PSS I noticed you are planing on up dateing from dail up. If you have a choice between Cable and DSL. I would go with Cable (dependeing on the prices difence) DSL get slower the farther you are from the source where Cable dosen't matter where you are.

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it's only kinky the first time

it's not the orgasm but getting there thats fun

a shot in the bush is worth two in the hand

whip me, beat me, tie me up, break my arm, but please don't break my heart

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid people are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt" -Bertrand Russell

I must confess my eyes sort of glaze over when I read technical things. I am more or less computer literate as requirement for my profession and for my MSN Degree work. But my philosophy is "It's all FM".
To explain;
I once dated this wonderful woman who was in the Air Force as an electronics person, (married to a nice man as part of her "cover", she was gay and he was straight, they never had sex with each other, and I got to happily fuck both... damn I love my life!!) Anyway, she used to say that all electronics was "FM" - "Fucking Magic" In otherwords, the question is "does it work, not how it works".
I have an Apple, a used one that is set up to run both the Apple system and Windows XP. I can switch back and forth when I want to. I also have a used Dell. I bought used, (Apple has a refurbished sales program I like) to save money. My machines are both upgradable if I want (the Apple more than the Dell), and have never ever broken. All the problems have been other things like my cable modem, or DSL or whatever it is. Both are wonderful computers, and do all that I need. I have heard of others having problems with Dell, but I think all the problems in my machine were sorted out before I bought it, an advantage in purchasing used.
My Dell is hooked up to an old fashioned twenty two inch "TV" type monitor that I bought used for 40$. The same size flat panel is about 1000$, and I have a sharp, clear picture.
"Fastest bestest" is a trap. Buy the machine you need today and will do what you need to do for the next year. Add on and upgrade as you need. I agree with darling Lil that a 599 machine that suddenly costs 2 times that is scary. The Dell people are kind of famous for this, I am told.

Just my thoughts...

Wanda Kitty

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"I wondered, am I a lesbian, am I straight, or bisexual? Then I realized that I am just a slut.
So where's MY parade?"

---Margaret Cho

LixyChick,

I agree with Mark & Booger about using WinXP rather than Vista. You probably will not get anything from Vista that you can’t get from WinXP. Mark may be referring to the reports that quite a few device drivers are not yet available for Vista although they are for WinXp, and as Booger pointed out, WinXP has been debugged, while Vista is new.

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Eudaimonia

TY guys...for taking the time to explain in (somewhat) plain speak.

I've honestly never heard a bad thing about Dells unless I was on here, in another thread, and the preference discussion got going. I was always told that the a brand name on a computer is like a personal preference in a car. If you like Fords you'll down Chevy's...and vice-versa.

I take all the advice, insight and personal stories I get here and weight them carefully. I won't ever try to disagree with you unless I know to what I speak.

As to buying a used puter to save money...it's not an issue. It's like life/health insurance to me, to purchase the best and get only what I need. With computers...I don't understand what all the "bells and whistles" are...but if I am going to need them someday I want to have that option now instead of having to purchase more to upgrade later.

I don't want to overspend for no good reason but I don't want less just to save money either. I want to grow with this new computer and I want it to grow with me. I want it to be able to help me as I learn as well.

BTW...Windows ME is obsolete as far as Windows Update is concerned. Vista is the newest of the new. Someday XP will be obsolete as well. Couldn't being new be a good thing too?

I'll take heed of your advice about XP and Vista...but I need to do more research.

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Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open.

~Thomas Dewar~

Ok sorry Lixy. Here is a basic run down of some computer words. RAM is shorthand for Random Access Memory, the long and short of that is the OP (Operating System) access the memory randomly when it needs it. 1.6 or 2.0 gig is the speed of the cpu. Before the 1.0 gigahertz machines were around, we were all running the older machines which were much slower. 800 megahertz is a good example. Basically the speed of the cpu is how fast it is able to process data, nothing more. So the idea is the higher speed the faster the cpu can access data.

That is why I said that only get a pc for your needs and requirements not the other way around. Don't get confused by all the techno bable by the computer geeks who are trying to sell it to you.

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My stories
An erotic story
The instructor and student
Secretary learns how to take a dicktation
The story of sister stephanie

ok time for me to add my moneys worth here.. I also build and maintain PC's but not for a living. My PC that Lizz is using a lot I built from scratch and works like a charm still after 2 years.

