Oh Dear!

I think I may be in the market for a new computer. It seems my sound card
is now fried. I've looked everywhere to see if my sound has been shut down
by a program but it appears nothing is working. CD's can't be heard etc.
Most of you know the problem I've been having with my mouse double clicking
with only one click...hence, blank posts have been sent instead of just
being opened for a reply. My monitor has always been darker than normal,
but I didn't know that until after the warranty was up. I also have a very
small amount of RAM (128) which won't support the new printer I just bought.
I also had to reformat a year ago and my DVD player never worked again...it
would only play CD's. Of course I was out of warranty and free customer
service by the time I discovered it.
SSSOOOOO I'm thinking I'm in the market for a new computer....what do you
think? Gosh, I dread having to reinstall programs, cable modem,
photos....etc. For those of you who have done this recently what would you
suggest I do to make the process easier? What would you order on a new
computer that perhaps you neglected to think about? My DH has a new Dell at
work that doesn't have any USB ports on the front of the CPU. That's a pain
when connecting a digital camera, etc. Even my old computer has two ports
on the front. I wish someone would have a twofer deal with a desktop and a
laptop. I'd like a laptop for classes, but still need a desktop. Any
recommendations? I'm on my third Gateway (15 years) , my kids have Dells
and that's what the university orders for DH at work. I had big problems
with the tech support on my son's Dell...the techie in India was so busy
trying to get me off the phone and on to the next call that I had to pitch a
fit to get her to address my problem. I've read that Gateway had outsourced
less of their tech support...anyone know?
--
Kathyl
remove "nospam-" before mchsi
http://community.webshots.com/user/kathylquiltz

We replaced by junker computer a year ago. When we purchased it, we also
purchased an external harddrive (Maxtor, of course, since DH works there
grin). We hooked it up to the old computer, moved everything I wanted to
save over to it. So, all my photos, EQ projects, etc are all stored on that
drive. It's now hooked to the new computer and the files are accessible
whenever I want them.

The only thing I have not successfully retrieved (although the files are on
the external drive) are my old emails.
--
Teresa in Colorado

http://home.comcast.net/~treesaquilts
The Presser Foot in Longmont and Fort Collins, Colorado
www.thepresserfoot.com
-

"KJ" wrote in message
news:Qd8Ld.36681$EG1.15921@attbi_s53...
....was out of warranty and free customer
service by the time I discovered it.
SSSOOOOO I'm thinking I'm in the market for a new computer....what do you
think? Gosh, I dread having to reinstall programs, cable modem,
photos....etc. For those of you who have done this recently what would
you
suggest I do to make the process easier? ...

I have had excellent luck with Compaq/Hewlett Packard. Our friends have had
a Dell and a Gateway, and let's just say they hated both of them. The
Gateway was a pile of expensive junk. They had a terrible time with
Technical Support for both Dell and Gateway. Computers are sometimes like
cars, you can get a lemon no matter which brand you choose. My SIL is a
computer junky (Microsoft certified, etc.) and usually builds his own.
However, this last time due to lack of time, he bought a Compaq/HP
computer, and loves it. He goes in and removes all the stuff that Compaq
puts on them for their benefit. DD's husband just changed jobs, and he had
a Dell desktop and a Dell laptop in his office. He asked if that was what
he had to use, and they asked him what he wanted. He told them he would
either build his own, or he wanted a Compaq. They told him to tell them
what he wanted on the desktop and laptop, and they would order him new
Compaq computers. He said all of his group wants new computers. He
convinced his boss to get new computers for everyone under him. They have
been ordered, and should be there this week. His boss said the entire
office would get new computers by the end of the year.

Sherry Starr

"KJ" wrote in message
news:Qd8Ld.36681$EG1.15921@attbi_s53...
I think I may be in the market for a new computer. It seems my sound card
is now fried. I've looked everywhere to see if my sound has been shut
down
by a program but it appears nothing is working. CD's can't be heard etc.
Most of you know the problem I've been having with my mouse double
clicking
with only one click...hence, blank posts have been sent instead of just
being opened for a reply. My monitor has always been darker than normal,
but I didn't know that until after the warranty was up. I also have a
very
small amount of RAM (128) which won't support the new printer I just
bought.
I also had to reformat a year ago and my DVD player never worked
again...it
would only play CD's. Of course I was out of warranty and free customer
service by the time I discovered it.
SSSOOOOO I'm thinking I'm in the market for a new computer....what do you
think? Gosh, I dread having to reinstall programs, cable modem,
photos....etc. For those of you who have done this recently what would
you
suggest I do to make the process easier? What would you order on a new
computer that perhaps you neglected to think about? My DH has a new Dell
at
work that doesn't have any USB ports on the front of the CPU. That's a
pain
when connecting a digital camera, etc. Even my old computer has two ports
on the front. I wish someone would have a twofer deal with a desktop and
a
laptop. I'd like a laptop for classes, but still need a desktop. Any
recommendations? I'm on my third Gateway (15 years) , my kids have Dells
and that's what the university orders for DH at work. I had big problems
with the tech support on my son's Dell...the techie in India was so busy
trying to get me off the phone and on to the next call that I had to pitch
a
fit to get her to address my problem. I've read that Gateway had
outsourced
less of their tech support...anyone know?
--
Kathyl
remove "nospam-" before mchsi
http://community.webshots.com/user/kathylquiltz

