rvalkass

They do provide the speeds of their processors. Buying a processor without know its speed would be rather pointless. Most retailers list the frequency along with the model number, but if not check out this page on AMD's website: http://products.amd.com/en-us(X(1)S(uij1b245xvcxoy45rzf40yvp))/pages/desktopcpuresult.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 You can filter by the CPU type, power requirements, pretty much any statistic. And listed alongside each processor is its frequency in MHz.

Pick the graphics card first. All modern graphics cards have DVI outputs, so you'll need to search for a monitor with a DVI input. Most modern monitors have DVI inputs, but some at the cheaper end of the market only have the old D-Sub input. You can contact the site I linked and ask if they sell it at the moment. I'm not sure what online retailers you have available to you, so shop around and see what you can find. The Caviar Green drives aren't worth the money - they're slower and there's no way you'd save enough electricity to cover their cost compared to the Caviar Blue drives. More cache is always helpful if you can get it, but if there is a large cost difference then go for the 16MB. The ATI HD 4650 and nVidia 9600GT are pretty much equal - there seem to be about the same number of people going for each one. If you can get a 4670 then that will be better than the 9600. The case is a personal choice. Take a look at that case online ( http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/= ) and see if you like the look of it. There are hundreds of different cases out there at all sorts of different prices. Check out online reviews to make sure the build quality is OK and go with a case you like the look of. I can't stress this enough - DON'T GET A CHEAP PSU! Everything in your PC relies on that power supply, and getting a cheap one is putting everything at risk. They're also more likely to break, and much sooner than a good PSU. Getting a power supply from a good brand name (Corsair and BeQuiet are both excellent in my opinion, along with others) should last you longer than a cheap one, be easier to work with and be better for your components. The AMD processors are good, and cheaper than their Intel equivalents. Changing the processor involves changing the RAM and motherboard too, but that's trivial before you've bought the parts I'm personally an AMD fan, and think they're back on top of Intel at the moment. The processor I've suggested is an AM3 socket processor. That motherboard is an AM2 motherboard, so it won't work with the processor. You'll need an AM3 motherboard, such as any from Asus in the "AMD AM3" category: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ Yes. If you buy a retail processor then a cooler will be included. If you buy an OEM processor then a cooler won't be included and you'll need to get one.

From what I have read about the incident, it wasn't his fault. The cars at fault were Toyota Priuses (is that how you pluralise it?) which accelerated totally of their own accord. The problem is that they are 'fly-by'wire' cars - there is no physical connection between the accelerator pedal and the engine (due to the hybrid electric motor) and it seems that occasionally the computer goes a bit haywire and makes the car accelerate for no reason. From other people who have had this happen, they say the brakes have no effect, and putting the car in neutral is pointless - neutral on a Prius is not actually neutral, and it's controlled by the computer. It has also happened to people who claim not to even have floor mats in their car. It seems Toyota is using this excuse to cover up something far worse with their cars. Allegedly.

Mixed reviews for Dells - some are good, some not so good. I personally prefer HP and just bought a 24" HP monitor for my new PC - you just can't beat it. Check individual reviews for any monitors you consider as one manufacturer may have some excellent models and some rubbish ones. If possible, check monitors out in a shop if you can to get a look at the images they produce, although I know it can often be difficult to do that. Make sure the graphics card has an output that matches the input of the monitor (usually DVI now, but check - some monitors only have D-Sub inputs) and that the graphics card can output the native resolution of the monitor. Most modern cards can output easily to 19" monitors, although some of the more exotic widescreen resolutions can cause problems if they're not standard. 3GHz wouldn't make that much difference, although more power is always useful to have. If you're confident you should be able to overclock the 2.9GHz to 3.0GHz to get that extra processing power and save yourself the Rs. 3k. The DDR on the graphics doesn't need to match the DDR of the RAM you use in the motherboard. My graphics card has DDR5 memory, but my motherboard has DDR3 RAM. Lower down I've got the spec I'd buy with your budget, so take a look at the graphics cards I recommend there. More is better, and speeds are much less relevant now than they used to be. A good name brand is always a smart choice, and Kingston are a good make. Make sure the RAM you get is supported by your motherboard. At the moment I'm a fan of the Western Digital Caviar Blue series. Fast, cheap and fairly reliable according to most reports. PCI slots are used for sound cards, wireless network cards, things like that. I'll be honest, all I use them for is wireless cards. If people really want very high quality sound then they put a sound card in there. PCIe cards are the newer replacements for PCI cards, and are mainly used for graphics cards at the moment. If you're just having one graphics card then make sure you have at least one PCIe 16x slot. DDR3 memory is newer and faster than DDR2, so getting a motherboard that supports DDR3 memory lets you use that rather than the much older DDR2. As for brands, MSI is my favourite for AMD boards at the moment. Asus are fairly good for Intel boards. Still, specific boards can have specific problems and reviews are always good to let you know if heatsinks are liable to get in the way or whatever. DVD drives are all fairly similar - get a cheap one that matches the colour of your case (obviously ). Over the years I'ev used Sony, NEC, Optiarc, LG, Samsung, loads of makes and they're all the same. Case is very much a personal preference for the looks - I'll list a few below so you can take a look and see what you like. Different cases will have different airflow, and therefore different cooling properties. They can also be different to build in - certain ones will be easier to work in than others. I've listed a few brands I like above, and I'm naturally going to be drawn to those brands in the components I pick below. You're always welcome to post the list of components you pick here and people will reply with any horror or success stories. Online reviews are also excellent at highlighting good features and potential problems. So, the build I'd get for Rs. 30k: Case: Thermaltake Wing RS 101 - Rs. 2100 ( http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ ) CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 250 - Rs. 4100 ( http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ ) Motherboard: Still looking... RAM: Corsair TW3X4G-1333C9 - Rs. 6050 ( http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ ) Hard Drive: Western Digital 500GB - Rs. 2750 ( http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ ) DVD Writer: Sony 20x SATA - Rs. 1350 ( http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ ) Power Supply: Coolermaster RS550-ACAAA1 Real Power 550W - Rs. 5450 ( http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ ) Graphics Card: Sapphire HD 4650 - Rs. 3600 ( http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ ) Total so far: Rs. 25400

