Let the debates begin 2004-06-19 - By Kris Krieger
Back
At 11:27 PM 17-06-04, Glen Adomovicz wrote:
>Hi David,
>I will be honest and admit I don't like Compaq, here is why -
>
>This is from past expense (about 3 years ago) so things might be different
>now. At my work we had a Compaq Desktop pro, for some reason win2k got
>corrupted and would not boot. There were some files they did not want to
>lose so we wanted to reinstall windows without reformatting the hard drive.
>Compaq only supplied a restore cd which would wipe the drive clean, talking
>with there tech support this was the only option and the computer was only a
>few months old. The only way out was to buy win2k and we choose to go that
>route.
My significant other just recently bought an HP (reason: "didn't want to
wait") and it's the same absurd story - they absolutely REFUSED (I asked)
to provide the actual OS, forcing you to go through the same ridiculous
rigamarole if something went wonky - and you *know* that, with WhineDoze,
something *will* go wonky. As for the endless MBs it uses to supposedly
create "backups", IMO they are worthless.
You're better off having a fast Write unit and making an un-compressed
Recent copy of the OS on its own disk, and *full* backups (compressed or
not) of all your programs on other disks. It takes time and a lot of CDs,
but that way, you don't lose anything. It also doesn't hurt to keep an
extra copy in your safe-deposit box, just in case of a house fire. ((Same
thing for your work - keep backups!)) That might seem paranoid, but it's
not a big deal to do it and better safe than sorry - even if your insurance
would cover the cost of all the replacement software (assuming that your
favorite programs are still even available!), it can't replace lost
work. As cheap as CDRs have gotten (esp. when on sale &/or with rebates),
it's worth the peace of mind.
Also, there is a prog. I think that can change your HD serial # to whatever
you want, so, in case you use prog's that rely onthe HD serial as a
security measure, use that to rewrite the # if you do need to reformat the
HD or get a new one.
Always, BTW, keep a new copy of yur registry files (system.dat, user.dat,
and so on) when you install a new program, as well as backing up the
program and the work you do in it.
For added security, make all your *.exe, *.dll, *.sys, *.bin, and *.ini
files READ ONLY. Tho' the best is to always have an uncompressed backup on
CD. There are a lot of programs (not just viruses but also legitimate
programs) that willy-nilly overwrite working copies of those files with
screwy versions. And if you allow the OS to do automatic daily system
backups, the problem there is that it can over-write good backups with the
screwy files. So learn from my mistakes - always keep backups. If you
never need them, well, as above, CDRs are cheap - but if you do need them,
and don't have them, you're in deep trouble...that is, unfortunately, the
Voice Of Expereince talking there =:-(
HTH!
- Kris
>When I buy a computer I want OS cd and not a restore disk, I have also heard
>that there hardware is somewhat proprietary.
>
>A suggestion, check out Dell, my first Dell was bought about 6 years ago and
>is going strong (ok slow but strong). We bought two Dells last year, one for
>me and one for the girls and we are very satisfied with our purchase. We
>order them on Sunday and they were at our house on Friday, not bad
>considering they are built when you order them.
>
>I have also converted my work to Dell, in the last year we have bought 6
>from them and no problems.
>
>Just my .02 cents worth -
>
>Always lurking,
>Glen Adomovicz
>
>
>-- -- Original Message -- --
>From: "Dave Angelini" <dpangelini@(protected)>
>To: <truespace@(protected)>
>Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 10:58 PM
>Subject: [TSML] Let the debates begin
>
>
> > I am beginning to look into getting a new PC (current PC is 4 years old
> > Win98 and showing its age). For various reasons, I have narrowed down the
> > PC options such that only two choices are still left to me....one generic
> > and one specific choice.
> >
> > Generic Choice: Compaq or HP?
> >
> > Personally, I have had better luck with HP than Compaq, but since HP
> > purchased Compaq, is there still a meaningful difference anymore? The PC
> > lines in comparison are the Compaq Presario 8000T Series versus the HP
> > Pavillion A650Y.
> >
> > Specific Choice: 256 Mb DDR ATI Radeon 9800 or the 256Mb DDR Nvidia
>GeForce
> > FX 5950 Ultra?
> >
> > I have heard that Nvidia has lost some ground against ATI and that Nvidia
> > has played some games with its performance specs. But this is a choice a
> > comparison between an older Radeon to a newer Nvidia.
> >
> > These are the choices....true I could look at other vendors, but I would
>not
> > be able to get the deals that I am currently offered....so again, these
>are
> > the choices.
> >
> > Any advice would be appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Dave Angelini
> >
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