Computer HELP--appreciate any feedback on what type to buy

[Krazy4Design]

Hi (desperately seeking advice on what computer to buy) ,

I'm using a HP Pavilion a6300f PC, (I'll post the necessary specs below in case the link doesn't work) and have just started using my Adobe CS4 programs. Illustrator is really starting to slow me down. I read somewhere that I have 2GHz, but I can't find it in the spec sheet. I checked my CPU usage. My RAM usage goes from 75% to 94% depending on what I'm doing, and my CPU usage goes up to 100% when I'm opening an illustration. I closed all other programs to see if that helps, and apparently it doesn't make much difference when in Illustrator. SO, I am now going to shop for a computer.

I'm curious as to what you have. I need one that allows me to have Outlook, internet, and Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Bridge open, and possibly maybe one other small program.I know that a lot of people use MACs with the Adobe Suite because the videos I view are mostly in MACs. I asked my son, who has had two specially built for him because he plays online games, and he said for the price of a MAC I could get a loaded PC. But I'm interested in the MAC (I've never used one by the way) because I'm tired of Microsoft, I've heard they are less likely to get attacked by a virus, etc. Anyway, I'd appreciate any feedback on what you have.

To give you an idea of what I do, I design and edit book manuscripts, book covers and publications, web banners, and also maintain my own business website (which I'm going to be redesigning and I know I'll need a lot of programs open at the same time).

Thank you,

Susan Houck, Owner/Designer & Editor
Crescent Moon Designs

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Motherboard
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
System Board
Chipset nVidia MCP73
Base Board
Manufacturer FOXCONN
Product Napa
BIOS
Vendor Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Release Date 12/14/2007
BIOS Version String 5.07
ROM Size 1.00 MB
Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz CPU:0
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GH
Size 64.00 kB
Size 1.00 MB
Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GHz CPU:1
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.00GH
Size 64.00 kB
Size 1.00 MB

Memory
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
System Memory
Total Physical Memory 1.88 GB
Free Physical Memory 936.04 MB
1024 MB DDR2-SDRAM (PC2-5300 / 667 MHz)
Memory Size 1.00 GB
Memory Type DDR2-SDRAM (PC2-5300 / 667 MHz)
Memory Manufacture Date Week 3, Year 2008
Memory Part Number 64T128020EU3SB2
Memory Serial Number 0208FE17
Memory Revision Code 0E21
1024 MB DDR2-SDRAM (PC2-5300 / 667 MHz)
Memory Size 1.00 GB
2 of 6
Memory Type DDR2-SDRAM (PC2-5300 / 667 MHz)
Memory Manufacture Date Week 3, Year 2008
Memory Part Number 64T128020EU3SB2
Memory Serial Number 0209011D
Memory Revision Code 0E21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST3500630AS ATA Device
Firmware Revision 3.CHN
Total Capacity 465.76 GB Buffer Size 16.00 MB
Temperature 35 C Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\disk.sys Driver Version 6.0.6000.16386, 6-21-2006
HP - C:
Drive Letter C
Volume Name HP
Volume Serial Number 3C72-D712
File System NTFS Volume Capacity 456.21 GB Volume Free Space 404.12 GB Volume Used Space 52.08 GB
FACTORY_IMAGE - D: Drive Letter D
Volume Name FACTORY_IMAGE
Volume Serial Number 8874-071C
File System Volume Capacity Volume Free Space Volume Used Space NTFS 9.55 GB 957.36 MB 8.62 GB
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

USB Controller
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Manufacturer (Standard USB Host Controller)
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\usbohci.sys
Driver Version 6.0.6000.20672, 6-21-2006
Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Manufacturer (Standard USB Host Controller)
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\usbehci.sys
Driver Version 6.0.6000.20672, 6-21-2006
Product Version: 5.00.4589.14

[Rogue]

I'm shocked that Stercus Vultus hasn't jumped in and said buy a mac yet!
If you are running XP try this first: How to Fix svchost.exe using 100% CPU / Memory Leak | Technibble
If that doesn't speed it up then look at a new computer. I don't have any image software yet so I don't know if you will need a new computer but I would try the above first.

[Rogue]

I just glanced through your specs and it looks like you need more memory also.

[Krazy4Design]

Hi Rogue,

Well, I've really been thinking about a MAC for the reasons I stated. I'll check out the link you sent and try that for now, but I seriously think I'll need a new one. I'll wait and see if I get any other replies. I've posted this on three other forums too hoping I'll get a really good answer.

