Of course, I was just giving you an example there. It probably only works on ext2, and honestly, only you know which file system you were running. You’ll need to figure out what you used on Linux first, then hunt down the right software to make that specific file system show up in Windows. These systems aren't exactly "friendly"—they don't recognize anything outside their own formats. Think of it like needing a driver to "mount" that drive so Windows can actually see it. There isn't some magic converter that turns a Linux drive into a Windows drive with one click. It actually works the other way around much more easily. You can boot into Linux, mount a Windows drive, and just "dump" your important files onto it using standard tools. Unlike Windows, Linux is way better at playing nice with foreign file systems.
Look, if you're super attached to your current setup for some reason, or if you’ve got critical files you need to rescue (though you really should be backing those up BEFORE messing with hardware anyway), then you could try what I suggested. Since I don't know which motherboard you're running, and since AC Milan is out on vacation right now, I can only give you some general advice: play around with the SATA/IDE settings in your BIOS. Look for any legacy options that might help the new hardware support the old stuff...
But honestly, if there’s nothing vital on that machine and it’s just a typical old desktop used for basic chores, there's nothing worth saving. A fresh, clean install is actually the way to go. When you swap out a motherboard, you're basically replacing most of the core components. Everything except your graphics card and hard drive is tied to that board—all the controllers and everything else need specific drivers to function. Sure, you *could* force an old installation to work, but why bother? You upgraded to a new board and processor to get more speed, right? Well, this is part of that process. A clean install with fresh drivers for your new gear will speed things up significantly. It keeps Winsi from dragging along all that outdated junk you don't even need anymore...
Give me a little more info here: which Win are we talking about, and what exactly did you do...?
To me, it looks like you swapped out the motherboard and the CPU, slapped your old drive right back in, and now you're just hoping everything works like magic, only faster. Did you actually reinstall Win and all your drivers, or was it just a straight up plug&prey situation?
If that drive is an older model, try messing around in the Bios-Cmos settings and switching from AHCI to IDE. There's a good chance your current installation is missing the specific controller drivers needed for the setup on your new board...
Windows doesn't actually know how to read ext partitions on its own—it just doesn't recognize the Linux format natively. If you're trying to pull some data off a drive like that, you're gonna need a specific tool that lets Windows understand it, like
Ext2 Installable File System for Windows
Of course, there's the whole question of the original format. If the files are in something super specific to Linux, you won't be able to just convert them easily, but if they're standard formats, you can just copy and paste. Just don't expect to use that drive on Windows seamlessly like it's native; we're talking about two totally different operating systems here, after all.
First off, if you've got a laptop with that much RAM, you really ought to be running a 64-bit OS. Otherwise, all that extra memory is just sitting there doing absolutely nothing. As for the issues you're seeing, it’s actually pretty standard for boot times to drag a bit right after an update—the system is basically just busy configuring all those new changes. Regarding that "black screen" issue? Try a hard reset to see if it clears things up: hold down the power button until it shuts off, unplug the adapter, pop out the battery, and then try turning it on "naked" to drain any leftover charge. Let it sit for about 20 minutes, then plug everything back in... if that doesn't work, you might be looking at a graphics problem. You should probably test it with an external monitor at home to figure that part out...
Zachary Smith2 said:First off, I’d grab a power supply. I saw some GigaTech 530W unit at the local shop with this huge red fan for $67—can't remember the full name, would that be a good buy? Also, how do I actually hook up that APU and GPU combo you mentioned? And what's the damage on an 8GB kit (2x4GB) of Kingston HyperX 1866MHz RAM?
Look, there isn't a decent 430-500W PSU out there under $117, and honestly, finding a reliable unit for $67 is tough, even if the fan was encrusted with Swarovski crystals. Don't let yourself get distracted by "cool" effects like a red fan (which, by the way, you won't even see once you're actually doing anything useful on your PC unless you flip the whole tower upside down just to stare at it), skull decals, or flashy LEDs...
