Computer Snafu

[cornemuse]

Well, back with more problems!

My main computer when turned on stops at 'memory check'. Cant get into 'boot menu-[delete]' or 'bios-[F-11]. The hdd, when connected to this (old- backup) computer as a usb hdd, is fine. How to transfer firefox data from the 'usb' to this one I'm using now, (or actually to a new computer pretty soon). Data transfered would be saved passwords & bookmarks.

It took some guessing to hit the password for this site, but I got it. Usually I actually write down the P/W's in a book I keep just for this reason, but I got lazy, my fault. Did it now!

Any & all help appreciated, -corne-



While here, can I ask what would be a good motherboard/cpu in the low to medium $$ range for me? I have prefered AMD cpu's & assorted M/B's. Its been many years since I bought a 'complete' name-brand computer. The main thing required would be six sata ports. On-board video or adding a video card = either way, I can use the (from in the dead computer) recently installed video card
or just get a new one. And what, 4 gigs ram??

I dont need a supercharged rocket.

-c-

[jman98]

Article on where Firefox stores passwords and bookmarks:
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data

I did my most recent AMD build 3 years ago (still use the PC too) and due to some problems I tried both Gigabyte and Asus motherboards. I ended up using Gigabyte. Had a lot of problems with the Asus I tried and I wasn't very happy with some of their design decisions either. In the future I'd go with Gigabyte again over Asus. We have plenty of Intel fans here and I'm sure they can recommend some Intel specific solutions.

As far as video needs go, you'll need to describe what you want to do with the PC. Wanting to play games is one thing. Wanting to record and edit videos in ways that don't use GPUs is something else. Also if you want to do 4k video then we'd need to know that too. On board video is usually OK if you aren't playing games and don't have any needs that require more than average video processing power.

[usually_quiet]

Well, back with more problems!

My main computer when turned on stops at 'memory check'. Cant get into 'boot menu-[delete]' or 'bios-[F-11]. The hdd, when connected to this (old- backup) computer as a usb hdd, is fine. How to transfer firefox data from the 'usb' to this one I'm using now, (or actually to a new computer pretty soon). Data transfered would be saved passwords & bookmarks.

It took some guessing to hit the password for this site, but I got it. Usually I actually write down the P/W's in a book I keep just for this reason, but I got lazy, my fault. Did it now!

Any & all help appreciated, -corne-



While here, can I ask what would be a good motherboard/cpu in the low to medium $$ range for me? I have prefered AMD cpu's & assorted M/B's. Its been many years since I bought a 'complete' name-brand computer. The main thing required would be six sata ports. On-board video or adding a video card = either way, I can use the (from in the dead computer) recently installed video card
or just get a new one. And what, 4 gigs ram??

I dont need a supercharged rocket.

-c-

Your computer details list your OS as Windows XP. If you intend to keep using Windows XP, you need to tell us. Intel Haswell CPUs and motherboards are incompatible with XP, and XP support for AMD Socket FM2+ motherboards varies by model and manufacturer.

[restore-chappy]

I use MozBackup to save my Favs and passwords

http://mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/
Its allows you to point to the Firefox profile on any drive.

[cornemuse]

Right now I feel like a total idiot! I dragged out the computer to disconnect cables etc. on the back & found one of the usb cables with a thumb drive plugged into it, hidden from casual view. I instantly realized what was wrong. This computer will NOT, EVER boot past this particular point with any usb storage device plugged in it. There are no bios settings (that I can find) to remedy this.
This computer has an IDE hdd in it (still!) and I still have 2 brand new sealed in the bag WD IDE drives, to use up. The mobo (the backups mobo too) has 4 sata ports, one used by dvd rom. Thats the reason I keep these two 'relics'. I still want to upgrade to something a bit more modern, anyways.

This computer has an 'ECS Nforce' board, & the backup has a 'Biostar' board. (both with AMD cpu) The Biostar is actually newer, but is a bit buggy, I prefer the ECS.

Mostly, editing involves backing up dvds, short clips from them, editing (adjusting) subtitles mostly in 4-3 letterboxed movies. I need those subtitles!! ( I worked with & around heavy equipment for 40 years & am nearly deaf from that), (I'm 68), & ripping mp3s from my (100's of) cd collection.

And surfing the net.

Also I have Graphics Workshop and Paint Net for images. (tried gimp & photoshop, didnt like either, tho.


Yes, I will keep the XP, it works just fine for me. I much prefer the classic windows interface. I didnt realize some boards are not compatible with XP, good to know. Still want to upgrade computers.

-c-

[restore-chappy]

I made that mistake once with a USB stick that stopped my pc booting! Easy done.

I am still on XP pro because of a lot of older softwares and am dreading upgrading, I had to build a new rig for my mates old XP setup, I found this Motherboard bundle that supports XP and have ordered it, Not bad spec for what he wants to do, Little light encoding, running older graphic softwares etc Here`s the link

http://www.novatech.co.uk/motherboardbundles/view/mbb-83208b.html

I will do a dual boot setup with Win 7 and Xp pro and a 240GB SSD drive.

[usually_quiet]

Hardware support for XP is dwindling. Things are only going to get worse. Maybe you should think about getting Windows 7 while you still can.

Here is the story. Intel Sandy Bridge CPUs and motherboards for them are the last with good XP support. AMD socket FM2 CPUs and motherboards that support them are the last with XP support. However, ECS is apparently not currently producing any FM2 compatible motherboards that support XP.

Below is an XP compatible midrange AMD FM2 APU and 2 XP compatible motherboards for you to look at. You need DDR3 RAM for the motherboards, either 1333 or 1600. If you need a more inexpensive CPU and motherboard, then provide a budget.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128659
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128656

Although it is possible to buy IDE to SATA converters they don't work well for everyone, so you may be unable to use your IDE drives.