Appreciate your advice.

Susan

Originally Posted by Rogue

I'm shocked that Stercus Vultus hasn't jumped in and said buy a mac yet!
If you are running XP try this first: How to Fix svchost.exe using 100% CPU / Memory Leak | Technibble
If that doesn't speed it up then look at a new computer. I don't have any image software yet so I don't know if you will need a new computer but I would try the above first.

I just glanced through your specs and it looks like you need more memory also.

[Stercus Vultus]

Originally Posted by Krazy4Design

Well, I've really been thinking about a MAC for the reasons I stated.

Good plan, Krazy! Follow your gut feeling! Have fun computing, for a change!

[Krazy4Design]

Well, that's good to know but I'm still unsure as to what to get, how much this and that I need to have? Would people at places such as "Best Buy, Office Depot, etc." know what kind of computer i'd need if i told them what I do? We do have an IT department since i'm in a college town and have thought about calling them. I just want to make sure I get everything I need, hardware/graphic, etc, so I don't end up having to get another one. This one is just barely a year old, but i wasn't using Adobe then.

If you've got any extra advice, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Susan

Originally Posted by Stercus Vultus

Good plan, Krazy! Follow your gut feeling! Have fun computing, for a change!

[photoiz]

I suggest that you walk into an Apple store (if you have one near you) and have your questions answered and your curiosity satisfied about using a Mac. They will give you excellent service - no pressure. At least, you should be able to make an educated decision about which platform you will want to use - Mac or PC. Cost may be a consideration. It is kind of a crap shoot with the "big box" stores. You really don't know the technical expertise of the salesperson.
I work in graphics on both Mac & PC, but will admit that I am a Mac lover.

[Stercus Vultus]

Originally Posted by Krazy4Design

Well, that's good to know but I'm still unsure as to what to get, how much this and that I need to have? Would people at places such as "Best Buy, Office Depot, etc." know what kind of computer i'd need if i told them what I do? We do have an IT department since i'm in a college town and have thought about calling them. I just want to make sure I get everything I need, hardware/graphic, etc, so I don't end up having to get another one. This one is just barely a year old, but i wasn't using Adobe then.

If you (like to) work at a desk you can choose between a 20" and a 24" iMac. They come with 4GB RAM, so that ought to be more than enough unless you run a high volume business. An alternative for desktop use could be a Mac Mini with a Cinema Display, but it sounds as if that may be too light a combo for your graphical/photo work.

If you (like to) work at different locations you can choose between 5 different MacBooks ('normal', Air, and Pro) with your preferred screen size.

Like photoiz said: the Apple Store is where the Apple 'Genius' can advise you excellently what your choices are.

And if/when you do decide to get a Mac, your Apple Store will transfer the contents of your 'old' PC to your new Mac for you, free of charge, and you'll be able to run both Windows and OSX, and all their associated software, on it.

Study Apple's website: Apple - Mac for your choices.

[400duser]

Originally Posted by Rogue

I just glanced through your specs and it looks like you need more memory also.

+1 But not necessarily true, can use scratch disk if using either Photoshop packages

[felix.reichardt]

My advice: Listen to your son, he knows ...

[CanadianRocky]

A few things to think about.

As big a hard drive as you can get and as much RAM as it will take.

Get a second Hard Drive and partition it. Use half of the drive to mirror the main one (for back up reasons), and the other half for a scratch disc (nothing should be on it).

Get a good back up application ( i use Retrospect) and back up your DATA religiously. Remember, it is not a back-up if the back up is in the same physical area of your computer. I use CD's and keep my work ones at home, and my home ones at work.

PC or Mac, it doesn't matter anymore. Adobe runs equally fast in both, if they are set up correctly. The only stuff slow in my PC is the Office stuff and that is because it is BloatWare.

I was a Mac software engineer and use to have my own computer tech company. I ran several Networks for clients. Now I use PC's due to work related issues.

I will probably buy a Mac again when I sell my business, but now it does not make monetary sense.

I buy my equipment from Dell, I have never had a problem with their before sales service, after sales service or support. Of course, I do set up my own equipment using my computer background.

This Mac/PC thing drives me nuts. After all, it only 0's and 1's.

The most important thing is to buy from your support. In other words, if you have good support from PC, get a PC, if it is from Mac, then get Mac.

If you have good support from both, then it is a coin toss.

