New computer?

[Tommyboy69]

Please bear with me as I know very little about computers. My computer is just about 4 years old and is starting to develop problems. It is a Gateway 510X. For the last month or so when I go to start up I get a black screen where I have to hit "F4" then "ESC" to even get it to start up. Once it does begin to start up it takes way longer than it used to !Then today I went to download a music CD into my computer library and received an error message stating "no disk drive found". So then I figured I would try and burn a CD. Another error message--"No burner found"! I found this weird because both are built right into the tower! I have done a system restore and am currently defragmenting. Nothing seems to help. Any thoughts?

So, given these problems, I went shopping today for a new computer and quickly found prices are down and terminolgy has changed since I last bought. It is impossible for a guy like me to compare what I have to what I am looking at and I hope you can offer some insight. Now I mainly use my computer for surfing the net, e-mails, burning CDs, things like that, so I don't need a top of the line system. However, I want something at least as good as I have got or slightly better should it be necessary to purchase a new system.

What I have:
Gateway 510x
Intel Pentium 4 processor
2.8GHz with hyper threading
technology

512MB 333MHz DDR SDRAM

17" Flat Panal Display

80GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive

What I am looking at:
Gateway GT5449E
Intel Core 2 Duo processor E4300
1.8GHz 2MB L2 800MHz FSB

2.0GB PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM

22" Flat Panal Display

320GB 7200rpm SATA II Hard Drive

So can anyone tell me if what I am looking at is at least as good as what I have?! I was also looking at a HP that was very similar. Both are priced around $800 for a complete bundled package.

Let me thank you all now for your imput!!

 

[eastietop]

Get a mac. Never been happier that I switched. Like the commercial says "It just works." Never had any trouble.

 

[Tommyboy69]

Thanks for the replies guys. I saw the gateway at Office Depot.


AMD dual core? Pardon me, but I have not clue what that is or why I might need it--LOL!!

As for upgrading the memory and graphics I really see no need. I have lots of memory left. I did try and boot from the Windows XP disk I got with my computer and once again I got an error message! How am I to download Windows again if my disk drive is not working!?

I was glad I saw that post on defragmenting. I started the process over 3 hours ago and it is still doing it--only 59% complete! Might this help?

All I want is for my computer to start up smoothly and quickly and for my disk drive to work!! Is that asking too much Anybody got a virtual sledge hammer--LOL

But seriously guys, I do appreciate your imput!!

 

[Tommyboy69]

Get a mac. Never been happier that I switched. Like the commercial says "It just works." Never had any trouble.

But aren't MACs very expensive? The thought had crossed my mind! I have only ever heard good things about them!

 

[thermodynamics]

Personally I'd just upgrade my memory to 1 or 2 gigs and do a completely clean install of Windows. I'd consider upgrading my graphics card also but apart from that I see no reason why you can't keep your 4 year old PC especially since you don't use it for much outside of surfing the web and burning CDs. That error message you have is a very common error in Windows XP and usually easily remedied.

However if you have the money to get a new system then - yay!!!!

I searched quite a bit (including the Gateway website) and couldn't find the model you referred to - GT5449E - could you give us a link to where you saw it? I could only find the GT5448E.

A RAM upgrade is what I'd recommend. What I tell people now is that if you've got a 1.5GHz or more processor, and don't plan on using it for processor-intensive stuff, just upgrade RAM, do a fresh install of windows, and it'll be plenty fast. Heck, just the fresh install of windows is a huge improvement!

There are a huge number of ~2.4GHz PCs out there that were sold around 2003. They'll still be good for years to come, with a RAM upgrade or two.

 

[WYSIWYG]

MAC's are a little more expensive but most people KEEP them FOREVER because they WORK!! So over the life of a computer MAC's end up being cheaper!!

From what your saying it sounds more like after 4 years of use, you have hard drive issues and that is what is causing most of your problems. I would back up everything and spend a few dollars on a new Hard Drive. ATA drives are cheap now since they have been replaced by SATA drives!!! If your computer works fast enough for you, you have enough RAM, etc., than save yourself $500.00 and take a vacation on a gay cruise somewhere and PARTY!!!!!!

 

[Tommyboy69]

A RAM upgrade, fixing the disk drive, and a reinstall of windows (would probably need to be Vista since my XP disk isn't working either) would probably cost some bucks.

Much like a 10 year old car--how much do you sink into it?

