Re: OT computer problems.

[alban bernard]

--- On Sat, 6/9/12, P. J. Alling  wrote:

From: P. J. Alling 
Subject: Re: OT computer problems.
To: "Pentax-Discuss Mail List" 
Date: Saturday, June 9, 2012, 8:45 PM

I don't think it's actually spinning up but the electronics are good enough for 
the bios to think there's a drive installed.  I'll give it a try though nothing 
to lose really.

Paul Sorenson wrote:
> Does the drive spin up?  If it does, you could try a kit to go from the drive 
> to USB to see if it still can read data.  If so, you should be able to 
> recover what seems to be lost.  Cost for the adapter kit is about 30 bucks.
> 
> You could also try booting with Knoppix from a live CD to see if your data on 
> the drive is recoverable.  Of course, you'd have to reinstall the "dead" 
> drive again to use Knoppix for data recovery.
> 
> Both of those tools have saved my butt a couple times.
> 
> http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
> 
> -p
> 
> On 6/9/2012 10:12 AM, P. J. Alling wrote:
>> So this morning the laptop won't boot. Narrowed the problem down to the
>> hard drive, mainly by removing the upgrade and putting the old tiny hard
>> drive back. Now everything I've not backed up in the last 6 months is
>> gone. Ok nothing much important except the PDML and a bunch of Firefox
>> bookmarks, but still a PITA. At least the WesternDigital RMA process was
>> relatively painless. Now to just hear from them about a shipping
>> question, I wonder how long that will take.
>> 
> 

I'm a bit curious about what led the drive not to spin up. FYI, there is a 
feature called "Power-up in standby" that prevents the disk to spin up on boot. 
Perhaps, an upgrade or program misuses led to trigger the wrong command 
unfortunately. If the hdd is stuck in stand-by, then this could mean that 
neither the laptop motherboard nor the OS trigger the "wakeup" command on boot. 
AFAIK, only recent hardware and OS support this feature while most hdd have 
supported it for a longer time (mostly a server feature).

You could try to reconfigure the disk not to use the "Power-up in standby" 
feature. Note that, it is hard to find USB controllers that forward low level 
hard disk drive command. Typically, S.M.A.R.T. and "Power-up in standby" 
features are rarely available with 30 bucks usb to hdd controllers. Better try 
using a zalman zm ve200/ve300 enclosure or perhaps usb 3 enclosures for that 
(but with a few more bucks), or even better plug your hdd to a free ide/sata 
port (the best solution to me).

just some links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-up_in_standby
http://reboot.pro/16267/
http://www.sysresccd.org/SystemRescueCd_Homepage
http://www.gnu.org/software/ddrescue/manual/ddrescue_manual.html




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Re: OT computer problems.

[P. J. Alling]

I don't think it's actually spinning up but the electronics are good 
enough for the bios to think there's a drive installed.  I'll give it a 
try though nothing to lose really.


Paul Sorenson wrote:
Does the drive spin up?  If it does, you could try a kit to go from 
the drive to USB to see if it still can read data.  If so, you should 
be able to recover what seems to be lost.  Cost for the adapter kit is 
about 30 bucks.


You could also try booting with Knoppix from a live CD to see if your 
data on the drive is recoverable.  Of course, you'd have to reinstall 
the "dead" drive again to use Knoppix for data recovery.


Both of those tools have saved my butt a couple times.

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html

-p

On 6/9/2012 10:12 AM, P. J. Alling wrote:

So this morning the laptop won't boot. Narrowed the problem down to the
hard drive, mainly by removing the upgrade and putting the old tiny hard
drive back. Now everything I've not backed up in the last 6 months is
gone. Ok nothing much important except the PDML and a bunch of Firefox
bookmarks, but still a PITA. At least the WesternDigital RMA process was
relatively painless. Now to just hear from them about a shipping
question, I wonder how long that will take.






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Re: OT computer problems.

[Paul Sorenson]

Does the drive spin up?  If it does, you could try a kit to go from the 
drive to USB to see if it still can read data.  If so, you should be 
able to recover what seems to be lost.  Cost for the adapter kit is 
about 30 bucks.


You could also try booting with Knoppix from a live CD to see if your 
data on the drive is recoverable.  Of course, you'd have to reinstall 
the "dead" drive again to use Knoppix for data recovery.


