Computer Questions Re: WindowsXP, Front Page & MDG Computers

[Paul Waters]

the system i'm lookin at is the Dell dimension 4559 desktop for $899 including a 17" monitor..upgrade to 256MB 266Mhz from 128MB for $100

i want a system for porn and investing..also want to be insulated as best as possible from viruses..also would like a self cleaning drive but guess that isn't possible

you guys think that system is good enough..i figure i'll be downloading a couple of full length porn movies a day..

i also got sympatico high speed over rogers..what you think ??

Dell's are notorious for making systems that are difficult to add extra hardware to, like an extra disk drive for all the extra porn

Better to go to a long established place and have them build you a system. Make sure they create a separate partition for the OS, and get the retail version. They should be willing to make it an upgrade version.

Get a good virus check program and do not use outlook for email and you should be fine.

Sympatico charges for useage over 6 gigs. Change to rogers if you want to download lots of porn.

 

[CyberGoth]

i just fired sympatico becuase they dhcp release/renew and force ip changes about once an hour in order to defeat napster like things. this is a nuissance when one is trying to download things like redhat 8 iso images.

for a few bucks more a month, I've now got static ips, stable FAST service and a vendor that does what its told and does what it says its going to do. [ie: heres money, do your thing please]

mdg; they've been around for a really long time. not impressed with them.

winXP... sucks. [C6 violation on wheels]

frontpage: only for extreme masochists

 

[TheNiteHwk]

XP Professional $190. Good Deal?

MDG sent me an offer in the mail today. I phoned for details. They will upgrade from XPHome to XP Professional for $190. and save my files for $50. more. Since I did not do a back up before bringing my CPU in for service I need them to retrieve my files if I want them. I am trying to (thru head office) get them to do this for free. (retrieve my files) I need to know if XP Professional is worth $190. w/CD & book included. They say the regular retail price is $260. I am now re-thinking Front Page and thinking of Adobe instead. Still might take this offer though of upgrading to XP Professional if it is a good deal.
Comments?

 

[TheNiteHwk]

Rogers High Speed and Fast Service...

the only thing i'm worried about with rogers is there past service problems

I have High Speed Rogers at home. We have hooked up 4 systems via a router. Since last June it has crashed 3 times altogether. Each time we called for service and it was fixed the same day. Rogers knows we have hooked up 4 computers and its Ok with them. Often all four of us are on line at same time. The speed is fantastic compared to old dial up. No complaints about Rogers here.

 

[TheNiteHwk]

Rogers is OK once you get over the humps...

I did complain about Rogers a few months ago when I was arranging to hook up my Digital TV Service. It took them over a week almost 10 or 12 days if I remember correct to get it right. They sent three service guys to my house to finally get it right. You have to understand though. We have 7 TVs and 5 computers in my house. There are 3 cable lines coming into the house. But we only wanted one working line coming in and all on the same bill. The only TV hooked up to Digital Service is mine. All the rest are on basic cable. We have 4 computers hooked up to Rogers High Speed. It did originally take them some time to get it all hooked up and working right. Since then though it works great! It did crash a couple times but they did fix it the same day.

 

[TheNiteHwk]

I use to sell 'grey market' dishes back a few years ago when they first came out. What a nice gig that was for awhile. Back then they were selling for over $1000. My commission was $250. each unit. I always sold at least 1/2 dozen systems a week! Anyway that's another story. Now you can pick them up for next to nothing. Some places are selling them for $99. If you get a US address (rent a mailbox) and subscribe to the service with a 'US address' the service should be excellent. If you decide to go with the pirate card you will need to 'update' the card every once in awhile. You can buy a machine that attaches to your computer and you can download the new code from the internet whenever the card goes down. If you do not have a machine or the know how etc you can get a vender to do it for $50.

As far as adult films on Rogers being more I don't think it discrimination I think it's supply and demand. Just like any newspaper that publishes adult ads. There are only so many sources of print media that will publish adult ads... therfore they will charge more then basic or general ads.

 

[TheNiteHwk]

Direct TV is the way to go...

I don't know how much Echostar systems are going for now. They can't be that much though. When I use to live in Ottawa I had a field day selling those systems. They can catch Middle Eastern channels and there is a large Middle Eastern population in Ottawa/Hull area since one of their second languages is french. However at that time there was no pirate cards available for Echostar. Only for RCA Direct TV. If you install the RCA Direct TV system and get the pirate card you will have more free porn then you know what to do with. Not to mention all the free PPV channels and free sports channels. There is a guy on Eglinton just around the corner from my house selling RCA Direct TV systems for $99.!! Damn I talking myself into getting one now. LMAO.

 

[icewater]

I have a MDG machine, but I can tell you . It is CRAP. I even upgraded the RAM with them and they gave me cheap stuff with low speed. So, never buy anything from them and if you already have MDG machine, do not upgrade your hardware/software with them....


