Blaaaaaargh.

[msmcknittington]

I'm in such a bad mood, folks. My computer problems continue. I was all set to buy a new power supply, which would be the cheapest solution, only now my CD tray no longer works, one of the USB ports isn't working, and I'm kind of waiting to see what else stops working.

I've been pricing new computers, and I can't find anything that's just the

Comments

[isabelladangelo]

I haven't bought a computer from Overstock but I've bought enough other things from them to believe that you shouldn't have a problem.

Have you checked out tigerdirect.com? They have some good deals and I think they still have some XP operating system computers.

If you need any help or have any questions about computers, please feel free to ask. I've built my past two computers and most of my past jobs have included me being the tech person. :-) People at work bring their computers to me to fix 'em.

[msmcknittington]

Are there any computer brands that you would suggest I stay away from? I've already eliminated Acer and eMachines from my list, because of my experiences and friends'. I'm kind of iffy on Dell, too, as I seem to recall that all the little annoying programs they load their computers with are nearly impossible to get rid of.

I haven't looked at tigerdirect.com, but I'll take a look. I'd like to keep it under $200, if possible. The $2.95 shipping from Overstock is a beautiful thing.

[isabelladangelo]

I'm personally partial to HP's but that really is just me. Dell's are hit and miss. Never get a Dell laptop though. They are a PAIN. eMachines do have issues but Acer tends to be a hit and miss type company too.

This computer looked pretty good. It's an off-lease, refurbished HP for about $180. It has XP as an operating system and it has more than enough USB ports.

It looks like they have the same model on Overstock for about $10 more. I'm not sure what the shipping would be on Tigerdirct but I'd just go with whatever one would be cheaper.

[msmcknittington]

My parents had an HP for their last computer, and it kept going strong for about 7 years, and then it just stopped. My current computer is an eMachines, except since I've had it (5 years), I've replaced the hard drive, the power supply, the monitor, the keyboard, the mouse, and the speakers. It's hardly the computer I started with.

About the processor speed on the HP you linked: My current computer has a 2.5 GHz processor. Is going down to a 2.0 GHz going to be a big step down? This one is pretty sluggish, but I'm not sure if it's because it's old or because I've got so much stuff loaded on it.

[aikea_guinea]

This won't help you with your computer woes, but I just have to say that I never associate you with the Sims for some reason (apart from reading Deception Pass), so I end up with this weird disconnect whenever you mention them.

That is all.

[msmcknittington]

I hardly ever play anymore, but I used to all the time. I still fire it up every once and a while. I finally made someone a vampire the last time I played, and spent a good half an hour using my vampire powers for evil.

Maybe there wouldn't be such a disconnect if I could knit in the game. Hmm. That's an EP I'd buy. A knitting EP.

[ciorstan]

See, I am a bad person, and probably going to illustrate again just how bad I am. When I had an overheating problem, I just took the covers off the case with a screwdriver, and my computer went 'bare' for a good five years. I made sure the dust and cat-hair was carefully cleaned out-- which was easy enough to do.

My video card finally went bust last September, and the only reason I have covers on my computer case is... I have a new computer.

[msmcknittington]

That's exactly what I'm doing now, and it's still overheating! I am at my wit's end.

[msmcknittington]

That's what I have going on right now, plus an electric fan. Still overheating. I'm ready to smash something, but that would probably only create new problems.

[sanguineroses]

Check out newegg.com if you haven't. They run some good deals at times. (I think it's largely components and full set ups, but you may find just a tower there.)

On the subject of brands, I've heard positive reviews about Lenovo (at least when it comes to their Thinkpads) and Asus.