My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help!

GigaWatt · Oct 2, 2008, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinLizzie

The most advanced thing I've ever done is replace my own RAM! <-----total newbie!!!

wow...

that was the last thing i ever did to my first close up hardware experience

, dont worry, a screw driver and a pair of rubber hospital gloves is basicly all the tools you need... and some thermal paste... and some good will

... just ask the questions

...

TinLizzie · Oct 6, 2008, 03:33 AM

Thanks guys. I'll get back to you, Kris with a budget. And I'll definitely go thru the sticky at the top of the forum before I do that.

**kris23** · Oct 6, 2008, 03:47 AM

hey liz..... yea that thread at the top is useful for a system balanced for different kinds of work BUT if you need to get something done in particular (eg. Adobe CS) youd probably need to have certain things notably more powerful to make life easier

i mean, Z uses Dual CPUs for his editing work.....

TinLizzie · Oct 6, 2008, 04:30 AM

OY! You are making my brain hurt! Dual cpu's? I have enough trouble keeping a handle on the one I've got! lol Now you're telling me I need 2? (kidding) OK, I can see I really DO need to read the thread. I suppose it's not that much different from when the old (and I mean old...probably older than YOU, Kris) PC's used to have a 2nd processor for math calcs? I know some designers use double monitors too...especially if they're doing animation. I'll try not to be too scared! haha

TinLizzie · Oct 6, 2008, 04:33 AM

OK, so my next question is how the heck do I get enuff posts to get a cool avatar like yours! lol

TinLizzie · Oct 6, 2008, 04:34 AM

(random, I know...but I AM an artist after all)

**kris23** · Oct 6, 2008, 05:22 AM

to get an avatar, you need to get 100 posts

to get a BIG avatar like mine, youll need to ask temeteus82 or any of the admins very very nicely

edit: oh yea to GET 100 posts..... go to the Randomness Resurrected thread and spam your way to 100 posts!

**Mousey** · Oct 6, 2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinLizzie

OY! You are making my brain hurt! Dual cpu's? I have enough trouble keeping a handle on the one I've got! lol Now you're telling me I need 2? (kidding) OK, I can see I really DO need to read the thread. I suppose it's not that much different from when the old (and I mean old...probably older than YOU, Kris) PC's used to have a 2nd processor for math calcs? I know some designers use double monitors too...especially if they're doing animation. I'll try not to be too scared! haha

I use dual monitors for like everything, but since one of them's a big chunky CRT i just keep MediaMonkey open on it

**kris23** · Oct 7, 2008, 12:13 AM

those computers must be pretty old to need a CPU JUST for math calculations......

im currently 16 years old so if theyre older than that....... thats pretty old...

and dual monitors are the most useful thing i have ever had..... so nice, definitely makes life easier.....

TinLizzie · Oct 19, 2008, 05:58 AM

Hey guys. I know I have been neglecting my guys here. But I DID switch back to XP. And all my hardware works great now. I figured out that Vista didn't support my serial port. But that's kinda obsolete hardware these days. That's the piece that wasn't working. So now how do I get XP to look and act cool like Vista does? I kindof liked the vista graphics..the big icons & transparent stuff. So any recommendations?

TinLizzie · Oct 19, 2008, 06:05 AM

OH, BTW...I found this cool laptop on sale. What do you think?

Processor Brand
Intel®
Processor Platform
Enhanced Intel® Centrino®
Processor
Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile
Processor Speed
2.0GHz
Display Type
WXGA TFT-LCD widescreen with TruBrite technology (1280 x 800)
Screen Size
15.4"
System Bus
667MHz
Cache Memory
2MB on die Level 2
System Memory (RAM)
4GB
Type of Memory (RAM)
PC5300 DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive Type
Serial ATA (5400 rpm)
Hard Drive Size
320GB
Optical Drive
Double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
Optical Drive Speeds
4x DVD+R DL; 4x DVD-R DL; 8x8x8 DVD+RW; 8x6x8 DVD-RW; 5x DVD-RAM; 24x16x24 CD-RW
Direct-Disc Labeling
Yes
Digital Media Reader or Slots
Yes, digital media card reader
Graphics
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Video Memory
128MB - 358MB dynamically allocated shared
Networking
Built-in 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
Wireless Networking
Built-in high-speed Intel® Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN network connection (802.11a/b/g/n)
S-Video Outputs
1
Audio
S/PDIF
Speakers
Built-in
PCMCIA Slots
1 ExpressCard/34/54
USB 2.0 Ports
4
IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports
1

It comes with Vista 64 (natch) OS. Let me know what you think!

TinLizzie · Oct 19, 2008, 06:07 AM

Or, Kris...this thing costs about $850...what can I build for that? Build me a kick butt graphic designer's computer--there's your budget!!!

**kris23** · Oct 19, 2008, 06:17 AM

thats pretty good for a laptop, but you can get a better desktop for that dough....

ill have a look around.

BlueMak · Oct 19, 2008, 06:21 AM

What brand/make is this $850 laptop?

