Ever built your own system?
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MY first PC was a DX4-100 ( which means I've only owned one Intel processor, my 200MMX ). It was an Acer, and I remember nearly wetting myself when a friend pullit it apart to install something ( it was a desktop case, always an ugly mess inside ). The point is, like everyone else, I guess, I have built all my own machines since then, about to embark on doing the same again, as it happens ( I have a 700 Athlon, and the 1 gig processors are at about the point where I figure I deserve one :) ). Actually, my first building experience was in the mid eighties. I had an Apple ][, and considered myself a leet hax0r, because I knew a bit of 6502 and had 'cracked' one game ( it was an Activision title called Space Shuttle, bought with the proceeds of winning a programming competition, and was *so* bad, no-one would accept a copy of it. Probably also why the protection was so lame that I could defeat it.... ) Anyhow, the 6502 has a command called a non-maskable interupt. The idea is NOTHING can stop an NMI call, you will always exit to the * command prompt. I discovered that causing two pins on an interface slot to connect sends an NMI. Tandy in the US sold blank Apple interface cards, not so here. So I found a card at the market that looked like it would fit, cut it to shape, cut off all the tracks that connected it to what *was* on the card, soldered two wires to the right spots and then to a switch, plugged it in, and basically achieved something similar to putting a knife into the slot so that as many pins connected as possible.... boom. X| Which is why I got a Commodore 64, followed by many Amigas and finally my PC. I guess the upshot is that if I had not done that, I'd probably be into Macs today. :eek: Christian #include "std_disclaimer.h" People who love sausage and respect the law should never watch either one being made.
I'd regard that as a lucky event. Stephen Kellett -- C++/Java/Win NT/Unix variants Memory leaks/corruptions/performance/system problems. UK based. Problems with RSI/WRULD? Contact me for advice.
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Over the past 2 days I've been getting parts for a new system for my mom (and now she's going to have a better system than me! :mad: ) so I thought I'd ask the Lounge lizards - do you build your own systems, or order them pre-built from someone like Dell, Gateway, or a local shop? I personally like tinkering with hardware and building systems. I'm not a hardcore overclocker, though - I got my Celeron 533s up to 600 and I was satisfied. :) I built my first system about 3 years ago, and I was actually surprised at how easy it was to do. The hardest part was making sure none of the motherboard pins were touching the case. My system now has so many cables & fans & stuff that it's a total rat's nest! --Mike-- http://home.inreach.com/mdunn/ #include "buffy_sig"
I built my own system, though I did look in to Dell for an upgrade PC. The reason: Dell is the only pre-built computer seller (that I know of) that doesn't build almost everything in to the motherboard. The system that I'm typing this message on is a Dell Dimension XPS B866. The only thing built in to the motherboard is the standard video circuitry. The graphics accelerator, sound card, network card, etc. are all plug-ins. Obviously, I'd prefer ALL systems to be plug-in (including the video), but for a pre-built system, it's still pretty flexible. Jamie Nordmeyer Portland, Oregon, USA
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>Here are the specs of my main system at home Braggart (just kidding, ha ha ha :-D ) No wonder we're called "computer nerds." Man, you need help... ;P I built my own system, back in 1998 but then bought a pre-built laptop from Gateway recently. There were no local parts stores around anymore; big pre-built "Best Buy" and "CompUSA" and other box stores sprung up and squeezed the little guys (part dealers) right out of town. It pissed me off. :mad: :mad: :mad: Oh well...
> There were no local parts stores around anymore; big pre-built "Best Buy" and "CompUSA" and other box stores sprung up and squeezed the little guys (part dealers) right out of town. I got all of the components online, some from online auctions. I picked up the 21-inch monitors at an auction for about $450 each (including shipping). The only item I remember buying at a local store was some thermal paste. John
