Computer questions - Page 63

Mean Machine · August 5th, 2008, 11:41 PM

Our last router (a cheap D-link one) was shit and dropped out non-stop, so we ended up running cables down the hallway of the house. But a few months back, when we got a new laptop we needed to get wireless, so we got a Belkin N1 Wireless Router. It was a bit pricey (I have a feeling it was around the $250 mark), but it has been working PERFECTLY since. It's almost always high-very high on both the second PC and the laptop, even when at the opposite end of the house or out in the backyard, and it's never dropped out while we've been using it. Well worth the money.

Lord Tim · August 6th, 2008, 12:35 AM

I've had better luck with cheap TP-Link stuff than D-Link!

But yes, the better the router, the better the stability for sure. Just make sure your security is locked down, and you have decent wireless cards in your machines too. I definitely recommend Belkin for that as well.

bsercombe · August 6th, 2008, 12:52 AM

I've had no complaints with belkin- using PCMCIA, PCI and wireless routers of multiple generations. So saying I still use wires for the computers near the router. Why cripple your maximum bandwidth potential says I? But then again, I regularly mirror 70+Gb of data between some of my computers.

Lord Tim · August 6th, 2008, 12:55 AM

Agree... wires are still better at this stage if you can deal with them.

Are there gigabit routers out yet?

bsercombe · August 6th, 2008, 05:12 AM

Linksys are selling a 6 port gigabit switch for about A$100 here in Singapore. It is wired only though- I can't see any wireless router+gigabit wired switch combos yet. The online doco for the shop I'm looking at is pretty spartan though.

cro4eva · August 6th, 2008, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDenimRager

Mr Jozo - 2nd hand furniture places are pretty good but also try op-shops - some suburban ones have fucking excellent furniture sections with everything from Ottomans to big fuckoff entertainment units.
Most of the bigger op shop organisations have warehouse stores here and there too which are like an op shop but in a warehouse and with a particular emphasis on furniture. The Salvos' one is at Tempe, word has it the Smith Family has one at Surry Hills and I'd be very surprised if Vinnies or someone didn't have one out west.
Oh, and if you need a hand moving it I know this dude who has a really sexy van.

Cheers dude, I will have a look around for a while though. I need one really specific and it is hard to come by.

I have a wireless router for everything now, I got a 'billion' modem and it works great. I rarely get any drop outs, you get the occasional one but it doesn't bother me to much. I use it for 3 computers and PS3 and I got no problems with it. But if I had the option I would go wired.

TheDenimRager · August 7th, 2008, 09:19 AM

All the RAM chips you put into a computer have to be the same size, yes?

Rick · August 7th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Do you mean dimensions (area) or capacity of the actual RAM? Dimension - Yes, Capacity - No.

bsercombe · August 7th, 2008, 10:59 PM

It depends. Some older computers (and servers in particular) did need matched size pairs but if you had four slots you could have two matched pairs of two different sizes. You probably already know that RAM has different speed ratings too. Not all is as it seems though as you can in certain circumstances put RAM into a computer that is faster than it is rated for. Overclockers sometimes do this.

In most computers you are likely to have bought for personal use in the last 5 years, Rick is correct.

TheDenimRager · August 7th, 2008, 11:42 PM

Its a Celeron 566...

bsercombe · August 8th, 2008, 04:07 AM

Its really the motherboard rather than the CPU that will determine what kind of RAM you need. I had a look at a couple of Mobos that support 566 Celerons and you're most probably in the PC-100 or PC-133 SDRAM world there... circa year 2000. If you can tell me the make and model of your mobo, or if it is a name brand PC what the make and model is I can give you more specific details on what RAM it will support if you no longer have the manual. How many of what size chip have you got in it now?

If this is indeed the right ram for your machine you're looking at about A$50 per 512Mb chip which I think is as big as they came.

Your mobo might also be limited as to the max RAM it can support. PC133 SDRAM will work in a PC100 slot but it will only work at the lower speed. Furthermore I wouldn't mix PC100 and PC133- I don't know FOR SURE that they won't work together but it doesn't smell like a good idea to me!

I've never fried any RAM- usually you get either error beeps when you boot up or the comp never initialises the video display if the RAM you put in fits in the slot but is actually incompatible with the MOBO.

