Posts by Rachel Jones8

Michael Jackson10 said:1. It's not "originally packaged" anymore since you opened it. You used it for 2 minutes (or 2 years, doesn't matter, it's used now), so you basically just repackaged it yourself.;
2. If "not liking it" is the reason, did you like it when you bought it? At what exact moment did it stop being cool?
3. How much cash are you expecting back? The full amount? What is the shop supposed to do with it once you hand it back and they give you your money? Sell it as brand new? If you were the next customer paying full price, would you be happy knowing someone else played with it for 2 minutes?
If the store has to mark down the price because it's technically used, but still give you a full refund, they'll be broke in a month paying for everyone's "change of heart."..

I'm not totally sure, but I think under the Consumer Protection Act there might be some rules about returns within a certain timeframe, but definitely not if the item has been used, no matter how briefly... Plus, stores will just bake those costs into their prices to cover themselves. Not everything that changes is necessarily progress, right?...

I'm actually hoping to return one little thing tomorrow. I'll see if I can make it happen. (Not at the mall, though.)
OFF, it’s not even about computers—I just bought the wrong tablet case because I was given totally wrong info on the model. Too bad I already tossed the packaging, or at least it's pretty beat up now.
It’s not even about me hating the thing—it just doesn't fit. Why would I want it if it doesn't work?
I'm not expecting a full refund, but maybe the retailer could sell it at a discount since the packaging is damaged?
I'd honestly just pay the extra few bucks to get the exact same thing, but specifically for my tablet. Why not?
Is that even realistic?
Looks like I need to pick up a second one, then try to offload this current one...😢

Jamie Wood70 said:hey

is it possible to return a keyboard if it's still in its original packaging? I only used it for maybe two minutes and I want my money back.

I picked up a keyboard from a Center for American Progress store today, but I'm just not feeling it. I guess I'd rather get a refund and pick out something else instead. Is that actually doable?

Honestly, I wouldn't count on them. They were pretty rude and unprofessional, but hey, what's the harm in giving it a shot?

Michael Jackson10 said:A wire socket ripped out? I don't get it.
What happened to the new PC?

My bad, I typed the wrong word. Not the socket, but the plug... you know, the part you actually shove into the wall? That part was torn.

Jason Harris5 said:When you crunch all the numbers and step back, you realize it pretty much doesn't matter where or how you shop. Does it really make that much of a difference?

Guess I made a mistake with my choice then. Honestly, it wouldn't have mattered if I just grabbed any of them for that kind of cash, right? Maybe if you guys could help me pick between a few options, I'd feel better about it.

It’s pretty simple. If you hire a HVAC specialist, you're looking at ten grand for the whole setup—pipes, radiators, insulation, pumps, valves, thermostats, the works. But when an IT guy shows up? He just brings his hands in his pockets and absolutely nothing in his head. Why does a systems engineer cost so much more per hour? $533No software, no nonsense. Just a man.

Knowledge isn't free, you know? Why should it be?
It’s not like the old-school pros are exactly killing it right now either. You’ve got endless scammers undercutting everyone just to stay low. Customers don't even care why the price is so low; they just want the cheapest deal possible.

Timothy Kim60 said:Did you end up ordering it? Honestly, any of those suggested builds are solid. They’re worth the cash and actually make sense—just don't fall for those overpriced pre-builts with the massive markups.

Heh... based on what you just said, I actually figured that might be a better move for me. Now you go ahead and act like you know everything. 😁
Yeah, I placed the order, and it actually showed up two days ago. Fast, right? (I know, I know... that was way too much to read.)
Man, the wire harness was totally snapped, so they had to swap it out. The PC was acting up big time—wouldn't recognize the mouse or keyboard, kept shutting down... we ended up hauling it back there again. They did some kind of "reset" on it... we'll see how it holds up.

Look, the whole reason I set you up with an SSD is because, honestly, for what you do—just office stuff, browsing, streaming movies? You wouldn't even notice the difference between a basic Pentium and a pricey i5. But that drive makes all the difference. Using an SSD as your primary drive for Windows and all your main apps? Honestly, why wouldn't you? You'd feel a massive difference switching from an HDD to an SSD, especially during boot-up, restarts, or when moving heavy folders around. Even just opening apps would be way faster. Honestly, wouldn't your whole PC just feel way more responsive?

I didn't bother looking up what it actually is or what it’s supposed to do. I just scrolled through the comments and saw everyone saying it makes things faster and better. Is that really all there is to it?
And now that you've explained what a system drive actually is, everything makes sense. Why didn't I catch that sooner? 🙂) I've got a question.
If I end up buying an SSD later on, does that mean I have to redownload everything? Like, reinstalling Windows and all my apps from the old hard drive onto the new one?

Yeah, they're pricey, but why skip out if you can actually afford it? Honestly, for the Average Joe, it's way smarter to put that cash into storage rather than blowing it on a high-end CPU, a fancy case, or some beefy GPU. An SSD is basically going to be the standard in a few years anyway. Plus, you can always just grab one down the road.

If the answer to that is yes—meaning I'd have to start from scratch—then I'm seriously considering just getting it now. I originally thought it wouldn't be a big deal to just add it later, but I've changed my mind.

Benjamin King2 said:You plug USB 3.0 devices into the USB 3.0 ports; if you don't have any of those, it doesn't really matter where you plug stuff in.

True...as long as I don't try to force something where it doesn't belong and end up breaking it.

Michael Jackson10 said:Look, like Jason Harris5 said, a PC isn't a "finished product." You don't just get a manual for it like you would for a water heater—unless it's just basic stuff like "plug this in here" or "connect the keyboard here." Beyond that? Who knows what kind of setup a user is going to run, from mice to everything else...