[Stercus Vultus]

Originally Posted by CanadianRocky

as much RAM as it will take.

On a Mac, unless you run a high volume business, that is not necessary: 4GB is more than enough. Use the savings for other stuff. More than 4GB RAM would be (expensive) overkill that doesn't add anything useful.

Get a second Hard Drive and partition it. Use half of the drive to mirror the main one (for back up reasons), and the other half for a scratch disc (nothing should be on it).

Get a good back up application ( i use Retrospect) and back up your DATA religiously.

Cumbersome. With Apple's Time Machine you set it up once and 'forget' about it. Add another harddisk to mirror the first one. It's iron-clad. Afaik no Time Machine backup has ever been recorded to go sour.

Remember, it is not a back-up if the back up is in the same physical area of your computer.

True. So I keep a third harddisk in another location and physically exchange it once a month for one of the other two. So it's a remote mirror backup HD which' contents are maximally one month old. The other two backup HDs' contents are maximally a half hour old.

I use CD's and keep my work ones at home, and my home ones at work.

Using CDs or DVDs as backup media is a big mistake, Rocky! Burned CDs and DVDs (as opposed to pressed CDs and DVDs) deteriorate over time (osmosis) and will become unreadable in 5 years!
CDs and DVDs are useful only for medium term storage. To be on the safe side I always write the date of burning on them and use them for 1 year max! They suck for long term storage!

[CanadianRocky]

Originally Posted by Stercus Vultus

On a Mac, unless you run a high volume business, that is not necessary: 4GB is more than enough. Use the savings for other stuff. More than 4GB RAM would be (expensive) overkill that doesn't add anything useful.

Cumbersome. With Apple's Time Machine you set it up once and 'forget' about it. Add another harddisk to mirror the first one. It's iron-clad. Afaik no Time Machine backup has ever been recorded to go sour.

True. So I keep a third harddisk in another location and physically exchange it once a month for one of the other two. So it's a remote mirror backup HD which' contents are maximally one month old. The other two backup HDs' contents are maximally a half hour old.

Using CDs or DVDs as backup media is a big mistake, Rocky! Burned CDs and DVDs (as opposed to pressed CDs and DVDs) deteriorate over time (osmosis) and will become unreadable in 5 years!
CDs and DVDs are useful only for medium term storage. To be on the safe side I always write the date of burning on them and use them for 1 year max! They suck for long term storage!

What I would add to the CD issue that I did not include in the first post wold be what you said about the life expectancy.

What I do is also re-write the CD's every year with a new back up, and archive the old discs.

I forgot that part.

Also, is it practical for the client to swap out hard drives, and will they do it even if they can? Back-ups have to be used to be useful and they have to be easy to be used.

If the Mac back up app is good, then use it. I started using Retrospect when I had my Mac tech business and have not used anything else since. Retrospect is bullet proof, easy to use, can be set to run itself, and can be used to check the DATA on the backups.

It is my experience that RAM is the cheap in the long term. I max out every computer I buy with as much RAM as I can fit into it. Sort of like building a dam. 20 ft to high 99.99% of the time is much better than the .01% of the time it was 1 ft to short.

Something else I was thinking about,

I am not sure about the Mac video cards anymore, but on a PC it is a good idea to get a good one, and make sure it will work with your monitor.

One thing I always did was assume the client knew little or nothing about computers and built them to that end.

I also made sure that I could resolve 99.9% of their issues with my Cell Phone while I was sitting on a ski lift or on the side of the road when I was on a road trip with my Harley.

Thanks for the tune up, Stercus Vultus.

[sohel001]

My computer bitched out on me two weeks ago- it started with a fuzzy/shaking screen and then once rebooted, came to a black screen of death that read
-
INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER
i am the original owner, and everything- but i was never given a system disk

my dad had a friend who said he'd take a look at it, and apparently works as a tech as a "sidejob"

first he says that the c:/ is gone- and copies all of my files (and possibly still has copies of all of my files?!?! yikes..) which he says took 10hrs!!!
Then it turns out he says its the motherboard, and that it will cost too much to fix.
my question is- is this a common problem with hp pcs?
is my computer worth fixing?
and if not, if it IS only the motherboard, are all of the other components (cd/dvd burner and other perks with the media center) and OS transferrable to a dif. pc?

he has given me a list to choose from if i do so desire- they are all refurbs/wiped drives of corporate type computers.

if it isnt worth fixing, is there one of these models that is most suitable/compatible, or anything that i should just straight up steer clear of?