August 5th, 2008, 11:41 PM	#1551 (permalink)
Mean Machine Happy Little Boozer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,890	Our last router (a cheap D-link one) was shit and dropped out non-stop, so we ended up running cables down the hallway of the house. But a few months back, when we got a new laptop we needed to get wireless, so we got a Belkin N1 Wireless Router. It was a bit pricey (I have a feeling it was around the $250 mark), but it has been working PERFECTLY since. It's almost always high-very high on both the second PC and the laptop, even when at the opposite end of the house or out in the backyard, and it's never dropped out while we've been using it. Well worth the money. __________________ www.metalobsession.net www.myspace.com/metobsession

August 6th, 2008, 12:35 AM	#1552 (permalink)
Lord Tim Proud New ESP Endorsee Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wollongong, Australia Posts: 14,682	I've had better luck with cheap TP-Link stuff than D-Link! But yes, the better the router, the better the stability for sure. Just make sure your security is locked down, and you have decent wireless cards in your machines too. I definitely recommend Belkin for that as well. __________________ LORD: website . UM forum . MySpace NEW ALBUM "ASCENDENCE" - OUT NOW IN AUS & JAPAN! Got the hunger but we're wanting more Forever reaching higher Remember what we're fighting for The writing on the wall is Set In Stone

August 6th, 2008, 12:52 AM	#1553 (permalink)
bsercombe Senile Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,210	I've had no complaints with belkin- using PCMCIA, PCI and wireless routers of multiple generations. So saying I still use wires for the computers near the router. Why cripple your maximum bandwidth potential says I? But then again, I regularly mirror 70+Gb of data between some of my computers. __________________ Beg for your life as you're torn from your ivory tower...

August 6th, 2008, 12:55 AM	#1554 (permalink)
Lord Tim Proud New ESP Endorsee Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wollongong, Australia Posts: 14,682	Agree... wires are still better at this stage if you can deal with them. Are there gigabit routers out yet? __________________ LORD: website . UM forum . MySpace NEW ALBUM "ASCENDENCE" - OUT NOW IN AUS & JAPAN! Got the hunger but we're wanting more Forever reaching higher Remember what we're fighting for The writing on the wall is Set In Stone

August 6th, 2008, 05:12 AM	#1555 (permalink)
bsercombe Senile Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,210	Linksys are selling a 6 port gigabit switch for about A$100 here in Singapore. It is wired only though- I can't see any wireless router+gigabit wired switch combos yet. The online doco for the shop I'm looking at is pretty spartan though. __________________ Beg for your life as you're torn from your ivory tower...

August 7th, 2008, 09:19 AM	#1557 (permalink)
TheDenimRager Major Rager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Under the Southern Cross Posts: 5,375	All the RAM chips you put into a computer have to be the same size, yes? __________________ -~~~- I care not though I live but a day, If my name and my fame are a power forever. -~~~-

August 7th, 2008, 09:56 AM	#1558 (permalink)
Rick Beaver Is God. Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wagga, Australia............ Posts: 4,684	Do you mean dimensions (area) or capacity of the actual RAM? Dimension - Yes, Capacity - No. __________________ "Drugs aren't just done by bad guys and sleaze-bags; it's a universal disease..." - River Pheonix - rip "Using no way; As way." - Bruce Lee - rip "Your gonna die, someone'll kill ya, someone'll kill you with a knife. Make sure you abs.. are ah freakin ripped; you got some good guns, you wanna look good for when you get stabbed by a knife... Sorry that's how it works." - Carl.

August 7th, 2008, 10:59 PM	#1559 (permalink)
bsercombe Senile Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,210	It depends. Some older computers (and servers in particular) did need matched size pairs but if you had four slots you could have two matched pairs of two different sizes. You probably already know that RAM has different speed ratings too. Not all is as it seems though as you can in certain circumstances put RAM into a computer that is faster than it is rated for. Overclockers sometimes do this. In most computers you are likely to have bought for personal use in the last 5 years, Rick is correct. __________________ Beg for your life as you're torn from your ivory tower...

August 7th, 2008, 11:42 PM	#1560 (permalink)
TheDenimRager Major Rager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Under the Southern Cross Posts: 5,375	Its a Celeron 566... __________________ -~~~- I care not though I live but a day, If my name and my fame are a power forever. -~~~-

August 8th, 2008, 04:07 AM	#1561 (permalink)
bsercombe Senile Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,210	Its really the motherboard rather than the CPU that will determine what kind of RAM you need. I had a look at a couple of Mobos that support 566 Celerons and you're most probably in the PC-100 or PC-133 SDRAM world there... circa year 2000. If you can tell me the make and model of your mobo, or if it is a name brand PC what the make and model is I can give you more specific details on what RAM it will support if you no longer have the manual. How many of what size chip have you got in it now? If this is indeed the right ram for your machine you're looking at about A$50 per 512Mb chip which I think is as big as they came. Your mobo might also be limited as to the max RAM it can support. PC133 SDRAM will work in a PC100 slot but it will only work at the lower speed. Furthermore I wouldn't mix PC100 and PC133- I don't know FOR SURE that they won't work together but it doesn't smell like a good idea to me! I've never fried any RAM- usually you get either error beeps when you boot up or the comp never initialises the video display if the RAM you put in fits in the slot but is actually incompatible with the MOBO. __________________ Beg for your life as you're torn from your ivory tower...