People need to see a configuration as a foundation they build upon to create their own specific tool: whether it becomes a modern typewriter, a gaming console, a jukebox, a CNC controller, or a media player... whatever. At the end of the day, it's only a usable unit once you combine the hardware, software, and the user. A retailer can only give guidelines, assuming the customer even has a decent idea of what they want—and most still haven't figured out what they're going to load onto it. Most people just walk in asking: "I need a computer, something cheap for home, for the kids, just for Word, browsing, maybe some movies, a little gaming, a bit of AutoCAD, maybe... can it be a laptop, since everyone carries them around now?"

I get that...but at least give me the basics. Someone told me I should change my thermal paste, and then suggested vacuuming or cleaning it... and then a guy at the repair shop told me (but only because I asked) that it’s better not to touch anything... lest I mess it up (like saying you shouldn't vacuum the fans, but clean them differently instead... or that you have to bring it to a shop just to install new RAM... rather than doing it yourself...
I won't get into whether it's smart to run to a shop for every little thing or if you can do it yourself... but if someone sells you a machine for over $800, shouldn't they at least say a few things? Like, "bring it in for service every couple of years," or "it's good to have it professionally cleaned occasionally," or "you'll need to replace the paste," etc. Just so you know what's considered good maintenance. (Doesn't matter if you actually decide to do it yourself or not)

So, fill up the USB 2.0 ports first, save the newer ones for faster devices, or if something stops working on the old ports, try the new ones—if it's a power issue, those should work better.

Yeah...but there aren't enough 2.0 ports... just 2 plus 2 on top by the keyboard jack. Once I plug in a mouse, I'm down to 3, assuming I can plug whatever I want into that top one, like an "antenna."
That leaves only 2. (A printer and a game controller)... Actually, it's fine... I can plug in a hard drive and a thumb drive right away.

Michael Jackson10 said:People around here still act like an SSD is some kind of luxury instead of a total necessity. Since you technically *can* run a PC without one, most folks think it’s just a fancy way to make things smoother rather than a core requirement. It ends up being seen as a "nice-to-have" extra, even though investing in one now is the only way to keep your system from feeling like a dinosaur tomorrow. Why wait until everything crawls?
People laugh when I spec out an "overkill" rig for work, but they don't get it. I plan on running this thing into the ground. Between constant OS updates and software devs pushing sixteen different patches a year, I need the headroom. I’m not about to sit around waiting forever just because a cheaper machine can eventually chug through a report. I’m intentionally overbuilding for 2026 needs right now, even if it means paying a premium today. Worth it?

I’m thinking along the exact same lines. My first rig was actually one of my pricier builds. I wanted it to last as long as possible, you know? I figured if I bought quality upfront, I wouldn't have to worry about upgrading unless it became absolutely necessary... and honestly, that's exactly how it played out. 🙂
Man, I really wanted to grab that SSD, two sticks of RAM, and a new monitor too... but it just wasn't happening.

I used to build rigs with just the bare minimum or even the recommended specs, only to find myself hunting for compatible RAM upgrades two years later because everything slowed to a crawl. It’s such a massive waste of time and cash, not to mention the headache of tracking down parts that actually work together. Honestly? I just buy a high-end business laptop now and call it a day. I want something built to last that I never have to touch again. Why deal with the hassle?

Smart move, if you ask me.
It's just... not every job is the same. For some people, a high-end laptop or a powerhouse PC is their entire livelihood, right? But then you've got others who just need something to handle emails and a bit of typing.

Since I don't have anyone breathing down my neck at home, it’s way too easy to experiment. I tend to go overboard, so now I’m sitting on this massive pile of adapters and random electronics that I barely ever touch—stuff I bought, used once, and immediately regretted. Honestly, I wish I had someone like Jason Harris5 around to act as my voice of reason, someone to just tell me, "Dude, stop hoarding junk and quit wasting money on useless crap."
Women tend to be way more logical about this stuff, though sometimes they take it too far and start expecting the impossible. Guys, on the other hand, just love to experiment—we’ll turn some random new gadget into a "must-have" just to stay ahead of the curve. At the end of the day, isn't it the standards we set that actually define what we want?

Nah, you definitely got the wrong girl... you're mixing me up with someone else. 😉 I’d honestly love to drop more cash on this build, but my bank account is saying "not today." I'm just too paranoid that if I blow it all now, some other emergency is gonna pop up and wipe me out. Better to play it safe and grab what I can for now, right?
Yeah, you hit the nail on the head. It’s all about what the standard dictates, right?
I’ve been sitting on the idea of making a switch for a while now, just thinking about it, you know? But then a buddy offered me that All-in-One at a steal—way cheaper than what you'd find at Best Buy. Now I'm wondering, maybe it's actually smart to pull the trigger? Even if my bank account isn't exactly overflowing, I could probably make it work somehow... borrow some cash or just put it on a credit card. I mean, why pass up a deal like that?
Nah, after messing around with it for a bit, I realized it probably wasn't my brightest idea. So, I just called it quits.

It’s funny how we’re willing to drop a ton on personal gear—investing in luxury or just chasing the latest tech specs—but when it comes to work stuff, we suddenly become penny-pinchers.

To each their own. You already mentioned you dropped a massive chunk of change on gear specifically for work. 😉
It's not like I wanted something new just for the sake of it, or that I wouldn't love an upgrade... but it's more about what you said: it's better to buy a solid mid-range setup that actually lasts rather than cheap junk that dies in six months.

Jason Harris5 said:Your little "info corner" basically turned into a textbook example of what average users just don't get. Especially home users. And honestly, I don't think anyone actually called you stupid or anything.

Look, I know it's not, and even if nobody cared, it wouldn't matter.
At the very least, maybe the experts learned something—specifically, how much other people struggle to understand their jargon.
Gotta run, catch ya later...

Jason Harris5 said:None of these guys are actually going to make a smart move or pick the best option for themselves. The guy grabbing a flyer and deciding based solely on price? He doesn't have a clue. He doesn't even understand what computers are actually for or what they can do, let alone how to actually use them. Right? Basically—he just blew through his cash.

