Updating my computer... but.....

[A Mum]

My computer is looking at a date with the garbage bin - because I am going to throw it that way very shortly

I'm pretty sure I'm on the verge of a new computer - this one is getting slow and I've already had to restart it 2 times this morning due to it 'freezing'

A bit of a background:
This one is probably 3 or 4 years old now.
And be it that I work from home as a dictaphone typist and receive most of my files by digital means;
I rent my computer rather than own (As I can claim a big proportion of the rental on my tax each year)
I have found this works the best for me.

My questions:
I have a lot of emails that I'd like to keep (I use windows mail) - Is there a way of saving emails to transfer to a new computer?
When returning this current rental one what's the best way of wiping all my information off it?

I also purchases microsoft 'home and office' programme - which is only valid for 3 computers - I've used that programme on my computer, kids computer and my mums computer... can I still use that programme therefore on a new computer?

Thankyou in advance for any help

(Dedja - comeout, comeout wherever you are)

[Dutchy]

Im sure someone will be able to assist and I think most of the above is possible.

I just got a brand spanker desktop, you never regret upgrading, will be interested int he replies..

[dedja]

Yes, can answer your questions ... a bit (lot) busy at work atm so in the next day or so.

[A Mum]

Much, much, much apprecaited - Thanks Dedja

I'm not going anywhere...lol

[Kahuna]

To backup and restore your emails you could use the "Export" & "Import" functions in Windows Mail,see this--
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/90298 ... sages.html

As for your Office program if you have a 3 machine license you can uninstall off your old pc and reinstall on the new and you should be ok.
Good luck

[A Mum]

Brilliant - thankyou Kahuna

[Dog_ger]

I have learnt the hard way.

Don't throw money fixing an old computer (over 2 years old).

Buy the latest technology when your computer bothers you.

It really is a throw away world.

[Psyber]

Age does not weary them - unless you are a compulsive high end gamer...

The machine I am using now is about 4 years old and doing fine:
AMD64 3000+ on a DFI mobo, with RAID 0 WD Raptor HDDs, 2GB RAM, nVidia7600GT video, XP Pro SP3 updated.
It has never missed a beat - I know RAID 0 is risky, so I keep good backup.
I also clean up the temp file clutter and Registry residuals regularly, with Registry Mechanic or Easy Clean, and then defragment the drives.

I do have another slightly younger AMD64 3200+ on a Foxconn mobo that has been nothing but trouble.
From the pattern, I suspect its SATA II handling is faulty, and I may just put an older IDE HDD in it and use it as a back up.
Or I may sell it if it remains reliable in that configuration.

I could be tempted by an i5 or i7 with an SSD drive soon, but it won't be of necessity - I'm just waiting for the prices to come down a little more.

[stan]

Looking at upgrading to a PC, my current Laptop is fine but christ its struggling badly some days .
In fact its starting to fall apart......rather literally as well.

Anyway I have been looking around, im not sure what to go for, does anyone have some helpful tips about what to stay away from and what some of the better options out there.

[Psyber]

The machine I described above on March 29th fritzed itself in early May - the RAID 0 collapsed. Fortunately, I had maintained good back ups as I said.
I went to look at the drives and check which had failed and discovered I coudn't remove them because the maker had pop riveted on the case cover on the underside of the mother board instead of using screws.
I'll have to drill them out, but I'm still recovering from surgery, and am not quite up to that yet.

So, I dug out the machine on the Foxconn mobo mentioned above, and tried its IDE connections.
It couldn't cope with 2 IDE drives either, but worked with one drive.
As a back up I have plugged in an external hot swap Welland HDD casing via USB, which takes any SATA HDD.
That's working..

[dedja]

I could be tempted by an i5 or i7 with an SSD drive soon, but it won't be of necessity - I'm just waiting for the prices to come down a little more.

I've upgrade the boot drive on my laptop and PC to an SSD ... worth the effort.

Cheapest 64Gb SSD is now around $180 so getting quite affordable.

I wouldn't buy a 128GB or larger SSD just yet ... too expensive still.

In any case, as a boot drive 64Gb should be more than enough for most.