And seriously, leave that RAM alone. It does its job just fine. If you're using a dedicated graphics card, memory clock speeds aren't going to move the needle much on your total performance. With an Intel APU, it matters if you're stuck using integrated graphics, but you already have a separate card and you're looking to upgrade further.
You've already gotten two or three solid pieces of advice here. Just piece them together instead of wasting money on marketing nonsense filled with colorful stickers, bright lights, and big numbers that don't actually mean anything....
Nicholas Long78 said:It looks like people are making problems where there aren't any. If something's easy, everyone complains they can't figure it out. But if it's actually tough? Total silence. Anyway, the OP found what they needed elsewhere, so we can just lock this thread up.
iPhone using Tapatalk 2
Man, buddy, everyone realized pretty quick you're a tough nut to crack and nobody wants to mess with you, so they're giving you a wide berth. You just pick on some newbie from the crowd and give them a hard time, don't you?
Nicholas Long78 said:If that's the case, then what's even the point of having a forum or all these threads here? ☕
Did you even consider this possibility? What if someone hasn't studied English at all, or just knows a tiny bit? What are they supposed to do then—learn English first just so they can translate things enough to actually answer the questions?
I mean, would you be mad if I posted a link in Japanese in response to a question like yours?
iPhone using Tapatalk 2
Back to those deep existential questions, huh? ☕ What's the point of a forum... or life itself?
It's definitely not for getting quick answers to tests. And honestly, not everyone is here just to argue with you; people have lives, jobs, and other interests too... In this thread, the guy really showed how these kinds of basic questions usually get mocked, and for good reason. You can expect a real answer when there's actual experience involved—like dealing with specific software or complex issues. A forum isn't some free, instant cheat sheet for exams. If someone answers you, it's because they actually learned it, not because they waited for someone else to Google it for them. Sometimes you just need to know how to phrase a search on Google when things get technical, since the answer might be buried in a random discussion on a foreign site. In this case, we're talking about basics.
Language shouldn't be an excuse, because: a) English is basically the global standard in IT; b) even if you don't know it, most answers come with plenty of screenshots, and a picture is worth a thousand words in any language (though maybe only 500 chicken nuggets in Chinese?) c) if someone studied Russian instead of English, they can just Google in Russian. Miraculously, Google is localized, so you can search in supposedly difficult French too. The French, much like Americans, love making up their own words for everything instead of using international terms. d) if you're taking a test, you go to school. If you go to school, you're required to learn at least one foreign language. e) if you still struggle with languages and want everything in American English, you need a reality check: expecting a world of 8 billion people to translate everything for a population of 330 million is delusional, if not just plain ignorant. A huge chunk of the US population isn't even native English speakers already...
Anyway, I wonder what a "professional answer" to these questions would even look like? 1. Circle C. 2. Circle B...???
Timothy Kim60 said:By the way, overclocking these unlocked processors isn't even a headache. Honestly, you might actually have a blast with it if you're the type who loves tinkering around under the hood. Unless you just don't have the time to mess around, you know? I mean, between all the testing and trying to see if everything actually stays stable, you could easily lose hours on end...
Honestly, I’ve just been feeling super lazy lately...
Since I’m basically the "family handyman" for my whole extended crew, I’m going to mix and match these suggestions to cover a few different builds. Personally, I don't really need much more than what I'm running right now, but everything is starting to feel pretty outdated. One component after another is just checking out on this ancient platform. Honestly, I don't have the time to spend all day tinkering with hardware, even though I love messing around with tech. When I finally get a free moment, my philosophy is strictly "plug and play." I hate being labeled as some kind of "know-it-all" tech geek. Honestly, if I have to pick a philosophy, let's just go with "keep it simple and stupid." Why overcomplicate things? The more bells and whistles you add, the more ways there are to mess everything up. I prefer keeping things stable and optimized. I mean, what’s worse than recommending a setup to a buddy only to have it crash on them? Then you're the one getting blamed for the thunderstorm! Sure, it might mean I have to do a periodic clean reinstall of everything once in a while—mostly just fixing software headaches—but isn't that better than constant chaos?