Sometimes, paying a premium for something is just a complete waste of money, isn't it? Totally out of line. Just whatever the customer was looking for.

Yeah, totally get that... you kind of "have" to if you actually want to buy anything. It’s all just a roll of the dice depending on how much luck or know-how you've got. Since I wasn't feeling the budget deals and didn't want to drop a fortune on some overpriced all-in-one just because people say it's great, I ended up settling somewhere right in the middle.

Quote : Fact #3: A computer isn't just some household appliance. You can't treat it like one, either. Honestly, no salesperson or tech guy out there can tell you what you actually need unless you figure that out yourself first. There's really no such thing as a "general purpose" PC.

True that. I wasn't even saying people *should* do it, but let’s face it—computers are basically in every single house now. Everyone's using them, whether they actually get how the hardware works or which processors are actually worth the money. Who really knows?
It’s just like owning a car. Most people have no clue how to swap out parts or even fix stuff, let alone actually care about how it works—they just want to drive.

Quote : Fact #3: Software isn't free. You get what you pay for, especially when some neighborhood kid or a random handyman installs it for you. Besides, the whole thing is illegal anyway. You’d be shocked at how much they'd charge you just to get a computer running right. $2333 Between gaming for my kid and dedicated graphics work, I’m looking at spending more on one rig than all my home PCs combined. And trust me, I have more setups than your average guy. That's just how it goes, right? $280 That's a lot of talk about Windows. But man, they sure know their stuff when it comes to frame rates in the new Battlefield 4.

I trust you on that one...
Just like those overpriced flagship phones... and all that other stuff people think they "need" to have.

Quote : Fact #3: A computer system isn't just about hardware and software—it’s also about the person behind the screen. Honestly, tech literacy in America is pretty much nonexistent right now. Did you know most high school grads (and high school isn't even mandatory here!) can't even format a basic term paper in Microsoft Office on their own? They have zero clue how to handle styles, footnotes, tables of contents, images, or even basic headers. Yet, employers are out there looking to hire them, and these kids are slapping Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and Internet skills all over their resumes.

.
It’s honestly no surprise when computer science isn't a mandatory subject. Should it be? Personally, I think so—at least to get people up to speed on the basics.

On the flip side, the new school standards mean most kids get all this extra digital stuff on CDs and DVDs along with their textbooks. It basically forces parents to go out and buy computers just so their kids can keep up with their studies. Doesn't that seem a bit much? Who's gonna step up? Schools are totally lacking decent tech gear and actually trained teachers. The Department of Education spent all their budget on Microsoft Office licenses and operating systems instead of training staff for basic certifications. Parents are completely out of the loop, too. As for funding for actual computer classes? Forget about it.

Yeah, that’s a solid question—but from whom?

So, we eventually get to the big question... who are we even doing this for? We’re out here selling gear with razor-thin margins to a market that just keeps cranking up these impossible—and honestly, totally unnecessary—demands. It feels like we're dealing with people who know less and less every day, yet have zero interest in actually learning anything. What's the point?

I mean, I’m with you on that. People really should actually learn stuff, right? It’d be nice if kids didn't graduate high school completely illiterate—or totally clueless when it comes to basic computer skills.
I honestly don't think everyone needs to dive that deep into how computers actually work. Like, does everyone really need to know how to build their own rig from scratch? For most people just browsing the web, checking emails, or hopping on a FaceTime call, a basic off-the-shelf PC from Best Buy gets the job done just fine. If things ever glitch out or break, why sweat it? Just call a pro or ask a tech-savvy neighbor to take a look.

Look, whether we're talking about a 42 kW or 28 kW unit, or if it’s a desktop or a laptop, it doesn't matter. No matter what kind of instructions you give them, you're still going to end up with a "patient" on your hands. We sold this to them, so why isn't it working? You have to anticipate every single thought and need the customer might have. They can't always explain what's wrong, or they'll just tell you what their "handyman" said they needed without either of them actually having a clue what they're talking about.

Yeah, there's always patients. Everywhere you look.

It’s not even about you being stressed—I get that. It just sucks when someone who’s been using a computer for over a decade can’t tell the difference between a pro and an amateur. You can't just drag apps from one OS to another like it's nothing. But hey, lessons learned, right? This time it was just The Sims... next time it might be some heavy-duty business software, and then the price tag will definitely reflect that.

Could be pretty sad, honestly...🤷
Honestly, how am I even supposed to tell a real pro from a total hack?
I’ve seen maybe one computer and one technician in my entire life. He’s probably dealt with countless customers—some clueless, others just plain ridiculous. Their website had this whole "we're different" vibe, basically saying they get what everyone else misses and tailor everything to exactly what the client needs. You know the drill? Just a classier way of saying they actually listen.
So I figured—look, here’s someone who actually realizes we don't know everything, so maybe he'll explain things in plain English for once. When he showed up, I just told him straight: "Look, I'm a total amateur, I don't know anything, just a complete newbie." You gotta let a guy know what kind of crowd he's dealing with, right?
What if I just tell him: I wanted to clean up my own software, but I didn't want to risk breaking anything? I’m terrified of accidentally deleting something essential for work. Honestly, I’d love to clear out some bloatware, but I have zero clue what half these programs actually do. I need someone who knows which ones are untouchable and which ones are just dead weight. Otherwise, I might end up deleting something vital while trying to get rid of stuff I don't even use. I've already cleared out the stuff I recognize, but everything else is a guessing game.
Where does he get the idea that it’s okay to just wipe everything I need and whatever tools we use? And then saying—"we'll put everything back"—twice? Like, seriously? I asked just to be safe. Since he works with people, especially users who aren't tech-savvy... shouldn't he have guessed I'm not an expert?
I haven't called him since, obviously. Found a guy later who actually knows how to hold a conversation... and listen.

