Girl who dances in a cage (cagekitten) wrote,
Girl who dances in a cage
cagekitten

My computer is crippled

My internet is near non-functional now because the memory is used on my computer. Even as I type this I don't see any letters appearing on the screen. But if I sit back for a minute or so the letters will eventually catch up to my typing and appear on their own - magically falling into place one after the other as if a ghost were slowly typing on my computer. The same is true for simple functions like trying to scroll down on a web page. I can pull the scroll bar down with my mouse. But then I need to find a book or something to read as it will take 30 to 90 seconds for the page to actually scroll down after I do this. With this beyond annoying time lapse a simple act such as checking e-mail and responding to one can take up to 10 minutes.

My computer memory was not actually this bad two weeks ago. No doubt some new spyware has taken it all up. I used Ad-Aware which found and deleted 64 possible spyware files. But it has not made a difference. My computer is a nightmare to use!

Oh and by the way, the monitor still doesn't work. I have to give this loaner back in 3 weeks.

I still plan on buying a new computer but with such a huge investment I'm scared of buying the wrong thing! Below are some of the notes I have compiled from the advice given me.



128 MB is the BARE minimum for Windows XP

avoid anything that doesn't have a dedicated video card or a built-in video option that's NOT shared

Buy a Dell 2400 or go for the 4600. Can get it with 512 MB memory AND 120 GB HD AND a decent video card (for not too much more than I was going to pay for extra HD space).

Or for $150 get a 200 gig drive and add it for more space

Get decent non mx video card (and make sure it's AGP, nothing onboard)

CRT monitor should refresh to at least 80mgz while running a 1240x780 resolution, and have .26 or better dot pitch. LCD should have at least 600:1 contrast ratio.



I don't even know what the difference is between a 2400 and a 4600. But anyway I think I'd rather have some one who knows what they're doing help me, otherwise I'll spend more than I need to just to follow everyone's suggestions. Is there anyone out there who knows their stuff who has time to sit down on the internet with me and browse Dell's website? I'm ready to place my order if I just knew what to buy.
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