My old computer was dying port by port (first the parallel, which I didn’t need, then the PS/2 which I could have worked around and also the USB), so I decided to gut the usable parts and build a brand-spanking new box, plus a box for a brother-in-law using any other salvagable parts.
So I order the parts (Googlegear was first rate with this with low 2nd day FedEx on everything we ordered, and a few parts we ordered from Amazon with gift certificates arrived next day even with free ground shipping) and started building.
I had spent the time choosing the parts and waiting for delivery to read three different manuals on how to build to get an idea of what to do. It went surprisingly smooth, and I got to the point of getting my 100GB of storage into 5 equal partitions and Windows XP installed (but not yet updated). Tonight I start the second box and continue installing software on the first.
Anyway, if the SDMB community would permit a minor brag, here is where I was and where I am now (well, actually, now I’m on a work notebook, but you know what I mean)
Before:
Pentium III-1000 w/ 384mb PC 100-SDRAM, 30 GB storage, GeForce 2 MX440 video card w/ 64mb RAM and Soundblaster X-Gamer card (the line before Audigy came out).
Now:
Athlon XP 2000+ w/ 512mb PC-2700 DDR-SDRAM, 100GB storage, GeForce 4 Ti4200 video card w. 128mb RAM. Using on-board sound for now (it’s pretty good; when Creative comes out with it’s next line I’ll upgrade).
Anyway, I was more than presently surprised when I got it 95% right the first time around and while Ms. D_Odds is happy for me, she doesn’t share my wanting to dance around (part of the reason for that is that I’m, generally speaking, mechanically inept).
Enough rambling for now. These people expect me to actually earn my salary. Methinks they assume too much.