It's easy to spot people who are actually interested and want to learn. Once you find them, it's simple to explain things and guide them... then you just wait for them to come back with much better questions...

You're talking about sales, right?
Yeah, it's easy to tell the difference between people who know what they're doing and those who don't. That's why I say he should've picked up on it. Especially since I wasn't acting like a pro—I played the "clueless" card on purpose, so he'd know he had to talk to me like a little kid. (And I mean a literal child, not some 10-year-old who grew up with a computer in their hand.)

How do I know all this? I've got someone at home I "trained"... Over 10 years ago, she got fed up waiting for someone else to swap out her graphics card, so she pulled the old one herself, went out, bought a new one, popped it in, installed the drivers, and kept going.

She was lucky she had someone to train her.
But you asked yourself—who are they supposed to learn from? She had someone; plenty of people don't.

Still, that didn't stop her from being a total airhead ten years later. She can run database queries, code, design data tables, and handle server backups, but then she won't search for movie subtitles and just sits there looking confused... like, "come on!" Or she just won't bother reading what she's being asked. So she ends up breaking her own Windows.We taught her to fix them herself. Now that she knows she'll lose half a day because of her own mistakes, she actually reads a bit more... and thinks twice before clicking.

Since you used "we" when talking about teaching her... it sounds like she has more than just you helping her out.
So there's more than one person around encouraging her... helping, teaching...
I don't know if you're talking about a daughter, a wife, a mom, or someone else... which would be interesting to know, but regardless of who it is—that person had a son/husband/dad (someone who knows his stuff) by their side...
And like you said... where are kids supposed to learn when teachers don't know, parents don't know... friends don't know... and maybe they don't even care enough to go digging around or educating themselves on how things actually work under the hood? It's always "Master Fix-It, Dad will buy it," and then you just keep typing.

My little info corner has turned into a place for criticizing anyone who isn't tech-literate (which includes me, honestly, even if I've learned a fair amount from my own perspective)... and judging people for not caring about what's happening inside a computer...
I don't know... it's not that I'm angry or anything, it just feels like a lot... kind of unnecessary. We know there are plenty of people like that. They're everywhere. It's nothing new or surprising. Like you said—generally speaking, most of us are tech-illiterate. Just like that.is true.
It's just... if I show up asking questions, why does someone have to get all worked up and start acting disgusted? Like, if you think "wow, what a dummy," why not just skip the thread and move on? Go find someone on your level to talk to instead.
Or, if you actually want to help, maybe try answering a question if you can, instead of acting like a toddler pointing fingers 🙂 and screaming... "you're stupid, you're stupid, my dad is better than yours..."

Anyway, here's a quick question for anyone interested:
My motherboard and PC both have USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports.
Even though they look slightly different, everything I plug in fits in both. They all look pretty much the same to me)
Is there an actual difference, and does it matter which port I use?
Does it matter where I plug stuff in like my printer, my Chase card reader, my Wi-Fi antenna, external hard drive, or a thumb drive?
If 3.0 is faster/better, what's the smart way to use those ports?

fadedorca66 said:Wait, you have an external drive? Why wouldn't you just dump everything onto it then? I don't get it.

I am copying it. But like I said, my drive was totally slammed, and there was a ton of stuff on the D: drive, so I had to clear some space first. Had to wipe out all the junk on D: before I could move the important files plus a bunch of other stuff I won't have time to look through right now. Anyway, a lot got deleted, made some room... and it's copied.

Timothy Kim60 said:I told her that a long time ago; she’s just wasting time messing around with those adapters. If she spent as much time searching her drive as she did on this thread, she would've finished ages ago. Honestly, just grab everything in C: under "Users" — specifically "Documents," "My Documents," and whatever's on the Desktop, plus any key folders from the D: drive depending on what she kept there.
You have to reinstall programs anyway, and useless stuff like games or movies can always be re-downloaded if you don't want them taking up space or burning to a disc.

I didn't spend that much time on adapters... I just found out about SATA/IDE/ATA and wanted to see what could be done.
Plus, since I thought everything might end up in the trash, I figured it was better to just grab the absolute essentials and deal with the mountain of clutter later.

How much "important" stuff can you actually have? If it's just docs (Microsoft Office files, photos), we're talking maybe a few megabytes—or maybe a few GB if you have tons of photos and videos, but that's it. You can always upload documents to OneDrive like I mentioned before.

There isn't that much important stuff. The issue is there's a massive amount of unimportant stuff (ten years is a long time), and nothing is organized... so I had to dig through it.
Of course, things get lost along the way. Unfortunately, I realized some photos are gone; I probably deleted them because everything was such a mess.

Michael Jackson10 said:(Alright, fine, I already admitted I messed up the scale)
So what now, C:, D:, portable drives?
Is there really that much data to move, or is the total storage just that full? Either way, with that portable drive, you could've even gone to a neighbor's house to borrow some extra space for a new PC.

So, after cleaning everything up, this is how much space we're looking at. Right now.

I totally get the guy—he’s just washing his hands of the whole thing... you aren't really the type to take a joke, more of a control freak... honestly, I think I could use someone like that... maybe in smaller doses, at least at first, until I get used to it...

I don't think you know us well enough through an online thread to jump to those kinds of conclusions.
Joking at my expense? Hmm... I don't know... isn't everyone else willing to show off their ignorance, stupidity, or lack of info on a thread where everyone thinks they're an expert?
Just because I don't put a smiley face after every single word doesn't mean I'm offended or anything... I'm just telling it like it is.
It feels like you (and maybe some others) are treating my questioning like some big dramatic family crisis, where I'm the "poor soul" who can't breathe and he's "throwing his hands up."
Maybe I nag him in other situations... I don't know, I definitely know I can be a handful... just like he is, like everyone is (that's just marriage, things aren't always perfect)... but he really doesn't care about this... this isn't one of those moments.
And I actually preferred doing it this way... asking for advice from people who know—because I've always read that building something yourself is better than buying it pre-made if you want quality. Sure, since I don't know what I'm doing and am just listening to you guys, I might not have hit my goal, but it felt like the better option.

