Computer just died... need some advice on a new one?

[mjb765]

Apple's can and will get viruses!!!!  It's just if you were going to write a virus you would want to infect as many people as possible and since PC's outnumber MAC's that what they design the virus to shoot for. With good virus protection you will be fine.

Your PC is dead? It won't turn on at all--usually 1 of 2 things--power supply or motherboard. There are usually lights somewhere on the power supply or the motherboard. If nothing is lit at all anywhere, then I would try a power supply. They are cheap enough if you are wrong. Motherboards are very brand specific and if bought from the manufacturer can be very expensive. Not a good gamble if you are not sure. First thing is to be sure NOTHING is turning on--no fans or lights. If a fan goes on, and you hear the hard drive spin up, but no video, then it could be a vidio card or memory issue.

It's already dead--why not dive in and see if you can figure it out. I'm sure there was a time when you knew very little about cars too......

[brads70]

What about "Vista" operating system? good? bad? I know nothing about it?

[brads70]

Apple's can and will get viruses!!!!  It's just if you were going to write a virus you would want to infect as many people as possible and since PC's outnumber MAC's that what they design the virus to shoot for. With good virus protection you will be fine.

Your PC is dead? It won't turn on at all--usually 1 of 2 things--power supply or motherboard. There are usually lights somewhere on the power supply or the motherboard. If nothing is lit at all anywhere, then I would try a power supply. They are cheap enough if you are wrong. Motherboards are very brand specific and if bought from the manufacturer can be very expensive. Not a good gamble if you are not sure. First thing is to be sure NOTHING is turning on--no fans or lights. If a fan goes on, and you hear the hard drive spin up, but no video, then it could be a vidio card or memory issue.

It's already dead--why not dive in and see if you can figure it out. I'm sure there was a time when you knew very little about cars too......

I suspect the mother board as it does turn on  meaning lights on buttons are on , just no noise with fans or hard drive spinning up

[06Daytona]

What about "Vista" operating system? good? bad? I know nothing about it?

Vista bad, 7 good. Vista had a habit of blue screening and crashing regularly. Win 7 is really stable and quite user friendly.

[72rtchallenger]

What about "Vista" operating system? good? bad? I know nothing about it?

I have vista on my laptop and so far no issues but then again I don't use it allot but seems good

[brads70]

I see a lot of used computers for sale with  Vista on them.....I'm thinking that "says" something?

[72rtchallenger]

I see a lot of used computers for sale with  Vista on them.....I'm thinking that "says" something?

you can always upgrade to windows 7

[msbaugh]

Apple is ahead of the game and that's all there is to it to be honest, you CANT get a virus on a mac, it runs faster, it's way more user friendly, and it's media capabilities blows everything else out of the water.  I've had my mac book pro for close to 4 years now, and I've never had any reliability issues or problems, other than needing to replace the old battery.  If you want to buy an $800 pc go ahead, but 4 years from now, you'll be in the same boat!

Lets put it this way, Apple stock is worth more than Intel and Microsoft combined, there's a reason for it, everything they make is unbelievable, and any compatibility issues or software problems that people have had 10-15 years ago with apple products are pretty much out the window today.  A lot of people are stubborn and stick with PC's because it's what they've used in the past, but once you go MAC you see a huge difference, and you don't go back. 

[msbaugh]

I can argue this all day long, but what it really comes down to is what you're looking for in a computer, what you do and what capabilities you need.  There are some circumstances that a PC might be easier, but for the average Joe Mac computers DO last longer with out the extra problems and DO run better and faster.  However, you pay for it... it's like Dodge Neon vs a BMW of course it cost more

[brads70]

  If you want to buy an $800 pc go ahead, but 4 years from now, you'll be in the same boat!

once you go MAC you see a huge difference, and you don't go back.

That's what the salesmen tell me? I'm leaning towards buying a newer used PC and saving up for an apple system sometime down the road possibly? We'll see what's around used.... We'll see how the wifes new I pad holds up and that gives me time to do some more research on apple stuff.

[cudabeforeIdie]

FWIW,
I use refurb Dell laptops. My last one lasted 7 years, I just got a 'new' one, D610 with all the bells and whistles, for $213 including shipping, its awesome. I use the same guy in upstate CA, very easy to talk to, and he stuffed the new laptop with all my old versions of software so the adjustment curve wasn't very steep. When I started having issues with the 7 year old machine, he really supported me. We had the machine in pieces all over my kitchen table while on the phone, we tried everything to save it. He's a REAL geek and finally diagnosed it with a motherboard failure. New motherboard would have been $175, replacement machine $213, no room for debate. If you're interested, PM me and I'll give you his contact info. Don't know what he has in stock right now, but usually a nice selection of normal machines for users like me as well as very high end machines with nuclear reactors for the real computer pros.

[4Cruizn]

How far are you from the Michigan border?  What system did you have?  Is it worth fixing?  How much memory and storage was in the system?  I think this will help decide if you need to upgrade or not.  I have a $4000 apple in my office at home and to be honest, I think I have used it 3 or 4 times.  I like XP because I can fix just about any issue that arrises and I currently have 35 PC's running this platform that I care for.  My problem is I have 50 people using them that don't care and know very little about computers . . . they just want them to work and will download anything and go anywhere with no concern.   

[TorOrange]

Brad was just wondering if you had a black screen with nothing on it  You can always try a system reformat while trying to boot up, I take it you have XP not sure about the key for xp but for vista it's F11.
All newer comps when vista came out had them, and now it's Win7. I have vista and it SUCKS! Xp forever IF your thinking of buying a used system take a look at newegg again. If you like let me know how much you'd like to spend and if you want a laptop or desktop, I'll look for the best one for the buck. Or you could build one.

[brads70]

Brad was just wondering if you had a black screen with nothing on it  You can always try a system reformat while trying to boot up, I take it you have XP not sure about the key for xp but for vista it's F11.
All newer comps when vista came out had them, and now it's Win7. I have vista and it SUCKS! Xp forever IF your thinking of buying a used system take a look at newegg again. If you like let me know how much you'd like to spend and if you want a laptop or desktop, I'll look for the best one for the buck. Or you could build one.

Just looking at the " newegg" site now. Never heard of it before, they even have a Canadian site too!  Of cource I'd like to spend as little as possible  but around here at Best Buy it's about $800 including extendend warantee and set up?  So many " specs" that are all french to me?  

[brads70]

Looking at this? ..... any thoughts?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883108329CVF