New PC

[grim_tales]

Hey,

Soon (very soon) we're going to have a new PC (just ordered it) Its an Inspirion 545MT (I think).

The specs were -
Processor: Intel Core™ 2 Quad-Core Q8300 Processor (2.50GHz, 4MB cache, 1333MHz FSB)

Vista SP1 32 bit

21.5" Full HD W/S Monitor

512MB ATI Radeon HD 4350 graphics card

3072MB Dual Channel DDR2 800MHz [1x2048 + 1x1024] Memory

500GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive

DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)

Will I be able to run most games like Sam and Max, Elder Scrolls IV and Street Fighter IV with it? I might play *some* games on it.
Is there a Ninja Gaiden on PC? I hear IM likes that game.

[IronMonkey]

Ninja Gaiden games are only on consoles.

[grim_tales]

Ah OK Will that run most PC games though (Bioshock or Fallout 3 or something)?
I dont know much about modern PC games

[bradavon]

That looks like a nice PC. I still think you should be waiting until Windows 7 is out now but we've already discussed that. Make sure you'll get a free Windows 7 upgrade DVD. I imagine you will but best to ask the question. You'll want to upgrade come release.

I cannot say about the games as I don't play them any more but I'd imagine so. Those that play up there is always the "Run as Administrator" tick box in the shortcut Properties, it fixes most problems.

If you fund the User Account Control Prompts (trust me you'll soon know what I mean if you don't know), go to www.tweakuac.com and set UAC to Silent Mode. Do NOT switch it off, as many people do. That takes all the security with it.

What Security software are you going to install? I.e - Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware + Firewall. You could use AVG (which has Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware) and use Windows Vista's Firewall. Personally I always disable Vista's AntiSpyware (Windows Defender) as AVG and most other software has it anyway and I don't like the idea of having two AntiSpyware programs running. It wastes resources and is pointless.

[grim_tales]

I think we got McCaffee for 2 years or something installed with it, but not sure
Got to remember to transfer Profiler across too. I've got 2 folders called DVD Profiler now so I'm confused a bit. They need to taken over too I would guess (as well as backing up).

[bradavon]

2 years is surprising, the free throw-in offers tend to be more like 3 months but then if you've paid for it.

Just open DVD Profiler, go to File and Backup. Then on the new PC once installed, go to File and Restore. It couldn't be simpler.

[grim_tales]

The actual program will also have to be transferred too (I guess)

[bradavon]

No, re-read what I said . Backup on old PC, install on new PC and restore. Simple!

[grim_tales]

I've got the premium version though, not the free version.
Or do you mean downloading/installing Profiler again and then restoring?

[bradavon]

You install the Free one and it asks for the code during install. Remember? There is only one setup EXE.

Erm. Yes. As I said .

[grim_tales]

Thanks

[Lourdes]

The 4530 is damn slow, you'd have to use really low settings. It's the weakest link in the computer, the other one is the RAM, another 2GB stick instead of the 1GB would give you dual channel.

[bradavon]

4Gb would mean x64 (at least it should), which shouldn't but can still lead to software problems. Grim what "existing" hardware do you plan to plug into it? If you're going for Windows Vista x64/64-Bit you'll need to check there is 64-Bit drivers for it. You'll see the Vista above is x86/32-bit. All that said it does make sense "future proofing wise" to go x64/64-bit.

Personally I don't put much stock in Dual Channel. It makes so little noticable difference.

I won't comment about the graphics card but I've always found you never get the best with graphics cards included in "out of the box" PCs. To get a better one Grim's parents are going to have to get a much better/more expensive PC too. I doubt Grim will want to fit his own graphics card.

[romerojpg]

You would be better off saying stuff the monitor and just use your new TV when you get it, spend that extra cash towards a superb TV instead I say

[bradavon]

The TV is Grim's, the PC his parents. Grim will just use it. At least that's how I think it will work. Personally I don't like using such a large monitor. Separate monitor all the way.

Besides how do you watch TV and use the PC? No matter how you do it, it's just not the same as two monitors. I have a TV and Monitor in my living room and I'd not have it any other way, until I can put my PC into another room that is.

p.s - Why is it Vista SP1? It should be SP2 now, ask they'll install it for you. Also is it Vista Home Basic or Home Premium? It's very likely to be the latter but you can still buy Vista Home Basic so check. Vista Home Basic isn't eligible for a free Windows 7 upgrade too.