Now you too 🙂
I mean, what kind of experts are you if you didn't see such a simple solution coming... I think I heard a comment about someone owning a laptop...(or was that just me?)

I'm pretty sure I mentioned a while ago that I have one. But that's not the point... obviously, the first thought is to move it to an external drive. But I wanted to consider other options too. In case there's too much data to quickly scan and sort through.
It's not like I went out and immediately bought three adapters, a bunch of cables, and God knows what else.

Or maybe she's just curious, loves learning, and wants to weigh all her options?

Well yeah, just a little (more) inquisitive?

Luckily, a curious girl is a curious girl, so this thread has already come alive—how long has it been? 7 pages? I usually get bored of threads after 3 posts and a key... this could easily turn into a full-blown tutorial (I'm being dead serious here, believe me) on moving from an old PC to a new one.

Well, even though you're making fun of me again, you actually have a point...
Obviously, someone will just grab a flyer and buy whatever fits their budget.
Or they'll grab something expensive because they assume it's high quality.
Someone will dive deep, study everything, and learn it all... then they'll choose for themselves.
And someone else will... well, ask the guys on the forums who know their stuff, try to grasp the basics, and then make a purchase based on that.

Why did this even start? Not because I was actively thinking about a new computer. I mean, I am, but not right this second—maybe in six months to a year. BUT, a friend offered me an all-in-one desktop at a great price (like $800 in the store... but for $550, brand new) and it started spinning around in my head... anything is possible... gorgeous, touchscreen... etc.
So I started thinking... maybe I should just scrape the cash together, since it's such a steal.
Then I asked around here. Eventually, I realized I don't even need it—it makes way more sense to just put half that money toward a brand-new PC... so I pulled the trigger. If I’d done things the slow way, I would've spent forever researching before even asking you guys... but I just got hit by this sudden impulse. I figured better to buy it now than to keep guessing until my money just vanished. So, yeah, I did
. By the way, my computer shut itself down a couple of times yesterday and today. Pretty sure it's mad at me.

A user who's been dragging along with the same old computer for like 10 years and isn't really a "tech person" is bound to have a bit of a meltdown when this happens:

I mean, I don't think I'm in shock or anything... maybe you're just messing with me, but seriously, just because we wrote a few pages of stuff doesn't mean it was some huge crisis for me. It wasn't. Maybe it was for you, though. 😁

you're basically forced to upgrade to a newer version of Win-s (why can't I have the Black, Blue, or Rainbow Ultimate versions with all those cool features?), get all the latest software, realize you can't even find the old programs you actually liked, or your tech guy left without setting everything up, so now you've lost your email settings and the manual, and you have no clue what your username or password is. Or you set a stupidly hard password, or suddenly your gear won't work because the new Winsi doesn't have the drivers, or there isn't even a place to plug it in since they ditched the parallel port, and I've got this pristine scanner from 1995... where's the Turbo button???

What Turbo button?
Again... you're totally right. People who actually know their stuff can't wrap their heads around how little everyone else knows... so they make assumptions... which they shouldn't do. That's exactly why I had issues with the contractor who messed up my place—just because he wouldn't listen.
Let me draw a parallel to water heaters.
You'd be surprised (or maybe not) how many people don't even know what kind of water heater they have, can't figure out the thermostat they bought themselves despite having the manual, and don't even know how to bleed a radiator or fill the system... even when they have instructions right in front of them. They don't even realize that water stays in the pipes, or that pressure goes up when the water heats and drops when you bleed it...
And so on.
People don't even know how to clean a dishwasher or washing machine filter... even though the manual explains it perfectly with pictures.
For most household appliances, you get these detailed manuals, and yet people still know basically nothing.
When it comes to these gadgets, nobody picks out individual parts or cares what does what... it's not important. As long as it works. But regardless, they can't even handle the simplest thing in the manual. Programming a thermostat? Sounds like science fiction to most of them. Even though it's all laid out right there.
On the other hand—computers. There are no manuals. You don't get a single piece of paper explaining the basics. Maintenance? Regular cleaning? Thermal paste?
I didn't even get an A4 sheet with my computer telling me the bare minimum of what I need to do to take care of it.
Is it any wonder most people do nothing at all? When they don't do anything even when they *do* have instructions.

Honestly, it’s like an entirely different universe for them. There’s so much taken for granted, both from the user's side and the tech side...

Facts.

Here’s a real-life scenario:
- Hi, I just bought a computer from you guys recently...
- Yeah, I remember, you having some kind of issue with it?
- I do. When I put a DVD in, nothing happens... just some little windows pop up...
- ??? What kind of DVD? What's supposed to happen?
- Hold on, let me finish. That's not even all of it: when I flip it over, then nothing happens!
- Flip it over?
- Yeah, to Side B... look, I have it right here with me...
(It was just a standard, blank DVD...)
- Well, it's a blank disc. Nothing was actually supposed to "happen," the system is just asking what you want to do with it.
- How am I supposed to know what it's asking? You should come over here and show me and my wife how this works, otherwise I'm just returning it. You can't just charge me for doing nothing...

Real or not... it doesn't matter. It's just a glaring example of how little people actually know.
People who actually know their stuff should keep that in mind when talking to clueless folks. Don't be unrealistic... try to realize how foreign and difficult all this is to some people. Maybe adjust the vocabulary, simplify things... just be helpful. Instead, they get hit with jargon they don't understand (seriously, it's like someone speaking Chinese to you), and they just give up... they stop asking altogether because they know they won't get an answer that actually helps.
And I've asked.
If we were all buddies, I wouldn't be bugging you (well, maybe a little)... but like this... if someone wants to... answer... help out... guide them... that's what a forum is for.
If you don't want to... whatever.
Thanks to those who actually contribute. 🙂

Michael Jackson10 said:Basically, you could clone the whole drive in about 6 "passes," and I'm pretty sure all the useful stuff would fit on there at once.