That's interesting! I'll have to look into them. Seems like they are sold
at Sam's Club, but I'm hesitant to buy from there for no particular reason.
Gut feeling, I guess. Do they have their own tech support?



"Sherry Starr" wrote in message
...
I have had excellent luck with Compaq/Hewlett Packard. Our friends have
had
a Dell and a Gateway, and let's just say they hated both of them. The
Gateway was a pile of expensive junk. They had a terrible time with
Technical Support for both Dell and Gateway. Computers are sometimes like
cars, you can get a lemon no matter which brand you choose. My SIL is a
computer junky (Microsoft certified, etc.) and usually builds his own.
However, this last time due to lack of time, he bought a Compaq/HP
computer, and loves it. He goes in and removes all the stuff that Compaq
puts on them for their benefit. DD's husband just changed jobs, and he
had
a Dell desktop and a Dell laptop in his office. He asked if that was what
he had to use, and they asked him what he wanted. He told them he would
either build his own, or he wanted a Compaq. They told him to tell them
what he wanted on the desktop and laptop, and they would order him new
Compaq computers. He said all of his group wants new computers. He
convinced his boss to get new computers for everyone under him. They have
been ordered, and should be there this week. His boss said the entire
office would get new computers by the end of the year.

Sherry Starr

"KJ" wrote in message
news:Qd8Ld.36681$EG1.15921@attbi_s53...
I think I may be in the market for a new computer. It seems my sound
card
is now fried. I've looked everywhere to see if my sound has been shut
down
by a program but it appears nothing is working. CD's can't be heard
etc.
Most of you know the problem I've been having with my mouse double
clicking
with only one click...hence, blank posts have been sent instead of just
being opened for a reply. My monitor has always been darker than
normal,
but I didn't know that until after the warranty was up. I also have a
very
small amount of RAM (128) which won't support the new printer I just
bought.
I also had to reformat a year ago and my DVD player never worked
again...it
would only play CD's. Of course I was out of warranty and free customer
service by the time I discovered it.
SSSOOOOO I'm thinking I'm in the market for a new computer....what do
you
think? Gosh, I dread having to reinstall programs, cable modem,
photos....etc. For those of you who have done this recently what would
you
suggest I do to make the process easier? What would you order on a new
computer that perhaps you neglected to think about? My DH has a new
Dell
at
work that doesn't have any USB ports on the front of the CPU. That's a
pain
when connecting a digital camera, etc. Even my old computer has two
ports
on the front. I wish someone would have a twofer deal with a desktop
and
a
laptop. I'd like a laptop for classes, but still need a desktop. Any
recommendations? I'm on my third Gateway (15 years) , my kids have
Dells
and that's what the university orders for DH at work. I had big
problems
with the tech support on my son's Dell...the techie in India was so busy
trying to get me off the phone and on to the next call that I had to
pitch
a
fit to get her to address my problem. I've read that Gateway had
outsourced
less of their tech support...anyone know?
--
Kathyl
remove "nospam-" before mchsi
http://community.webshots.com/user/kathylquiltz

That's just the kind of information I'm looking for. Thanks!
"Teresa in Colorado" wrote in message
...
We replaced by junker computer a year ago. When we purchased it, we also
purchased an external harddrive (Maxtor, of course, since DH works there
grin). We hooked it up to the old computer, moved everything I wanted
to
save over to it. So, all my photos, EQ projects, etc are all stored on
that
drive. It's now hooked to the new computer and the files are accessible
whenever I want them.

The only thing I have not successfully retrieved (although the files are
on
the external drive) are my old emails.
--
Teresa in Colorado

http://home.comcast.net/~treesaquilts
The Presser Foot in Longmont and Fort Collins, Colorado
www.thepresserfoot.com
-

"KJ" wrote in message
news:Qd8Ld.36681$EG1.15921@attbi_s53...
...was out of warranty and free customer
service by the time I discovered it.
SSSOOOOO I'm thinking I'm in the market for a new computer....what do
you
think? Gosh, I dread having to reinstall programs, cable modem,
photos....etc. For those of you who have done this recently what would
you
suggest I do to make the process easier? ...

