Custom Building Computer?

[jtommyj]

Jim G. I live south of Pittsburgh (Finleyville, South Park area) and build systems. PM me and let me know a little about what you're looking for and I'll try to help you out.

[Thorn]

gmatov - I'm curious too. Are you implying that windows will load and incorporate the registry on the second drive just because it's in a similar location as the one on the C drive? Granted, most apps don't need registry access at all so I don't reinstall them when I reinstall my OS, but if something needs the registry, won't it read THE registry? Correct me if I'm wrong...

[spiderman2k1]

I like making my own PC's I know whats inside of my PC. When you buy one from a store or online you really have know idea that's inside of them. It's cheep to build your own PC but you have to shop for good price's first go to

www.pricewatch.com

[gmatov]

OK, this was actually an accident, as Windows screwed up on my main machine, so I moved one of the other drives to C:\, installed Win98, again, then, instead of re-installing everything on the other drive, went to, in my case P:\ drive>program files>(Eudora, Paint Shop Pro, almost everything) , click on the Icon, and the program functions as though it were installed to the new C:\. In fact I make shortcuts to the other drives programs and paste them to the desktop

This has pulled the fat out of the fire for me, particularly with my e-mail, My Documents, complete with pictures, tons of stuff. All these programs have their Registry entries inWindows Registry of the D:\ or whatever the drive is.

Another benefit is if you can't find your install code, it is already installed, no need.

Some programs, however, need some things copied to the C:\Win\Temp Directory, TMPGenc, DVD2SVCD, others that you all know about, as you have always copied these to the Temp file. C:\ drive looks there for them.

It works for me, and at the rate this g'damned Windows screws up, saves much re-install time.

I edited this and found reference to "TMPG enc" and "DVD2 SVCD" became URLs. Hope the space and quotes prevents that.

[gmatov]

Thorn,

Please elucidate. When you say re-install Windows, do not re-install the Apps, do you mean as a real install, wipe the Win Folder, or just re-install to the same drive/folder?

If you are just re-installing over an old install, the progs run because, from at least 98, can't remember, but maybe from 95SR2, Win re-installed without requiring program re-install.

If you wipe the Win folder, you will have to re-install most, if not all, programs, as the Registry goes with the Win folder.

The shortcuts I mentioned point to the progs installed on the other drive, and the programs have all their entries in that Windows Registry.

So far as I know, no program will function if it has not been written to the registry or A registry. Windows simply doesn't know what to do with it if it isn't

George

[jtommyj]

I think you can just do the same thing by choosing where to install programs. Most give you a choice, so, for instance in my case I have a dual boot machine with Windows XP Pro on one partition "C" and Windows Server 2003 on another partion, say "D". When I install some programs like TMPGENc, I can install to "E" partition and go to the other OS partitions and just create shortcuts from the programs on E to the desktop on C and D and choose to install the temp folder on any partition you like in the environmental settings. That way if you need to reinstall windows, at least some of the programs you won't have to reinstall.
But I think if you have a program that writes to the registry you're going to have to re-install that program on the OS that you are running it from.
Otherwise, for example, when I installed Eazy VCD to my C partition and tried to run it from a shortcut on my D partion, I got the error "COMDLG32.OCX or one of it's dependencies not correctly registered: a file missing or invalid". So I think it greatly depends on the program. It ain't gonna work with things like Office 2003, etc, but for stand alone type apps it could be a time saver.

So what you're doing is basically a "repair" install, not a reformat and clean install.

[gmatov]

jtommy,

No, you're not reading my post properly.

This began when Win98 went south on one of my drives. Rather than, this time, wiping the Windows folder and re-installing, or should I say installing, anew, to a Windowless drive, I just moved that 40 gig to a new IDE device, slave on IDE2 or whatever.

The drive that was in that place, rejumpered as Master, installed as C:\, Windows installed to a fresh, albeit used for storage, drive. Whether I immediately use the partitions or not, I habitually fdisk and format with 2 or 3 8 to 10 gig partitions, for 98, W2k, and Linux, the balance as storage.

I know you have always been able to install the bulk of a program to a different drive. I do that too, as a matter of course, to keep from using up all the room on the C:\. Most, but not all, programs will give you a warning that they will be installed to C:\, and the option of a browse button to select a different directory.

I am not doing this in this scenario. I am talking about moving a drive from C:\ to, say, P:\, and copying to the desktop a shortcut, pointing to the old drive, with its installed, and fully registered, programs, registered with the install of Win on THAT drive

Now, if you should wipe the Windows folder from THAT drive, none of the programs will function, as you have just deleted all registry entries

Hope this clears up the confusion.