Look, we’re talking about Call of Duty here. Some people are gonna call it nothing more than a glorified tech demo rather than an actual game, but honestly, that's a bit of a stretch. Plenty of big titles out there aren't even close to being this demanding. Still, if this is how next-gen gaming is headed, maybe this level of intensity could actually become the new standard? Who knows?
It’s like software is on some kind of steroid diet lately. You know the drill? One day everything runs smooth as silk, and the next, even basic media apps start stuttering like crazy. It’s ridiculous. My machine is basically acting like it can only handle Tetris now. Though, let's be real—that "smoothly" part is pretty subjective. Half the junk being pushed here is total garbage. I see people picking up these trashed, liquidated office PCs from big banks thinking they scored a massive deal, when really they just bought a headache. Look, I get that it’s an investment, but isn't it better to just build a solid rig now? I’d much rather pay a bit more upfront for a setup that'll handle everything I need for the next three or four years without breaking a sweat. Why settle for a budget build today that leaves you scrambling for more RAM, a new GPU, or some used CPU tomorrow? Honestly, the headache of constantly upgrading and tinkering far outweighs the extra cost of doing it right the first time. Plus, you can't really put a price on how much smoother—and way less stressful—the whole experience is. Today's big idea? "I'm gonna grab a laptop from Best Buy for like $300. They told me it can run anything! You just set it down on the desk, pop a tablet on top of it, call your neighbor over for some coffee, and you guys can just sit there and marvel at it together..."
I’m a fan of looking at the big picture... So, I'd say an i3 or a quad-core is basically the bare minimum, but anything above that is more than enough. Honestly, picking out a motherboard and RAM based on whatever platform I go with isn't even a struggle for me. I'm not really into overclocking, so I'll probably just stick with an Intel build and play it safe with reliable components. Since I'll be buying everything in stages, I won't list specific parts right now—prices change every single day anyway. My general game plan is an i5 paired with an ASUS board, plus a decent GPU, so I'm not trying to pinch every single penny... Thanks for the advice!
Hey, I don't want to start a whole new thread, but I'm looking at things from the opposite angle here and could use some expert advice. What’s the best way to pair a CPU with a specific GPU? Specifically, what would be the ideal Intel or AMD processor choice for: - R7 260x / NVIDIA GTX 750 - R7 265 / NVIDIA GTX 750 Ti
I've been out of the loop for a bit, so I hope I matched these cards up with similar performance levels. If anyone has a good link or just some general guidance on how to avoid overspending on one part while undershooting the other—especially since I'm building this in stages and focusing on the GPU right now—I'd love to hear it. I know giving general advice is tricky, but I'm thinking a quad-core is basically the bare minimum these days if I want this investment to actually last through the next four years without being obsolete by tomorrow, right?
That Cisco gear I mentioned? It runs two totally separate networks. Each one has its own SSID and password. One is strictly wireless, while the other handles both Wi-Fi and hardwired connections. I’ve bumped up the speed on the preferred mixed network—maybe around 10 Mbps—and set a minimum bandwidth floor there too. The second one is basically semi-public (for neighbors and clients) and can't touch those priority resources; open services are up to you. Honestly, it all requires a bit of scripting, unless you want to pay an expert to handle it... In my opinion, if you're seeing lag, it probably has more to do with the quality of the copper lines, how far you are from the central office, or the ISP itself rather than your local setup.
The setup with two dedicated lines and two separate routers is definitely the pricier route. Plus, who knows if the ISP can even find an extra line for you or if they'll even bother running it? Ideally, to make things easy for tenants, they'd just get their own connection and pick a premium bundle—phone, internet, TV—rather than messing around with shared access.
That Thomson unit is pretty old school. It's a basic, "flat" device like the ones ISPs hand out—you just tweak it for their specific services and call it a day. I'm not sure what providers are pushing lately, but most don't put much effort into it. I think maybe only H1 offered something like Fred!, which is actually a decent piece of hardware. At the end of the day, this is really about your local network and whether your router can actually handle the crowd. Just pick a bandwidth package from the ISP that fits your needs, use their box strictly as a modem, and run everything else on your own gear. The big perk? The ISP won't be poking around in your settings without you knowing.
