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ProwlerOnline, Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler Discussion Forum
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Computer Questions (Page 1)
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| This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Tires, Rims Discusssion |
| Author | Topic: Computer Questions |
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ed monahan Prowler Junkie Posts: 33595 |
posted 10-04-2001 01:19 AM
I currently own a Compaq Presario computer and use Prodigy. I am pretty dissatisfied with both. I just got a notice that Prodigy is raising the monthly fee. I am definitely going to go to Zoom Town thru the local phone company or Road Runner thru Time Warner. I would appreciate any input on those two. Secondly, in today's paper, their is an article (not an ad) that you can now purchase a Dell Dimension 4300 desktop with 1.5 Gigahertz Pentium 4 for $999. I went to www.Dell.com and they are actually a little cheaper than that but with tax and shipping they are $ 1000. Is this a good deal? Do you see prices dropping a lot in the near future due to the economy, the glut of computers since almost everyone already has a computer, etc? The same article says Gateway Select 1400 with 1.4 GHz Athlon is $ 1099. Since I don't know squat about computers I am looking for advice. Which is the better computer? Lastly, in another article, it says to get rid of pop up ads, go to http://software.xfx.net/utilities/popupkiller. to get rid of pop-under ads go to www.x10.com/x10ads.htm. They are both free. I lost my connection three times while attempting to post this. It is a perfectly clear night here, so I don't understand that at all. That is why I am finally going cable. Thanks for any and all advice. This message has been edited by ed monahan on 10-04-2001 at 01:23 AM |
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MIKE GATLIN Prowler Junkie Posts: 4307 |
posted 10-04-2001 06:21 AM
Ed, I just recently hooked up through a cable modem and it is greased lightening compared to 56k dial up. I went back to look at video clips Mike posted for me from Crazyhorse and Woodward, and what took 20 minutes to load with the dial up now hits the screen in about 50 seconds. Here the service provider is included with the hookup so after cutting AOL monthly charge the cable hookup is only marginally more expensive Now I can call up Prowleronline, scan new posts, and be on to something else in the same time it used to take AOL to boot up. ------------------ This message has been edited by MIKE GATLIN on 10-04-2001 at 06:40 AM |
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CJ Prowler Junkie Posts: 18860 |
posted 10-04-2001 06:32 AM
Ed.......we tried several dial-up services before we finally threw up our hands and gave up. We switched over to a cable modem as soon as it was available in our area. Have never looked back. I know there are even better alternatives, such as a T-1 line, but they are either quite expensive or not available in our area. We've been very satisfied with our cable modem and service which is Home.com. I love that you can leave it on all the time without getting thrown off. You can talk on the phone and be on the computer at the same time.......and every time I go up to the cottage and have to use a dial-up again, I am reminded how great it is!! Not to knock Compaq, as we used to have them at home and at work, but they are very proprietary. Meaning, if something breaks (such as floppy drives) you can't always replace it with just any product, you have to replace it with theirs. Sounds like a pretty good deal on the Dell, depending on everything you are getting with it. We have several Dells and have been very happy with them. Other people like Gateway. We like the service that Dell provides. We had also talked to Gateway. We felt our experience and conversations with Dell were much better than the ones with Gateway. You can price out a computer on the website and then call them. We actually had a Dell rep suggest some better things than what we chose, but actually saved us money. They are very helpful with suggestions based on what you want or need. Bob also did some negotiating with them on the price! Check out both.......make your decision between them. ------------------ Classic/Beautiful - I'm referring to the Cat of course! |
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Vipermad Prowler Junkie Posts: 492 |
posted 10-04-2001 07:17 AM
Ed, mileage varies from computer to computer...meaning that, just llike cars, some peole have good experiences, and some have bad. Currently, while not banging on the keyboard for Mike, I am the Compaq representative at the local Navy Exchange. I would be glad to chat with you on the phone, and help you make an informed decision on which PC to buy. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. Also, the post about cable modem...or any other high speed access is RIGHT ON!!! I had to give up my cabel modem for dial-up when we moved into Navy housing. Not only night and day....but things went from bright, sunny Viper-driving DAY...to the most DISMAL night of all time! E-mail me your number....or I'll send you mine...and we can chat if you like! ------------------ |
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PaulR Prowler Junkie Posts: 1614 |
posted 10-04-2001 09:26 AM
Ed- AT&T @Home Cable has been awesome for me now. JMO Dell or Gateway have both built me great cpu's. ------------------ |
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CWatsonJr Prowler Junkie Posts: 2728 |
posted 10-04-2001 09:40 AM
I had to give up broadband DSL when we moved from Burbank to the boonies of Piru. I have no hope of ever seeing broadband again at home - unless we move. At least I have DSL at work ------------------ |