Thanks soo much in advance guys, i appreciate anyones time on this issue, and helping me out-unfortunately i am really not that computer savvy- and dont know if i should/can trust this guy- and REALLY dont know, if can/should trust anyone from staples or other "Tech support" outlets.

SUGGESTED "NEW" PC's from P/T TechyGuy
(there is quite a long list- i have selected to just put on the HP's cuz i am assuming that if anything is going to be compatible, it will be easiest with the same manufacturer, wrong?)

These ones highlighted as "Fastest"

1. HP DC7700 DESKTOP, C2D 1.86, 1GDDR 667, 200GB HD, COMBO, 2YR MANU. WARRANTY, XPPRO- 299.99

2. HPDC5700 DESKTOP, C2D 1.86, 1GDDR 667, 200GB HD, COMBO, 2YR MANU. WARRANTY, XPPRO- 299.99


This one is just highlighted as a "consider" option i think-
HP DX325 MINITOWER AMD 2600+, 512MB, 40G, DVD, XPPRO- 89.99

Then these ones were circled on the list- possibly just cuz they were weekly specials?
IBM ITTELISTATION M PRO , P4 3.6GHZ, HYPERTHREADING TECH, 1024MBRAM, 80GBHD, CDROM, 128MB AGP VIDCARD, INTEGRATED 10/100/1000LAN
WINXPPRO COA -199.99

and finally

HP/COMPAQ D530 TOWER, PENTIUM IV 3.0GHZ, HYPETHREAD TECH, 1024GB RAM, 40GB HD, DVDROM, 1XSERIAL,4XUSB, 1XPARALLEL, INTEGRATED 10/100/1000LAN, WINXPPRO COA- 159.99

I'm worried, as i was fairly happy with my computer and its performance, and really dont want to downgrade (and am horrified of any other OS than regXP) nor do i want to make a bad (mostly uneducated/uniformed) opinion, as i dont know what most of these terms like hyperthreading-10/100/1000lan mean etc.

thanks to anyone who has stuck with me this long, and read this entire post! i know it was/is long, so i really appreciate it.

[Tony-photoplus]

If I had the money I would by a Mac. What kind I don't know, but security is far better than Windows all you need is a firewall instead of all that bloated amount of software you need to secure your windows, which is the worst security OS there is

[Rogue]

How old is it?

Originally Posted by sohel001

My computer bitched out on me two weeks ago- it started with a fuzzy/shaking screen and then once rebooted, came to a black screen of death that read
-
INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER
i am the original owner, and everything- but i was never given a system disk

my dad had a friend who said he'd take a look at it, and apparently works as a tech as a "sidejob"

first he says that the c:/ is gone- and copies all of my files (and possibly still has copies of all of my files?!?! yikes..) which he says took 10hrs!!!
Then it turns out he says its the motherboard, and that it will cost too much to fix.
my question is- is this a common problem with hp pcs?
is my computer worth fixing?
and if not, if it IS only the motherboard, are all of the other components (cd/dvd burner and other perks with the media center) and OS transferrable to a dif. pc?

he has given me a list to choose from if i do so desire- they are all refurbs/wiped drives of corporate type computers.

if it isnt worth fixing, is there one of these models that is most suitable/compatible, or anything that i should just straight up steer clear of?

Thanks soo much in advance guys, i appreciate anyones time on this issue, and helping me out-unfortunately i am really not that computer savvy- and dont know if i should/can trust this guy- and REALLY dont know, if can/should trust anyone from staples or other "Tech support" outlets.

SUGGESTED "NEW" PC's from P/T TechyGuy
(there is quite a long list- i have selected to just put on the HP's cuz i am assuming that if anything is going to be compatible, it will be easiest with the same manufacturer, wrong?)

