docta13

cool, that's what I thought I'd have to do. What kind of specifics should I look for in purchasing this PCI card? Do I have to look for compatibility issues, and is it a fairly easy install?

I am working with a computer right now that has only USB 1.1 slots on it. What is the best route to take to upgrade this computer to USB 2.0? Thanks!

Yea i'm just talking about using a re-install cd that comes with all operating systems. I just want to figure out for sure if using my gateway XP cd on her computer will work ok. And if I did use MY Cd, could I still enter HER XP license number that's printed on the side of the machine? I'd like to find out if I can go ahead and do all this.....and last resort would be to go ahead and try and contact Dell for their CD's (since that stuff isn't free anymore with them).

Ok, here is the situation: I am about to reformat my girlfriend's Dell Dimension desktop (she currently has XP Home installed). The only problem is that she doesn't have the XP CD that came with her computer. Now currently, I have XP Home installed on my Gateway computer, and I still have the OS CD for that. My question is, would it be possible to use this Gateway XP CD to go ahead and install XP Home on her Dell computer? The only problems I can think of are as follows: 1) Gateway may have customized MY XP cd to THEIR specifications (i.e. special applications) and would not really work well with a Dell. 2) If I tried to install XP on her computer with my Gateway cd, I have to input the serial number that came with my computer for it to work, correct? And at what point would I input her valid XP serial number? 3) Just for the heck of it I ran my Gateway Cd on her computer and did a compatibility check with her system....and it said it wasn't compatible with the current version of XP that was running because mine was an older version. That is all I can think of.....can you please help me out with this situation so I can figure out how to install XP on her computer? thanks!

Sorry for bringing this old thread back to life, but there are a few issues I want to iron out before I go about purchasing my UPS. I need this UPS mainly just for a PC (2.66 ghz CPU, 1 gb RAM) and a 17" LCD. I've tried using APC's UPS selector online but it gives me varying options as far as what strength UPS I need to buy. I hear I need at least one with a 500VA rating.....would this be sufficient for my needs? And how long would the battery generally last? I don't want to buy something where I'll just need to replace the battery in a year. I also heard that instead of buying a UPS and having to replace the batteries at some point....to just go ahead and buy a more powerful surge protector, since all I am really trying to do with this equipment is prevent a power surge that will hurt the insides of my computer. What route do you think I should go?

thanks everyone......issue documented and completed.......thread closed ha!

I am going to reformat a Dell computer for a friend of mine, but she doesn't have the XP reinstall CD (she has the Home edition) or the Drivers CD. I figure I can get around this pretty easy but I just wanted to make sure. Would I be able to reinstall XP by using any copy of Windows XP Home edition, even if it's not from Dell? and also, since she doesn't have the Drivers CD, I could probably just use her service tag number to log into Dell's support center and find all the necessary drivers there, correct? thanks!

factory default for WEP is set at disabled. I tried configuring it the other day and implementing my owen WEP key, but after I applied that....my internet went down at the AP location computer

I just set up a wireless network at my house that has one AP and one client. I know WEP is a very basic form of encryption for a wireless setup, but is it worth setting up at home? I mean do I really need to be THAT secure at home, and be willing to lose 20-50% of my connection speed just to feel that my internet connection is not accessible to nearby hackers? Really, should I worry about anyone in my neighborhood intercepting my data?

Yea definitely a good idea in suggesting to use a UPS for all major home electronics....but I'm most concerned about my PC. And for the money reason, I am looking to only get one for my PC at the moment. I was looking at newegg and found some decent prices. But what I really need to know is what is the minimum VA rating I should be looking at for using a UPS on a modern PC? Basically I just want the best bang for the buck sort of thing, because I honestly really do care about maintaining my computer.....otherwise I wouldn't even be inquiring about a UPS oh and I had one other question about using a UPS. I know that a UPS saves your computer from a burning up its internals in a power outage, and it only keeps your computer on for a matter of minutes. But if you aren't there during the power outtage, what if the UPS runs out of power? what will it do then? Will it safely shut of your computer and prevent any damage? Because I want to make sure the whole point of a UPS is to prevent any power surge damage EVER....

I don't know much about using a UPS on a computer, but I do know that is good for protecting your PC from power surges and whatnot. Does anyone here have any experience with using a UPS and is worth buying? Thanks!

hmmmm sounds like the extreme there my friend.....I hope you don't fry your computer haha

I have been looking for a good reg cleaner and am new to CCleaner. How often do you suggest running CCleaner? I noticed that I clicked analyze and it found and cleaned 16 MB of crap. Then I surfed the internet for like 15 minutes and scanned again and it was already back up to 12 MB. So how useful is this program if all those unwanted files build back up so quickly? Also, are there any things I should consider NOT analyzing and cleaning? I really would like to save my passwords and autoform entries, but is that safe?

I'm running XP and I've seen a lot of debate over many different forums about what to do with your computer when you aren't using it. Personally I am not a big fan of turning off my computer every day....instead I usually only completely power down about once a week. I often have AIM on during the day and at night I like to put it in a powered down state. I've read that hibernate is the safest method to use when you know that you are powering down for an extended period of time, and that stand-by should only be used for a matter of an hour or two. Can you guys give me any insight as to how often I should completely shut off my computer and and if/when I should use hibernate or stand-by for certain? I just wanted to make sure I'm treating my baby correctly!