new pc, disk and speakers help

xdaisyx

hi, i've just had a new pc delivered

i'm going to sound really thick here i know but firstly, my old speakers were operated by mains, i can't find a mains connection on this new pc so i need to go and get some new speakers, what wording am i looking for so i don't end up with some mains speakers?

Also, last time i had a pc, i received a back up windows disc, this hasn't one in, do i need to do some sort of copy myself or should there be one?

damo24

Most speakers are mains speakers in that they receive their power from the mains through a 3 pin plug. You can get some speakers which are powered by from a USB socket but they tend to be pretty poor quality.

As for the recovery disc, if there is not one supplied with the PC there will usually be a program to create one. The name varies but it is usually something like "Recovery Media Creator"

exup

unless the speakers are built into the monitor or - rarely into the PC then I would suggest mains speakers anyway - either they will plug into a 3 pin socket - or may plug into the PC power socket on the power supply and have an extension to plug the mains power lead into the back of it

xdaisyx

damo24 wrote: »

Most speakers are mains speakers in that they receive their power from the mains through a 3 pin plug. You can get some speakers which are powered by from a USB socket but they tend to be pretty poor quality.

As for the recovery disc, if there is not one supplied with the PC there will usually be a program to create one. The name varies but it is usually something like "Recovery Media Creator"

thanks, by mains i mean they actually had their own wall plug and a purple connection to the back aswell as the usual ones

Apples2

Why not simply use your old mains powered speakers?

They will undoubtedly be better quality than anything you will get free with a new pc.

Are you looking for a power outlet from the PSU? these are less and less common these days.
If that's the case, you could just snip the plug off and fit a normal plug

macman

You just plug your existing speakers into the mains. Often the plug is the 2 pin type that requires a standard shaver adapter to fit a 13A socket.

xdaisyx

this is an exact version of my old set up,
http://support.packardbell.com/uk/item/index.php?i=spec_speakers_volumeBS&ppn=PB35207801
on my new unit there is no option for that kind of purple connection

Apples2

Ah, so it's a 12V DC Jack. You could search around for one which will do the same job, but for the money involved, I would just get some new mains powered speakers.

xdaisyx

Apples2 wrote: »

Ah, so it's a 12V DC Jack. You could search around for one which will do the same job, but for the money involved, I would just get some new mains powered speakers.

see i said I'd sound thick lol

so i could just nip to Argos and pick up anything really?

macman

But the speakers on your link are not mains powered, they are powered by a 12V feed off the PC. Most modern PC's don't have a DC socket like this any more. You could possibly buy a 12V transformer but no point really-you just need to buy some simple mains PC speakers and use those.
As advised above the USB ones are pretty rubbish and not recommended.

xdaisyx

macman wrote: »

But the speakers on your link are not mains powered, they are powered by a 12V feed off the PC. Most modern PC's don't have a DC socket like this any more. You could possibly buy a 12V transformer but no point really-you just need to buy some simple mains PC speakers and use those.
As advised above the USB ones are pretty rubbish and not recommended.

i know, sorry...i had a blonde moment,i was certain it was mains but that was my router plug
that pic is an exact version of my old set up...thanks for your help