The hardware is not a bad deal. The 64-bit Vista will happily make use of the 4 GB of RAM, and although it’s a bit unwieldy to have multiple drives instead of one big one (unless you want to link them into one big volume, which Windows users almost never do), the drive space is decent too.
The compatibility problem you might have heard about with 64-bit Vista is that it drops support for 16-bit Windows programs (and therefore DOS software, as well). Any 32-bit software that works on Vista 32-bit will work fine on the 64-bit as well.
Thanks, Cerowyn. I’m asking him how the multiple drive setup works, since every other computer I’ve ever owned only had one.
I assume that he has the OS loaded onto the largest drive and the others are in a slave relationship or something?
I really know squat about computers. I want to understand how a multiple drive relationship works, other than as an extra place to store files onto a drive not occupied by the OS.
I did this on my older PC. I had the OS on one drive and booted from that drive, and my programs and data files on two other drives. That way, if the boot drive goes down for whatever reason, it doesn’t take your files with it. For me, it was an arrangement that kind of grew over the years as I added more storage space.
Bear in mind that, at least with XP, there’s not a clean separation between the OS and installed software. You can install software to a different drive than the main operating system, but it will still leave all sorts of preference files and configuration settings and stuff on the same drive as the operating system. A few older programs even require that they be installed to the boot drive. So I was unable to store all parts of my programs on a different drive than the boot drive; I just did it to save space on the boot drive.
Only your personal data can be stored completely separately.
Now, that’s under XP. It may be different under Vista.
Thanks for the info. I suppose I’ll find out with Vista if and when I buy this computer, which I am leaning towards doing since it’s such a capable machine compared to what I have now and will be cheaper and more efficient than upgrading this one.
If I were in the position where I needed a new computer and wanted to do it cheaply, I’d definitely jump on the deal. As others have said, the 8600gt isn’t a great card, but it’s not a terrible card either. I’d guess that you could run even new games on decent settings with those specs. If not, grab an 8800 or 9800gt (basically the same thing) and you’ll have a quite capable gaming machine for less than $440. If you’ve got the cash to spare, go for it - it’s worth it even if it comes with no software.
Last February, I paid $760 on a rig with a very similar processor, only 2gb ram, and a 150gb hard drive. The only place where my rig bested your friends was the video card (an 8800gt). I was quite happy to only pay what I did.
As for the software, licensing thing, he PM’d me this lengthy reply, which also gives added detail about this computer:
*"as far as the software, the system works like so.
If say… a big company like… SPRINT bought say 25,000 computers from dell. instead of sending 25,000 restore cd’s with seperate discs and keeping track of you know 25,000 serial codes and what disc goes to what pc… they get a “volume license” which has no serial number needed and just…works… this is often copied by some IT geek and leaked online for all to enjoy… they cant stop it, as it has no serial number… so essentially it works forever… i get all of the updates and security patches with no problem… its a legit version of the software, i just didnt buy it. thus shouldnt actually ahve it… WORST CASE. if they cancelled that “volume” youd just need a new serial to activate it… which as you know PERSON X and I can get within 20 minutes of needing…
i would ahve zero concerns about the vista copy… and photoshop stuff has worked flawlessly for YEARS… and the microsoft office 2007 version is the same type… its pre-active. no serial needed… it also gets all updates, etc…
there are zero limitations with any of the software… its legal software… but only for whoever actually PAID for it…
as far as hard drives. the main purpose is safety, the highest risk in hardd rive failure is with the drive your windows is installed on, it gets all the virus files an cookies and such, so i store photos, software backups, music, etc on extra drives,. i also use them for my downloads, porn, torrent files,music, etc… all stores there thus not cluttering up my main drive… so if my main drive fails, i dont lose all my important stuff. only difference is when you click on “my computer” instead of just ahve a C drive… youll have a C, E, F or whatever drive… and can move shit form drive to drive, etc…
if you just want one big lump sum, you can have windows pretend its one huge drive… i dont know how exactly, another geek forum guy could probably help, but with windows, that seems “risky” as far as vulnerability.