C drive - 55GB
D drive - 9GB
External drive - 40GB
It's not quite done yet, but I've cleared out a ton of stuff.

Michael Jackson10 said:How did the guy even survive all this drama? I mean, how much did he actually care or have any influence, even when the financial structure was collapsing?

He didn't even want any influence... he doesn't really care, and he wasn't part of the drama. And neither was I... even if it looks that way to you.

Jason Harris5 said:I'm really hoping picking a life partner happens in a totally different vibe—maybe with fewer strict criteria and demands than what we deal with on tech forums. 🙂

Problem solved. 🙂
Btw, what's wrong with the atmosphere? I think it's fine. If you guys are bored, maybe find some other topics... places where people act a little more normal. 😁

Ryan Thomas4 said:You're just repurposing the drive for something else 😬

I'm digging it. 🙂
Now that I've "built" my PC, should I start assembling watches too? 😁

Michael Jackson10 said:User, I haven't really gotten the impression that you were this confusing until now.
Didn't realize you were trying to connect to the router via Wi-Fi. You can always just plug one in directly with an Ethernet cable—you know, those yellow or blue ones that came in the box? They're a bit thicker than phone cords and have those bigger plastic clips on the ends. I know the cables they give you are pretty short, but they get the job done if you just need a quick fix. If you want to retire the old one, you're set. If not, just grab another wireless adapter for it... simple, right?

Now you know. 😉
Look, you didn't even ask. So there’s really no point in telling me "you could do this" or "you could do that," right?
Don't have any wires on me. Not that I couldn't grab some, but why bother? I'll just take the easier route.

That disk isn't even small enough for that kind of job, especially since your old one is a full 160 GB. You could probably clone the whole thing in about six passes, and I'm positive all the useful stuff would fit on there easily. Why mess around with those cheap adapters when you've got a portable hard drive right there? Use the path of least resistance, right?

Why at 6?
If the outside is at 250 and this one's sitting at 160, how am I supposed to pull that off in six rounds? 😕
It’s not even 160... it's closer to 250. 😛
The parts list is on the first page.

Storage.
Just checking in on this 149GB Western Digital drive. Running at a steady 37 °C via ATA. All good?
Just an old 111GB Seagate drive sitting at 35 °C. Doing okay?
Just ditch that old drive somewhere or give it away, I don't care. Don't waste money on adapters just for its sake—it’s not worth the investment. Once that drive finally kicks the bucket, you're just left with an adapter you'll never touch again. Why bother?

Haha, "when will it be up and running"... as if we're launching a nuclear reactor or something.
I get it. Now you're just waiting for the stars to align so your guru can finally swing by and install everything, right? Then you can easily get everything ready on a laptop.And once the new one's ready, you won't even need to turn the old one on anymore. Why bother?

Man, that was almost 10 years ago... that's a long time, isn't it? 😁
Doing that right now... starting by cleaning out my laptop to free up some space first. Then I'll tackle the rest, though only part of it needs doing since some of it was already downloaded. There's a lot of junk in there.

Michael Jackson10 said:I wouldn't have enough free time to even bother with that...
You don't have data sensitive enough to warrant smashing a hard drive with a hammer. Honestly, Google already knows way more about your habits than you do...

Since when did you become an expert on what I do or don't have? 😉

David Sanders4 said:That sounds good. You could still use those disks for stuff today.

What are you getting at here? Like, I didn't even need a new computer, right?

Since I know you can't permanently wipe data, I wouldn't want to pass those disks around—I'd rather just toss them or destroy them. Doesn't make sense to hang onto them if they aren't worth anything, right?
The data is just on the disk... so what people call memory doesn't actually store things... is that just RAM?

Not sure what’s going on here, but check this out:

HD Tune: WDC WD1600AAJB-00J3A0 Benchmark

Transfer Rate Minimum : 1.0 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Maximum : 78.4 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Average : 56.9 MB/sec
Access Time : 16.2 ms
Burst Rate : 65.0 MB/sec
CPU Usage : 45.2%

Adam Thompson said:It’s not actually that much of a headache to swap files between three different devices when moving from a new PC back to an old one, especially if you realize you forgot to transfer something.

Fair point... maybe it isn't the smoothest way to do things technically, but it's definitely doable. It just gets annoying if you have to jump back and forth constantly.
The bigger question is how they could even sync up if only one device has an antenna.
(Not that I'm actually going to try it; for now, I'll just stick to using an external hard drive)

Michael Jackson10 said:Look, just stop wasting your energy trying to force old tech to play nice with the new stuff. You’ll probably end up hiring someone to handle the Wins installation and all that mess anyway, so just let them move the essentials over via a thumb drive. Why make it harder than it needs to be?
You've got a clean slate, don't you? Trust me, you'll forget about it before you know it. What was even on that old PC? I barely touch 5% of what's on my current rig—though, let's be real, I've got a serious case of buyer's remorse when it comes to digital content. Why do I buy everything that catches my eye?

I believe it.
I guess I should probably take a quick look first.

Someone could just hook both PCs up to the router and set up an ad-hoc network. You fire up the old machine, set the IP addresses, pick a network name, enable full disk sharing, and plug in a monitor. Then you just boot up the new one, mirror those settings, and boom—the old drive shows up like a network drive. It’s a simple copy-paste job. Plus, the old rig can stay running to handle torrents or act as a jukebox, or you know, just kiss it goodbye.

