The HTPC / Media Streamer Thread - Page 5 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

fundmark19 · 12-21-2011, 12:57 PM

I know nothing about computers. All I know is motherboard is intel. So I can just pick up any one? Or does the processor not even matter as long as it supports DDR ram?

I guess I am looking for a recommendation for a cheaper motherboard/processor that can replace this one without much fuss

MickMcGeough · 12-21-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fundmark19

I know nothing about computers. All I know is motherboard is intel. So I can just pick up any one? Or does the processor not even matter as long as it supports DDR ram?

I guess I am looking for a recommendation for a cheaper motherboard/processor that can replace this one without much fuss

I think you should just take your computer into memory express or somewhere.

Motherboard replacement is the most time consuming repair you can do on a mainstream computer. And if you know nothing about computers, you really don't have any idea if it's the motherboard causing the problems or not. Failure to boot could be just about anything.

fundmark19 · 12-21-2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

I think you should just take your computer into memory express or somewhere.

Motherboard replacement is the most time consuming repair you can do on a mainstream computer. And if you know nothing about computers, you really don't have any idea if it's the motherboard causing the problems or not. Failure to boot could be just about anything.

Well I know it isn't hard drive as I replaced it. It boots reads fine on other systems just not mine. And from reading a previous thread on CP about someones computer dying and all symptoms were the close to the same it seemed his motherboard was at fault. Since the system is 5 years plus old I don't see why it would be bad to replace regardless.

MickMcGeough · 12-21-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fundmark19

Well I know it isn't hard drive as I replaced it. It boots reads fine on other systems just not mine. And from reading a previous thread on CP about someones computer dying and all symptoms were the close to the same it seemed his motherboard was at fault. Since the system is 5 years plus old I don't see why it would be bad to replace regardless.

Because it's like replacing your motor when your car won't start.

I'm just trying to save you time/money. It's entirely possible your motherboard is to blame. Bassed on what I know, it could also be your power supply, CPU, memory, PCI/AGP expansion card, IDE/SATA cable, onboard graphics, video output, corrupt BIOS, bad CMOS battery, power switch, heat issues, a loose cable anywhere, power bar, or your power outlet. There's probably another half dozen possible causes I can't think of. Of all of those, the motherboard is the most difficult and possibly most expensive to replace.

So, anytime someone says "I know nothing about computers but I think I should replace my motherboard", I do them and whatever relative of theirs has been designated as the family computer guy a big favor, and tell them to take it to memory express.

It's not likely you'll find anybody local still stocking compatible motherboards. To ensure compatibility you need to find a micro-ATX motherboard with the Intel 845E chipset and an mPGA478 socket. Most major motherboard manufacturers will have made one that fits that description. Ebay's probably your best bet, and it will probably cost more than the computer is worth.

fundmark19 · 12-21-2011, 07:09 PM

Computer powers up but can not boot up. All fans start spinning and screen comes on but can't find any hardware. If I take hard drive to a different computer it starts. This is why I think it is the motherboard. Of it was any of other things I'm assuming it would not power on

Rathji · 12-22-2011, 07:03 AM

If you are going to replace the motherboard, because it is an old computer, you might as well just replace the whole thing with a cheap user computer (from some place like http://www.pacificgeek.com/), or a new model.

Messing around with a motherboard on an old computer is really a recipe for wasting a lot of money. Many of those computers are available on pacificgeek for less than $100 (if you sign up for the newsletter, they often have free shipping deals as well) and honestly you would be lucky to come away with a bill for less than $100 on a project like this, even if the motherboard is the only problem.

fundmark19 · 12-22-2011, 10:35 AM

Thanks for link. I just assumed I would be able to get a new motherboard and processor and use everything else that I have.

What kind of specs should I be looking for on these computers that are able to stream mkv files at best through ps3 media server? Since they all come with no memory that is an easy upgrade to do myself after

Rathji · 12-23-2011, 06:48 AM

Your current motherboard only supports a p4 or Celeron processor, so obviously you don't need much. Compare your current processor specs (found in Control Panel --> System --> in the System section and get at least that.

fundmark19 · 12-23-2011, 09:04 AM

The computer doesn't boot I can't really do that

Rathji · 12-23-2011, 09:28 AM

Anything north of a P4 3.0 Ghz would probably fit the bill.

