SteveH11

To everyone that helped,<br><br>I'm about to undertake this thing. Thanks for all the advice. On Nortons site, they do tell you (as someone I believe already mentioned), to uninstall it first through add/remove. Once back to Nortons first though.<br><br> I'm going in.....If I'm not back in 4 days please have someone feed my cat. Lorne I may take you up on that PM. Thanks again<br><br>steve

Right, win 3.11. I still have friends who wish they could use dos. I went with win 95...I guess cos that's all there was . When win 98 came out my machine was already becoming obsolete. 2500 bucks seems to be the averrage rate for the bomb PC of the time.

WMMC...who even made video for 486 era pc's? Was your modem the kind where you stuck the phone ear/mouth into a reciever ??? 4 meg of ram used to be so much eh ??? Back then though, that PC was probably awesome.<br><br>Did you run that 1st windows ? could win 95 run on it. ?

Maximum PC has a special section this month explaining the whole thing. I believe you have to have XP pro. And it won't do much for people like me who have slower machines.

2 hours to see "my name is steve"

8 MB ram. Amazing eh? Remember Tandy portable cassette deck drives ? Cripes I remember taking computer class in 7th grade and using punchcards.<br><br>TBaker.."biggest sound card ever" LOL :haha: I could park my car in the tower on that first machine I had.

It's amazing to see how quickly technology went up back then. They've been stuck at the below 4 gig mark for some time.(granted that's all about to change with 64 bit and sli.) When I built that machine it was state of the art...with the exception of the 266 P2. I could've chosen a 300 MHz processor, but opted for the 3dfx card. Quake 2 screamed on that machine.

Good day people. Here's one For ya:<br><br>What are the hardware specs for the first PC you ever built from the ground up. Include the year and cost.<br><br>ABIT mobo<br>Pentium II @ 266MHz<br>ATI expert @ play AGP 1x vid card <br>Diamond Monster 3dfx addon vid card<br>SoundBlaster AWE 64 gold sound card<br>64 meg SDRAM <br>6 gig 5400rpm HD<br>Viewsonic 19" monitor.<br>Altec/Lansing 200 watt sound w/sub <br>Microsoft Ergonomic keys<br>Logitech mouseman<br>16 x Creative CDrom<br>56k USRobotics modom...Upgraded to V90...WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!I <br><br>I thought I was the BOMB. Then 3 weeks later P III comes out. I believe it was December 98/Jan99 And I spent 2500 bucks. It amazes me what 2500 would buy now. Have fun Y'all.<br><br>Steve<br><br>edited to save space.

Wingzero, I unfortunately got XP home. I wish I had the option for pro especially with this 64 bit thing coming out.-(they won't let you upgrade unless you're running Pro). Then again, I don't really think I need that with this weak@ss machine I'm running. I really wish I had built my machine from the ground up as I did in the past. I was

I wish I could reformat, but like I said, I don't have an XP disc. I've put this task off 'til monday when I'm free from work and I can focus on what I'm doing. I'll post whether I'm successful or not. <br><br>One of the main reasons I'm doing this is so I can free up the resources it's taking. In my running processes nort. is taking up space with like 4 different processes. Reg. update, def. update etc. not to mention the program itself. As I mentioned, I disabled it from starting up but these processes continue to run. <br><br>Thanks again for the advice everyone. Geeeeese what a pain. <br><br>Lorne, You can probably expect a PM.....Thanks for the offer.

Paying for 4 meg. 40 bucks per mo.<br><br>:::.. Download Stats ..::: Connection is:: 4182 Kbps about 4.2 Mbps (tested with 2992 kB) Download Speed is:: 511 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net/ (server2) Test Time:: Fri Jun 24 2005 20:21:33 GMT-0400 (Eastern Standard Time) Bottom Line:: 75X faster than 56K 1MB download in 2 sec Diagnosis: Looks Great : 16.04 % faster than the average for host (comcast.net) Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-MTN2DP9FY <br><br>Upload:<br><br>:::.. Upload Stats ..::: Connection is:: 376 Kbps about 0.4 Mbps (tested with 579 kB) Upload Speed is:: 46 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net/ (server1) Test Time:: Fri Jun 24 2005 20:23:29 GMT-0400 (Eastern Standard Time) Bottom Line:: 7X faster than 56K 1MB upload in 22.26 sec Diagnosis: Looks Great : 9.94 % faster than the average for host (comcast.net) Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-Q1D6MCWI7<br><br>Weak upload ???

