The Official PC building thread -3rd Edition

Rick,
Sometimes usb keyboards don't want to work, because they are not addressed properly until after the OS is installed. I've noticed that particularly with installing XP. I keep a PS2 connector keyboard around just for that reason. Most times it's the F* keys that give the problems. Sometimes the usb ones won't work at all! I didn't really snap to it before, because I always plug in a conventional keyboard, to avoid problems and then switch to my usb one after the install!

Russ

 

theonejrs : Thanks, they really played hell with me. I couldn't figure it out till tonight, thought what the hell. O Well One more problem solved. What the hell these people gonna do with some of these new Computers that don't have PS2 ports

 

Rick,
Most computers have a "Legacy" usb setting, but even that doesn't always work right, especially if it's a Multi-Media keyboard like mine. I guess you need to have a standard usb keyboard handy, just in case!. maybe if there's no PS2 mouse port we'll have to make a boot CD, just to load the keyboard drivers! LOL!! I also run into that problem with the mouse from time to time. Usually you can use the Tab key to get around that problem at least!

Russ

 

I've not had a problem enabling Legacy USB support when the option has been there, but simpler BIOSes for cheaper boards might pose a problem...

 

I use a HP Multi Media keyboard, and it's non functional before XP is installed, even with Legacy USB Support turned on. I also have a Compaq Multi Media usb keyboard that the F8 key will not work on until XP is installed. all the other "regular" keys work! Russell's Microsoft usb keyboard works fine! I guess it's just a question of completely adhering to the keyboard standard or not adhering to it!

I guess it's a bit like back in the 90s when a lot of game manufacturers would use what they called Un-Documented memory to enhance game performance, and suffered some compatibility problems because of it on certain motherboard/memory setups. Why they called it Un-Documented memory is a mystery to me, as it was just memory that was reserved for Micro$oft's exclusive use that the game makers "borrowed" whenever possible to speed up games.

Russ

 

Funny you should mention that, my first PC with 98SE on it had two boot options, 1. was windows and 2. was games options, as in DOS. That led to four different options depending on which memory support type you wanted. Was really confusing back then for a 12 year old.. lol

 

Hmm! A bit younger than my 39 years when I bought a Coleco Adam in 83! ROFLMSOAO!! I must have gotten one of the very best they built, because I was one of the few people that didn't have problems the with Adam! I tricked it out a bit, with a memory upgrade and a second Digital Tape Drive, and ran a business using it for 2 years. I finally replaced it with an Atari ST-512, that's still the best computer I ever owned. It's speed has long since been surpassed, but nothing since has come close to equaling it's ease of use. In my opinion, the best use of a GUI ever! Everything was true "drop and drag" with the mouse. You could teach a 7-8 year old kid how to use it in a matter of minutes. It was based on the same CPU as the MAC, but was IBM compatible, yet had an 800kb 3.5 disk drive like the MAC, but was IBM compatible both ways. One of the best MIDI computers of it's time! It was even better than the MAC! A real shame that Atari didn't support or promote it properly. I still think to this day that Atari's owner, Jack Tramiel, former owner of Comodore deliberately sunk Atari! It's the only way comodore could beat Atari! LOL!!

 

Some keyboards have a "mode" key to turn on the "normal" use of the function keys. I have one such keyboard, and I consistently forget to turn it on, when needed. Check to see if you have such a key.

HTH

 

sytyguy,

Man I am getting old! I forgot all about that switch, although I've never see one on a usb keyboard. I checked the other 3 PS2 keyboards I have and none of them has the switch either! Then again I don't see that many keyboards because about 5-6 years ago I bought 10 IBM KB-7593 keyboards from a re-seller in Riverside, for $3 each! PS2, but it doesn't have the switch. I've never managed to wear one out yet! I still have two, brand new, in the box!

Russ

 

I had a recent Logitech keyboard that used an F button like that...

 

I'm DAMNED if I do & DAMNED if I don't. I'm in need of more help. I've got this big red X on my taskbar that I can't get rid of & a frickin balloon that's driving me crazy. I know its XP Antispyware 2009 related. I've Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, but it can't find it and neither can I. I'VE BEEN ALL THROUGH MY REGISTRY & HDDs
Plus DVD Decrypter opens but won't initiate a drive, DVD Shrink showa started in task manager but won't open..I don't have a clue. This is the same setup on 6 different Computers, with mine being the problem child

 

Something really Quirky going on with my Computer. Now I can't even install Spybot,gives me the big gray encountered a problem. Frig the how sorry we are
I think I might have to Reinstall. One other point I've installed on a SATA Drive this is my 1st experience installing 2 a SATA is their something different that needs 2 B done
Partition ,format ,install

 

Rick,
Check your PMs

Russ

 

Never used Spybot I'm afraid. Never usually have stability problems with AVG, used to get laggy web browsing, but that seems not to happen any more with the latest version, link scanning is still active.

 

Sam,
If you look in your browser's Tools/Add-ons, the default is now Safe search off. I think it's something they do when you update. Now it's turned off! Before, it used to be active unless you turned it off, which slowed web browsing down to about "wading in Fudge" level! LOL!! I still prefer the free one to the pay one, and I have both!

Russ

 

Either way, AVG still blocks pages it thinks are unsafe, and puts ticks next to ok links from google...

 

ok all.. i see its been kinda slow in the building thread here lately. id say mainly cuz we all have fairly new builds..lol

well my amd build for mom in law didnt go through. they bought a store bought HP system.(which im trying to figure out how to get the Q6700 out of it..lol) jokeing....

so onto me. gonna do some upgradeing. starting with memory.
im gonna get some 1066 2x2gb sticks. i have done some research and have found the corsair and G-skill are well liked on my EP45 board specificly. heres the question. whats the difference in the corsair dominator mem and the reg XMS2 mem? the ones i have a link to here are all 5-5-5-15 cas5.. one set of dominators come with a fan and the other dont. all have a nice rebate on them as well. heres the link

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...2E16820145215,N82E16820145214,N82E16820145197

now the G-skill
i dont know anyone with this memory so im in the dark on these. there are good reviews of these sticks with the GA-EP45-DS3R board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...mpareItemList=N82E16820231166,N82E16820231184

and another HDD will top me off. 500gb-750gb range. or maybe 2x320gb.all sata of course.

 

Rob,
The main difference between the Dominators and the XMS2 is the better heat sink. I went from G.Skill to the Dominators. In my opinion, the Dominators are better. Same price with the fans, so get those. Mine run so cool, I would never use the fans. I have to put mine in the second pair of memory slots, as they are too tall to clear the fan on the FS7-Pro. I used Corsair for years, and decided to try the G.Skill when I built the E4300. I'm more impressed with the Dominators performance!

Russ