Also, I agree with kris, you can make a much more powerful desktop pc with the same money.

**kris23** · Oct 19, 2008, 07:25 AM

also, do you want a monitor, keyboard/mouse and speakers included in price?

Liqourice · Oct 19, 2008, 07:29 AM

As a graphics designer I can say that the single most important hardware in that line of work is, Memory! The more the better!

So a 64-bit OS is a better choise to be able to use more memory.

TinLizzie · Oct 19, 2008, 08:10 PM

Not sure Kris. Why don't you price me out just the basics and maybe recommend the add-ons you'd pick as far as keyboard, monitor, etc. If I have a list of components I can shop them myself. I don't want you to spend lots of time on this! You've got better stuff to do. And thanks Licorice for the advice on OS's. Is there a 64 bit XP option?

TinLizzie · Oct 19, 2008, 08:19 PM

Oh, the laptop is a Toshiba Sattelite. It's on sale on BestBuy's website...under the closeout section. It looks kinda cool. I like a laptop b'cuz I am kinda gonna be homeless in January! I'm living at Grand Canyon right now, but job is temporary and ends 1/15. Then I go back to my cabin on the Navajo rez...we don't have electricity except for a small solar panel & a couple deep cell batteries! How do you like that one? lol I'll hopefully have internet via sattelite dish...but it's looking iffy right now. Mobility is key, but if I can get a nicer desktop I might sacrifice a corner of the cabin for my rig!

**kris23** · Oct 19, 2008, 08:25 PM

alright ill get on the stuff.....

and a 64 bit XP isnt a good idea, support isnt as good as vista

**kris23** · Oct 19, 2008, 08:46 PM

Newegg.com - LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Newegg.com - Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies
Newegg.com - G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - Operating Systems
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom 8450 Toliman 2.1GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Triple-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

this is pretty nice, $715 if you buy 2 sets of RAM, so theres room for a good mouse and keyboard, not quite enough for a graphic designers' monitor though.....

IvanV · Oct 19, 2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris23

those computers must be pretty old to need a CPU JUST for math calculations......

Computers based on Intel CPUs up to (and including) the 386 (sometimes) had coprocessors for floating point operations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kris23

...
im currently 16 years old so if theyre older than that....... thats pretty old...

I know that you meant the computers, but you made me feel pretty old...

**kris23** · Oct 19, 2008, 09:02 PM

lol

Oct 6, 2008, 03:33 AM	Thread Starter #32
TinLizzie DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Grand Canyon, AZ Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! Thanks guys. I'll get back to you, Kris with a budget. And I'll definitely go thru the sticky at the top of the forum before I do that. __________________ Phenomenal Woman, that's me! I am a woman, phenomenally.

Oct 6, 2008, 03:47 AM	#33
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! hey liz..... yea that thread at the top is useful for a system balanced for different kinds of work BUT if you need to get something done in particular (eg. Adobe CS) youd probably need to have certain things notably more powerful to make life easier i mean, Z uses Dual CPUs for his editing work..... __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Oct 6, 2008, 04:30 AM	Thread Starter #34
TinLizzie DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Grand Canyon, AZ Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! OY! You are making my brain hurt! Dual cpu's? I have enough trouble keeping a handle on the one I've got! lol Now you're telling me I need 2? (kidding) OK, I can see I really DO need to read the thread. I suppose it's not that much different from when the old (and I mean old...probably older than YOU, Kris) PC's used to have a 2nd processor for math calcs? I know some designers use double monitors too...especially if they're doing animation. I'll try not to be too scared! haha __________________ Phenomenal Woman, that's me! I am a woman, phenomenally.

Oct 6, 2008, 04:33 AM	Thread Starter #35
TinLizzie DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Grand Canyon, AZ Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! OK, so my next question is how the heck do I get enuff posts to get a cool avatar like yours! lol __________________ Phenomenal Woman, that's me! I am a woman, phenomenally.

Oct 6, 2008, 04:34 AM	Thread Starter #36
TinLizzie DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Grand Canyon, AZ Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! (random, I know...but I AM an artist after all) __________________ Phenomenal Woman, that's me! I am a woman, phenomenally.

Oct 6, 2008, 05:22 AM	#37
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! to get an avatar, you need to get 100 posts to get a BIG avatar like mine, youll need to ask temeteus82 or any of the admins very very nicely edit: oh yea to GET 100 posts..... go to the Randomness Resurrected thread and spam your way to 100 posts! __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums! Last edited by kris23; Oct 6, 2008 at 06:01 AM.

Oct 7, 2008, 12:13 AM	#39
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! those computers must be pretty old to need a CPU JUST for math calculations...... im currently 16 years old so if theyre older than that....... thats pretty old... and dual monitors are the most useful thing i have ever had..... so nice, definitely makes life easier..... __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Oct 19, 2008, 05:58 AM	Thread Starter #40
TinLizzie DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Grand Canyon, AZ Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! Hey guys. I know I have been neglecting my guys here. But I DID switch back to XP. And all my hardware works great now. I figured out that Vista didn't support my serial port. But that's kinda obsolete hardware these days. That's the piece that wasn't working. So now how do I get XP to look and act cool like Vista does? I kindof liked the vista graphics..the big icons & transparent stuff. So any recommendations? __________________ Phenomenal Woman, that's me! I am a woman, phenomenally.