ALso, if you have operating system problem and they re-image your machine,..that doesn't mean the problem will not occur in the future...

 

[Irish06j]

I have a MDG machine, but I can tell you . It is CRAP. I even upgraded the RAM with them and they gave me cheap stuff with low speed. So, never buy anything from them and if you already have MDG machine, do not upgrade your hardware/software with them....

I have heard from others that MDG uses outdated parts. Unless you specifically request the make and model of the components you are leaving yourself wide open for major disappointment. I concur...go elsewhere.

 

[duncecap]

I have heard from others that MDG uses outdated parts. Unless you specifically request the make and model of the components you are leaving yourself wide open for major disappointment. I concur...go elsewhere.

The best way to get a quality system is to request a specific make/model for all the parts in it. If anyone needs to get a new computer check out one of the tons of hardware review sites on the internet. www.sharkyextreme.com is a really good one and even tell you what they would put in a system for different price ranges (though they are tailored towards gaming). Then after you order the system and get it, open it up and check the parts to make sure you got what you asked for.

DC

 

[Sasha Jones]

Then after you order the system and get it, open it up and check the parts to make sure you got what you asked for.

DC

See I think that is the main problem here, most people wouldn't have a clue what they were looking at if they opened up their machines.

The lesson is don't bother to sit here bitching and moaning if you went out looking for the cheapest peice of crap you could afford. You certainly do get what you pay for when it comes to quality computer components. If you compare 2 computers with the same basic specs and one is $500 more, guess which one is likely better quality?

 

[CyberGoth]

or....

hire a geek to do it for you


I'm easy, NOT CHEAP but definately easy.

cheers

 

[DonAngelo]

The lesson is don't bother to sit here bitching and moaning if you went out looking for the cheapest peice of crap you could afford. You certainly do get what you pay for when it comes to quality computer components. If you compare 2 computers with the same basic specs and one is $500 more, guess which one is likely better quality?

Sasha....I run Seti@home as a benchmark test to compare system performance and it is amazing how misleading the processor speed ratings can be. My P4 2..26 ghz with genuine Intel Motherboard calculates a Seti unit in less than 3.5 hours. My Packard Bell system with 2.53ghz and the same amount of Ram and the same OS takes around 7 hours for the same task. In the future I spend my money on a good components before I get caught in the processor speed war.

 

[Han Solo]

Another thing to make sure when buying a computer from MDG is to get seperate components. Often especally on their cheaper systems they will have everything integrated.

What I mean is that on the mainboard, there will also be, network, sound, modem, and video card built right in. These boards are very cheap to make and is why they can sell cheap computers. Now sometimes you even find the cpu is soldered onto the board like in the amd 1200 systems, there is no socket, so you can't change the cpu later.

However if you want to upgrade to a new geforce4 video card in 3 months so you can play that brand new game. You will be out of luck.

Some things on board are not such a big deal, like modem and lan. But at the very least I would get a board that does not have video and cpu included on board. As your upgrade and expansion options are very limited.

You get what you pay for.

Dan

 

[TheNiteHwk]

An Update re MDG...

First off... thanks again to all your replies. I have learned more about computers/software etc in general. I love learning.

Now for the update.

I really had a sneering laugh this morning when I seen their ad in The Sun thanking every one for making them #1. They are far from #1 in my books. Albeit I see the point made here and by them that it is a software problem that could have been caused inadvertly by myself (by loading old non-compatable software) and also had I found my Windows CD & book earlier I could have (or had my housemate) re-boot windows myself... their service in my eyes still sucks. First they have a double standard. My housemate had same prob and they fix his situation for free. Also I found the rep I did talk to on the phone very abrupt and really on the verge of being rude. Several phone calls and 2 voice mails left at the head office went unanswered. When I asked them to upgrade my system to Windows Proffessional for their special $190 offer I was told they would but I still had to pay $75. for re-loading Windows Home Edtion since they already did it. Oh and the upgrade is $190. plus another $75 to load it on top of the $75. already being charged for the re-loading of Windows Home. (total $340. before taxes) Noooo way I told them. I will pick up my machine this week-end and pay the $75. and if and when I do get any upgrades or other programs I will aquire from my fellow TERBites who were kind enough to PM me and or other sources I may have. They loose big time because I am buying a lap top soon after the New Year. But not from them! Neither will any of my friends or others who I have informed about this. End Rant.

To end on a positive note... Thanks Again for all your comments and info shared. I have learned from this experience.

Next Question?

Any suggestions for good lap tops. I want to access internet and e-mails from any where. Also be able to work on my websites any time I want to. Also for sales presentations out in the field. And just general record keeping, time management... personal photos etc. Also since we are changing to PC at my work after the New Year (we have iMacs now) I want to be able to connect to my machines at work and home and update files back and forth.