Both of those tools have saved my butt a couple times.

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html

-p

On 6/9/2012 10:12 AM, P. J. Alling wrote:

So this morning the laptop won't boot. Narrowed the problem down to the
hard drive, mainly by removing the upgrade and putting the old tiny hard
drive back. Now everything I've not backed up in the last 6 months is
gone. Ok nothing much important except the PDML and a bunch of Firefox
bookmarks, but still a PITA. At least the WesternDigital RMA process was
relatively painless. Now to just hear from them about a shipping
question, I wonder how long that will take.



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OT computer problems.

[P. J. Alling]

So this morning the laptop won't boot.  Narrowed the problem down to the 
hard drive, mainly by removing the upgrade and putting the old tiny hard 
drive back.  Now everything I've not backed up in the last 6 months is 
gone.  Ok nothing much important except the PDML and a bunch of Firefox 
bookmarks,  but still a PITA.  At least the WesternDigital RMA process 
was relatively painless.  Now to just hear from them about a shipping 
question, I wonder how long that will take.


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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[mike wilson]

graywolf wrote:

> what? 6 years. That is just getting warmed up. Mine tend to evolve until 
> you can no longer get a mother board that will fit. One of the reasons I 
> do that is because the old cases/power-suppies/etc seem to be better 
> built than the throw away stuff nowadays. However I do see in my latest 
> catalogs that a new motherboard profile is just coming in (no, I have 
> not researched this yet), so I would check that your new computer uses 
> that, or wait a few months and get one that does. No use buying 
> something that is not going to be upgradeable in the near future.

Computer fairs are your friend.  Still see 486s occasionally.  Usually 
about £10/base unit.

> 
> 
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
>>In a message dated 12/8/2006 8:43:17 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
>>[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>>You could do things this way but there wouldn't need to be two of
>>everything like that. You could either use a KVM switch
>>(keyboard/video/mouse switch) or if the old desktop has XP (or
>>possibly win2000?) use the "Remote Desktop Connection" feature of
>>Windows.
>>But the previous method is porbably simpler and leaves less clutter.
>>
>>Eric.
>>
>>Thanks. ;-) Yeah, that makes more sense than any networking setup.
>>
>>I think I just hate to trash the tower because over the years I have added so 
>>many upgrades, new drives, etc. -- i.e. the money I have put into it. :-)
>>
>>Oh, well, time for a whole new system. Computers don't last forever. This one 
>>has gone six years plus, not bad at all really.
>>
>>Marnie :-)
>>
> 
> 


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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[P. J. Alling]

Before you trash the tower, you might look into replacing the drive 
cables.  Many :"mother board" and hard drive problems can be traced to 
bad cables.

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> In a message dated 12/8/2006 8:28:02 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> If there is room in the new tower, put them in, otherwise use an 
> external box and go in fia a USB connection.
>
> William Robb
> ===
> Probably the best way. Sort of hate to trash the old tower, but I can pull 
> the 3.5 drive and an extra DVD drive out of it too. Once all that is out not 
> much point in keeping it. :-) I suspect the motherboard is developing a 
> problem 
> anyway. 
>
> Thanks, Marnie 
>
>   


-- 
Things should be made as simple as possible -- but no simpler.
--Albert Einstein



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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[graywolf]

Strangely, I hear this all the time, but my Belkin has been bopping 
along with no problems (knock on wood).


[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> In a message dated 12/8/2006 1:14:21 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> I bought Netgear router and adaptor cards, used the supplied software 
> and was up and running with a wireless network in less than 30 minutes. 
>   Took about another 30 to fine tune and apply security.  I had a few 
> weeks gained expertise with some defective Belkin gear first, though. 
> Windows networking is reknowned for its uselessness.
> 
> If I Network again, I will try that. I was using Belkin too, and problems, 
> problems, problems.
> 
> Marnie aka Doe :-)
> 

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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[graywolf]

what? 6 years. That is just getting warmed up. Mine tend to evolve until 
you can no longer get a mother board that will fit. One of the reasons I 
do that is because the old cases/power-suppies/etc seem to be better 
built than the throw away stuff nowadays. However I do see in my latest 
catalogs that a new motherboard profile is just coming in (no, I have 
not researched this yet), so I would check that your new computer uses 
that, or wait a few months and get one that does. No use buying 
something that is not going to be upgradeable in the near future.