Oct 19, 2008, 06:05 AM	Thread Starter #41
TinLizzie DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Grand Canyon, AZ Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! OH, BTW...I found this cool laptop on sale. What do you think? Processor Brand Intel® Processor Platform Enhanced Intel® Centrino® Processor Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile Processor Speed 2.0GHz Display Type WXGA TFT-LCD widescreen with TruBrite technology (1280 x 800) Screen Size 15.4" System Bus 667MHz Cache Memory 2MB on die Level 2 System Memory (RAM) 4GB Type of Memory (RAM) PC5300 DDR2 SDRAM Hard Drive Type Serial ATA (5400 rpm) Hard Drive Size 320GB Optical Drive Double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Optical Drive Speeds 4x DVD+R DL; 4x DVD-R DL; 8x8x8 DVD+RW; 8x6x8 DVD-RW; 5x DVD-RAM; 24x16x24 CD-RW Direct-Disc Labeling Yes Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes, digital media card reader Graphics Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 Video Memory 128MB - 358MB dynamically allocated shared Networking Built-in 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector) Wireless Networking Built-in high-speed Intel® Wireless Wi-Fi Link 4965AGN network connection (802.11a/b/g/n) S-Video Outputs 1 Audio S/PDIF Speakers Built-in PCMCIA Slots 1 ExpressCard/34/54 USB 2.0 Ports 4 IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports 1 It comes with Vista 64 (natch) OS. Let me know what you think! __________________ Phenomenal Woman, that's me! I am a woman, phenomenally.

Oct 19, 2008, 06:07 AM	Thread Starter #42
TinLizzie DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Grand Canyon, AZ Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! Or, Kris...this thing costs about $850...what can I build for that? Build me a kick butt graphic designer's computer--there's your budget!!! __________________ Phenomenal Woman, that's me! I am a woman, phenomenally.

Oct 19, 2008, 06:17 AM	#43
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! thats pretty good for a laptop, but you can get a better desktop for that dough.... ill have a look around. __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Oct 19, 2008, 06:21 AM	#44
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! What brand/make is this $850 laptop? Also, I agree with kris, you can make a much more powerful desktop pc with the same money. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Oct 19, 2008, 07:25 AM	#45
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! also, do you want a monitor, keyboard/mouse and speakers included in price? __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Oct 19, 2008, 07:29 AM	#46
Liqourice HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stockholm Posts: 1,698 Rep Power: 98 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! As a graphics designer I can say that the single most important hardware in that line of work is, Memory! The more the better! So a 64-bit OS is a better choise to be able to use more memory.

Oct 19, 2008, 08:10 PM	Thread Starter #47
TinLizzie DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Grand Canyon, AZ Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! Not sure Kris. Why don't you price me out just the basics and maybe recommend the add-ons you'd pick as far as keyboard, monitor, etc. If I have a list of components I can shop them myself. I don't want you to spend lots of time on this! You've got better stuff to do. And thanks Licorice for the advice on OS's. Is there a 64 bit XP option? __________________ Phenomenal Woman, that's me! I am a woman, phenomenally.

Oct 19, 2008, 08:19 PM	Thread Starter #48
TinLizzie DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Grand Canyon, AZ Posts: 25 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! Oh, the laptop is a Toshiba Sattelite. It's on sale on BestBuy's website...under the closeout section. It looks kinda cool. I like a laptop b'cuz I am kinda gonna be homeless in January! I'm living at Grand Canyon right now, but job is temporary and ends 1/15. Then I go back to my cabin on the Navajo rez...we don't have electricity except for a small solar panel & a couple deep cell batteries! How do you like that one? lol I'll hopefully have internet via sattelite dish...but it's looking iffy right now. Mobility is key, but if I can get a nicer desktop I might sacrifice a corner of the cabin for my rig! __________________ Phenomenal Woman, that's me! I am a woman, phenomenally.

Oct 19, 2008, 08:25 PM	#49
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! alright ill get on the stuff..... and a 64 bit XP isnt a good idea, support isnt as good as vista __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Oct 19, 2008, 08:46 PM	#50
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! Newegg.com - LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 RC-590-KKN1-GP Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases Newegg.com - Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies Newegg.com - G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory Newegg.com - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - Operating Systems Newegg.com - AMD Phenom 8450 Toliman 2.1GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Triple-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops this is pretty nice, $715 if you buy 2 sets of RAM, so theres room for a good mouse and keyboard, not quite enough for a graphic designers' monitor though..... __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Oct 19, 2008, 09:02 PM	#52
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Re: My Dinosaur Laptop Needs Help! lol __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!