Going slightly off-topic, but Linux has probably the best system of updates of any OS. All your software is checked for new versions every day in most distributions, updates can be downloaded in the background and applied with your confirmation. That applies not only to your software, but to the OS, kernel and libraries too. For example, yesterday I upgraded to the latest Linux kernel which had been downloaded in the background for me (an option you can disable if you want) and just popped up and asked me if I wanted to install it. The reason Linux distributions don't have "service packs" is because they constantly release updates when they're ready - so there's no need to throw out a massive troublesome bundle of updates all at once. Also, most follow roughly 6-month release cycles, whereas Microsoft took half a decade to get from XP to Vista...

The Compaq is cheaper and actually has better graphics (an ATI mobile chip rather than the dire Intel GMA chips) along with a proper keyboard with number pad (according to the pictures). The Dell has a very slightly faster CPU and more RAM, but does cost $110 more, has a worse graphics chip and a worse keyboard. I doubt you'd notice a lot of difference in speed between the two laptops, and I know I find a number pad very useful in everyday use, so my money would be on the Compaq rather than the Dell.

A CRC (cyclic redundancy checking) error means your PC is either not writing data correctly to the hard drive, not storing it correctly, or not reading it back correctly. The sort of errors you're getting also point towards a hard drive issue. A live CD works only from your system's RAM, so try using a live CD to check your hard drive for errors. See if you can mount the hard drive from the live CD, and if you can read data from it OK. If not then it looks like you might be needing a new HDD.

I've just got invites to give away and have sent PMs to the following members: They were the only ones on the list that weren't crossed out. I have more invites to give away, so get your name on the list if you're interested.

A budget that should get you a decent PC. Are you getting a new monitor too, or just the PC? If you want to get a monitor too then that could take a sizeable chunk out of your budget, and it might be worth saving up a little bit more to get a decent PC and screen. For most people a fast dual or triple-core processor is a better buy than a slower quad-core processor. If you do a lot of video encoding, rendering tasks and generally intensive multithreaded applications then a quad-core can be beneficial, but for most people at the moment 2 or 3 cores is plenty. ATI and nVidia both have some decent low-cost graphics cards out at the moment, especially as the new DX11 cards are released, forcing the prices of DX10 cards down. If you're not bothered about playing DX11-exclusive games, coming out in the next few years, then this is a great time to pick up a DX10 card, such as ATI's HD4xxx series. They'll be able to play games released now, and new DX10 releases. Component wise? Case, motherboard, CPU cooler, CPU, graphics card, hard drive, keyboard, mouse, RAM, monitor (if you want a new one), CD/DVD drive, power supply. A sound card is not essential unless you have high-end audio equipment - most motherboards have very good on-board sound now. I'll take a look online and see what components I can find, and come up with a build for you Pick something that will give you enough power for all your components, and any foreseeable upgrades, along with a little overhead. Also get something that is 80%+ efficient to save on your electricity bill. Buy from a good name and check reviews to make sure it has been thoroughly tested - you'd be surprised how many PSUs don't actually meet the ATX standards they claim.

