Archived CalgaryPuck Computer Help Thread - Page 51 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Kipper is King · 06-27-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Goto:
Start, Control Panel, System, Device Manager, IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers, -> then look for a serial ATA controller. This will however, only tell you that your system has a SATA controller, you should still have an IDE drive.

How old is your computer? Where did you buy it?

It is an MDG computer bought in 2005.

Resolute 14 · 06-27-2007, 03:35 PM

It may tell you in Device Manager.

Presuming you have Windows XP...

Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> System

Click the Hardware tab, click on Device Manager

It will be listed under "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers"

Resolute 14 · 06-27-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

It is an MDG computer bought in 2005.

First: Damn Hack and Lube for beating me to Device Manager.

Second, an MDG from 2005 would be unlikely to use SATA drives, I would think.

ken0042 · 06-27-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Second, an MDG from 2005 would be unlikely to use SATA drives, I would think.

Agreed. I'd bet my left one that it's IDE.

Not that I'm saying MDG uses the cheapest parts they can get their hands on or anything.

Resolute 14 · 06-27-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Not that I'm saying MDG uses the cheapest parts they can get their hands on or anything.

Second cheapest, actually. I'm pretty sure Cicero uses twine in place of wire, and duct tape in place of screws.

Kipper is King · 06-27-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Second cheapest, actually. I'm pretty sure Cicero uses twine in place of wire, and duct tape in place of screws.

You are wrong, actually. Cicero computers are made with the highest quality Already Been Chewed Bubblegum as fasteners.

Anyhow- Device mager lists two Intel Ultra ATA storage controllers with Primary and Secondary IDE Channels below that.

So what does that tell you?

ken0042 · 06-27-2007, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

So what does that tell you?

That your motherboard is capable of supporting either type of drive.

Kipper is King · 06-27-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

That your motherboard is capable of supporting either type of drive.

OK- I was looking to put in a second hard drive to dual boot Ubuntu on alsong with windows XP. So either type of drive will work?

Or does it have to be the same as the drive windows is on?

ken0042 · 06-27-2007, 04:07 PM

I've never done a dual boot with Linux, but if you are doing a dual boot with Windows the criteria is that is has to be on a different drive letter. So if that's the same with Linux, then I would guess it wouldn't matter.

Hack&Lube · 06-27-2007, 04:09 PM

LOL, that's probably why he can't open his case either, because of MDG's ridiculous policies. It would probably be a horrifying mishmash of recycled refurbished parts if he opens his case. MDG = worst computer company in Canada.

I would bet 100% that it's an IDE drive.

And Ken is wrong, your motherboard cannot support each type of drive (I would guess MDG used the cheapest reburbed motherboard it could find as well). It can only support IDE drives. Ultra ATA = IDE, not Serial ATA which = SATA.

If you want to dual boot, you could always make a new partition on your current drive. You can also boot off an external as I believe you can do that with Linux whereas you cannot with Windows.

ken0042 · 06-27-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

And Ken is wrong, your motherboard cannot support each type of drive (I would guess MDG used the cheapest reburbed motherboard it could find as well). It can only support IDE drives. Ultra ATA = IDE, not Serial ATA which = SATA.

I stand corrected. Good catch- I read it a little too fast.

Bobblehead · 06-27-2007, 05:06 PM

If you are unsure how determine your type of hard drive I'm not sure you should be dual booting your system (nothing personal, it can be a risky operation).

If you are just wanting to try out Ubuntu, you may want to try out a Live CD.

If you do decide to dual boot, BACK UP ALL YOUR DATA!!!! You will be playing with the boot manager and a mistake will prevent you from starting your system (and probably require a re-install unless you are very good or very lucky).

Azure · 06-28-2007, 11:15 AM

I echo what Bobblehead said....back up ALL your data before you dual boot with Ubuntu. It is a pain in the ass to get rid of the dual boot system once its installed.

Azure · 06-28-2007, 11:16 AM

A video that shows how to do the dual boot. http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?...93842637434537

wooohooo · 06-28-2007, 08:25 PM

Hi,
I'm a University student looking for a decently priced laptop I guess anything less than $1000 and preferably around the $500-800 range. Do you guys have any recommendations of brands or specific laptops to look for? I've looked a some gateways, acers, and HP's.
Thanks alot!

Vulcan · 06-28-2007, 08:51 PM

Can't help you, wooohooo but if others don't go to 'Search this forum' type in, laptop, click go and you'll get a few threads on the subject.

alltherage · 06-28-2007, 09:06 PM

Dude, I just scored the best deal at Best Buy on an HP. It was $1299.99 last week, and the dropped $200 in regular price PLUS it was $300 off! I was completely surprised, but I think today was the last day...

Link to Laptop

If this one is still on sale tomorrow, i would go get it. Otherwise, look for something with similar specs because going too far below this kind of laptop might be tough for even Vista to handle. Look for at LEAST a Intel Centrino or a AMD Turion 64. Say NO to Intel Celeron and AMD Sempron. They are crap, and will not run Vista very well. Also, DO NOT dip below 1GB of ram.

Also, at LEAST consider the extended warranty or shop at costco. Laptops are finicky... mind you, i wouldn't spend more than 20% of the laptop price on a laptop. Best Buy's warrantys are way too expensive in my opinion. I used to sell laptops, so I have a little bit of insight to offer.

I hope that helps.

wooohooo · 06-28-2007, 10:33 PM

oh for sure it does, thank you very much.
Which brands do you guys recommend? Are Gateways ok?
How about shopping on ebay or at bestbuy compared to dell?

So many questions!! But once again, thank you guys very much!

photon · 06-28-2007, 11:13 PM

For that price this Dell is a bit better:

http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/...type=10&subid=

80GB instead of 120GB HDD, but a much better processor.. the Core 2 Duo is faster and cooler, and the Dell offers an inexpensive upgrade to 1440x900 from 1280x800.

Agree on the warranty stuff.

photon · 06-28-2007, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooohooo

oh for sure it does, thank you very much.
Which brands do you guys recommend? Are Gateways ok?
How about shopping on ebay or at bestbuy compared to dell?

So many questions!! But once again, thank you guys very much!

No experience with Gateway. I like Toshibas, Dells are ok, and have had good success with Acer. Lenovos are the best I think but they are more expensive.

Ebay, that's a bit risky.. there are some scammers out there, but if you know exactly what you want you might get a bit of a deal. With a laptop I'd be more inclined to buy new, or refurb.

http://dfsdirect.ca sometimes you can find good deals there on open box units.