[romerojpg]

Ahh did not see the Parents PC bit

Besides how do you watch TV and use the PC? No matter how you do it, it's just not the same as two monitors. I have a TV and Monitor in my living room and I'd not have it any other way, until I can put my PC into another room that is.

You are forgetting I dont watch TV :mrgreen: News 24 and some online music channels are all I need, you can get most things streamed in HD online now, beats crappy TV anyday.

If I watch DVD's, films and TV shows, I they get my 100% full attention, not pissing about on the net at the same time or with a large screen you can split the screen anyway and still work on the net if need be.

[grim_tales]

That's right Brad, it's basically my going to be my parents PC/the family's (even if it turns out I'm on it most of the time talking to you guys and other friends)
BTW, Vista is Home Premium.
It'll arrive in the next coupla weeks or so.

[bradavon]

You are forgetting I dont watch TV :mrgreen:

You forget, we do .

you can get most things streamed in HD online now

"Streamed" in HD, where?

If I watch DVD's, films and TV shows, I they get my 100% full attention, not pissing about on the net at the same time

Movies or TV shows I like me too but I often have TV on the background too.

with a large screen you can split the screen anyway and still work on the net if need be.

I hate that but fair enough.

BTW, Vista is Home Premium.

Good. It would be very unlikely to be Home Basic. That tends to only get installed on very low spec. PCs. BTW if it does happen to be SP1 (I imagine that's a typo), you can download SP2 here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... c3199ea2b3

Which is worth installing/upgrading to. It take about 20-30 minutes.

[grim_tales]

Thanks If it is SP1 and we don't like it I'll download SP2.

[bradavon]

You don't like it? It's a Service Pack ha ha. Just install it. It's all internal/back end things. You won't notice any differences instantly to judge either way but trust us IT guys when we say you need to install Service Packs but like I said I imagine it will have SP2 on anyway.

[grim_tales]

I'm running the new PC now - we got it set up

[bradavon]

AVG Free 8.5 and Service Pack 2 installed I take it? It's actually better to get SP2 from Windows Update, now found in Control Panel. Make sure you run Windows Update!

Also go to Start and in the new Search box (it will default to this, so just start typing), which replaces "Run". Type:

msconfig

When you're pressed Enter, go to the "Startup" tab and untick anything you know you'll never need.

If in doubt leave it but there's bound to be at least one thing you recognise you don't need running "all the time". The nice thing about MSConfig is anything you untick and wish you hadn't can easily be re-ticked again, also opening the App in question will also re-tick it too. Nothing in there will prevent the PC from loading up. It's all stuff that runs in the background using up resources.

Ignore the other tabs (especially the Services tab, get that wrong and it may not load up). MSConfig also works on XP btw.

Remember to disable Windows Defender too, it's pointless when AVG Free can do it too.

A couple of other points:

* To open Programs quickly, that are found in the Start Menu press the Windows key and start typing the first few letters and then press Enter. You'll see this is a quick way to open programs instead of searching under "All Programs".
* You'll notice My Pictures/My Videos/My Music are now not in My Documents (called Documents on Vista). They have their own folder inside the "Logged in Username" folder:

C:\User\Current Username\Documents
C:\User\Current Username\Videos
C:\User\Current Username\Pictures
C:\User\Current Username\Music

[grim_tales]

Only SP1 running at the mo, for some reason McCaffee is running, it'll run out in September.

[bradavon]

It's a freebie. They do it so you end up paying when it expires and of course most people don't spot it's expired until a few days before. It's standard practice. It will be overpriced and a con.

Go into Control Panel and "Programs and Features" (Add/Remove Programs in XP). Uninstall it and put on AVG Free. Personally I'd do it now, before your Mum panics and pays something silly like £30-40 to renew it. Which is likely the price McCaffee will charge "direct" when it expires. Make sure you uninstall first.

As to SP1. I keep saying go into Control Panel and get SP2 off Windows Update. Whilst SP1 is crucial, SP2 is still an important upgrade for your PC's performance. They really should've put it on for you.

[grim_tales]

I can't find SP2 in Windows Update?