I mean, I could... but I really don't want to bug him too much. If he just gets everything installed and gets my PC ready for work, that's more than enough.
Wait, I’ve still got one question. Just curious—how can they even talk to each other? Like, how can both be online at the same time if one doesn't even have an internet connection? 😕
Yeah... I guess we'll be saying our goodbyes soon. Unless the new guy ends up being a total letdown, then I might just come crawling back to the old one. Hopefully, that doesn't happen, right?

Adam Thompson said:I don't think that's right. If I remember correctly, old drives use the ATA ATAPI path, so they won't work with that SATA adapter.

EDIT: My bad. Just realized there's a connector path too.

Oh, and one more thing regarding moving all that data over from the old PC...
So you're saying you've got an external USB drive?

Yeah, I've got an external hard drive, but it's pretty small. Only 250GB.

You can just fire up that old PC whenever, move everything over to a thumb drive, and dump it onto the new one. Honestly, it'd be easiest to just do it right now and finally retire the old machine. A little bit of effort saves you a decent chunk of change, doesn't it? $33 Looking for an adapter.

What can you even do with an old PC if you don't have a keyboard, a monitor, or a mouse? Any ideas? 😕
Besides that... I can't really just leave this box sitting around for months, you know?
Yeah, obviously I’m gonna try to handle this the easiest way possible first.
Just clearing out this old hard drive since it was already maxed out... I had to do it before I ran out of space completely. Didn't get a new PC or anything, just had everything unplugged and left sitting there, but man, there's so much stuff on here. It's easily double what I thought.
Actually... looking at it now, so much is already up there, so I won't have to redo everything from scratch. Just some refreshing, adding a few photos and important docs. It’s not exactly a walk in the park, but I'm getting there...
I've already cleared out a decent amount of space and set up some folders for everything... so I'll try to get this organized.
You can grab those kinds of adapters on eBay for like ten bucks, so if I end up needing one... it's an option.

Forgot to mention... the computer arrived, but who knows when it'll actually be up and running.

Michael Jackson10 said:Basically, yeah, pretty much...

(now don't go mad with me, because here comes the but part)

Nope, won't do that... you've actually become quite polite.

take it with a grain of salt, though, since I have zero experience with this kind of gear. Plus, keep in mind it was put together by some random guy overseas who probably isn't expecting you to bang on his door when things don't work like they should.
As usual, it's all in those tiny letters in the manual where they hide little warnings about limitations or compatibility issues... basically, those cheap adapters that convert one standard to another? They tend to be total e-waste.

Obviously, I'm not expecting anyone to give me a 100% guarantee that it'll be amazing and efficient. I just... want a take on what I wrote regarding what it actually allows me to do.

This thing promises everything, but remember it's mainly designed for external use—more like a technician's tool.
Another thing, this is going to be a one-time use item for you, so why bother?

Of course it's for external use. I need to hook the drive up from the outside, right?
I don't even have it yet, and I'm not even sure if I will. But if I do... I don't know, maybe... I'll just sell it on eBay for half price. See this ad I linked? It was live yesterday, now it's gone—probably sold already.
And if I can just cut out the unnecessary stuff, maybe I won't even need it.

You won't have to deal with those old drives humming away on your desk. Just let a repair shop use similar tools to move everything from the old drives to the new one, then just relax. I'm pretty sure you don't have more than 100 GB of "useful stuff" on those old disks anyway, so it won't matter much on the new one.

Yeah, I know... I could save everything and move it back later... but then I'll never look at it again. I really want this new setup to start... well, fresh. Even if it doesn't take up much space, I'd rather not copy over the clutter.

I think the group was suggesting an adapter that looks like an internal card, like a

Controller

which lets you "permanently" install those old drives into the new PC, but you'd quickly get fed up with how slow and noisy they are, not to mention they're nearing the end of their life.

True... but the local tech shop said they don't carry anything like that... that works with ATA ATAPI.
Plus, I figured I'd rather not jam old junk inside my new machine... I'd rather handle it a different way.

At this point, I don't even know which motherboard you picked, or if it even has a PCI slot...
Your way is more universal, at least on paper, but it feels more like a technician's tool than something for a regular user who isn't looking to play hacker. Just grab some disks, wipe them, and be done with it... or, like I said ages ago, just hook the old rig and the new one together via the router and pull whatever you need over the local network....

It’s the same board I asked you about in my last post.
Yeah, I think getting rid of them is the best move too, and that's the plan.
Over the router... like I said, I have no clue how to actually pull that off. I'll figure it out somehow... a little digging online and I'll be fine.

User, where do you guys live? Even in the middle of nowhere in the Midwest, I can always find two tiny repair shops that have the right stuff and fix things for a few bucks.

What would they even fix for you?

Not to mention all those self-proclaimed "experts" who are always ready to mess things up beyond repair. Just bake some cookies and call a buddy who knows their way around a computer, and boom—you've basically started your own little social network: hanging out, chatting in person, having someone actually do something useful... hey, I won't ask for any royalties for your "Pancake exchange service."😉

People who love to screw things up... thanks, but no thanks.
I don't really know anyone famous who actually knows how to tinker with computers. Maybe one person... and I can't bug them too much.
Besides, I don't think it's a great idea to start messing with a brand new computer while it's still under warranty.
There's plenty of time for tinkering later.

Michael Jackson10 said:To put it simply:
The ATA (AT Attachment) is the original standard used to connect hard drives to the motherboard. Basically, IDE is just the layman's term—it was named after the guys at IBM—so people usually call the standard IDE/ATA.

ATAPI is just an extension of that. When optical drives and things like Zip drives started showing up, there was a need for a way to handle media detection (you know, when you pop a CD in or out) and make sure the computer actually recognized it.

PATA is the older version of the physical connection. You’d see those wide, flat ribbon cables being used for hard drives or DVDs. The idea back then was to hit higher data speeds by sending bits through multiple wires all at once. The downside? Those cables were super fragile and speed limits were a real thing.

