.
Not every time, just on the day that the Vista ghost decided to drop by. How about walking away from the computer in disgust, and coming back in 10 minutes to see if the XP welcome screen had finally stabilized?
Sometimes I would try to immediately hit the guest login, to see if the desktop would load far enough to block Vista's attempt at world domination (--> from the grave - I had uninstalled it!)
Sometimes that worked. Sometimes it didn't. No amount of booting off the xp optical, running fixboot in Recovery Console, or any other remedy, seemed to solve the problem. No wonder I was ready for Sam's method of boot order in the bios.
I wiped both drives and started over. And now, my friends, the problem is gone forever.
With Sata drives - SCREW the "usual" type of dual boot. Just install each operating system on its own drive. Select boot order in the bios. It's too easy! And if your motherboard has a little shortcut boot order key, like mine with F8, you never have to go into the bios again, after initially setting your default boot order.
Just remember this important tip: Install each operating system with only that one sata drive plugged in, booting off the new O/S optical, to ensure zero cross-contamination! You don't want the ghost of Vista hanging around!
Rich
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|
