Need computer advice

[LadyWingr]

1. It appears that my monitor is preparing to die (flickering and half black screen, can get dim marginal display by adjusting brightness level).  What is the current opinion on what type of monitor to get for average home usage?  Is wide-screen something I should consider?  This one is a Pixo A700 17" LCD purchased through NewEgg and has been more than adequate for my needs.   

2. My desktop PC currently has two 256Mb RAM cards (I think? - I checked it through Norton 360 and it said 256, System Properties on my computer says 496). I frequently get messages that my RAM is running too low. How far should I upgrade (I don't game or watch movies on the computer) and how can I be sure I'm purchasing the correct RAM cards?  The system checker "thingy" at Crucial and Kingston cannot read my system, I apparently have an unsupported motherboard, an ASUS P4P8T from 2005.  The computer was built by our former tech guru and support from that direction is no longer available.

Or another thought - do I go ahead and start new with Windows 7 and whatever else pre-installed?

3. My printer is acting up. It will print one document fine, the next document I get a message that there is an error with the print cartridges - two cartridges one black, one color on an HP 3845. The first time it happened, I unplugged the printer, and the document printed ok, the second time, that didn't work and restrating the computer worked.  Do I get new cartidges (because of possibly faulty chips?) or am I looking for a new printer?

I know it's a lot of questions and I appreciate any assistance I can get.

Thanks in advance,
Terri

[Whiz-Kid]

TS,

I can't answer your first 2 ?s  but on my HP printer(which is 2 yrs old)I was having problems too.

I replaced the ink cartridges and it works fine now. How old is the printer?Have you ever replaced the ink?

Don't buy new ink unless you find out if that is the problem is.If you go on HP site you might get some answers.

Like someone else said it could be cheaper to get a new printer.



Mikeee(where are you Puddles?)Whizzer

[LadyWingr]

Thanks Mikeee.  Part of my problems have been solved, of a sort.  The monitor died during testing (does that means it was pregnant as well???) so I will be off to purchase a new one.  Using this laptop is not a fun thing, I don't know how people use them all the time??  I did some poking around on the HP site with no luck, so while I'm picking up a new montior, I'll get a couple cartridges and give that a whirl.  We don't use the printer much, but it sure is a handy thing to have.

Darn cold and grey outside today - phooey - I WANT SPRING!!!

[Whiz-Kid]

TS,I saw what you posted on the other bbs and all I can say is bit the bullet and get a new system or two.

If you can get ahold of Connie,she is a good at this stuff.

If you do get a new system go with one that doesn't have windows 7 on it.I have vista and before had XP but got Teresa a laptop with 7 on it and really sucks IMHO but is hard teaching a old dog new tricks

If you need the cash for a new set-up just steel Dallas' bike and sell it


Mikeee(us gray wingers have to stick together,yes I have a 88' gray wing too)Whizzer

[LadyWingr]

Mikeee,

I would love to just get a new system, but that would involve 2 new computers, monitors and an upgrade on the laptop (if that's even possible) not to mention purchasing the associated software packages that we would need. 

I started working with computers at home back in '93, and have seen a couple of OS changes.  For me, anything would be better than Vista,  XP took a while to learn and I still don't like it as well as the previous incarnation but it does have it's positives.  Another reason I'd like to wait is to see if any of the bugs in 7 can be discovered and rectified before I jump into that pool.

As tempting as the thought is to take Dallas' bike, there is no way!  I'd get shot in the driveway and that bike is one of the few things that keep that man this side of sanity (love ya' Dallas!).

Thanks for helping me out here bro'.  I think, with Sunrider's and others' help, I've talked myself into finding a monitor VGA & DVI compatible and wait a year if I can. 

I've had that old grey bike since '92 - it's been quite the workhorse.  I used to say I wouldn't get a new one until they came out with the dark grey again - and that wasn't until a couple years ago - but this one was working just fine so I couldn't see any reason to change.

Thanks!
TS

[Whiz-Kid]

You are right TS,I had XP and liked it then got vista and not happy then the laptop with 7  (since I don't swear)All I can say about 7 is #@^&%*(^%$#@!^%$#*


I have had my grey 88' wing since new.This is the only bike I will not sell and I have alot of bikes and have had alot of bikes.The color is just right


Mikeee(good luck on the puter stuff)Whizzer

[LadyWingr]

Thanks Mikeee - hopefully the Sunday ads will have some great deal for me.

In the meantime, I'll go back to my chair and read a book, alll bundled up in my sweater and blankie 'cuz it's TOO COLD out there!!

TS

[Littlejoe_N_Tn]

I buy most of my Computers & electronics from one of thse to places.

http://www.geeks.com/

http://www.ecost.com/Countdown.aspx?CountdownID=1

HT

[LadyWingr]

Thanks HT - I've used online sources in the past myself (New Egg, etc).  I appreciate knowing about other safe sources.  I've decided this time that I''m going with a local brick & mortar place.  It may not be much, but at least I'm helping our local economy a little bit.

TS

[LadyWingr]

Update:

Wow, wow, wow and WOW!!!

Picked up a monitor today - I can see!  No more flickering, fading or leaning forward to read that tiny little print on the screen. 

Decided not to upgrade the compute at this time - it's good enough and since I was able to find a compatible VGA  monitor, that will work just fine.  Got an 18.5" Samsung LCD at Office Depot for a hundred bucks.   

Thanks so much for your input guys, I will be better informed the next time there is an issue.

TS

[iwing]

256Mb RAM cards (I think? - I checked it through Norton 360 and it said 256, System Properties on my computer says 496)

That means you're running on 562 MB of RAM, which in todays standards is very low. If you're keeping that computer I would take that up as high as possible before even considering running a new OS like 7.
I wouldn't run with anything less than 2 GB of RAM, and that's before I start playing with graphics.

[LadyWingr]

Thanks Greg.  I've decided not to mess with it for now.  I had considered upgrading the RAM, and may do that yet .  Since I found out that my Graphics card is also underwhelming, I don't have a DVD player, etc. I will probably just wait and get a new system someday. 

Again,  I appreciate all the assistance I've received!

TS