We have gotten our last several computers from local dealers who build
to request. Tech support is immediate and fast. You may want to look
in your yellow pages for possibilities.

Mary

When I bought a new computer last year, I bought a 128mb flash drive. It
plugs into the USB port. I found it really useful to move data from the
old computer to the new one. I'd plug it into the old computer, copy a
bunch of data, plug it into the new computer, and copy it over. It
really worked well.

I would definitely look for a couple of USB ports on the front. I bought
a flat panel monitor; I really like that, too. I ordered mine online
from ibm.com. I've always had IBM and never had any need to use customer
support. Of course, I'm a retired IBM software engineer, so I got a
price break and although I didn't work on PCs, it probably helps to be
somewhat computer savvy.

One advantage to buying online is that you don't have to deal with sales
people that try to sell you more than you need. I had decided how much
computer I wanted, then went to Best Buy and Gateway. Both tried to sell
me more than I needed. So I ordered online.

Julia in MN
--
This message has been scanned for viruses by Norton Anti-Virus

http://webpages.charter.net/jaccola/

I have a dell - I love it ...it does have 2 usb's in the front. However, if
you find one that doesn't - they sell something (at most stores ie Target)
called a usb hub. It plugs into a usb port in the back of your computer and
usually has several ports in it. I have one - it sits right on my desk and
has 4 ports. I bought it because I have a zillion things that have usb
connections lol

I agree that the customer service at Dell leaves much to be desired. I am
greatful that I had a Dell for one reason, My computer stopped working all
of the sudden - all sorts of funky problems. After several hours (blech) on
the phone they had a tech come work on my computer - after a few tries - it
was repaired - at no cost to me. Everything in my computer was replaced -
all of the drives etc. Now, it was a good deal for me - but it was due to
Dell being stubborn. The tech knew it was the mother board and they kept
telling him to replace this or that first...

Ok - so not such a good sales pitch for Dell LOL but hey maybe the usb hub
will be good info for you

Roberta (in MD)


"KJ" wrote in message
news:Qd8Ld.36681$EG1.15921@attbi_s53...
I think I may be in the market for a new computer. It seems my sound card
is now fried. I've looked everywhere to see if my sound has been shut
down
by a program but it appears nothing is working. CD's can't be heard etc.
Most of you know the problem I've been having with my mouse double
clicking
with only one click...hence, blank posts have been sent instead of just
being opened for a reply. My monitor has always been darker than normal,
but I didn't know that until after the warranty was up. I also have a
very
small amount of RAM (128) which won't support the new printer I just
bought.
I also had to reformat a year ago and my DVD player never worked
again...it
would only play CD's. Of course I was out of warranty and free customer
service by the time I discovered it.
SSSOOOOO I'm thinking I'm in the market for a new computer....what do you
think? Gosh, I dread having to reinstall programs, cable modem,
photos....etc. For those of you who have done this recently what would
you
suggest I do to make the process easier? What would you order on a new
computer that perhaps you neglected to think about? My DH has a new Dell
at
work that doesn't have any USB ports on the front of the CPU. That's a
pain
when connecting a digital camera, etc. Even my old computer has two ports
on the front. I wish someone would have a twofer deal with a desktop and
a
laptop. I'd like a laptop for classes, but still need a desktop. Any
recommendations? I'm on my third Gateway (15 years) , my kids have Dells
and that's what the university orders for DH at work. I had big problems
with the tech support on my son's Dell...the techie in India was so busy
trying to get me off the phone and on to the next call that I had to pitch
a
fit to get her to address my problem. I've read that Gateway had
outsourced
less of their tech support...anyone know?
--
Kathyl
remove "nospam-" before mchsi
http://community.webshots.com/user/kathylquiltz

Kathy,

I use a Dell Inspiron 9100 laptop and it has been pretty darn
wonderful -- but it doesn't have USB ports in the front. (I use a USB
splitter that comes around the side, so that's how I solve that
problem.)

I have had terrible, terrible, TERRIBLE luck with Sony Vaios, and
strongly urge anyone to think twice and do hours of research before
purchasing one. Two of the ones we've had in the family -- two
separate Vaio models, mind you -- have hardware problems that cause
the computer to crash without warning. It's a design problem, the
replacing parts doesn't help, Sony won't support it or offer help, and
there are a whole lot of really cranky Vaio owners out there who
essentially own $2,000 doorstops.

Good luck!


Karen Johnson

http://www.dabukar.com

Hi Kathyl

You might want to check the Hewlett-Packard brand. Very stable and
relatively inexpensive. If you have a CompUSA in your area, they have a
good selection at great prices. I've had two and been very pleased with
both. Good luck

kitty in phx

"KJ" wrote in message
news:Qd8Ld.36681$EG1.15921@attbi_s53...
I think I may be in the market for a new computer. It seems my sound card
is now fried.
snip