The core components look good from here. For what you want to use a faster processer and a motherboard (the brains of the PC) is the best. It means that there will be less time loading and updating images. As for the operating system...Windows Vista is fairly new and not yet proven totally in the field. Myself personally i am waiting for about 6-12 months before upgrading to it. I want the bugs to be worked out totally and them upgrading. Perhaps you could talk to them and get yourself XP pro???

Memory - In my eyes the more the better so this is good.

Monitor - I always ask.. Do you have the room for it and is a big screen really needed?

Video Card - Nvidia is one of the best makers about (again a personal opinion) I always use them if i can. This is probably a very good match for what you want

HD - Serial ATA is very good, reduces read/write times and 350GB is great. Plenty of room for porn

Floppy Drive.. The only reason for this now is if you want to share small files with others.... It was important back in the days of ME for emergancy boot but now you can sort the PC out to boot from CD if really needed

Network.. Great if you have 2 PC's and one internet point. Means that they can both access it providing they both have a network card, 10/100 is the standard.

CD-ROM - Good call on the Duel drives, less wear on the drive for reading/writing and as has already been said means you can copy disks (if you need software for this give me a PM i have a HUGE stash of suitable about)

Sound Card/Speakers... Good option BUT i would have looked for a seperate sound card, that way if it fails you can replace just that and not have to look for a new motherboard

Office/Firewall.. Good call. But if there was an option for Norton/Symantec i would have gone for that. Everyone says that McAfee is great BUT norton tops the easy of use, reliable everytime. It may be a little more expensive BUT you can get bargains on it.

Service option - If anything is going to go wrong its going to be in the first few months. 1 year is more than long enough and by then most of the componants will be out of date anyways (usually happens in 6 months)

Might i make a couple of suggestions as well.

When i build a new PC i always run a benchmark test to check and make sure that all the components are working together. I also do a "burn in" session as well. I leave the PC on for 24 hours, not connected to the 'net and then a further 6 hours connected to the net. I use the PC as and when i need to during this. Again if anything will fail its during this as well.

Overall though I think you have a good deal there and if you have any more questions drop me a PM

Enjoy it

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Everyone Talks, Friends Listen

Just to provide some re-assurance on your choice of Dell (that is if you need any) - my first laptop was a Dell. It was a dream, worked wonderfully and got me through my Grad school years until the built in mouse buttons broke. It was well used though and that's part of the downfall of a laptop (all components in one neat little box). Then I went to IBM, well you don't care about that really. But the important part is when I was back in the market for another laptop I went back to Dell.

I love my Dell products!

About what you are getting, I have no real suggestions other than after going through a desktop and being on my third laptop in about 12 years, I finally did the "smart" thing with my most recent laptop purchase a year ago. I upgraded the processor, the RAM, the hard drive, and the CD Rom. Through my experience these are the things that if you buy on the low end or "today's standard" you will find your machine being a slug in a couple of years as the technology moves and yours becomes obsolete.

I haven't looked on Dell's website lately, but my guess is Vista is your only option. From my persepective you don't have a lot of choice. In the coporate world we don't rush to anything new from Microsoft we wait for at least the first service pack to be released. This allows most bugs to be worked out and they don't have to deal with 4,000 buggy machines around the world. I went to XP shortly after it was released, mostly because that's all Dell had available. Short story, I think it's likely your only option. Just make sure you keep current on updates that come out. If you are on DSL this will be much easier to do than on dial up.

Lastly, on dial-up vs cable. I've had both and DSL is certainly the cheaper option to go. I had two problems with DSL, my phone lines in my house were hinky so even though I applied the filters to all the necessary phones, I still got bumped off the net everytime the phone rang. Second, it was sluggish at times because our phone lines weren't the best. They were in the process of upgrading all the lines when I moved. I have cable now and have not had any issues. The only reason I have it is because I refuse to pay for a landline phone just so I can add DSL on top of it. So my cable is more on the surface, but I really had no reason to have a landline phone.

Good luck, and I'm certain you will be thrilled with whatever you get.

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When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and swing.