Then there's SATA, which is the newer standard. It sends data serially (meaning one after another in a fast burst) at much higher speeds using a way more durable cable. It also supports hot-swapping and a bunch of other perks.

Each of these is its own deep dive, so I kept this pretty basic. For what you need, just remember ATA equals IDE. Almost anything modern supports ATAPI. PATA is basically a relic you'll mostly find in old tech lying around the house, while SATA is the current go-to, though even that is starting to hit its limits. We'll see what comes next...

That’s the main thing for me... if that's how it works, I assume I should be able to plug an old HDD into a new PC via USB if I pick up this
Right?

Michael Jackson10 said:The thread kind of blew past my specific build, didn't it? My post was really more about starting a conversation on how to put these types of rigs together and how much those configurations have evolved over time. I wanted to see if anyone else could weigh in, especially since most people haven't actually messed around with all these different combos and could use some first-hand intel.

It wouldn't hurt, actually. Even if most of this goes over my head, I could probably pick up a thing or two just by listening to you guys talk.

I think I made it pretty clear that the catch is having only two RAM slots on these small boards. It’s basically a toss-up: do you max out both slots right now to get the most out of your processor, or leave one open just in case you need an upgrade later?
The benchmarks don't lie—the difference with an AMD APU actually matters. You’re looking at up to 30% in synthetic tests, which might be overkill for some, but in real-world scenarios, you're seeing a solid 10-20% jump depending on what you're running. It's definitely not nothing, even if the PC still manages to chug along with just a single stick of RAM.

Maybe you were... but I didn't exactly miss the point. I just figured the "catch" meant it would happen later on. No way. Maybe just do something that isn't quite right yet, but can be fixed up later on?
To fill both slots or just stick to one? I think I finally get what Flatiron was getting at. It makes more sense to grab one of those 4GB sticks now and just add another later, rather than committing to a 2x2 setup right away—especially since that won't even work with my budget anymore. If I go with the 2x2 route, I'd have to swap out both sticks if I ever wanted an upgrade. Do you really think it’s better to just run two 2GB sticks now because the performance boost would be worth it?
Honestly, I think you're both right. 🙂
Nah, if I end up adding another one in like six months... wouldn't you be happy then? 😁
I really hope this doesn't mess with work. It wouldn't be too much of a headache, right?

So, what's your take on this? What's up? The board? It’s got four slots.
So far we've been talking about one or two... you know, regarding dual-channel memory... or whether there are actually two slots.
What's the point of 4 anyway?

So, back to the RAM debate: do you fill both slots right away, or leave one open for later? If you go all in now, how much should you grab? 2x4 GB is pushing the budget, but 1x4 GB feels like leaving a massive empty void. Honestly, though, does anyone actually take advantage of that "future-proofing" thing? Most home users don't. Everyone’s stoked about the jump from their ancient rigs, but if you sink money into hardware you aren't even fully utilizing, what's the point? Most people just squeeze every last drop out of their PC for years until they finally cave and upgrade. Is it worth it?

I think I finally get what you were getting at.

It really comes down to the money, doesn't it? If someone dumped 6-$2333 into an old rig, and today's components for $0.83 give them a noticeable boost, is that actually a smart move? The buyer is happy because everything feels lightning-fast compared to the old setup, but they’re also sitting right at the bottom tier of what counts as mainstream performance. It’s likely this new build won't last nearly as long as the old one—not just because of modern manufacturing standards, but because by cutting corners to save cash now, they're hitting a ceiling that might be too low in just 2 or 3 years.

You've got a point there. Everything breaks easier these days, so you can't really expect stuff to stick around for 10 years anymore. (Like my current PC, which somehow survived... and still works.) Even if we ignore how fast tech moves and things become obsolete.
On the flip side, even if I had twice the cash, I'm not sure I'd even want to sink it into a beefier computer. Like we said, something will probably die before it even becomes outdated. (At least for basic stuff.)
My old PC cost me close to $3333 including all the peripherals, and I'm spending way less on this one. It's not just because I'm broke (though that's a big part of it), but because I'm not convinced it makes sense to drop a ton more.

That's why I suggest a 4-core CPU. Intel's future generations are moving toward 8-12 cores and aren't planning to push single-core power much higher. Between running Windows, some antivirus, a few useful apps, and whatever else, two cores are going to get slammed pretty quickly. The user ends up with zero headroom, forcing them to buy a new CPU, then more parts, etc., when the whole idea was to have something that lasts a few years without needing an upgrade.
That's also why I suggested a cooler processor. I figure we can take that initial 200-$100 saving and put it toward better airflow in the case or better coolers. That should be the foundation for sizing everything else.

I'm sure you meant well.
But... when you're a layman, it's hard to tell who's actually right when everyone is saying something different.
I kind of thought you guys would reach some sort of consensus... just to make picking a build easier.

Look, don't treat my posts like they're the Bible. I don't always go out of my way to explain every little technical term in plain English; the crew building these rigs understands it all, and honestly, their opinion is what matters most to me.

Me too. Though at this point, it doesn't really matter...
I've been reading up on other forums and sites... and from what I've gathered (not saying this is fact, just what I've read), most people think Intel is generally better, but AMD might be the better play in the budget range. Basically, if you want high-end, go Intel; if you're shopping on a budget, AMD is fine.
It might not be true... but hey... like you said at the start, let it serve us for a year or two and we'll see.

Edit:
Quick question—is it basically the same thing?

fadedorca66 said:Just grab the profile folder:

http://www.wikihow.com/Back-Up-Email...la-Thunderbird

Since you're hooking up those old hard drives anyway, you can just dig them out on the new PC and copy everything over.

Thanks... I'll check that out... and I'll (definitely) hit you up with questions once I get into it. 😉
Not sure about plugging in the old drives yet... I'd probably need to hunt down some cables or an adapter first.

Thunderbird