The first thought is that it seems odd this happened after you moved the PC. Of course it might not be connected, but it looks like a good place to start. If you've got anything else plugged in to the same socket as the PC, unplug it and let the PC run directly from the wall socket rather that from an extension lead or something. If that doesn't help then open the case and make sure that everything is still connected correctly and no wires are blocking fans or anything like that. If it turns on for a couple of seconds then it sounds like a fan isn't spinning up correctly and the PC shuts off to stop damage to the components.Something else that is possible is that the CPU heatsink may have come unseated when you moved the PC. This is more likely if you have a larger, heavier after-market heatsink rather than the OEM one supplied by the CPU manufacturer. If you can't see any other problems and you have some thermal paste you could always try reseating the heatsink and see if that improves things.

I don't use my mobile phone a massive amount, but I switched from Vodafone to O2 a while back because Vodafone are rubbish. By the end I was so annoyed with them that I didn't even bother finding out if I could keep my number or anything - I just got a new SIM from O2 and things have been fine ever since. Given the option, if it was free, I might have transferred my number to my new SIM. However, if they would charge me I wouldn't see the point; I don't use my phone a lot and don't have too many people to tell if I change my number.

Why should you change it? I think it's quite interesting to see exactly how you work through these issues without your posts being heavily edited for logic or whatever. Show the thought process you've gone through and the conclusions you've reached, then let people discuss them. I certainly wouldn't recommend it for a normal blog, but a philosophy blog is one of those places where the idea works quite well.

The nameservers should be valid. Here is an example from one of my domains: CONSOLE Domain name: rvalkass.co.uk Registrant: Rob Valkass Registrant type: UK Individual Registrant's address: The registrant is a non-trading individual who has opted to have their address omitted from the WHOIS service. Registrar: Webfusion Ltd t/a 123-Reg.co.uk [Tag = 123-REG] URL: https://www.123-reg.co.uk/ Relevant dates: Registered on: 16-Jan-2007 Renewal date: 16-Jan-2011 Last updated: 07-Jan-2009 Registration status: Registered until renewal date. Name servers: ns.computinghost.com ns2.computinghost.com You shouldn't need to put in both the nameservers and the IP addresses, and most domain registrars will accept the domain version rather than the IP addresses (which allows Xisto to move the nameservers to new IPs and they'll still work). A support ticket to whoever is providing the domain seems to be the most logical solution at this point.

I bought a domain before we switched over to myCENTs, and had been using that domain for a while alongside my sub-domain. All my results in search engines were with the TLD, and I wasn't receiving any incoming links to the subdomain. When we switched to myCENTs and I re-ordered my hosting, I decided not to bother with the sub-domain and just go with my TLD.

The whois data for the domain at the moment states the following: Before you are able to add the domain to your hosting with Xisto you'll need to delete the nameservers already related to the domain, then add the Xisto - Web Hosting ones. The two IP addresses shown in that error appear to be used in the Netherlands, and aren't the ones for the Xisto - Web Hosting nameservers. The problem would appear to be with the domain provider rather than your hosting.

The US Cyber Crimes Centre has gone one step further and is just using the PS3s apparently: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ According to game developers they are difficult to program to use effectively, but when you do they are lightning quick compared to pretty much anything else on the market, especially for simple and repetitive tasks like Folding@Home and general supercomputing tasks. You don't really see many Apple supercomputers, if any at all, do you? I suppose the cost of hardware is higher with Apple, but if you're building a supercomputer and getting a bulk discount then that might not be an issue. I guess it's simply the fact that you're locked in to using Apple's OS, so they've never really got a foothold in a market dominated by Linux and Windows PCs.

Spotted this story earlier today: More information: http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ I don't use Facebook, or any personal networking sites. I know there are plenty of people like me who also don't use them, and I reckon quite a few people are worried about things like this happening to them. We've all heard stories of people losing their jobs due to Facebook. Some of my friends even have classes at University that teach them what they should and shouldn't be posting online so that they remain employable. So, should we all be more careful about what we post online? And should these companies be looking at social networking sites like this?

I'm not sure how big the support team is, or what the exact numbers are, but you're probably right. The costs of more people in the team would have to be met somehow, and I'm not sure exactly how that would be done - only OpaQue really knows. True. Submitting reports on spam posts is the best way to help out. I get all the reports dropped into my emails, so if I'm on the PC but not on Xisto for whatever reason then I can come on and sort out the reports as soon as possible. We also get them as PMs on the forum, so we get instant notification if we're online. I think most people are the same, which makes it difficult for any of us to judge for ourselves if things are getting better or worse, or not changing at all.

I pay for speeds of up to 8mbps download and 1.2mbps upload. I currently get: Not bad really, and much better than the speeds I was getting at home before, of around 1.2mbps download and 0.4mbps upload.