Also, bang for buck, the AMDs kill intel. Yes, an Athlon II or Phenom II don't have the raw power of an i5 or i7, but they aren't that far behind and most (other than extreme gamers or large scale HD video editors) wouldn't notice the difference.

[Psyber]

...Also, bang for buck, the AMDs kill intel.
Yes, an Athlon II or Phenom II don't have the raw power of an i5 or i7, but they aren't that far behind and most (other than extreme gamers or large scale HD video editors) wouldn't notice the difference.

You are possibly right there, I've noticed my AMD 64 3000+ desktop does most single thread stuff faster than my laptop which is a Core2Duo T7500 - the laptop's HDD being only a 5400rpm job may be a factor.
I've contacted both ASUS and Intel trying to check whether its Intel Crestline mobo can take an SSD but haven't got a straight answer yet.

ASUS simply said they had no idea because their techs had never tried it - they suggested I ask Intel, and told me which mobo was used.
No one on Intel's phone helpline seemed to comprehend the question, and kept putting me through to other areas, all of whom passed me on again until I gave up.
Intel Australia haven't answered my snail mail, which was the only way I could find to get in touch with them without finishing up on the US phone line again.

I want to be sure because I would need a 120GB SSD minimum in a single drive machine.
[The laptop is an ASUS F3SV-AK136G if you or anyone can answer that question for me.]

[dedja]

Psyber, if you drop even the most basic SSD into that laptop you'll be amazed with the difference.

I replaced a 320GB 5400rpm HDD with a Kingston V series II 64Gb SSD (model SNV425S2/64) for $179. It's the most basic SDD on the market now the laptop flies. Make sure it's series 2 (425), not series 1 (125) as they are junk.

As long as your laptop can handle SATA or SATA II, you can just replace the HDD with an SSD, simple ... there is no other consideration as both are 2.5"" factor.

The only caveat is that you need to do a reinstall and not a disk copy, and I strongly urge you to install Windows 7, which can auto detect a SDD and configure itself accordingly.

Do you really need a 120Gb SSD?

[Psyber]

I may be able to get by with a 64 GB SSD, and I'll give it some thought.
The laptop came with Vista Ultimate restore disks but I do have a copy of Win Pro 7 I bought via itsnotcheating.com.
At the moment I'm running XP Pro on it.
Would you recommend using the restore disks to put back Vista and its drivers, then upgrading to W7 or installing W7 straight in?
I had intended to put back Vista and run the W7 compatibility utility first to check whether the drivers were up to date or others needed downloading.

[dedja]

I'd do a clean install of Windows 7 if it was me ... it's always better to do a clean install than upgrade.

If you're worried about driver compatibility then check for Windows 7 drivers before you install. I found will my dell laptop (Inspiron 1720), that whilst I didn't couldn't source a couple of the Windows 7 64 bit drivers directly for that model, the drivers for similar models worked fine. Also, in most cases, the Vista drivers will work fine in Windows 7.

Did you get a 32 bit or 64 bit key?

Just do a full system backup before you install just in case anything goes pear shaped (which is highly unlikely).

Oh, and the itsnotcheating Wndows 7 versions are technically upgrades, but you can still do a clean install.

[Psyber]

I went 32 bit, and got the DVD as well as the download rights.
I was originally planning to use it on an older machine that struggled to meet 64 bit requirements, and I want to use some older software on it.
I can go back and buy the 64 bit version later I think, so long as I retain my university email address.

[dedja]

you certainly can, except it's now $120 not $50, still a lot cheaper than RRP though.

*edit* ... LOL, just checked and it's back down to $50!

[Psyber]

Psyber, if you drop even the most basic SSD into that laptop you'll be amazed with the difference...

Interesting..
I checked my wholesale sources and discovered prices seem to have risen since I looked last.
It appears to be that certain less expensive brands that were prominent a couple of months ago are now not being stocked by my usual Adelaide sources.
I'll have to look into it via Melbourne contacts, and see if there is any reason other than better margins.

[dedja]

What models are you eyeing off Psyber?

[Psyber]

What seems to be on offer in Adelaide are Corsair, A-RAM, A-DATA, Super Talent.
I'll check what else is available via Victoria.