This is where I'm going to disagree with strong vehemence. Symantec is god awful. Revolting interface, resource hog, expensive and ineffective. That's right, IT DOESN'T WORK.
My first computer was running it for about a year. I felt things weren't quite right with it, so I did the free online scan at housecall.trendmicro.com - guess what! Six full blown viruses. Stay. Away. From. Norton.

McAfee has probably the best reputatation of the paid-for anti-virus software.

But I've had no problems at all running Avast on my machines - works like a charm.

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You know, Blackadder, for me socks are like sex. Tons of it about and I never seem to get any.

My Photos:
https://imgur.com/a/80hiRdm

To open another can of worms I don't think I would pay for an anti-virus program these days. I've been running AVG's free anti-virus now for over 6 months with barely a problem. I say barely because sometimes it decides to update itself in the middle of a game and then things bog down but I just shut it off and run it later if that happens.

WOW! You guys are incredible! I mean absolutely INFUCKINCREDIBLE! You are a wealth of imformation even if you don't realize/think you are getting to me.

I'm keeping tally on good vs. bad and I know it boils down to personal experience and personal preference. It's the experience, backed by a fact, that helps me most.

I had a thought about Vista...and all that was said about it. I was thinking that due to past experience with new programs (XP, ME, 98, 95...etc.) and all the bugs that had to be worked out before those systems were "set"...don't the programmers of each new system learn from the mistakes of creating all those before it? It would make sense to me that they would. Correct me if I'm wrong (please do)...but doesn't EVERY new Windows application have it's "bugs"? And do they get less buggier with each new introduction of a Windows program? Kinda like playing chess. I know what went well this time and I know what won't work ever again. I'll try to get the same end result in the future, but in a different way this time. Seriously...in almost all aspects of life there will be "bugs" to work out. From buying a computer to making a marriage work...and everything in-between! I just need to know if this theory applies to the conjuring of the next addition of Windows? If I sit here with "rose colored glasses"...PLEASE tell me so! I mean...who are the peeps that help work out the bugs but you and I...right?

Again...I have to stress...THE COMPUTER I AM ON NOW IS MORE THAN OBSOLETE AND IT CAN'T TAKE MY SHITTINESS MUCH MORE! To give you an example: On Pixies...if I open a thread with "smilies" or attachments in it it could take anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes to open. If I click on a link that requires me to download a vid (say...fromYouTube) it could take up to an hour depending on it's size.

What I'm most worried about is losing the good stuff from this ole thing, and on the other side of the coin taking bad shit with me in a transfer. I've tried my best to keep this computer free of viruses and keep it ship-shape to run at it's best efficiency. It's old and wants to retire. I highly doubt I could even donate it fore all the porn and such we have on here. AFTER I do get a new set up...I am going to have to destroy the mother board so as not to spread my pussy pics around the neighborhood.

Oh...on that note...ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO HOW TO MAKE THIS COMPUTER COMPLETELY DISABLED?? I don't want it to ever be able to show ANYTHING that was ever on here!!!

But I digress...as usual...lol!

Suffice it to say, I am making many a list from what I learn in this thread. Don't think that I dismiss any of your experiences or suggestions. Being of the scientific nature that I am, I weigh each and every thought/reply/contribution and categorize it for a summation!

Gotta point out...it was sooooooooooo friggin fun to hear from WickedWanda and Casper! I rarely strike a nerve lately to get you guys to jump in my thread! *hugs to you* and all the info provided!!!!

TY for the link Lil...*woot*

NOTE TO SELF: Perv more with (((((Scotz)))))!!!!!!!!!!!!

IK...Did you say you were buying me a DeBeers diamond? Oh...damn I wish I could decypher fuckin puter speak!

jseal...Pop-In-Law got his very first PC and went directly to Verizon (motha-fuckin-sum-na-bitch). I had to help him set it up and speak to ISP for him and all that stuff about phone lines. In the end...now that he's set up better than us...he's happy with his computer. Imagine...a man who NEVER liked technology (scared I think) is now on a better set up than me! But...I learned a lot from his Verizon stuff! TY for the input hun!

Jude...*giggle* I've marked you down as "no cable" and you're so sweet to reply more than once in this thread!

(((((Osuche))))...nuff said!