Wow, thanks for all the advice.I guess I'll try the Nortons website first. BTW, I don't have an XP disc. All the software came preloaded on the machine and apparently it's loaded onto a partition they (Compaq/hp) created on the back end of the C drive.(obviously.)<br><br>Thank God I don't have the entire security suite. I checked my running processes and she's still running even though I managed to disable it. Why on earth do they make this such a pain? Wish me luck, and thanks to all those that helped.<br><br>Steve<br><br>How difficult are registry editors to use ? It's not like hijack this is it ???<br><br>(edited)

Anyone know the best way to remove Nortons Anti-virus completely ? It came set up on the machine when I bought it. Is there an uninstaller out there that will take all the components out better than add/remove programs. It is my understanding that Nort. likes to leave a bunch of "stuff"after it's removed(i.e. problems). I'm using AVG right now and it does a fine job.<br><br>BTW, I removed N.a-v from my start up but the program is still installed. <br><br>Thanks in advance.

Yes, 150% faster is good, but I prefer the 2,394 % faster. LOL <br><br>There's been a thread about this before, but at home my machine averages 4meg/and about 422k per sec dnld while using firefox. When I'm using IE it drops to 3meg/ 300ish dnld. I wonder why that is. <br><br>I remember when my v90 modem was pulling a scorching 4 k per sec.

AGGR3,<br><br>Got ya, Here goes......<br><br>:::.. Download Stats ..::: Connection is:: 4325 Kbps about 4.3 Mbps (tested with 12160 kB) Download Speed is:: 528 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net/ (server2) Test Time:: Thu Jun 23 12:42:13 EDT 2005 Bottom Line:: 77X faster than 56K 1MB download in 1.94 sec Diagnosis: Awesome! 20% + : 148.99 % faster than the average for host (ameritech.net) Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-EG14WQSCY <br><br>That seems more like it. I thought I was going to have to call Ameritech and sign up. <br><br>

Wingzero,<br><br>How are you doing it??? I'm completely lost over here. This speed business is driving me batty. <br>My machine seemed like it struggled to stay running during the mark05 test. Especially the processor test. Zero frames per sec. Maybe I should take up ham radio.

I'm on my work machine. They pay for ameritech 5meg per sec.:<br><br>:::.. Download Stats ..::: Connection is:: 42515 Kbps about 42.5 Mbps (tested with 12160 kB) Download Speed is:: 5190 kB/s Tested From:: https://testmy.net/ (server2) Test Time:: Thu Jun 23 11:57:53 EDT 2005 Bottom Line:: 759X faster than 56K 1MB download in 0.2 sec Diagnosis: Awesome! 20% + : 2349.02 % faster than the average for host (ameritech.net) Validation Link:: https://testmy.net/stats/id-80QA4FWMZ <br>I sure wouldn't mind seeing that 24/7. Had to be a mistake, will retest.

Organ-shifter.<br><br> Ah yes, the old 200 = 400. I read about that on a thread here a while back. Now if the mobo is telling me I'm at pc2700 when I actually have pc 3200 installed,that must mean my mobo only supports up to 2700 in which case I'm pretty much trapped. I'm still having issues trying to locate any type of advanced chipset info through the bios. Can't adjust cas latency or timing etc.I can't even check to see where it's at. I just bought a Maximum PC optimization manual and it pretty much has the numbers and methods, but my bios won't let me any further than the normal hard drive, onboard sound/vid options. I can tell the time and temp as well...WOOOOHOOOO !!! ! Other than that, the options just aren't there. I'd at least like to check and compare against the maxpc recommendations. <br><br>That's it, I'm calling Alienware. ...Thanks again....<br><br>SteveH11<br><br>Maybe next year....

Thank you 5|*42<br>I checked out the page and I'll be looking into things. Love this site. It's good to see people actually care.

Organ-shifter, thanks for the response.<br><br>Here's what I'm looking at:<br><br> My memory is actually pc3200. The board, Asus A7V8X-LA Is supposedly only set to run it at 2700. (I do believe its got the barton core.)I went to a spec page on my machine and it says that my board already runs its FSB at 400 MHz.....Which is strange since system monitors I've used in the past say it's running at 200MHz.....Also, Let me admit that this machine started out as a Compaq-(spec page @ http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?dlc=en&tool=softwareCategory&lc=en&product=436281&os=228&cc=us&docname=c00288543 with minor changes being made. I.E., Added 512 mem,vid card, sound card. BTW, I just read in Maximum pc, that when you add cards vs. using on-board, it takes pressure off of the processor and actually ups performance. (obviously with the vidcard more so). I did notice slight graphical improvement after I added my sound card. Anyway, I tried going into the bios to check stuff out and I can't bring up or find any advanced chipset modifiers. It's a phoenix utility, seems really mellow. I've posted before on this subject as I feel this system is not optimized.<br><br>I really do understand that there's only so much juice you can squeeze from an orange, but there has to be a way to modify or "enhance" performance. BTW the machine runs a tad hot. I've got the vid/sound cards as far away from each as possible.-she hasn't shut down yet though.(knock on wood.) Is there a utility, (software based) out there that allows you to change system settings performance wise ? I know it's doubtful since that's what the bios is for.<br><br> I won't give up yet but I think I may be at my limit. What gets me is that I see 3dmark scores doubling mine with older, slower equipment.<br><br>Thanks in advance for any advice.<br><br>GO PISTONS !!!

