Home Desktop Computer Died. :( - Help me decide on what to get next.

[BlueCrush]

My home computer went kaput last night. I was watching a Netflix movie and right in the middle of it the screen went blank. I turned the monitor off and on a few times and it powers up fine so it is not that.I had to hold in the power button on the computer to turn it off. I tried starting it up several times and all it does it start the fans and the hard drive light stays on. That's it nothing else happens. I am bringing it to the shop I bought it from 2 years ago to see what the issue is. My guesses are: power supply, bad ram, or hard drive failure (I hope not). So if it is the hard drive I may just upgrade to a new computer. I'll have to start researching if I want another desktop (for AutoCAD) and get a netbook or just get powerful laptop that I can hook up my 22" LCD monitor, wireless keyboard & wireless mouse to while working on AutoCAD at home. If I did get a laptop it would probably be a Dell Studio 15 or XPS 16 or maybe the Alienware M11x. For the netbook or laptop, I can use my Palm Pre Plus cell phone as a free unlimited WiFi hotspot. Hmmmm...decisions, decisions. What should I get?

[ponta2147]

I am always in favor of having a good desktop as a primary computer if you have to run powerful programs (graphics, video) because it's much easier and cheaper to upgrade than a laptop. A laptop is secondary and rarely used to get actual work done (I have a laptop for working as well, but I want to stab myself when I try to use its small screen to do any real work, even when hooked up to a second monitor).Also, laptop keyboards and trackpads are absolutely horrible for your hands and wrists, and I wouldn't recommend using them as a primary computer for several hours at a time.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »I am always in favor of having a good desktop as a primary computer if you have to run powerful programs (graphics, video) because it's much easier and cheaper to upgrade than a laptop. A laptop is secondary and rarely used to get actual work done (I have a laptop for working as well, but I want to stab myself when I try to use its small screen to do any real work, even when hooked up to a second monitor).Also, laptop keyboards and trackpads are absolutely horrible for your hands and wrists, and I wouldn't recommend using them as a primary computer for several hours at a time.Yeah, the desktop would be the work computer the netbook would be primarily for the web and other minor tasks.If I went with the laptop, though, I would use my current monitor, wireless keyboard and wireless mouse for work. Not trying to justify the laptop, just stating how it would be used.

[kostby]

Sounds like the hard drive failed.I don't know what your budget is, but the new generation of Intel I5 and I7 processors and the hugely powerful graphics cards and true 64-bit operating systems make it pretty hard NOT to want to get a new machine.You might get both a hugely powerful desktop AND a capable netbook or low-to-mid-range Windows 7 laptop. I don't know what your brand preference is, but TigerDirect and NewEgg always have deals on non-Dell computers. Squaretrade.com has reasonably-priced 'insurance' policies for all kinds of tech equipment, usually for far less $ and less hassle than big-box-store 'contracts'.

[09vGT]

I got a Dell studio XPS in January and love it.. I would never go back to desk top.. For my lifestyle anyway.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by kostby »Sounds like the hard drive failed.Don't say like that... Quote, originally posted by kostby »I don't know what your budget is, but the new generation of Intel I5 and I7 processors and the hugely powerful graphics cards and true 64-bit operating systems make it pretty hard NOT to want to get a new machine.I know!! I have been looking at the new stuff out there. It is very tempting even if my old HP wasn't dead.Quote, originally posted by kostby »You might get both a hugely powerful desktop AND a capable netbook or low-to-mid-range Windows 7 laptop. I don't know what your brand preference is, but TigerDirect and NewEgg always have deals on non-Dell computers. Squaretrade.com has reasonably-priced 'insurance' policies for all kinds of tech equipment, usually for far less $ and less hassle than big-box-store 'contracts'.I really don't have a brand preference. Just one that works and will last a long time. My Xi AutoCad Workstation I had for 8 years until it died. Otherwise I would probably still be using it...lol. I'll check out TD & NE. Thanks, Kirk.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »I got a Dell studio XPS in January and love it.. I would never go back to desk top.. For my lifestyle anyway. Do you do any sort of graphics on it? Photoshop, Illustrator, Rendering, CAD?