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butchcee Prowler Junkie Posts: 7476 |
posted 10-04-2001 10:38 AM
Ed, before laying down bucks for a new puter, try to get a cable hookup if it's offered in your area. It cost me 30 bucks a month and makes my 3 year old puter like greased lightning. ------------------ |
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Richard Jackson Prowler Junkie Posts: 1417 |
posted 10-04-2001 01:23 PM
Ed, between me, Andy and Ken (we are all computer geeks) we can fix your present computer and save you the big bucks (so you can buy more shirts and hats to sell) and all you need is Zoomtown from Cincinnati Bell or Roadrunner if you have cable tv already. Richard ------------------
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ed monahan Prowler Junkie Posts: 33595 |
posted 10-04-2001 01:30 PM
Let me clarify, slightly. Sandy has the exact same model computer as me. She also has a cable hookup. I know that it is WAAAAY faster. I am not debating whether to go to cable or not. I am going to go to cable. I am debating whether it will be Road Runner of Zoom Town. Secondly, my computer sucks. I reboot this miserable thing every couple of days. I have a screwed up sound board and then the whole things freezes up. I know NOTHING about computers. Tony, I appreciate your offer to talk, but I couldn't hold a conversation for over 15 seconds regarding computers. Part of my problem is my computer and part of it is in the dial up. I know my computer is screwed up because after I re-do it, it works for a few hours or a few days. It is faster and then it slows down and then it screws up. If you ever have played solitaire on the computer and won, the deck keeps flipping across the monitor. I get that while I am online, not the cards, but whatever screen is showing. It will just keep producing the same screen forever. I figure why get it repaired. I can probably buy a new one for a few hundred bucks more. Do I want Road Runner or Zoom Town? Do I want a Dell or Gateway computer? Keep in mind, I am computer illiterate or will soon work up to that level. Thanks for the input so far, and future help. |
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MIKE GATLIN Prowler Junkie Posts: 4307 |
posted 10-04-2001 02:39 PM
Ed, sorry about opening up the "cable modem" can of worms, didn't realize it was such a sore spot!  Only other suggestion I have is to move in with Sandy, admire her all american wave,  and use her computer when she is not looking!I feel so bad about all of this I may have to head to southeastern Ohio next week and apologize in person! ------------------ |
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superdanthegarbageman Prowler Junkie Posts: 229 |
posted 10-04-2001 04:01 PM
there are a few things you dont do in life.....one of them...is try and upgrade a puter that is two years old... all you wind up with is a more expensive piece of crap...go buy a new one....get a good deal on a one gig..pentium three....they are cheap now...because of the pentium fours.....i just built a 900 series pent 3 for my sons girlfriend for 350 dollars....sooooooooo why bother upgrading....its not worth it...also.....listen to butchcee hes right..cable is the way to go...see whats around...the other thing in life you dont do is uh....uh....hmmmmm....
------------------ This message has been edited by superdanthegarbageman on 10-04-2001 at 04:06 PM |
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ed monahan Prowler Junkie Posts: 33595 |
posted 10-04-2001 05:16 PM
Mike G., I am afraid Sandy would try to steal my cape. The cable question has been brewing for months. When Prodigy raised the price while I was having all of this trouble it just motivated me to finally make a move. I think I will go with Zoom Town thru Cin'ti Bell. It is only about $ 8 more per month and frees up the phone as well. It sounds like Dell is the better computer. I will hold off a few weeks or month to see if I solve my problems just with cable, but I doubt it. Sandy never has computer problems and we bought them on the same day. I got the lemon. Anyone else want to express an opinion about this. I posted this to get feedback because I be ignorant. |
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butchcee Prowler Junkie Posts: 7476 |
posted 10-04-2001 07:17 PM
ED, do you do regular maintance like getting rid of temp internet files and defragging? your drive could be cluttered with crap. Could it be that Sandy doesn't surf as much as you and pick up all the excess stuff? ------------------ |
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BeWare Prowler Junkie Posts: 18511 |
posted 10-04-2001 07:48 PM
We have an IBM Aptiva with DSL. No problems. Prices of computers are really going down and I don't think they have bottomed out. Its a good time to buy. ------------------
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ed monahan Prowler Junkie Posts: 33595 |
posted 10-04-2001 08:32 PM
Al, Sandy has a 16 year old daughter and a 21 year old son, who no longer lives there but he stops by to do laundry and mess with the computer. They have so much crap on the screen there isn't a blank space. A lot of games, downloading music, etc. I do regular maintenance. I talked to Prodigy today after I called them 3 or 4 times to report line trouble and they told me that they had no reports of line trouble. I asked how could that be possible since I called and reported it. HMMM was the answer, basically. They then walked me thru about 8 scenarios and everything was fine, including 62% open memory. Finally they found one thing and had me change some numbers. It is working pretty good right now. I will see in a day or so. I am going to go to cable and then will wait a little while to buy a computer if I still have all this other stuff going wrong. Thanks for all the help, I DO APPRECIATE it. |
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Jim S Prowler Junkie Posts: 946 |