[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> In a message dated 12/8/2006 8:43:17 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> You could do things this way but there wouldn't need to be two of
> everything like that. You could either use a KVM switch
> (keyboard/video/mouse switch) or if the old desktop has XP (or
> possibly win2000?) use the "Remote Desktop Connection" feature of
> Windows.
> But the previous method is porbably simpler and leaves less clutter.
> 
> Eric.
> 
> Thanks. ;-) Yeah, that makes more sense than any networking setup.
> 
> I think I just hate to trash the tower because over the years I have added so 
> many upgrades, new drives, etc. -- i.e. the money I have put into it. :-)
> 
> Oh, well, time for a whole new system. Computers don't last forever. This one 
> has gone six years plus, not bad at all really.
> 
> Marnie :-)
> 

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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Eactivist]

In a message dated 12/8/2006 1:14:21 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I bought Netgear router and adaptor cards, used the supplied software 
and was up and running with a wireless network in less than 30 minutes. 
  Took about another 30 to fine tune and apply security.  I had a few 
weeks gained expertise with some defective Belkin gear first, though. 
Windows networking is reknowned for its uselessness.

If I Network again, I will try that. I was using Belkin too, and problems, 
problems, problems.

Marnie aka Doe :-)

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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Eactivist]

Okay, I went to Fry's and got an HP AMD 64x2 4600 and a pretty good Nec 
Multisync LCD monitor. I also got an additional SATA 500 gig drive to stick in 
(it 
has 320 already), and two external drive powered cases to put my old drives 
in. What with warranties and all, it still cost a pretty penny. :-) I almost 
got 
an Intel Duo Core, but the Fry's guy pointed this one out and said it was 
only marginally slower, but a whole $500+ cheaper. 

I held off on a video card upgrade, because I didn't know what I was doing 
and it already has an NVida card.

So it's good to read in this thread what people recommend. I'll try this out 
first, but now I know what to upgrade to if I decide to upgrade the video card.

Probably going to take me two days to get up and running, because I am going 
to reformat the primary drive and get rid of the Media Center and go with XP 
Pro (for programming).

Thanks to everyone for their input.

Marnie aka Doe :-)

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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[mike wilson]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Anyone have a recommendation on how to copy files from my old hard drives to 
> a new hard drive? I used to do it in the bad old days with a parallel cable 
> between two computers. Must be an easier way now.

Take the old drive out and connect it as a slave to the new machine, if 
you are going that route.

> 
> And/or how do I make the drives in the current desktop, back up drives for 
> new desk top? I have an 80 gig drive and a 200 gig drive that seem okay. It 
> seems more a motherboard problem and speed problem. Frankly it seems more an 
> AOL 
> problem, but it's a good time for me to upgrade anyway.

As above.  You just take them out and install them.  There should be 
enough cabling and plugs to at least put one in.  Swap the jumpers at 
the back of the drive to make it a slave and then fire the machine up. 
BIOS from about the last ten years should recognise the disk.  If not, 
you might have to enter the BIOS and tell it what's there.  All the info 
you need should be on the disk label.  Unless you've bought some 
_really_ cheap crap.  8-) I suspect that would not still be working.

> 
> I don't particularly want to network the current desktop, because as far as I 
> understand then I would have to have two monitors, two keyboards, and two 
> mice. Unless I can network just the tower. 
> 
> And frankly I had a heck of a time networking my desktop and laptop together 
> in a wireless network using Windows networking system. I finally disconnected 
> it, it simply wasn't worth the trouble.

I bought Netgear router and adaptor cards, used the supplied software 
and was up and running with a wireless network in less than 30 minutes. 
  Took about another 30 to fine tune and apply security.  I had a few 
weeks gained expertise with some defective Belkin gear first, though. 
Windows networking is reknowned for its uselessness.

I _really_ recommend that you buy a new motherboard, processor and 
possibly memory.  It's easier to build a computer than it is to bake a 
cake.  You might even be able to put a faster processor (and you can 
almost certainly put more memory)in your existing board.  The advantage 
being that just about everything you already have on your machine (from 
what I've heard) will not only run but run better.  No need to fart 
about reinstalling loads of stuff.

