Is there a market for custom built computers sold through an independent person, versus Dell or HP?
[more inside]
posted by trogdole
on May 18, 2013 -
32 answers
Researchers, Writers, Grad Students, and Professors: Tell me about your technical setup (hardware and software). What do you use, and what couldn't you live without?
[more inside]
posted by NotMyselfRightNow
on Nov 2, 2012 -
25 answers
What would be the best hardware upgrade in my desktop PC to improve multitasking performance?
[more inside]
posted by pilibeen
on Jul 26, 2012 -
28 answers
I am currently (still) using a CRT monitor and would like to move to an LCD panel. My primary usage is for photography and web browsing. I have spent the last three weeks or so researching monitors and have found out that (1) I will need to buy an IPS panel, (2) having looked at monitor sizes in the store I really would prefer a 27 or 30 inch monitor and (2) I have resigned myself to the fact that I should expect to pay at least $1,000 for a good monitor, possibly closer to $2,000. What monitor would you recommend? Is it really worth upgrading to a really high-end monitor ($2,000+)? More questions and details inside.
[more inside]
posted by eurandom
on Dec 31, 2011 -
18 answers
How can I thoroughly test the Windows 7 desktop machine I built for my dad before I give it back to him? He lives 4.5 hours away so I won't be able to easily respond to problems once he has it.
[more inside]
posted by decrescendo
on Dec 19, 2011 -
11 answers
I'm looking to get a used computer for video editing. What's a minimum reasonable hardware configuration for editing 720p video?
[more inside]
posted by kaibutsu
on Sep 18, 2011 -
5 answers
About a year and a half ago my graphics card crapped out. I'd like to replace it at a level where I can play modern games again, but not necessarily at the highest graphics setting. I've never replaced a graphics card before, so I'm not sure what I'm looking for in terms of purchasing and installation. Specs for my system inside...
[more inside]
posted by codacorolla
on Sep 2, 2011 -
15 answers
Do I
really have to replace the motherboard? My computer is showing no display and I think I've ruled out everything except the motherboard. Changing that is obviously expensive and time-consuming, so please tell me if I'm missing anything!
[more inside]
posted by Busy Old Fool
on Jul 28, 2011 -
12 answers
I've got a pile of old Zip disks I'd like to investigate... but modern computers haven't got RS232 interfaces, which is what my Zip drive has. Boo! However, I discovered that my wife has a USB ZIp drive! Yay! But there is a problem...
[more inside]
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit
on May 31, 2011 -
10 answers
I'm having trouble disassembling an old desktop PC to get to the hard drive before I can destroy it and throw everything out. Is there a quick and easy way to destroy the drive in situ, using everyday household objects?
[more inside]
posted by tel3path
on Apr 6, 2011 -
36 answers
I have a HP Mini 110 with a 160 GB HD running Ubuntu. I'm pretty happy with it, but I don't really need all that space (currently I'm filling a tiny portion of it) and would prefer a faster boot time. What kind of improvements in speed should I expect if I swap out the hard drive with an SSD? What is the level of expense and difficulty involved in the install? Would I be better off just getting a newer notebook with an SSD already installed? What is the best source for a suitable SSD?
posted by Artw
on May 10, 2010 -
15 answers
Please help me make this computer run faster. It's running Windows XP, and I'll tell you everything else I know inside.
[more inside]
posted by desjardins
on Apr 7, 2010 -
18 answers
I am moving across the country in a few weeks. I had these two VERY old desktop computers that I have completely taken apart. Now I have this box full of hard drives, boards, wires, etc. I want to dispose of them securely...
[more inside]
posted by eric1200
on Mar 26, 2010 -
12 answers
I'm at my wits' end trying to solve this computer problem. The system will not boot to any OS install CD (Windows 7 Pro x64, Ubuntu 9.10 x86, Ubuntu 9.10 x64) even after a total hardware replacement.
[more inside]
posted by Ziggy Zaga
on Feb 27, 2010 -
10 answers
Computer power supply conundrum. We need to convert SATA power (male) to old school Molex (female) and we need to add another 12" of length. I can't seem to find a single cable that meets our needs.
[more inside]
posted by advicepig
on Jan 13, 2010 -
4 answers
Help me hivemind! I have a driver issue with Windows 7 and a Soundblaster sound card... horrors of hardware details after the jump.
