Internet Issues

[Denis]

The MoBo (im using the integrated NIC) is from 2007. Other parts are the same age while some are newer. The only thing 11 years old is the case it's self.

6-7 years old is marginally better than 11 years old in terms of hardware. IIRC, the expected lifespan of a motherboard is 3 years according to most manufacturers.

A modern ~$300 PC is going to be tremendously faster than one built 2 years ago, let alone one built on 6 to 7 year old hardware.

If you can find a couple of hundred US$, cut your losses in aggravation and wasted time and go and buy a new PC from a big box store. Spend $6 more on a Linux Mint live CD, and install that on the new machine before you connect it to the internet. You'll not look back.

[Kommander]

I should point out at this point that this is a gaming rig so a $300 PC with linux is not going to be much of a replacement

[Denis]

I should point out at this point that this is a gaming rig so a $300 PC with linux is not going to be much of a replacement

Sorry. I had you confused with serious folk!

[Kommander]

But I just finished the new Tomb Raider on it so it must still be a gaming rig!

I would go out and spend the what $300? for a new processor and mobo with perhaps some more memory but I am trying to save up to move. A real quick and dirty run down of my current set up;

2002 Parts: Case, Disconnected 3.5 Floppy, CD Drive of questionable Condition

2007 Parts: 500G HD, Pross, MoBo, PS

2010 Parts: 1G GPU, 4G RAM, Win 7 64

So yea it's a bit of a hodgepodge, but the old school steel Alienware full tower case certainly is something. Just as an aside I wonder how hard it would be to hook up my phone to my mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

[308Mike]

If the replacement PCI NIC works great (if you WERE using an integrated mobo NIC), don't forget to go into the BIOS and shut it (the mobo integrated one) off so your OS doesn't get brain farts regarding which one it wants to try to use.

Good luck!!

[Kommander]

Well the drama continues. I got a NIC but it wont work. I'm going to try a wireless dongle now. If that fails I'll be shopping for a new MoBo and Processor.

[mekender]

But I just finished the new Tomb Raider on it so it must still be a gaming rig!

I would go out and spend the what $300? for a new processor and mobo with perhaps some more memory but I am trying to save up to move. A real quick and dirty run down of my current set up;

2002 Parts: Case, Disconnected 3.5 Floppy, CD Drive of questionable Condition

2007 Parts: 500G HD, Pross, MoBo, PS

2010 Parts: 1G GPU, 4G RAM, Win 7 64

So yea it's a bit of a hodgepodge, but the old school steel Alienware full tower case certainly is something. Just as an aside I wonder how hard it would be to hook up my phone to my mouse, keyboard, and monitor.

I tend to spend about $1200 every 2 years or so to keep my gaming PC upgraded. I am a bit behind this time due to being unemployed so much lately.

[Kommander]

Ok good news for once. I got a USB WiFi adapter (Linksys N900) and I am back up and running now. While my internet was down I priced out what a new MoBo and CPU would cost and it looks like $200 should get me a pretty good set up. Another $60-$70 gets me 8 gigs of good DDR3. I did find out that my optical drive is toast. The last time I had used it was to install Win 7 in 2010 so I am not really surprised. If I wasn't saving up for moving I would already have the parts on the way but as things are I am just going to have to make what I have work.

[308Mike]

Ok good news for once. I got a USB WiFi adapter (Linksys N900) and I am back up and running now.

Great news!! Glad it didn't cost you too much!! That way you can allocate your sparse funds to better things all around!!

[mekender]

Ok good news for once. I got a USB WiFi adapter (Linksys N900) and I am back up and running now. While my internet was down I priced out what a new MoBo and CPU would cost and it looks like $200 should get me a pretty good set up. Another $60-$70 gets me 8 gigs of good DDR3. I did find out that my optical drive is toast. The last time I had used it was to install Win 7 in 2010 so I am not really surprised. If I wasn't saving up for moving I would already have the parts on the way but as things are I am just going to have to make what I have work.

I have had a dead DVD drive for 3 years now, has not affected me at all, I dont have a use for one any more.