A place for some advice:
http://www.techsupportforum.com/


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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Adam Maas]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> In a message dated 12/8/2006 5:05:53 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> Marnie,
> I am using a new Compaq with the AMD 64 chip, 1 gig ram, and a 250 gig HD. I 
> use Elements 4 now but Elements 5 is wrapped under the tree :-)
> The computer had XP Media Edition but I switched to XP Pro. BIG DIFFERENCE. 
> Stay away from Media Edition. Too much crap always running in the background 
> and it takes a computer guru to disable it readily.
> Most of my friends who are into computer say the AMD technology is currently 
> on top of the heap. That all seems to swap around over time.
> 
> Walt 
> ===
> Thanks. I was wondering about Media Edition. I program and I need XP Pro for 
> that. Supposedly Media Edition is a subset of XP Pro, but I haven't been so 
> sure.
> 
> Marnie 
> 

MCE is probably closer to Home, although it has some pro features that home 
doesn't. The big difference is in the media playback setup, MCE is designed to 
be very usable when displayed on a TV. It also requires certain hardware MPEG-2 
decoding capabilities.

I'm picking up a laptop with MCE myself next week (Damn, it was my K10D budget 
too).

-Adam


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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Eric Featherstone]

On 08/12/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> In a message dated 12/8/2006 8:43:17 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> You could do things this way but there wouldn't need to be two of
> everything like that. You could either use a KVM switch
> (keyboard/video/mouse switch) or if the old desktop has XP (or
> possibly win2000?) use the "Remote Desktop Connection" feature of
> Windows.
> But the previous method is porbably simpler and leaves less clutter.
>
> Eric.
> 
> Thanks. ;-) Yeah, that makes more sense than any networking setup.
>
> I think I just hate to trash the tower because over the years I have added so
> many upgrades, new drives, etc. -- i.e. the money I have put into it. :-)
>
> Oh, well, time for a whole new system. Computers don't last forever.

Oh I don't know, my Dad's still using an old 486dx2/66 with windows
3.1 for some reason!

Eric.

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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Eactivist]

In a message dated 12/8/2006 8:43:17 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
You could do things this way but there wouldn't need to be two of
everything like that. You could either use a KVM switch
(keyboard/video/mouse switch) or if the old desktop has XP (or
possibly win2000?) use the "Remote Desktop Connection" feature of
Windows.
But the previous method is porbably simpler and leaves less clutter.

Eric.

Thanks. ;-) Yeah, that makes more sense than any networking setup.

I think I just hate to trash the tower because over the years I have added so 
many upgrades, new drives, etc. -- i.e. the money I have put into it. :-)

Oh, well, time for a whole new system. Computers don't last forever. This one 
has gone six years plus, not bad at all really.

Marnie :-)

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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[K.Takeshita]

On 12/08/06 10:47 AM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]", <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> And frankly I had a heck of a time networking my desktop and laptop together
> in a wireless network using Windows networking system. I finally disconnected
> it, it simply wasn't worth the trouble.

Time for Mac :-)

Ken


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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Eactivist]

In a message dated 12/8/2006 8:28:02 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
If there is room in the new tower, put them in, otherwise use an 
external box and go in fia a USB connection.

William Robb
===
Probably the best way. Sort of hate to trash the old tower, but I can pull 
the 3.5 drive and an extra DVD drive out of it too. Once all that is out not 
much point in keeping it. :-) I suspect the motherboard is developing a problem 
anyway. 

Thanks, Marnie 

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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[William Robb]

- Original Message - 
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Subject: Re: OT: Computer Problems


> Anyone have a recommendation on how to copy files from my old hard 
> drives to
> a new hard drive? I used to do it in the bad old days with a parallel 
> cable
> between two computers. Must be an easier way now.
>
> And/or how do I make the drives in the current desktop, back up drives 
> for
> new desk top? I have an 80 gig drive and a 200 gig drive that seem 
> okay. It
> seems more a motherboard problem and speed problem. Frankly it seems 
> more an AOL
> problem, but it's a good time for me to upgrade anyway.

If there is room in the new tower, put them in, otherwise use an 
external box and go in fia a USB connection.