It may sound like I am trying to have y'all talk me into buying a new computer but I am not. But if I am going to need to dump $400-$500 into this one I might as well just get new!

 

[Tommyboy69]

MAC's are a little more expensive but most people KEEP them FOREVER because they WORK!! So over the life of a computer MAC's end up being cheaper!!

From what your saying it sounds more like after 4 years you have hard drive issues and that is what is causing most of your problems. I would back up everything and spend a few dollars on a new Hard Drive. If your computer works fast enough for you, you have enough RAM, than save yourself $500.00 and take a vacation on a gay cruise somewhere and PARTY!!!!!!

I asked both sales people about just getting a new tower and both said with the way they have them bundled that I would be better off to get the whole package! However, we all know sales people stretch the truth!

The only thing I really stand to lose is my porn collection! I sure some of you could/would help me build that up again--LOL


I like your thinking of a gay cruise--want to go?

 

[gabriel1]

I'd stick with the gateway you have and try a new drive. I have a gateway thats a few years old with Windows XP pro I upped the memory to 1.2 gigs a few years ago, got a second drive, new monitor last year never had problems with my Gateway. My 2nd PC I bought last year is an ACER, not a bad machine but like someone else mentioned HP, it came preloaded with all kinds of useless crap. So did my folks Dell, with no room for upsizing anything. My Mom has my old gateway refurbed laptop and has no problems. Sorry Dell Dude - It's gotta be a gateway.

 

[sheep]

I know very little about PC's but what you are describing sounds more like a software OS problem than the hard drive. To get your porn collection out you can either fix the computer or get a firewire/USB2.0 drive enclosure, pull the hard drive out and install in the external enclosure, buy a new computer then transfer your stuff. You can transfer it to a Mac or PC. You might want to check out Macs
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore
although there are other places that are more cost effective. If you decide to go that route, PM me and I will send you the sites for some vendors.
The iMac desktop and MacBook both come with web cams. The iMac is due to be updated real soon so watch for falling prices on current models. Computer speed is of little concern as anything for sale now will be faster than what you currently own.

 

[mike_n_herrin]

Well it's hard to say at the moment what is wrong. with both the CD rom and the hard drive saying they were not found that would make me thing there is something wrong with windows. But if you put in the restore CD and it doesn't work because you are again getting the no hard drive error, then either you really do have something wrong with the hard drive or there is something wrong with the cable going from the hard drive to your motherboard or your motherboard. if it's the motherboard (and you want the easiest route), then you mine as well just get a new computer at that point. if it's the hard drive, well you can buy new hard drives to put in and replace the old one for about 100 bucks. if you have had no other problems and are happy with the way it worked before this, then you don't "have to" upgrade the memory.

you can look to see the "health" of your hard drive in the disk management window.

click "start" then "run" then type compmgmt.msc a window will then pop up and you should then click on left hand side under "storage" left click on "disk management." that should then list all your hard drives in the upper right window pain. in that window there should be column named "status." hopefully it says "healthy." noelie if it says healthy...do you know how accurate that is? if it's healthy does that mean his hard drive is ok?

 

[sheep]

Another thing you can try that costs no money is shut down the computer. Unplug it. Open it up. Touch the chassis or power supply housing to get rid of any static electricity and one by one unplug and re-insert every plug, memory module and motherboard you can find. At this time you might want to take the unit outside and spray it with compressed air to clean it out. Pay particular attention to the fan. Bring it back in, plug it in and attempt to boot it. All it takes is one loose connection to screw things up. When you boot it make sure the fan is working.

 

[gabriel1]

Another thing you can try that costs no money is shut down the computer. Unplug it. Open it up. Touch the chassis or power supply housing to get rid of any static electricity and one by one unplug and re-insert every plug, memory module and motherboard you can find. At this time you might want to take the unit outside and spray it with compressed air to clean it out. Pay particular attention to the fan. Bring it back in, plug it in and attempt to boot it. All it takes is one loose connection to screw things up. When you boot it make sure the fan is working.

And if I may be so bold as to add, if this computer has never had this done before, you might want to get a little paintbrush (artist type) and clean and blow out the heat sink on the CPU. In addition to the fan on the power supply, there should also be one on the heatsink for the CPU, make sure thats running also. After you do this - unplug the unit and then put the side(s) back on.

 

[Tommyboy69]

Thanks for all the advice guys. You all have had some great suggestions. You have really shown me that I really know nothing about computers!!