HELP - Choosing a new pc

HalfPint

Hi All,

I need some help and advice with a new pc. I got this one http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?PC-1103 on Tuesday and unfortunately it appears to be faulty, lost all confidence in this now and am baffled by the "jargon"

I basically need one with a good RAM 2gb with the option to add more (I beleive the max any will use is 3.1)

Hubby is a photographer and we currently use Corel X2, hence the big ram.

otherwise PC is mainly used for word processing, playing music and surfing the net. Dont use it for gaming (apart from the online free ones) Got a PS2 for that lol.

I thought the above one was a good deal, bought xp seperate so that we had the disc (good idea since I've already had to reformat it)

Im tempted to pay a bit more a go to pc world but I dont need printer moniter etc

Sorry I've waffled on, basically am I better getting the same novatech one replaced or go elsewhere a get something else if so what?

Oh - like us all I wanna get the best I can for what I need at the best price I can

Thanks xx

Mr._Tibs

Hey..

If the main demanding use of the PC is going to be for Digital Photography, then you don't really need a super powerful PC..the problem of course is that your new PC is going to come with Vista installed which sucks power.

In regards to RAM...DDR2 is REALLY cheap at the minute, so when you buy your PC, if you check a site like Crucial, you'll be able to what your motherboards maximum capacity is, and you might as well upgrade to that (could be 4gb+)

This PC I think would do for you - bu it is more expensive than those you linked to.

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspndt_531?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs third one across

BillScarab

What was wrong witht eh Novatech one? I've used them before and they've alwys been OK.

Otherwise as Mr. Tibs says have a look at Dell. If large amounts of memory are really important, you could look at getting a PC with Vista Home Premium 64bit. That would allow you to have 16Gb of RAM (depending on the capacity of your motherboard). Ultimate would allow 128Gb+ but that might be getting silly.

Make sure you do some research before opting for a 64bit OS though to ensure all of your software and peripherals will work.

For Dells have a look at https://www.dmxdimension.com they list the current best offers at Dell, and don't froget quidco


I prefer the Intel Core 2 Duo processors at the moment rather than AMD although the new AMD Phenoms look good. I'm guessing Corel will use multiple cores so it may be worth looking for a quad core system.

HalfPint

Thanks for the info,

Had a look at the dell one whilst I like, hubby says he won't touch dell Guess its preference as I dont like packard bell lol

Novatech problem...loaded xp & the core drivers (motherboard) and it wont take any software, tried a couple but it just hangs during the installation. have to shut it down with task manager. Tried the software on another pc and installs perfectly so it aint the software. talked to their tech guys and they said reformat, which I did last night and it still wont work...they seemed really puzzled as to why I dont have a clue, I just use the software

Novatech are taking it back but unsure whether to pay more at the likes of pc world or get the replacement novatech one. Was advised against a 64bit system.

I like to keep things simple and easy to use - any more recommendations?

Thanks xxxx

BillScarab

To be honest I think you'd be better buying something with Windows pre-installed. If you buy from a decent supplier you get the Windows disk anyway. I've bought a machine from Novatech before and I got a disc. However now you've bought a retail copy I suppose you don't want to buy it again.

If your husband won't buy a Dell, tell him he's daft, but if he really won't have a look at https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk as they allow you to configure what you want and are supposed to be OK. My last machine was bought from https://www.komplett.co.uk who also allow you to configure what you want and I'm happy with it.

HalfPint

Grrr...getting frustrated :mad:

Ok, Novatech wont take the xp disc back...what do I do if its the disc thats faulty? and not the box argggg. Wishing I'd gone to pc world!

Going down there later will let you know what happens...gotta sort this first b4 looking at another pc lol

Thanks for your help.

Blackjack_Davy

Hmm they won't take back the disc if it's been registered with Microsoft and it's OEM as it's now useable only with that motherboard/PC.

If the OS installed ok it can't be the Windows disc thats faulty as the software is identical on all copies of that type.

HalfPint

Hmm they won't take back the disc if it's been registered with Microsoft and it's OEM as it's now useable only with that motherboard/PC.

Does this mean I have to buy a new xp disc too? or will the one I've got work if I just get the box replaced?

HalfPint

PS:

Is there much difference between these pc's for my purposes?

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/compare.html?type=pcrange
Really appreciate your help :beer:

Many thanks from a confused lass with no techy knowledge

Blackjack_Davy

When you bought your copy of XP did you buy a Retail copy or OEM? Or putting it another way, did it come in a box or a polythene bag?

Retail copies can be reused, OEM copies can't. Well, actually, there are loopholes with OEM: if the OEM copy is used on an identical motherboard i.e. it's exactly the same model of PC hardware as the previous one, it can't tell the difference. Or if you phone Microsoft to activate and explain the problem with broken PC's they may let you reactivate it, but it's not guaranteed.

And sorry but that link is dead.

HalfPint

Sorry Davy about the link.
You've kinda answered the question in both cases lol...

Basically was comparing the icon pro (what I got) to the isys ex on the Novatech website

The disc came in a polythene bag with the seriel number on the outside that was inside a brown envelope which has all of Novatechs stock numbers etc on it and that was inside the wee plastic novatech box which also contained the motherboard driver and Nero. The serial number was attached to the polybag and had a microsoft xp booklet "for distribution only with a new pc"

I think in order to avoid having to buy a new disc, I'll need to get the Icon Pro again.

Thanks again

Just checked and it says on the seriel sticker - OEM software...guess thats my answer lol...

sorry about the confusion, I was a confused bunny lol.