tacobill

Maybe they can cut you a deal on the cpu. Hopefully after all this you will be good to go.

Alright guys...thanks. This school wanted me to take 4 more classes so they can make thier money, but i will just study this studyguide and then look into some network cert.

I took some classes toward A+ certification (computer hardware/software certification-basic i know but i have to start somewhere), didn't learn much and was going to finish the last 3-4 classes when i realized...i may not need to take them. Does anyone know if you are required to have classes before you take the certification test and become certified? I got a good study manual and could learn this crap on my own in a few weeks. I appreciate any input (hopefully constructive) anyone has on this. Thanks Tacobill

Thermal paste shouldn't be powdery. Most is more of a paste. It might have overheated and dehydrated it to powder. wierd. I would definately reapply that and i bet it would be lower temps. The cooler may not have been secured on the cpu properly last time. It should feel pretty secure once installed. Hope you get it fixed.

With vista64 bit, mine are in c:/program files (x86)/activision/call of duty 4/usermaps Then when i put the mouse on the folder (without clicking)...it tells you the date created. I can then tell if they are recent. LOL i have 4.22 gb of usermaps....mine is getting bloated too. Are you freeing up some space? If so you can also run TFC (temp file cleaner), like a one time thing. I use ccleaner on a more regular basis.

I would get parts that you may be able to transfer to a new system...like the others said, maybe the power supply and vid card. I'd get a 650w-750w. Look at the vid card you will get and then decide on how much power you need (the quad core uses a few extra watts). Then maybe get both the PS and vid card. That cpu overclock wouldn't cost much either (as long as that motherboard isn't a hassle). I would google the model and overclocking or try and find reviews where people talk about it. Make sure your next set up is 64 bit.

It could have to do with win7, but also some motherboards have sleep issues, at least until they can issue new enough drivers to sort it out. You check for new chipset etc..., and video card drivers; but it still may have the issue. Good luck.

I like the dvdvideosoft stuff

I wouldn't replace a 250 with a 520. The clock and GB ram are not all u need to look at. The processor cores make a difference too. The 520 is a newer card, but in its day the 250 had more balls. I would look around a bit. That is basically just a low level...new card. I got a 430 to hold myself over. On my widescreen 1360 x 768 with no AA i get 55 fps on World at War and about 90 fps on modern warfare 1. I turn the fan up before i play because it gets warm tho (60-62c). I plan on getting a 550 around christmas. The 440 has about the same clock and 2x the processor cores as the 520...read some reviews at newegg...etc. I would probably stick with the 250 until i saved for a better card than the 520; or look for a good deal on something over the next few months. Here is a quote from a user of the 1gb 520: "It's about as good as a gt240 superclocked" ...that would make me think twice about your replacement. Also it's 65 + 3 shipping at newegg, and has a 20 mail in rebate.

Also make sure the ram is seated properly. When not just right, it can just sit blank screen, with no response. Make sure the CPU socket is secured (whether its the lever bar or screw style). You may have to order some thermal paste. I usually use arctic silver 5. I don't know of any homemade substance (that would make me nervous about temps). If ur using a usb keyboard, do you have a ps2 type...sometimes those respond when the usb type don't yet. I see it has a ps2 connector. Also, that is a AM2 or AM2+ phenom processor, like your socket, right? not an AM3? Just making sure.

Some motherboards shut down before the damage real cpu damage occurs. If that vista laptop was cleaner and defragged and such...it would be noticeably faster than that...I just reformatted two of them...with one gig of ram. Not the fastest, but not terribly slow either. You have alot of bs startup? Also if you run AVG sometimes it scans the computer everyday (which isnt really necessary). You should be able to get that ethernet working with the proper driver though like wizid said.

Check your computer (right click computer) properties and control panel and see if they are affected. It can work fine or it can limit some activities. If everything works...kewl. It can have a bad update or file error and think that windows isn't legit. I ended up reinstalling vista recently because of this (i had changed motherboards though).

I love it when people come up with some bright idea instead of trusting someone more experienced...usually making things worse.

I would make sure the installer wasn't infected. Do a full scan with Malwarebytes and Super Antispyware (free versions). I've seen a couple computers that the control panel / task manager was disabled after infection. Try and get ur installers from cnet (theyre clean). I've seen bing toolbars / homepage installed several times without issues...not that i love it. You could also browse with firefox if ur internet explorer is acting strange.

I also like Avast for antivirus. Ccleaner and TFC (temp file cleaner) to get rid of junk, Malwarebytes and Superantispyware for scanners and if you have a running virus dr. web cure it antivirus can usually knock those out for ya even when mcafee, norton, avast and avg can't (even when they install themselves as drivers). And of course all of these are free...i love free stuff that works just as good as the pay programs.

I hate trying to fix some of that old dell stuff. Some of it is ok, but i don't like it when they make a special power supply connector that is only made by them. Some of the older Dells tried the ole BTX form factor, which is a pain to upgrade some stuff, and RD ram which is wierd too. But they have been getting away from some of that. They don't make much anymore, PSUs, some motherboards and cases....but it seems like they are getting away from motherboards and ram etc... I was gonna upgrade a XPS400 one time, and quickly squashed that idea. lol. Seemed easier to start from scratch. I recently worked on a couple year old Alienware (bought by dell) and it had XFX motherboard and corsair ram....nothing dell...lol. They couldnt figure out the BSOD the guy was getting. Replaced his mobo, ram, psu, and vid card. lmao. It still blue screened. I switched my corsair ram with his (different model, timings) and no more BSOD. I thought that was funny. He got some free new stuff anyway.

Positive Crankcase Ventilation. I was tinkering with that a bit before. If you bypass a charcoal canister...it usually filters oily gassy air from the crankcase and then would put it back in the system to be burned. Could help mpg a tiny bit (not really) but mostly just burns gasses that are in the case, rather than releasing them. It is believed to increase performance a tiny bit. Not sure if it would actually do much tho.

Thx for commenting on the sloppy joe seconds. My sister isn't available sry. heh, Thx for all the great games, i look forward to more.

I like that too. I liked his stuff from before (gnarls barkley and cee lo) but this different and good in a different way.

I'm also a father of 2, age 34 and i have a headset (that i actually use).

Hey, i just registered and i'm new to the forums, but i've been checking out the servers for several weeks now. Vietnam freezetag, MW freezetag, server 2, mod weapons...I like them all. Something different ! I've been playing games since...atari 2600 lol. But i used to love 007 golden eye, perfect dark etc... and got into computer games with ghost recon and call of duty 1. Was in a couple of clans for COD and COD2, but played too much (if thats possible - 2000 + hrs). I chilled out for awhile and then decided to mostly play on weekends and some evenings. I live in IL not far from St. Louis MO. I work at a detention center but do computer repair on the side. Maybe i can help with some of those questions. I'll have to check the tracker, but i'll have the 100 hrs in no time...if i don't already. I know a few of you guys already and u seem like good people. Thanks for everything. I play under the name tacobill, but really my names Joe. cya around.