You've missed an 'e' off mouse Surely it isn't that simple?

Obviously the emergency services are fine, it's ordinary people doing it that gets me. I don't see it all over the UK, but I've really noticed it down here in Exeter. Drivers here often don't even stop to let you cross on a zebra crossing, let alone if you're just waiting at the side of the road to cross. When I'm here in Exeter I use public transport whenever I can, and it's certainly less stressful than driving. The problem is that it doesn't go exactly where you need it to go, when you need it to get there. Underground trains in London, for example, run every few minutes, whereas buses in Exeter can take 20-30 minutes, which is quite a wait if it's raining or you're carrying loads of shopping! When I'm not at University I have no choice but to drive to get around as my family live out in the country where we don't get many buses to anywhere useful. Generally the drivers there are far better than drivers in Exeter. Perhaps it's contagious - if a few people drive well then everyone else feels they should; if a few people drive badly then everyone else does the same.

Not sure exactly how to interpret your description, but this is what I've done quickly:Is that the sort of thing you're looking for or am I on completely the wrong track? I've put it on a dark background just to show it - it has a transparent background at the moment. I assumed a dark background because a white banner and silhouettes would only really work against a dark colour.

Exactly. Both the practical and theory part of the test require you to know the meaning of all the signs and markings, so people should have no excuse. If people are forgetting then all they need to do is have a flick through the Highway Code (free online) and look up whatever they're not sure of. It seems that if people are forgetting things, they're just ignoring the problem rather than trying to correct it. If people are flouting the rules on purpose then they should be permanently banned from driving for life, simple as that. Trains and planes have incredibly strict regulations and controls, and are strictly managed to ensure that they don't crash. The same sorts of rules are in effect on the roads, but so many people ignore them that they may as well not be there. If someone purposely runs a red light or ignores a stop sign or whatever then they should lose their right to drive for good. Clearly they're not responsible enough and don't realise that what they're driving can kill. I doubt it would be effective. Most people know full well how they're supposed to be driving, but just choose not to drive well. People would just drive properly for their test, then go out and carry on as they always have done. Forcing people to take their test each year would probably drum the rules in so they become habit, but it would be too expensive for people, too expensive to run and require an army of examiners that simply don't exist. What's it like in other countries? Are the rules of the road ignored by most people, and do they get enforced effectively?

The support team are all paid employees of Xisto (as far as I know) and therefore work regular hours. Us moderators are volunteers and work whenever we have the time I assume training is involved for the support staff to be able to create and manage accounts etc., so I'm guessing that is an issue with getting more staff. Also, I'm not sure if OpaQue would be happy with us moderators working as support staff, due to our unpredictable and fairly random hours on the forums. However, that's up to OpaQue - he really knows the most about all this. That'd be kinda pointless - who ever improves by ignoring suggestions? I think we all use support fairly infrequently (well, I don't use them a lot anyway) so it's hard for us to gauge whether it's working or not.

OK, I know this is a really common thing for people to have a problem with, but recently it's really got to me, to the point I'm amazed there is still a single car on the road where I live. Firstly, "no entry" signs. here's what one looks like (in the UK at least): It means you do not enter that road. Not that you can enter it if it makes your drive home faster, or if it looks like there isn't anyone else there, or if you only want to go a short distance down it - you do not drive down that road in that direction. What is so hard to understand about that? There's normally one sign either side of the road, and the words "NO ENTRY" painted on the road. There's no excuse for missing it. So, do people just do it because they're lazy, or what? Red traffic lights: You stop. No questions. You don't speed up to get through before someone hits you from the other direction, or just fly through like the lights aren't there. Also, they apply to cyclists too, yet the vast majority ignore them. Why? They're there for your safety, as drivers don't expect a cyclist to fly across the front of them when they have a green light. Just because you're in a hurry is no excuse to jump a red light. Stop signs: Well, the clue is in the name. You stop. Not go slowly, not have a look then speed up. You stop, then look, then go if it is clear. Again, no excuse for missing it - large stop sign on a big pole, solid white line across the road and the huge word STOP painted on the road. If you miss all that then clearly your eyesight is nowhere near good enough to be driving a car. Level crossings: OK, you've just got a death wish if you ignore the signals. How is playing chicken with a high speed train weighing many tons worth the few seconds you might save on the journey? Big barriers, big flashing lights and a bell sound all tell you not to cross, and yet people still do. Tailgating: Again, why do people do this? All it does is make the driver in front nervous and more likely to crash. Back off and give people room. It takes no effort and takes no longer to get where you're going. OK, mini rant over - just had to get that out of my system. There are plenty of other problems but I'll hold back for now