posted 10-04-2001 09:51 PM
Ed, Dell or Gateway should both give you good service. I have 4 Dell's right now, running Auto Cad on 2 of them. I have always had good luck with there customer support. One of my customers has 2 gateways, and same story from them, good customer support and no problems with the product. They also have over 50 Compaq, with a corporate agreement, and say the service and technical help is not near as good as Gateway's is. ------------------ |
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Andy R Prowler Junkie Posts: 760 |
posted 10-05-2001 07:26 AM
Ed, I have had both, cable modem now and Zoomtown at my old house. I like the cable modem better because you are already connected to the network automatically. With the Zoomtown, you have to log on before you connect to the internet. Also with the cable modem, you don't have to block out other equipment on your phone lines, with all of my electronics, they had to put in a dedicated phone line for my Zoomtown rather than block out all of the others!! As far as computer, for what I think you do and for extreme ease of use, seriously consider a MACINTOSH MACINTOSH MACINTOSH. I'd be happy to discusss it with you any time. IMAC ready for cable or zoomtown with CD- $799. With CD-R $999 ------------------ This message has been edited by Andy R on 10-05-2001 at 07:31 AM |
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MeanGene Prowler Junkie Posts: 2407 |
posted 10-05-2001 02:12 PM
Ed, I spoken with you a few times, and I'm really smarter than a bag of hammers! I work in the business - so here is the short list: If the problems you describe are with the performance, have they been there from the start -or- over time: other people messing with your computer, software/hardware upgrades, etc? If from the start then that's a warranty issue. If due to mis-use, then you have two options: 1.keep this one for your little guests and buy a new one (DELL with cable modem) for yourself, with a big DO NOT TOUCH - sign on it! 2. Most newer computers have - restore CD's, in short, restore your computer back to the way they originally came from the factory. Compaq is one of those vendors, check the stuff your computer came in, and look for that CD. The advantage is a "almost" new computer. Please backup any files you NEED, ----- BEFORE you do this! You can then add only the neccessary software upgrades to this machine and try your modem connections again. ------------------ |
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superdanthegarbageman Prowler Junkie Posts: 229 |
posted 10-05-2001 07:26 PM
mean gene.....dell.....cable.....do it...way to go.. ------------------ |
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ed monahan Prowler Junkie Posts: 33595 |
posted 10-06-2001 03:03 AM
Mean Gene, The computer is 2 1/2 or 3 1/2 years old. I don't remember which. NO ONE has ever used it except Sandy and she has the exact same type of computer and she usually is only playing solitaire or reading a little of the POA site. I have had problems off and on but they seem to be getting worse. I have used the restore CD a couple of times. My sound board is screwed up and I have "Call Wave" which is an answering machine software device. If I get a call, it usually seems to get worse after that. Therefore we can eliminate operator error since I never screw up. lol. It does seem to be working better and a little faster after we changed whatever settings she had me change. I will get rid of Prodigy in the near future. I will then see if I still have the problems. Thank you for the help. |
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CJ Prowler Junkie Posts: 18860 |
posted 10-06-2001 07:27 AM
Ed.... I thought you said Sandy NEVERS reads the site? ------------------ Classic/Beautiful - I'm referring to the Cat of course! |
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ed monahan Prowler Junkie Posts: 33595 |
posted 10-06-2001 11:26 AM
She only reads it when I tell her she needs to see what evil deed Andy has done with her photo. |
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catterumpus Prowler Junkie Posts: 563 |
posted 10-06-2001 02:04 PM
I understand how you're confused, Ed. Some others may figure its just you  but I know. I too am confused. My youngest son is a computer support expert and he gets frustrated trying to help me. I do know I am poking along at 56K and its frustrating. We obviously need something faster, but as best I can tell it is either various levels of DSL depending on where you are or a cable modem. The people pitching DSL insist cable is much less secure, and those with the right equipment can watch what you do. Lets hear it from those who are (hopefully) not confused.------------------ |
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MeanGene Prowler Junkie Posts: 2407 |
posted 10-08-2001 09:34 AM
Ed, First of all, with all the sheep you fleece with your wares, you can afford a new computer. Use the old one for an answering machine, games, word processor, paper weight. Second, get the new one with computer support and extended warranty, cable -or- DSL. Go to a Gateway store and have them demo all the features for you, compare, and then choose. Last, get a RED one ,take the "geek" offer and trade services for continued peek performance. You could have the "FASTEST PC" honors on the POA - think about it - FatMan would be jealous, Dan would be calling you, MikeK might want you to help support the website, and CJ and SasyMama could speculate about the future of your new PC. Just kidding! ------------------ |
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ed monahan Prowler Junkie Posts: 33595 |
posted 10-08-2001 10:37 AM
MeanGene, I am leaving right now for Home Depot. I will buy lumber to build you a "doghouse". |
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