These ones highlighted as "Fastest"

1. HP DC7700 DESKTOP, C2D 1.86, 1GDDR 667, 200GB HD, COMBO, 2YR MANU. WARRANTY, XPPRO- 299.99

2. HPDC5700 DESKTOP, C2D 1.86, 1GDDR 667, 200GB HD, COMBO, 2YR MANU. WARRANTY, XPPRO- 299.99


This one is just highlighted as a "consider" option i think-
HP DX325 MINITOWER AMD 2600+, 512MB, 40G, DVD, XPPRO- 89.99

Then these ones were circled on the list- possibly just cuz they were weekly specials?
IBM ITTELISTATION M PRO , P4 3.6GHZ, HYPERTHREADING TECH, 1024MBRAM, 80GBHD, CDROM, 128MB AGP VIDCARD, INTEGRATED 10/100/1000LAN
WINXPPRO COA -199.99

and finally

HP/COMPAQ D530 TOWER, PENTIUM IV 3.0GHZ, HYPETHREAD TECH, 1024GB RAM, 40GB HD, DVDROM, 1XSERIAL,4XUSB, 1XPARALLEL, INTEGRATED 10/100/1000LAN, WINXPPRO COA- 159.99

I'm worried, as i was fairly happy with my computer and its performance, and really dont want to downgrade (and am horrified of any other OS than regXP) nor do i want to make a bad (mostly uneducated/uniformed) opinion, as i dont know what most of these terms like hyperthreading-10/100/1000lan mean etc.

thanks to anyone who has stuck with me this long, and read this entire post! i know it was/is long, so i really appreciate it.

[Stercus Vultus]

Originally Posted by sohel001

My computer bitched out on me two weeks ago- it started with a fuzzy/shaking screen and then once rebooted, came to a black screen of death that read
-
INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER
i am the original owner, and everything- but i was never given a system disk

my dad had a friend who said he'd take a look at it, and apparently works as a tech as a "sidejob"

first he says that the c:/ is gone- and copies all of my files (and possibly still has copies of all of my files?!?! yikes..) which he says took 10hrs!!!
Then it turns out he says its the motherboard, and that it will cost too much to fix.
my question is- is this a common problem with hp pcs?
is my computer worth fixing?
and if not, if it IS only the motherboard, are all of the other components (cd/dvd burner and other perks with the media center) and OS transferrable to a dif. pc?

he has given me a list to choose from if i do so desire- they are all refurbs/wiped drives of corporate type computers.

if it isnt worth fixing, is there one of these models that is most suitable/compatible, or anything that i should just straight up steer clear of?

Thanks soo much in advance guys, i appreciate anyones time on this issue, and helping me out-unfortunately i am really not that computer savvy- and dont know if i should/can trust this guy- and REALLY dont know, if can/should trust anyone from staples or other "Tech support" outlets.

SUGGESTED "NEW" PC's from P/T TechyGuy
(there is quite a long list- i have selected to just put on the HP's cuz i am assuming that if anything is going to be compatible, it will be easiest with the same manufacturer, wrong?)

These ones highlighted as "Fastest"

1. HP DC7700 DESKTOP, C2D 1.86, 1GDDR 667, 200GB HD, COMBO, 2YR MANU. WARRANTY, XPPRO- 299.99

2. HPDC5700 DESKTOP, C2D 1.86, 1GDDR 667, 200GB HD, COMBO, 2YR MANU. WARRANTY, XPPRO- 299.99


This one is just highlighted as a "consider" option i think-
HP DX325 MINITOWER AMD 2600+, 512MB, 40G, DVD, XPPRO- 89.99

Then these ones were circled on the list- possibly just cuz they were weekly specials?
IBM ITTELISTATION M PRO , P4 3.6GHZ, HYPERTHREADING TECH, 1024MBRAM, 80GBHD, CDROM, 128MB AGP VIDCARD, INTEGRATED 10/100/1000LAN
WINXPPRO COA -199.99

and finally

HP/COMPAQ D530 TOWER, PENTIUM IV 3.0GHZ, HYPETHREAD TECH, 1024GB RAM, 40GB HD, DVDROM, 1XSERIAL,4XUSB, 1XPARALLEL, INTEGRATED 10/100/1000LAN, WINXPPRO COA- 159.99

I'm worried, as i was fairly happy with my computer and its performance, and really dont want to downgrade (and am horrified of any other OS than regXP) nor do i want to make a bad (mostly uneducated/uniformed) opinion, as i dont know what most of these terms like hyperthreading-10/100/1000lan mean etc.

thanks to anyone who has stuck with me this long, and read this entire post! i know it was/is long, so i really appreciate it.

Before anything else my first priority would be the integrity of my data. Is that HD still readable? Accessible? Resurrectable?
They managed to restore 95% of the data on a 200GB disk that slammed with the Space Shuttle into the ground at 1,500 mph, what was it? 5 years ago? If they could do that most of your data ought to be ressurectable too.