i wouldnt worry about anything sfotware wise… i wouldnt have put myself in a scenario where id be out of commission for any length of time… i dont think i could live without a pc…
feel free to ask any questions you want…
Im selling my desktop, both monitors, old cell phones, everything to fund the $5,000 in mac shit im buying… so my new Mac laptop acts as a desktop too, i can plug it in and use my (two new) 28" widescreen monitors, in HD with it… and then take it with me when i leave… so im replaceing 2 pc’s with one Macbook essentially…
save time, space, hassle, etc…
also, this pc is capable of running 128GB of ram… so in the future if you want it to SCREAm fast… you can spend like $120 and get 8GB of ram for it… shit would be unreal…
the video card should be ok for current games, its a upgrade from teh basic that came with it… but its nothing amazing in itself… the dual core processor and 4GB ram will do you the most good…
ah, 64 bit programs vs 32 bit… vista 64bit runs both… it installed 32 bit in one area and 64 in another (seemless you the user) so all programs work fine… some like 9 yr old printer drivers might not work… but software isnt an issue there…
and your monitor will be fine… it had both DVI and VGA outputs on the single video card, it also has a tv capture card, so you can use it as a DVR if you plug a coax cable into the back… which is sweet…"*
If you are comfortable using pirated software then go for it. Otherwise buy the software you are going to use (including OS) and just wipe the drive. The hardware is worth the money in my opinion.
Mine has 2GB RAM, 8800Gt instead of 8600, 300GB HD (which went bad a week after I got it) and no DVD-RW. I am very pleased with it and it can run all current games at almost full quality settings.
My guess: if it isn’t someone who’s just pirated it outright, it’s a student. College students can often get Adobe software (among others) for less than half of retail. An extreme example: Adobe and Indiana University recently entered into an agreement where staff and students can get some Adobe software – including the Creative and Production Suites – free.
Yes, it’s quite nice but a PITA to download (I tried only to discover a file I had downloaded was corrupt). I’m just going to go pick it up at the bookstore for a few bucks.
My grad school offers AdobeCS4 Design Standard Student, which has Acrobat Pro, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, for $235. We can also get Dreamweaver for $115.
Being unable to log into windows after 30 days unless he has used a corp version which is one the standard methods for OS piracy. If you ever need to have your OS reinstalled for any reason, you are hosed unless you have his disks and keys. No legit shop will touch a reload without those keys.
Considering that the guy is willing to steal windows licences I would question just about everything he is doing, is everything in here offbrand/refurb/cheapest crap he can find? Are there other concealed problems like the thing shuts down after 3-4 hours. Is it running the cheapest $27 foxconn motherboard? Is it stolen? Is it a 2.4Hhz core 2 duo or a 2.4ghz celeron D which to a layperson can be shown like it is a dual core via task manager performance tab.
Most pirating techs are quite computer saavy, dosen’t make them good business people, you are at best scooping up someones castoffs, at worst buying stolen merchandise.
> they get a “volume license” which has no serial number needed and just…works
Until it doesn’t.
The “corp” is subject to auditing, and when your computer “phones home” and announces itself to be the same as , yet different from the recently completed audit which you knew nothing about, then it will come down on you hard.
This guy basically told you he is downloading porn, and gave you a weak (IMHO) justification/explanation for the multiple drive usage. This screams “virus/malware” alert to me. Especially since you don’t really know the provenance of the software - a friend of a friend, sure, a patched malware version more likely for all of it.
I was recently given a new (to me) machine, not nearly as nice as this one of yours, but it is loaded with disk space. The giver mumbled something that her son-in-law (who is no longer around and hence no longer in need of the machine) had said something about having to clean viruses lately.
No way am I letting that machine on my network, even to be a file server, without going over it with a fine tooth comb. In the end I will probably install linux and sharing the Windows partition down to next-to-nothing, but if I value my network and anyone whose email address is on my network, I won’t connect it to my router as-is.
I suggest the same approach for you, and if you are not up to it (I am but might decide it is not worth the risk/reward), then jut buy a new copy of Windows or install Linux.
I’m the lucky guy who gets to tell people its gonna cost twice as much to fix their PC because they have a pirated key. Or generally get the price of myservices compared to the pricks on craigslist using pirated installs all day.
The not completely full versions though. They’re not bad by any means, you can use 95% of the features, but the student edition they sell for Audition (for instance) doesn’t handle MIDIs well.
It’s still a kickass deal if you’re a student, but if you’re dealing completely professionally here you’re going to want something else.