George

[Thorn]

So far as I know, no program will function if it has not been written to the registry or A registry. Windows simply doesn't know what to do with it if it isn't

This is program-specific. The vast majority of the utilities and small programs that I use have no need to access the registry. The registry is only needed for special functions - such as associating a file type with an icon and the program you want, or for registering activex controls, etc. Actually there are a lot of programs that use the registry for nothing more than file association and making an entry in the add/remove programs dialog. I typically copy the install dir for these rather than reinstalling later.

When I reinstall, I've either bought a new primary HD, or upgraded to a new OS. For the new OS this obviously wouldn't work. In your scenario, one way to check your theory by just installing the OS and then seeing if .doc files have the right icon and association. If they don't until you run word.exe once, that means the program rewrote the registry entries it needed into the registry on your C drive (a lot of programs have this repair feature - I'm assuming word does).

My hunch is that the registry on your second drive isn't being accessed (although the .ini files might be). Try moving/renaming the registry files on your second drive and seeing if it breaks things.

[jtommyj]

I think we've unfortunately hijacked the thread. My apologies to Portrower8. Good luck on your build.

[gmatov]

Jtommy,

I'm afraid you're right, we have diverted from the thread tho' I think my original remarks were pertinent.

Thorn,

You may be right also, but I don't think I will try to break any of my functioning programs on the other drives to prove or disprove anything.

I'm happy they do work for me, and if my theory is wrong, so be it, I don't have to have the theory down pat for them to work.

Cheers,

George

[candsh]

Have enjoyed reading this post. I built my on system about 2 years ago and have constantly updated it, adding drives etc. It is a great experience to build your own and overcome the fear of what is under the cover.
To build another one today I think that I would start at www.internetishop.com and search through their bare bones system, from very basic and up to the dual processor. They will preassemble the system for you if you want, or you can order all the components and do it totally yourself. They do not charge to do the assembly and test. You can also get operating systems, upgrade video cards, etc. You may be able to shop hard and beat their price a few bucks, but, most of the time their prices are as good as the bargains on eBay. I don't even shop aroud any more, just see if they have what I want and order it. Just ordered a new cpu for the wife's computer Friday.
No matter where you buy though, you will have a better computer if you build it yourself. All you need is a phillips screwdriver and most important, a GROUNDING WRIST STRAP which you can get at Radio Shack. It would be a shame to blow up a good system. Have Fun

[portrower8]

Hehe

That's okay guys -- every input here has been very valuable... I'm trying to digest it all and lay out a plan.

Thank y'all!

[musher70]

First, i want to wish you good luck!!!...
Second, there is really only one good online supplier...

http://www.newegg.com/

you order it, you get it like in 3 days nation-wide
lots of free shipping items always...

they got the sony dual 199 this week/plextor at $234

Case is very important i think, hard drives spinning at
7200 for 8-24 hours, gonna need lots of fans...
Lian-li is a favorite, highest-quality aluminum cases
with dual hard drive rack fans(well over $100 with no
power supply, add 40-90 depending on needs)...

AMD maybe not best choice for processor here, they
seem to run a little warmer than p4's, P4/2400 at 160.00
now, lots of disagreements here, i think...

Intel has released a few new chipsets, supporting 800fsb +
dual memory banks(400mhz-pc3200),865/875,depending on manufacturer,(865 at $100 or so) check around and
get nothing less, memory kinda high right now,go with mushkin online,one 512 bank is sufficent to begin with..

need at least 120 gigs hd, partition 20-30gs for OS...
serial ata at $120 or so...

Video card prices have fallen fast, 4200 gf4 w/vivo now
for @$100 or so..like Gainward's but a little pricier, get
what you pay for...

Of course, you need 2 burner, one dvd, one cdrw($20
after rebates...throw in a cheap floppy and you all set..

Dont forget the window, a lightstick, and some glow-
in-the-dark fans....

[gmatov]

Choose a CPU that you wish, not because of "anecdotes" about AMD's heat, as you may read here:

http://www.economist.com/diversions/displaystory.cfm?story_id=1763990

The Intel chips, second paragraph, are approaching the energy density of a nuclear reactor.

So is AMD,but the point is,they BOTH have heat issues.

And to the "heat spreader" attached to the Intel chip, a site peeled it off and found it ran 4 degrees or so cooler without it, it is more to protect the ceramic package than to spread the heat.

Choose your CPU by what you can afford. If a 2 gig Intel is good for you, and the price is OK, buy it.

If you want a chip in the AMD line, cheaper, but with at least the performance, go that route.

It's kind of a personal thing. Some will not have an AMD, some spurn Intel.

Cheers,

George