I posted a while back about my 3dmark03 score of 4600ish, seemed slow to me. Reno said it wasn't "crappy". So I decided to do the 05 version... And let me tell you, my pc still sucks. I scored a 1657 and the highest framerate I saw was 10.5 on the balloon test.<br><br>Now what's weird is that I thought I had a sort of decent machine.(For the loot anyway):<br><br>AMD3200XP rated at 2.2 ghz<br>ATI radeon 9800 pro 128meg(agp)<br>1 gig pc2700<br>Soundblaster live 24 bit<br>Asus mobo...200 mhz f.s.b.<br><br>She runs HALO with hardly any slowdown...Granted the graphics aren't maxed. Doom 3 runs well too. Maybe I should just realize that I'm in need of a better rig. Is there anything I can do to boost this short of overclocking???

How ya doing Reno ? What's an average score for a decent machine ? I've seen scores up-wards of 10,000..but those are met with skepticism by others on their boards. BTW I'm running the latest drivers and DirectX 9C is installed as well. <br><br>Thanks for the response.<br><br>Steve<br><br>I know I'm not running the greatest of machines ...not even close, but it seems I'm not fully optimized.<br><br>As well I've found that my mobo runs my pc3200 memory at 2700, and my frontside bus is at 200MHz. I was contemplating going into the bios and attempt adjusting the cas latency, memory timing and whatnot but I seem to have a really mellow setup utility (Phoenix). I can't get into any advanced chipset modifiers. Probably better off. I understand a bit about this stuff , but nowhere near the genius of some of you. I can't afford a new machine so the nutty tweaking will have to wait.

Hey y'all,<br><br>I just ran 3dmark03 and scored a 4650. Seems really crappy, especially since the comparison PC's specs were less "zippy" than mine. I am running an AMD XP3200 @ 2.2GHz, The mobo I believe has a 400 MHz frontside bus. (I'm at work, I'll check for sure later.) 1gig pc3200 memory. ATI radeon 9800 pro 128 meg, soundblaster live 24 bit, 120 gig 7200rpm drive. My benchmarks for memory on everest pro are pretty weak as well. shows me equal to to an old 1800 thunderbird with 512 meg pc100 mem. <br><br>Seems like the machine runs games ok. I play doom3 on "high quality" with only a few spots slowing down. Is 4650 as crappy a score as I think it is? Are there any safe adjustments I can make in the registry or in the bios to make sure I'm running optimally? I don't want to overclock as my last machine literally caught fire after upping a 100MHz frontside bus to 133. OOPS<br><br>Any help would be appreciated.<br>SteveH11

I had this issue with my Radeon 9800 pro. I went to the ATI site and downloaded the latest drivers, as well as making sure DirectX 9 c was installed as well. <br><br> When I first installed the card, I tested it playing DOOM 3. She ran a bit skippy, and you could see the graphics being drawn in a big blurry line through the middle of the monitor. I downloaded and installed latest drivers, as well as changed my monitors refresh rate....which I believe also helped. Now she runs smooth as silk. <br><br>What are your pc's specs? I'm running an AMD xp3200 with a gig of memory, 7200 rpm HD. Not really that fast or great of a machine but she does a couple of things well and for 700 bucks I'm happy.<br><br>BTW- what were you testing the card on ? A game ?My machine can't run DOOM 3 with all the effects powered max. I get loads of slow down especially when there are many enemies on screen. I just went into the options and fiddled with the sliders (lowering vid quality.) Still looks great but runs much much better.<br><br> I hope this helps.<br><br>SteveH11

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I love this site. It's really cool that there's so many of y'all willing to help out<br><br> Just installed the card . Disabled onboard in bios, put in card, ignored generic drivers and installed creatives' software. She works !!! I'm very pleased. <br><br>I will be sure to spread the word about testmy. Once again thanks alot!!!!!