So how exactly were you planning on pulling that off? If we're talking about spot welding, you could try using a chisel and a hammer, but you'll end up wrecking everything else. And honestly, you aren't exactly winning the lottery by trying to cram a high-end GPU with a massive TDP into a Micro ATX case. Have you even thought about how you're going to handle the airflow? Maybe it’s better to just stick your current setup into something else while it's still intact and pick up something more practical for yourself...
Sure, that stuff exists, but most people consider it prosumer gear. It usually doesn't come with a built-in modem and you'll definitely need to spend some time learning the OS. It’s just not a "plug-and-play" consumer gadget where you click two buttons and you're done.
Take Cisco Systems, for example—they have some killer features. I actually saw someone using a Raspberry Pi recently. They make smaller gear too, just check their site. They've got forums and tons of examples. Honestly, this Cisco IOS is incredibly powerful; you can set up all sorts of limits, even schedule them or apply them to specific groups or individual computers... you just have to know your way around it. And hey, you can always just pay them to "type it in" for you if you want.
Chloe Baker88 said:What can I even say? Might be better if I just show you the pics 🙂🙂🙂
John Doe
John Doe
What should I do here? Is it the drivers?
🤷 🤷
How are you even determining if you're only using "half" the CPU versus the whole thing? Am I supposed to just scroll through pictures and hope to see "Intel Core i3 " listed somewhere?
Or are we talking about clock speeds? You know, how mobile processors are supposed to throttle depending on the load?
Is it even worth buying used HDDs these days? With current prices and those shorter warranty periods, I have my doubts. Let’s be real: nobody actually guarantees your data. You handle that with backups—which, let's face it, almost nobody does until they desperately need to. Buying a new drive at least gives you some kind of baseline protection, whereas a used one is just a total gamble. The Power on Hours count is such a relative metric, too. It’s not just about how long it ran; there’s a huge difference between a drive that spent its life sitting in a junker case with zero airflow versus one that lived in a well-ventilated setup. Some look fine on paper, but then you start using them and suddenly problems pop up that only more advanced software tools can confirm...
When everything else goes south, just read the damn manual... specifically page 18:
) 2.5 Installing Your Memory Modules (DIMM) This motherboard features four 240-pin DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) DIMM slots, supporting Dual Channel Memory Technology. To get that dual channel setup working, you've gotta use an identical pair (same brand, speed, capacity, and chip type) in the matching colored slots. Basically, to trigger that Dual Channel magic, pop an identical DDR3 DIMM pair into the Dual Channel slots (DDR3_A1 and DDR3_B1; those white ones; check p.12 No.6). You can also pack all four slots with DDR3 DIMMs for a full dual-channel setup, but make sure they're all identical across the board.
Check out the Dual Channel Memory Configuration Table below.
Looks like all four have to be twins... though it feels like they're just being extra picky. They don't actually say it won't work if they aren't!
The number of columns isn't actually the biggest issue here; it's more about how many rows you're dealing with and whether you've got a bunch of empty ones cluttering things up while functions run for no reason. If your spreadsheet is just a messy pile of overlapping formulas, then yeah, it’s no wonder everything is dragging. String functions aren't exactly known for being lightning-fast either. If you're looking at massive datasets, this kind of task really screams for an SQL database. Honestly, any database would crush this job way faster. That's where the logic comes in—Excel acts like a giant collection of tiny little calculators, one for every single cell. On the other hand, actual code running through a loop over indexed key fields would breeze through those tables step by step. I think you might have hit that wall where you need to stop using "quick fix" user workarounds and start moving toward actual programming solutions. At that point, RAM isn't even the main concern; databases use indexes and load data in "pages," so the code itself stays pretty lightweight on memory. I'm guessing you handled this the "manual" way, just dragging and dropping formulas down a mountain of cells? I wonder how much of a boost you'd get if you swapped those worksheet functions for some VBA code instead. There are people on Reddit who are pros at this stuff—maybe check in with Kyle Johnson2 over on the Microsoft Office thread...