Actually, come to think of it you might end up saving more money if you went to a local surplus

http://www.calgary.ca/CA/fs/Document...Price-List.pdf

http://www.ucalgary.ca/scm/SurplusCatalog

These are just about the same kind of systems they are getting rid of right now. You just need to wait for what you want to come up. The university is getting rid of Dell Optiplex GX280's which are typically 2.8-3.2 Ghz P4s. The city list has IBMs of various models. but the current listing is a bit old, so who knows what is still available. Price is about $80-$120 depending on exact specs of the machine you get.

fundmark19 · 12-23-2011, 09:33 AM

With them not being dual core shouldn't make a difference? Would it be worth it to try and just build a new budget pc with boxing day coming up?

Rathji · 12-23-2011, 10:05 AM

If your budget allows, it would probably make a great deal of sense to build a budget PC, I was just giving you suggestions that would make more sense than attempting to replace the motherboard you indicated.

You could still reuse some of your old parts, optical drives, hard drives at least. Possibly case and power supply, but that depends on your current form factor. You could probably get away with building a very decent dual core system for under $300 if you could reuse those parts, or for about $400 you could get something like a mid range i5 w/mobo. If you need a case and power supply you might be looking at $100 for a decent pair, a bit more if you were planning on using a more powerful graphics card.

To give you an idea, a bundle like these is pretty much all you would need, plus some RAM http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...CatId=14&name=.

fundmark19 · 12-23-2011, 10:42 AM

I all ready have a video card on the current set up. Not sure if it is outdated and useless now. Case is big and roomy so shouldn't need a new one. It was custom built computer to be a gaming comp in the mid 2000's. (04,05 ish) I will open it up and see what goodies are inside it

Rathji · 12-23-2011, 11:50 AM

Your video card might be ok, but if it is 6-7 years old, you could probably pick up a better one for less than $50, or a drastically better one for $100. If your current card is AGP, you will almost certainly need to replace it.

This image might help you figure out if it is AGP or not.

Burninator · 01-30-2012, 01:35 PM

Small problem with my setup and was wondering if anyone has any solutions. I have a Mac Mini (Plex) with HDMI out to my Pioneer 1020K receiver. I am only getting sound in the front L/R and center channel, nothing in the rears. I don't believe it's an issue with the files as everything worked fine on my Apple TV before this.

opendoor · 01-30-2012, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

Small problem with my setup and was wondering if anyone has any solutions. I have a Mac Mini (Plex) with HDMI out to my Pioneer 1020K receiver. I am only getting sound in the front L/R and center channel, nothing in the rears. I don't believe it's an issue with the files as everything worked fine on my Apple TV before this.

Have you had surround sound working with Plex before or is this a new setup? If this is a new setup you could try fiddling with the settings in the Settings (or Preferences depending on the Skin)->System->Audio menu if you haven't already.

Burninator · 01-30-2012, 01:45 PM

It's a new setup, I'll give that a try tonight.

MickMcGeough · 01-30-2012, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

Small problem with my setup and was wondering if anyone has any solutions. I have a Mac Mini (Plex) with HDMI out to my Pioneer 1020K receiver. I am only getting sound in the front L/R and center channel, nothing in the rears. I don't believe it's an issue with the files as everything worked fine on my Apple TV before this.

I have the identical setup but with an 821K.

Option-Click on your OSX volume control on the status bar. Make sure your 1020K is selected.

In your Plex system settings, make sure you've got these settings:
Audio Output: HDMI
Dolby Digital (AC3) Capable Receiver: checked
DTS Capable Receiver: checked
Audio Output: Default Output Device

Plex allows you to set audio preferences on a video-by-video basis as well in the context menus - it might be worth checking that to see if anything's amiss.

DownhillGoat · 01-30-2012, 03:22 PM

^Is there an option to select 2.0/5.1/7.1 audio like there is in XBMC? Might want to check that too if there is.

Lego Man · 03-21-2012, 09:34 PM

I have a question.

If I setup PS3mediaserver on my mac, and have it running from my PS3 - either through ethernet cables or wifi - is my media-server only accessible to devices (PS3 or other computers) that are currently wired into my router or connected into my secure wifi network? Or can other PS3 search for media servers from their own PS3 and find mine without being connected to my network.