William Robb



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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Eric Featherstone]

On 08/12/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Anyone have a recommendation on how to copy files from my old hard drives to
> a new hard drive? I used to do it in the bad old days with a parallel cable
> between two computers. Must be an easier way now.
>
> And/or how do I make the drives in the current desktop, back up drives for
> new desk top? I have an 80 gig drive and a 200 gig drive that seem okay. It
> seems more a motherboard problem and speed problem. Frankly it seems more an 
> AOL
> problem, but it's a good time for me to upgrade anyway.

Marnie, Any of the 3.5 inch enclosures on this page will do what you want:

There'll be something similar in the US I'm sure.

> I don't particularly want to network the current desktop, because as far as I
> understand then I would have to have two monitors, two keyboards, and two
> mice. Unless I can network just the tower.

You could do things this way but there wouldn't need to be two of
everything like that. You could either use a KVM switch
(keyboard/video/mouse switch) or if the old desktop has XP (or
possibly win2000?) use the "Remote Desktop Connection" feature of
Windows.
But the previous method is porbably simpler and leaves less clutter.

Eric.

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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Eactivist]

Anyone have a recommendation on how to copy files from my old hard drives to 
a new hard drive? I used to do it in the bad old days with a parallel cable 
between two computers. Must be an easier way now.

And/or how do I make the drives in the current desktop, back up drives for 
new desk top? I have an 80 gig drive and a 200 gig drive that seem okay. It 
seems more a motherboard problem and speed problem. Frankly it seems more an 
AOL 
problem, but it's a good time for me to upgrade anyway.

I don't particularly want to network the current desktop, because as far as I 
understand then I would have to have two monitors, two keyboards, and two 
mice. Unless I can network just the tower. 

And frankly I had a heck of a time networking my desktop and laptop together 
in a wireless network using Windows networking system. I finally disconnected 
it, it simply wasn't worth the trouble.

Thanks, Marnie  

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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Eactivist]

In a message dated 12/8/2006 5:05:53 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Marnie,
I am using a new Compaq with the AMD 64 chip, 1 gig ram, and a 250 gig HD. I 
use Elements 4 now but Elements 5 is wrapped under the tree :-)
The computer had XP Media Edition but I switched to XP Pro. BIG DIFFERENCE. 
Stay away from Media Edition. Too much crap always running in the background 
and it takes a computer guru to disable it readily.
Most of my friends who are into computer say the AMD technology is currently 
on top of the heap. That all seems to swap around over time.

Walt 
===
Thanks. I was wondering about Media Edition. I program and I need XP Pro for 
that. Supposedly Media Edition is a subset of XP Pro, but I haven't been so 
sure.

Marnie 

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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Adam Maas]

Scott Loveless wrote:
> On 12/8/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
>>Been having problems with my desktop with AOL and other things. Now using
>>laptop.
>>
>>Debating a new Pentium D, AMD 64X2, or Intel Duo Core. Thing is, I don't want
>>to spend bunches. But I've also noticed that photo editing is a tad difficult
>>on my Desktop Pentium III to say the least (in Elements 3 lassoing and
>>selections take a long, long time sometimes).
>>
>>If I've seemed overly quiet for me, that is why.
>>
>>I bought Elements 5, which I stupidly noticed afterward needs at least
>>Pentium IV. Suggestions welcome. But bear in mind that I not looking to spend 
>>top
>>$$$ to buy top of the line.
>>
> 
> Marnie,
> 
> Just about anything you can find on the shelf at your local big box
> retailer will be fine.  Many new systems are starting to ship with
> Windows Vista pre-installed.  It's a memory hog.  You might be better
> off going with a less expensive system and installing some extra
> memory.  Don't lose sleep over it.
> 
> HTH.
> 

Vista isn't shipping on any systems, it's due early next year. Many systems 
come with a free upgrade coupon though.

MCE is a memory hog and is very common (One reason is that the Vista coupons 
get you Vista Home Basic if you have XP Home, and Basic is crippleware. MCE 
goes to Vista Home Premium, which is the minimum usable version of Vista).

-Adam



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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Doug Franklin]

Marnie,

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> But bear in mind that I not looking to spend top 
> $$$ to buy top of the line.

