I have to buy a new Computer? - Help!

[WyoJim]

I want to network two computers together so they will access each others files... . Is this difficult?



I want to save Photo's to a CD. Will a computer with a CD burner (CD+RW) do this?



Is there any benefit to a DVD-RW drive?



How much RAM is recommended?



I just bought an Olympus C-750 Digital camera and the computer I have now won't recognize it. Says it needs at least 64 mb of RAM and at least a Pentium ll or later processor. My computer has 63 mb of RAM and an Intel Celeron (spelling) processor. That must be the problem, don't you think?

 

[loncray]

I'm not a 'pooter expert, but I've learned a few things. One, a CD burner will let you save anything (including photos) off your Hard Drive to a CD. DVD burners are probably fun if you've got a LOT of photos, but a waste of money for the casual user. And get as much RAM as you can afford - the stuff is cheap.

 

[formula]

Just about any new computer will be able to do what you want. Personally, I really like the PowerMAC's for this kind of stuff. The newest version of MAC's OS-X has everything you need integrated into an easy to use package.



As far as CD vs DVD... ... . CD's generally can hold 700MB and DVDs can hold 4. 7GB. Many DVD burners can create DVDs that you can play in a DVD player attached to your television. As far as the price of the media, you can get CD-R for around $0. 50 each and DVD-R for about $3 each. The re-writable type media is more expensive.



Networking for file sharing between two PC's or two MACs is simple. All you should have to provide is cabling (assuming that both computers have network cards) If you use MAC OS-X, then networking a PC and a MAC is easy as well.



64MB of RAM is quite small by today's standards.



Are you in the market for a new system? That would probably be the best way to go. A good place to start is a 1. 5GHz or faster processor, 256MB or more RAM, and a 60GB or larger hard disk. Also include a CD or DVD, or a combination burner. Get an optical mouse, those dang ball type mice get the rollers jammed up too easy. As for a monitor, the CRTs are still the cheapest, but the price of the LCDs are very reasonable. An LCD will give you way more space on your desk and they're much easier on your eyes.



Cheers,

Sean

 

[XcumminsX]

go on ebay and buy a dell for way cheaper than from dell. I have bought 3 dell comps from ebay and they are all great.

 

[johnrv4]

Hey Jim, how do you like the camera?

Hey Jim, I see you bought an Olympus C-750. How do you like it so far? I'm seriously thinking about buying one in the near future and like the 10x optical zoom feature.

 

[WyoJim]

Thanks You Guys

johnrv4..... I think I am going to really appreciate this C-750's technical abilities. I have used an Olympus OM2 since the '60's and have accumulated a huge amount of paraphanalia in connection with the OM2. This C-750 sits in your hand and has the capability to out do the the entire OM2 system with nothing added. Except a new computer so I can get the pictures out of it.



XcumminsX..... I bought the C-750 off E-Bay but I want a computer quick... . so I am off to Billing's MT tomorrow to spend the entire day shopping for one.



formula... . You pretty well nailed it all with your post and I especially appreciate learning from it about CD's and DVD's.

And loncray's advice on memory is right on.



Walmart has an HP with 256mb of RAM operated with a Pentium 4 chip, a CD burner and LCD monitor for $780. I will look at it, but then Costco and Gateway are both in Billings also. It will be a long day.

 

[JR2]

If you want a decent Dell go to there refuribished compter section and shop away. I just bought one for my son:



Pent 4 2. 66

80 gig hard drive

512 meg memory

DVD player

CDRW drive

Floppy Drive (most don't have em)

64 meg graphics card (GeForce I think)

Key board and mouse

Built in network card and sound card



Delivered to my door in Alaska ($85 bucks to ship) for $715.

Has the same warranty it came with new.

 

[lil red cummins]

hasn' t been mentioned yet, but you need a "hub" and 2 cables to connect your computers together. you can get one for about $20 or less at best buy, compusa, staples... the usual places. most will have 4 port capability, which means you could connect up to 4 computers or other network device.



someone will probably say that you can connect the 2 computers directly to themselves, but you have to make a special cable that has the pairs crossed. i don't believe its worth making or buying a special cable when a hub is so inexpensive, and it gives you expandibility.



jm . 02c



jim

 

[WyoJim]

lil red cummins... ... . Thanks for the info. That was going to be my next question.



I got me a computer Saturday (HP) and it took me all day Sunday to get the E-mails and other programs running.

 

[AndyMan]

Hey Jim,



If you come up with any technical questions that can't be answered, shoot me a PM. I'll be happy to send you my phone number, and you (or anyone else on the TDR) is welcome to give me a call. I gotta run now, but if you need help/advice, just let me know. I've been in IT consulting for almost 10 years.



Take care!

Andy

 

[Eventer]

WyoJim,



I have 5 computers networked at my house running a combination of Linux (Red Hat 9 and Mandrake 9. 2) and Windows (98 and XP).



You have several options for a new (to you) computer. Buy new starting at about $400. Any of the major brands will work just fine. Buy used. You will probably spend less but not buy a machine as capable. Build your own. Not as intimidating as it may sound. I built my main Linux box from scratch earlier this year in under two hours time. Instructional videos are available to step you through the process.



Connecting the computers is also very easy if you are using Windows. Your best bet, especially if any of your computers will be hooked to the internet is to buy a hardware firewall/router/switch. The firewall will protect your computers from the miscreants and script kiddies on the internet. You really don't need a router for two computers, but you should get a switch (not a hub). A switch maintains each connection at full (100MB/s most likely) whereas with a hub you share the bandwidth with other computers on the hub. I have seen switches for as little as $20. If you don't use a hardware firewall, make sure each computer is running a current version of a software firewall, such as ZoneAlarm (free for the download version). I also run SpyBot Search and Destroy, Ad-Aware and Pest Patrol to keep my Windows machines virus, worm and trojan free. Never had an infection yet.



Since you are wanting to save pictures, don't scrimp on a hard disk. Buy the largest capacity, fastest rotational speed, lowest latency and seek times you can find. You can also pair up drives in a RAID 0 config (striping) to decrease write times or RAID 1 (mirroring) if you want additional security in case a drive crashes.



Don't forget to make frequent back-ups and take them off-site. To your office or elsewhere if the pictures cannot be replaced. Also don't forget to periodically check your back-ups to make sure can read from them. Don't scrimp on the cost of your back-up media. Price and quality do matter here.



Let me know if you have any more questions. This is fun!