((((Neige)))))...You'll always be PS *hugs* to me! TY! Casper says a few good things about Vista. I'm weighing all the possibilities.

campingboy...*blink, blink* Um...Now ya went and made me go blank. LOL! Sokay hun...I read it all and get what I can from each! Love you!

dm...I know to whom you refer and I appreciate the input! Nice talking to you too sweetums, lovey cakes!

Mark V...*blink, blink, blink* LOL! I got it...sorta. I ain't gonna say I got all of it but I do appreciate the effort!!! As to "techno babble from computer geeks"...I can ground them with the best of um! I'm not your stereotypical "dumb blonde". Oh...wait...I ain't even blonde! LOL! What I'm trying to say is if I don't understand what you are saying...either in person or in type...I'll halt you and make you word it so that I can understand. It's not to say that I don't know/understand the words you are using...it's the context in which you define. I know what RAM is and I know a lot more than I think I know if you/anyone would just use the more common/understandable name/terms instead of the "geek speak". Seems to me that "geeks" think that everyone who has a computer knows the lingo. Some peeps are more invloved than others. Computers have NOTHING to do with my job or most other parts of my life. If I had to scale it, I'd say 1/64 of my life involves working on a computer. Some people have jobs that require computer use all day long. Some peeps make it a hobby. Myself? I NEVER use a computer at work or as a hobby. I'm a casual user. I choose to do it...I'm not required to boot up and understand! That I am not forced to do it makes me "the curious one"! I'm willing to learn if you are willing to realize I am not stupid and can learn. TY for the double input (((hun)))!

mayhem...Oh (((((mayhem)))))! That's what I wanted! Spell it out for me! To me it's like...(me being a seamstress) if I have a sewing machine here (in my country) and I try to tell you how to work it all the way over there(in your country)...I'd do a step-by-step. I know you don't sew (or you might...but not as good as me...lol!) but you are there and I am here. The Vista thing? I don't know if I should be...but I ain't scared! I went ME when everyone was still on 98 and I had some adjusting to do but I didn't have the expectations that "highers up" would have. I just learned the system and took to it like a duck to water and worked through the bugs. TY so much for the time and I will heed your words carefully! As with anything in my life, there is rarely a time when new adventures come off without a hitch. Though I proclaim my patience level is less than it could be, if I am learning I am more patient with the material...not necessarily with myself. I want to be the know-all-end-all and I hate when I can't "get it" (whatever it is) on my first or second try. It doesn't make me dumb/ignorant...just makes me want to try all the more! *hugs*

maddy...Seems to me that it's the old "Ford vs. Chevy" theory again. I work with a girl who only ever had a Gateway and then went Dell. She kept saying she HATED Dell because it's nothing like her Gateway. I asked her what she was running in her Gateway and she said Windows 98. I asked what was in Dell and she said XP. I told her...it's not the name of the puter but what's inside that's changed. Peeps around here HATE change of any form. So anyway...that was about a year ago and this girl has come around to XP. She had problems personified in the beginning because she wanted to work in her old fashion on 98. Now that she's of the understanding that it's different but still workable she is navigating more and getting used to the differences. The cable vs. DSL thing isn't an option for me. Comcast sucks you in and gives you a deal if you do "all three" (phone, cable, puter) and then gouges you at the end of six months. When they sent letter after letter and I didn't reply...they started calling me till I finally put a squash on that. On one call I said, "This sounds like a good deal up front. What happens after six months?" The girl on the phone was hesitant (because we were being recorded and I doubt most would ask this question)...and then said, "Well ma'am, the cost would go up for each service that you had". I told her I now have "Premium Cable" (which is above basic but doesn't include High Premium with HBO and such) and if I get this deal I can have phone, cable, and computer on the same deal for $33 each a month for six months...totalling $99 plus tax and sir charge...etc"? After six months the cost[s] goes up to $65-75 a month per individual service depending on if you keep all three or keep one or two. She was a bit taken aback at the $ amount but never said it...just a big pregnant pause. Trust me...I'm doing this scientifically! TY sweety!

Casper...I had Norton and uninstalled it after problem after problem. It came across to me like AOL did. It wanted to run my puter...not me running it! I live and learn!

Again peeps...TY soooooooooooooooooooooo much for all the info I have to weigh!

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Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open.

~Thomas Dewar~

I like that Avast, love the little blue ball on the task bar. Thanks Casper!!