Need some comp advice, please?

[Chromatix]

A Radeon 9800 isn't exactly new any more, but unless you're playing 3D games it's not going to be holding your machine back. I would definitely get more RAM first.

A freezing problem might not, however, be due to the amount of hardware you have. It's more likely to be due to a failure, either in software or in hardware. So my suggestion (partly echoing others here) is to also get a new HD, do a fresh install of Windows on it, and then move your stuff to it from the old drive.

The two of those things together is unlikely to cost you more than $200, and possibly less if you shop wisely.

[EricKei]

As has been said before -- RAM or Hard Drive. You can get a gig of ram (or more) for $60 or less these days. 512 is rather anemic for XP these days, and it won't be enough to comfortably handle win 7 (note -- I've run both 7 and vista on a dual boot, and 7 used LESS ram than vista, with no apps installed, and only current updates/drivers). 1 gig or better will let you eke out a bit more life from the old boy.

You're fine on hard drive *space* (30% or less free is where things begin to slow down, 20% would make the OS drag on everything) -- Firefox is a bit of a memory hog, itself. Hard drive size -- I priced out internal drives just this past week -- internal 1 terabyte drives can be had for $110 or less at retail. Pick your size, pick yer poison -- but yeah, that old drive is likely on its way out.

It would probably be best to move to 7 on a cheap box as soon as it is practical. Consider hitting Dell or a similar site for a more modern system with a new HD, $400 can get you a pretty nice refurbished system from them that is more than adequate for the needs you mentioned. Then, just transfer your data over from the old drive.

[Andara Bledin]

$400 can get you a pretty nice brand new sytsem if you don't mind putting it together yourself.

The bonus there is then you don't have to worry about stripping out all of the crap that a pre-built from a chain puts on there.

The downside is that you have to put it together yourself, you have to load everything on it yourself, and if you have problems with it, you can't just send it in to have it worked on.

^-.-^

[Geek King]

The downside is that you have to put it together yourself, you have to load everything on it yourself, and if you have problems with it, you can't just send it in to have it worked on.

A nice compromise (a little extra cash for support and someone else building it) is www.cyberpowerpc.com, you can customize almost any system they make online, with a running total price. I've bought my last two computers through them, and did have one motherboard fail within 30 days that they took care of promptly. I'm sure there are other places that do the same, but that's the company I have experience with.

[r2cagle]

I appreciate everyone's advice. I know it's not easy to give advice without having the machine in question, in front of you.

I'm still not completely sure what direction I want to go in, but either way, purchase of anything has to wait for another month, or at least until the tax refund check hits the bank. So, I've got some time to research and make a decision, ask more questions, annoy the heck out of everyone.. blah, blah, blah.

Ya'll have given me alot to think about and consider, which kinda sucks, because I hate making decisions when there is more than one right answer. :sigh: I'll survive, I guess.

[technical.angel]

Ya'll have given me alot to think about and consider, which kinda sucks, because I hate making decisions when there is more than one right answer. :sigh: I'll survive, I guess.

Well, like I said before, if you need help making a decision, I'm here!

[EricKei]

I'm still not completely sure what direction I want to go in, but either way, purchase of anything has to wait for another month, or at least until the tax refund check hits the bank.

E-filing w/direct deposit FTW, cagle ^_^

I'm lazy -- I didn't file my 1040 until April 7th. According to the IRS "Where's My Refund" site, my refund should hit my account on/soon after April 20th, despite my terrible procrastination o_O And I work for a CPA's office, no less. 2 weeks from file to check is insane (then again, I file a standard 1040, no itemization), especially this close to the deadline...

PS for those who are in the US, are NOT claimable as someone else's dependent, and make enough so that filing is mandatory ($6000 gross): Look up "making work pay" on the IRS site. Up to $400 automatic credit for many filers. Need to attach Schedule M if you claim it.

[r2cagle]

E-file -- I wish, the person we pay to do our taxes does not do e-file.. so it's snail mail. But it was sent two week ago. Yes, yes, I could e-file it myself, but I'd rather slap the stamp on it and be done with it.

BUT...definitely direct deposit all the way. Still makes it faster than waiting on a check to be cut.

[EricKei]

Awww, that sucks. Maybe e could be convinced that it's easier...if he uses software do to it in the first place (like ProSeries), e-filing is probably built-in anyway. Besides, filing fees and software are supposed to be deductible anyway...

I had this psycho-looking guy do my taxes. Big dude. A bit shady. Not sure he really knows what he's doing. Calls himself EricKei. What a wierdo.

[r2cagle]

I've asked her why she doesn't do the e-file. She basically said it's a hassle with the licencing costs and the fact that she works out of her home. It wasn't quite worth the cost since only 25% of her clientele are interested in e-file and the rest were people having both their personal and small business taxes done which couldn't be sent on-line. So... it's either do taxes myself, find someone else, or be content with mailing it. I'm content with mailing it, cause she even includes an addressed envelope -- what customer service!

[EricKei]

Cool ^_^

I had forgotten about the licensing part...If you do yer own taxes, e-filing is free (I think)...and yet, the people who do it for a living have to pay. Arghabarga