Hard drive failure is imminent... AGAIN

[strangetomato]

Okay, this isn't funny anymore, computer. Another hard disk failure? Really? WTF?

I haven't had this computer all that long, but it's causing me nothing but grief. I'm going to call tech. support again to see if they can do anything for me (maybe send another replacement? Seems like wishful thinking...), but I'm pretty sick of this. Even if I manage to fix it up again, I think I'm going to sell it and look into getting a new one. Maybe a Dell instead. I have an HP right now, and I doubt I'll ever purchase one of their products again, based on this experience.

At times like this, I really wish I had more technical knowledge about computers. I am learning, but I still have a long way to go. If you have any advice for me, I'll gladly take it.

*sigh*

Comments

[pixelcurious.livejournal.com]

I hate Dells, but that's based on only having had one. It crashed on me every single day, even though I totally babied it and the only games on it were little tetris-type things. It was just a piece of junk, and since I bought it refurbished I had no warranty.

My advice is to try a local computer shop (ask around for recommendations) and have one built for you specifically for gaming, by people who totally know what they're doing. *pats Large Marge* I paid more, but I don't think I'll ever regret it.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Dell has been recommended to me by a number of people, though. My SO uses one at work and he says it's literally never frozen or had any problem, and he uses some pretty involved graphics programs.

I was looking at some of the XPS gaming systems they have on their site, and getting something like that really appeals to me. That way I'd know I was well over the requirements for playing the game (and Sims 3 too, no doubt). It would also be good for running graphics programs, which is good for my SO (and me too, since I want to play with XSI). They have some good deals on right now, so I'm tempted.

Being in a small town, I don't have many options for local shops. There is this odd little place (a shack, really) in the valley, so I could go there and see what they can do for me. The look of the place, like the building has been rotting away there for at least 50 years, doesn't instill confidence, but it would be nice to support a local business.

With that in mind, I just priced some of the components of the Dell gaming system, and it really doesn't seem like it would be any cheaper to build it yourself... and I could have a warranty too. Hmmm. I hate making decisions over big purchases.

[pixelcurious.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you've already looked into this quite a bit, and that the gaming Dells will be a good option for you.

I have a warranty from my local shop, and they have a great rep. Yours does sound sketchy, with the rotting shack and all.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

I've done a little research on it, but I'm far from an expert on the subject. I'm just matching the components to the gaming requirements, and making sure I have more than enough. I've also looked at some prices at different locations and things like that. I think I can make a reasonably informed decision, but I'm never fully confident in my computer knowledge. There's just so much to know.

Yeah, it sounds like you have a great computer shop there. That little shack could very well be great too - I have no idea, but I should probably check it out and give it a chance. Looks can be deceiving, and it's not the only rough looking building in town, to say the least. Hmmm... Who could I ask for advice on this? One of my SO's friends is really into FF Online. I wonder if he uses a gaming rig for that?

[madame-ugly.livejournal.com]

*butts in*

If you know how to build it, you can get good deals on the pieces and parts. My father is very fond of telling me about the deals he scores on Ebay and the like (and the stuff is new, not used). When I went to see him last, I heard multiple times about the free flash drive he was getting for buying so much memory (from some store). The man loves a deal.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Yeah, good deals can be had if you know what you're looking for and use Ebay and such. That's so not my forte, though. I need your Dad on my side. Can you lend him to me? *snicker* No, really.

For me, it's far safer to get something from a computer manufacturer, unless I can find a decent local place, like Pixel suggested. The Dell site did give options for the different components, so it's sort of like you're building what you want. It's surely not the cheapest way, but with some of the specials on now, it's not unreasonable. And it would be so easy... I like easy.

I just want to know what I'm doing. I don't want to be in the same boat a couple of years from now.

[cindyanne1.livejournal.com]

I'm totally considering an XPS for my next desktop. :D My problem is I always end up adding so much because I don't know what NOT to get, if that makes sense. If I knew more, I'd probably spend less.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Yeah, those options can really add up if you always select the "best" one, but I have a pretty good idea about what I need, and will likely need in the future, so I don't let myself get tempted to go over that.

[cindyanne1.livejournal.com]

Hee. Maybe since you'll probably get a new one before me I'll be able to model mine after yours. :D