[ponta2147]

Seconding the TigerDirect and NewEgg!I have done a lot of graphics and video work on a laptop (I have a MacBook non-pro) but after a couple of years of abuse... I mean use... it is not holding up as well as my desktop. And there's the whole "upgradability" factor...

[BlueCrush]

Well I brought it in to the place I bought it and they found out it was only the Video card went out. It was a 128MB Nvidia Card so I had them upgrade it to a Asus 512MB card ($99). Much better, but now I have no sound.... I think my speakers were plugged into my Nvidia card for sound. This one only has an HDMI plug. Is there any sort of adapter that could plug into the HDMI port so I can plug in the 3.5mm speaker jack? It has a SB Live sound card in it but I can't get it to work with updated drivers or otherwise.... I wonder if it needs a new sound card as well.EDIT: I got the sound back. Not sure how...? I changed a billion settings and tried the 5 different sound jacks in the back of the computer. But the main thing it is seem back to normal now. YAY!! Thank you to everyone for their votes and suggestions. I am going to go the Desktop/Netbook route. Now that I have my desktop back, I'll be looking into a netbook this weekend.

[northvibe]

remember rallyracer? I built him a AMD quad core system as he does lots of video editing with adobe products. Its been working great now that he is running win 7 64bit and adobe cs5 is 64bit compatible. I say make sure to get a desktop for home, and theres some new netbooks coming out with dual core amd that may just squeak by the intel atom in price. The only netbook I would get would be 11-12 inches, otherwise it cramps the keyboard and screen. I'm in love with my 13" mac book though! used from apple for $750

[northvibe]

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »Well I brought it in to the place I bought it and they found out it was only the Video card went out. It was a 128MB Nvidia Card so I had them upgrade it to a Asus 512MB card ($99). Much better, but now I have no sound.... I think my speakers were plugged into my Nvidia card for sound. This one only has an HDMI plug. Is there any sort of adapter that could plug into the HDMI port so I can plug in the 3.5mm speaker jack? It has a SB Live sound card in it but I can't get it to work with updated drivers or otherwise.... I wonder if it needs a new sound card as well.EDIT: I got the sound back. Not sure how...? I changed a billion settings and tried the 5 different sound jacks in the back of the computer. But the main thing it is seem back to normal now. YAY!! Thank you to everyone for their votes and suggestions. I am going to go the Desktop/Netbook route. Now that I have my desktop back, I'll be looking into a netbook this weekend. ah sweet. 99 for that vid card seems over priced by...a lot. but depends on how you feel supporting a local shop (if it is?) and if that included labor to install etc. Still cheaper than a new pc though I would recommend only getting a dual core cpu netbook, then it should last longer for running apps as it has some "power" behind it as little as that may be.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »ah sweet. 99 for that vid card seems over priced by...a lot. but depends on how you feel supporting a local shop (if it is?) and if that included labor to install etc. Still cheaper than a new pc though I would recommend only getting a dual core cpu netbook, then it should last longer for running apps as it has some "power" behind it as little as that may be.Yeah, I knew the price was high. it did include install and set-up with correct drivers. This local shop has given me some great deals in the past (free parts & software) and did the work on the spot vs. their normal 3-day turn-around time. They also let me take my computer back home without paying, knowing that I will pay them tomorrow. So paying a little extra was worth it for me. Been going to them for 4 years now an recommend them to everyone I know.

[lovemyraffe]

Personally, I like a big powerful laptop. I hate having my work on two computers and having to constantly move files between the two. One down side is that you have to carry around a big heavy laptop.

[BlueCrush]

If I ever got a laptop, it would probably be a smaller one. 15" screen or less.