Just take a look at your local Fry's (if you have them) or
Target/WalMart/etc. (if you don't).  Almost anything they have will be
sufficient, but you might later end up adding memory and/or hard drive
space to them.

About three weeks ago I got a Pentium 4 3GHz with WinXP Home at Fry's
for $279 with a $50 mail in rebate.  It only has 256MB of memory, but
you could get another stick of 256MB and you'd be OK, but kinda slow,
even with Photoshop Elements.  It still might be faster than your last
machine, though. :-)  It comes with an 80GB hard drive, but for less
than $100 you could add at least 160GB to that.  And the best part is
you could get the cheap box to start and add memory and/or hard drive
later if you felt you needed it.

Back in August WalMart had laptops with Turion 64 CPU, 1GB memory, 80GB
hard drive, Dual Layer DVD recorder, and 1280x768 wide screen LCD for
around $750.  I've seen similar laptops recently for under $600.

-- 
Thanks,
DougF (KG4LMZ)

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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[mike wilson]

> 
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Date: 2006/12/08 Fri PM 12:21:10 GMT
> To: pdml@pdml.net
> Subject: OT:  Computer Problems
> 
> Been having problems with my desktop with AOL and other things. Now using 
> laptop. 
> 
> Debating a new Pentium D, AMD 64X2, or Intel Duo Core. Thing is, I don't want 
> to spend bunches. But I've also noticed that photo editing is a tad difficult 
> on my Desktop Pentium III to say the least (in Elements 3 lassoing and 
> selections take a long, long time sometimes). 
> 
> If I've seemed overly quiet for me, that is why.
> 
> I bought Elements 5, which I stupidly noticed afterward needs at least 
> Pentium IV. Suggestions welcome. But bear in mind that I not looking to spend 
> top 
> $$$ to buy top of the line.
> 
> Later, Marnie aka Doe :-)

New old stock Asus motherboard and fastish AMD processor should only cost 
~$1-200.  Might have to buy suitable memory.  Can't think of anything else you 
would need.  Maybe a better power supply in a few months.


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Re: OT: Computer Problems

[Scott Loveless]

On 12/8/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Been having problems with my desktop with AOL and other things. Now using
> laptop.
>
> Debating a new Pentium D, AMD 64X2, or Intel Duo Core. Thing is, I don't want
> to spend bunches. But I've also noticed that photo editing is a tad difficult
> on my Desktop Pentium III to say the least (in Elements 3 lassoing and
> selections take a long, long time sometimes).
>
> If I've seemed overly quiet for me, that is why.
>
> I bought Elements 5, which I stupidly noticed afterward needs at least
> Pentium IV. Suggestions welcome. But bear in mind that I not looking to spend 
> top
> $$$ to buy top of the line.
>
Marnie,

Just about anything you can find on the shelf at your local big box
retailer will be fine.  Many new systems are starting to ship with
Windows Vista pre-installed.  It's a memory hog.  You might be better
off going with a less expensive system and installing some extra
memory.  Don't lose sleep over it.

HTH.


-- 
Scott Loveless
http://www.twosixteen.com
Shoot more film!

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OT: Computer Problems

[Walter Hamler]

Marnie,
I am using a new Compaq with the AMD 64 chip, 1 gig ram, and a 250 gig HD. I 
use Elements 4 now but Elements 5 is wrapped under the tree :-)
The computer had XP Media Edition but I switched to XP Pro. BIG DIFFERENCE. 
Stay away from Media Edition. Too much crap always running in the background 
and it takes a computer guru to disable it readily.
Most of my friends who are into computer say the AMD technology is currently 
on top of the heap. That all seems to swap around over time.

Walt 


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OT: Computer Problems

[Eactivist]

Been having problems with my desktop with AOL and other things. Now using 
laptop. 

Debating a new Pentium D, AMD 64X2, or Intel Duo Core. Thing is, I don't want 
to spend bunches. But I've also noticed that photo editing is a tad difficult 
on my Desktop Pentium III to say the least (in Elements 3 lassoing and 
selections take a long, long time sometimes). 

If I've seemed overly quiet for me, that is why.

I bought Elements 5, which I stupidly noticed afterward needs at least 
Pentium IV. Suggestions welcome. But bear in mind that I not looking to spend 
top 
$$$ to buy top of the line.

Later, Marnie aka Doe :-)

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