Computer questions

Lord Tim · August 15th, 2006, 01:54 AM

Hey, guys!

We've had a lot of people asking questions about computers (hardware / software / etc.) so here's a thread dedicated to your questions and hopefully you'll get some answers from some of the clever people on the forum here.

-Kalmah- · August 15th, 2006, 02:33 AM

Yay for this thread! I could've made use of it yesterday. Fortunately that problem is solved. But I'm ssure I'll be needing it again.

Anyway, I have a question about cleaning a pc. Is it safe to clean the dust out yourself (as I've been doing) or am I better off taking it to a shop to have it done?

Lord Tim · August 15th, 2006, 02:36 AM

For the motherboard and all of that, just use a feather duster or even a vacuum cleaner (if you're careful!) and you'll be fine.

For the power supply, be VERY careful if you choose to clean that. Do NOT open it though.

Of course, make sure the computer is either unplugged or switched off at the wall because even though it may be powered down, there's still power running through the motherboard.

JausmetalJ · August 15th, 2006, 02:43 AM

Ok, Ill need help in a few months to build a sweet recording/game playing system, with lots of RAM and shit.

Just to forewarn whoever

Cryptor · August 15th, 2006, 02:46 AM

What's the best, or better, brands to look for when it comes to external hard drives of around 300gb?

Lord Tim · August 15th, 2006, 02:51 AM

They're all much the same and EVERY brand can fail (I've lost an equal number of Seagates, WDs and Maxtors. Haven't lost a Fujitsu yet but it's about the same).

For some reason I tend to end up with more Seagates for some reason. Cheap, do the job and just as reliable as anything else I've used.

James - be careful with a combined gaming / audio machine. You can run into all kinds of issues trying to balance a good glitch-free audio machine with a high-powered graphics heavy gaming machine. Each thing will try to be king and something will come off second best, usually the audio side of things.

-Kalmah- · August 15th, 2006, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Tim

For the motherboard and all of that, just use a feather duster or even a vacuum cleaner (if you're careful!) and you'll be fine.

For the power supply, be VERY careful if you choose to clean that. Do NOT open it though.

Of course, make sure the computer is either unplugged or switched off at the wall because even though it may be powered down, there's still power running through the motherboard.

Oh, I always unplug everything first. A vacuum cleaner? I heard using one was bad because it can produce static electricity that may cause damage.

flip` · August 15th, 2006, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Tim

For the motherboard and all of that, just use a feather duster

I don't think a feather duster is a good idea due to the static?

JausmetalJ · August 15th, 2006, 02:55 AM

Hhaha, damn...

Thanks for the heads up though.
How easy is it to run like, two different computers in the one, such as, having all the files between the two, but choosing weather to have the audio on one part, and gaming on another, so they don't clash?

possibly like two different accounts or something.

Lord Tim · August 15th, 2006, 02:55 AM

OK, feather duster is probably a bad term for what I meant!

I meant more of a generic dusting type device, not necessarily something that would create static like that would. Having said that, if you ground yourself while you do it (ie: hang on to the metal casing of the computer) you should be FAIRLY safe even using something that would give off a static charge.

August 15th, 2006, 01:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Lord Tim Proud New ESP Endorsee Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wollongong, Australia Posts: 14,412	Computer questions Hey, guys! We've had a lot of people asking questions about computers (hardware / software / etc.) so here's a thread dedicated to your questions and hopefully you'll get some answers from some of the clever people on the forum here. __________________ 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 15th, 2006, 02:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
-Kalmah- Salon Korpiklaani Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Philadelphia suburbs Posts: 665	Yay for this thread! I could've made use of it yesterday. Fortunately that problem is solved. But I'm ssure I'll be needing it again. Anyway, I have a question about cleaning a pc. Is it safe to clean the dust out yourself (as I've been doing) or am I better off taking it to a shop to have it done? __________________ “Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.” - Charles M. Schulz May 3 Death Angel May 21 Pagan Fest USA June 17 Iron Maiden August 6 Judas Priest Heaven & Hell Motorhead Testament September 23 Helloween/Gamma Ray My Space

August 15th, 2006, 02:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lord Tim Proud New ESP Endorsee Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wollongong, Australia Posts: 14,412	For the motherboard and all of that, just use a feather duster or even a vacuum cleaner (if you're careful!) and you'll be fine. For the power supply, be VERY careful if you choose to clean that. Do NOT open it though. Of course, make sure the computer is either unplugged or switched off at the wall because even though it may be powered down, there's still power running through the motherboard. __________________ 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 15th, 2006, 02:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
JausmetalJ Call Me James Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Aust, VIC, Melbourne Posts: 2,359	Ok, Ill need help in a few months to build a sweet recording/game playing system, with lots of RAM and shit. Just to forewarn whoever __________________ LONG LIVE DUNGEON!

August 15th, 2006, 02:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
Cryptor Cobber Mc Friendly Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Coast, NSW Posts: 2,390	What's the best, or better, brands to look for when it comes to external hard drives of around 300gb? __________________ "Pull the thread... watch it all unwind."

August 15th, 2006, 02:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
Lord Tim Proud New ESP Endorsee Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wollongong, Australia Posts: 14,412	They're all much the same and EVERY brand can fail (I've lost an equal number of Seagates, WDs and Maxtors. Haven't lost a Fujitsu yet but it's about the same). For some reason I tend to end up with more Seagates for some reason. Cheap, do the job and just as reliable as anything else I've used. James - be careful with a combined gaming / audio machine. You can run into all kinds of issues trying to balance a good glitch-free audio machine with a high-powered graphics heavy gaming machine. Each thing will try to be king and something will come off second best, usually the audio side of things. __________________ 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 15th, 2006, 02:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
JausmetalJ Call Me James Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Aust, VIC, Melbourne Posts: 2,359	Hhaha, damn... Thanks for the heads up though. How easy is it to run like, two different computers in the one, such as, having all the files between the two, but choosing weather to have the audio on one part, and gaming on another, so they don't clash? possibly like two different accounts or something. __________________ LONG LIVE DUNGEON!

August 15th, 2006, 02:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
Lord Tim Proud New ESP Endorsee Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Wollongong, Australia Posts: 14,412	OK, feather duster is probably a bad term for what I meant! I meant more of a generic dusting type device, not necessarily something that would create static like that would. Having said that, if you ground yourself while you do it (ie: hang on to the metal casing of the computer) you should be FAIRLY safe even using something that would give off a static charge. __________________ 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 15th, 2006, 02:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
Lord Tim Proud New ESP Endorsee