[more inside]
posted by strixus
on Jan 10, 2010 -
1 answer
The best way to go from knowing how to put a computer together out of the box but nothing else, to understanding how the 'innards' work?
[more inside]
posted by malibustacey9999
on Oct 5, 2009 -
16 answers
I scrapped all my junk computers together and made the most rag tag beowulf cluster ever in my living room. Mostly as a conversation starter. But now I have to figure out what to have it working on. What's something that will sound really cool?
posted by brenton
on Sep 12, 2009 -
10 answers
In lieu of buying a tricked-out MacBook pro, I'm thinking about taking the advice in this
comment and picking up a mostly equivalent, Windows-based desktop for around $500. Can you give me advice?
[more inside]
posted by niles
on Aug 22, 2009 -
10 answers
I'm going to make a dedicated FreeNAS box. Looking for hardware suggestions.
[more inside]
posted by tdreyer
on Jun 22, 2009 -
4 answers
I'm in the market for a new laptop. Should I get a PC or Mac? What specs are important for me to look at when making a decision?
[more inside]
posted by reenum
on Jun 2, 2009 -
31 answers
Advice for a server newb who needs help getting started with a simple media/backup/torrent server?
[more inside]
posted by wastelands
on May 29, 2009 -
12 answers
I just purchased two WD Caviar Black 500GB HDDs and I'm trying to figure out the best backup configuration for my home computer.
[more inside]
posted by jluce50
on Feb 3, 2009 -
14 answers
Help a poor fool fix his computer. New motherboard has only one IDE slot. Have two old hard drives and two old CD drives. What to do?
[more inside]
posted by kurtroehl
on Feb 2, 2009 -
11 answers
What type of capabilities should I look to include in a computer I'm planning on building within the next few months? I would like to make sure I'm prepared for future technology. I don't want to build totally for the present.
[more inside]
posted by decrescendo
on Oct 8, 2008 -
12 answers
I am having a very unusual problem with my hard drive and CANNOT recover any data from it after trying numerous methods. Please help me with your technical expertise.
[more inside]
posted by deafmute
on Jun 29, 2008 -
7 answers
Is there a website that tests computer hardware like Tom's Hardware does, but publishes comprehensive comparison artilces more regularly?
[more inside]
posted by ErWenn
on Jun 9, 2008 -
7 answers
Between the 4 desktops that my immediate family owns, we've probably been through 6 or 7 DVD burners in the last few years. Does everyone else have this kind of failure rate? Any recommendations on reasonably priced, quality drives, so that I don't have to keep replacing them?
[more inside]
posted by chrisamiller
on May 29, 2008 -
19 answers
My desktop computer is dead dead dead (I think -- can you help me be sure?). I was going to get a new iMac anyway, so now I'll just move those plans up. I understand there's a utility to migrate all my files from the old Windows machine to the new Mac -- how can I make that happen when the old one won't start?
[more inside]
posted by gleuschk
on Mar 27, 2008 -
10 answers
I just got a relatively new PC secondhand. What should I upgrade first in order to most successfully play games?
[more inside]
posted by joshrholloway
on Feb 9, 2008 -
18 answers
I'm trying to simplify my computer wiring situation, and could use some strategic advice.
I have a bunch of devices, and 3 machines. How can 2 (or preferably all 3) machines share all the peripherals? My little KVM doesn't quite cut it.
[more inside]
posted by swift
on Feb 8, 2008 -
13 answers
My old, faithful, color-reliable, flat screen, CRT computer monitor sometimes starts making a strange, extremely high-pitched noise, which - while not ear-piercing, is annoying.
[more inside]
posted by _dario
on Oct 23, 2007 -
11 answers
Can you name any laptop motherboards (brands, models, etc.) capable of booting from a USB flash drive?
[more inside]
posted by DrSkrud
on Oct 3, 2007 -
11 answers
Neeerrrrrrrrdfilter: I want to play Bioshock. Help me find the most economical way to upgrade my video hardware so that it will run the game satisfactorily.
[more inside]
posted by killdevil
on Aug 22, 2007 -
20 answers
I am building a new desktop pc for college and am going to leave it on 24/7 in my dorm room so i can just rdc into it from anywhere on campus (only until i get a mbp with leopard later on) Take a look at this hardware and see it everything looks ok.
also this system wil work with vista ultimate x64 right
[more inside]
posted by DJWeezy
on Jul 11, 2007 -
16 answers