[lovemyraffe]

Mine is 16", a really rare size. Big enough to do most of my work on, but not so big that it is just ridiculous.

[09vGT]

I don't use much graphic stuff.. But I have GIMP 2 installed on it.. Played around with no problems.. I also have had the Sims 3.. With no problem either. Im sometimes a gaming nerd.. Though, when you build it at Dell you can chose even more powerful graphic cards and what not than what come on it standard. I have the smallest studio XPS. I wanted the smaller size for taking it back and forth to school. I really like the smaller size compared to my old larger 16 or 17". The back-lit keyboard is THE BOMB. I will never get another laptop with out the back-lit keys!

[BlueCrush]

Could always get this and haul it in a trailer: http://technabob.com/blog/2007...aptop/

[lovemyraffe]

Now that's a big laptop. Can it be considered a laptop? 15.5 lbs is enough to cut off the circulation to your legs.

[psiu]

I know you solved it already...but dang. Could have sent you a new video card. My wife would like less stuff in our basement.As for computing needs for us...well, there's my wife and I, a cat, and a baby on the way. So our network consists of:my gaming desktopher pc which used to be my gaming desktopthe laptop I am on right nowthe htpc connected to tv in living room, we run windows 7 media center and never see the desktop, have a regular remote control for herthe windows home server in the basement, with 1 640GB, 1 1TB, 3x 1.5TB, and I just got a 2TB drive to put in it. All of our DVDs and Cds are slowly going onto it.HDHomerun, a networked dual digital cable tunerXbox 360my Motorola DroidOfficejet 6310, networked printer/copier/etcthe pfsense router/firewall/gateway, it's an old pentium 3 machine I have for that purpose.3 different wireless routers I just use for wireless access points and as little location switchesmedia center extender in the bedroom for the tv in there, it connects to the windows 7 htpcI think that's everything. So what I'm trying to say is...get a netbook. And a laptop. And a desktop :Dedit: and do you have a backup plan? would you have lost anything important if it had been the HD? The Windows Home Server is such a life saver in that regard--it backups all 4 machines EVERY NIGHT, automagically, keeps several different copies of each machine, and it's easy to restore over the network back to a fully functional, like nothing ever happened, machine.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by psiu »I know you solved it already...but dang. Could have sent you a new video card. My wife would like less stuff in our basement.As for computing needs for us...well, there's my wife and I, a cat, and a baby on the way. So our network consists of:my gaming desktopher pc which used to be my gaming desktopthe laptop I am on right nowthe htpc connected to tv in living room, we run windows 7 media center and never see the desktop, have a regular remote control for herthe windows home server in the basement, with 1 640GB, 1 1TB, 3x 1.5TB, and I just got a 2TB drive to put in it. All of our DVDs and Cds are slowly going onto it.HDHomerun, a networked dual digital cable tunerXbox 360my Motorola DroidOfficejet 6310, networked printer/copier/etcthe pfsense router/firewall/gateway, it's an old pentium 3 machine I have for that purpose.3 different wireless routers I just use for wireless access points and as little location switchesmedia center extender in the bedroom for the tv in there, it connects to the windows 7 htpcI think that's everything. So what I'm trying to say is...get a netbook. And a laptop. And a desktop :Dedit: and do you have a backup plan? would you have lost anything important if it had been the HD? The Windows Home Server is such a life saver in that regard--it backups all 4 machines EVERY NIGHT, automagically, keeps several different copies of each machine, and it's easy to restore over the network back to a fully functional, like nothing ever happened, machine.That sounds pretty sweet and hi-tech. My home network consists of Desktop, Netbook(soon) & Palm Pre Plus, WiFi router and WiFi printer. Yes, I can print to my WiFi printer from my phone, it's awesome!! My phone is also a free Wifi hotspot (and can connect up to 5 devices at once) so I will be able to connect to teh interweb on my future netbook from anywhere. I have a manual as needed back-up routine. (I back it up when I need to)