[cornemuse]

Thanks for the tips.

The IDE hdds are all 160 gig drives, that way I must back them up to get room to continue. They were not all that much, anyway. (getting rid of IDE stuff, I guess)

I would go with sata drives now anyway.

[cornemuse]

Below is an XP compatible midrange AMD FM2 APU and 2 XP compatible motherboards for you to look at. You need DDR3 RAM for the motherboards, either 1333 or 1600. If you need a more inexpensive CPU and motherboard, then provide a budget.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113280 <- got this one, (apu)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128659
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128656 <- and this one. (mobo)

I got the apu yesterday & the mobo a few days ago. I have a 480 watt power supply with '4' pins 12v plug (for cpu?) the new mobo has a '8' pins connector. The 'idiot-proof' shaped plastics on p/s will fit into four of the 8 pin connector. Is this gonna work?

The p/s is 'brand new', 480 watts, but 2 years old, (bought two from 'Computer Geeks' at a good price, when they had a local store) has both molux & sata plugs.

Frys locally has a few 500 w p/s's on sale, I have to check on the '4 pin 8 pin' thing today, & I'd rather get a new one than 'fry' the new stuff.

Also, looking through the mobo book, it talks of 'raid' requiring even # of sata devices, I want to be able to add, remove, swap, hdd's, (as I do now with sata drive bays) & (2 cd dvd drives). This gonna be a problem?

Everybody here knows more than me!!

-corne-

[usually_quiet]

Below is an XP compatible midrange AMD FM2 APU and 2 XP compatible motherboards for you to look at. You need DDR3 RAM for the motherboards, either 1333 or 1600. If you need a more inexpensive CPU and motherboard, then provide a budget.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113280 <- got this one, (apu)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128659
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128656 <- and this one. (mobo)

I got the apu yesterday & the mobo a few days ago. I have a 480 watt power supply with '4' pins 12v plug (for cpu?) the new mobo has a '8' pins connector. The 'idiot-proof' shaped plastics on p/s will fit into four of the 8 pin connector. Is this gonna work?

The p/s is 'brand new', 480 watts, but 2 years old, (bought two from 'Computer Geeks' at a good price, when they had a local store) has both molux & sata plugs.

Frys locally has a few 500 w p/s's on sale, I have to check on the '4 pin 8 pin' thing today, & I'd rather get a new one than 'fry' the new stuff.

Also, looking through the mobo book, it talks of 'raid' requiring even # of sata devices, I want to be able to add, remove, swap, hdd's, (as I do now with sata drive bays) & (2 cd dvd drives). This gonna be a problem?

Everybody here knows more than me!!

-corne-

The reason for the 8-pin connectors is that 8 wires don't get as hot as 4 wires when the motherboard is drawing a lot of current through that connection. A 4-pin ATX12V plug may work there, but you should get a PSU with an 8-pin (or 4+4-pin) EPS12V plug as insurance against over-heating.

You don't have to use RAID unless you want to.

[cornemuse]

The reason for the 8-pin connectors is that 8 wires don't get as hot as 4 wires when the motherboard is drawing a lot of current through that connection. A 4-pin ATX12V plug may work there, but you should get a PSU with an 8-pin (or 4+4-pin) EPS12V plug as insurance against over-heating.

You don't have to use RAID unless you want to.

Thanks!
Now I know!

-c-

[cornemuse]

Turned this new computer on yesterday! Finally! Only issue was I had to find my old usb floppy disk drive to install (certain) drivers for XP. (In this day and age! Took an hour to find). Not a usb 'thumb' type drive, very specifically a fdd, 'A' drive.

Other than that, smooth sailing. (also, I had to connect an old ide fdd to my old computer to copy the required files to the floppy disk, that computer would not recognize the usb floppy drive)

Having said that, I gotta say, never having more than 2 gigs ram, this new one with 8 gigs is a rocket!

One more thing, I installed a 120mm fan on the case which draws 0.52 amps. I connected it to the12v lead(s) from the power supply rather than to the sys fan plug on the board. (another half amp through the mobo) The fan has the 3rd wire (for speed control? I dont know), am I missing out on some 3rd wire benefit?

Anyway, thanks for tips & suggestions.

-corne-

[usually_quiet]

Your VideoHelp computer details just say XP. Normally a 32-bit OS can only address 4GB of memory. Since that includes the video card's memory and addresses the OS assigns to devices on the motherboard, the maximum amount of RAM 32-bit XP SP 2 or SP3 can see is usually between 2GB and 3.2GB.

To make use of 8GB, you have to have XP 64-bit, or configure the extra memory as a RAM disk.

[cornemuse]

To make use of 8GB, you have to have XP 64-bit, or configure the extra memory as a RAM disk.

I have 32 bit xp. Computer shows just under 3 gigs memory. I did not know this! I installed a ram disk s/w, but it does not recognize the other/extra 4 gigs ram. Just looked, file is from here:

https://www.softperfect.com/products/ramdisk/

Raedon & AMD have (I think the same file) one, but state theirs dont work with XP.

Suggestions?

New computer is still a lot faster than anything else I ever had, I am happy with it.


-c-

[usually_quiet]

Sorry, I just know that RAM disks exist. I never tried to set up a RAM disk on my 32-bit Windows 7 PC, so I don't know what works best. In my case, less than 1GB of the 4 GB of RAM I installed is unused by the OS, so it seemed like a nearly pointless endeavor.

[usually_quiet]

One more thing, I installed a 120mm fan on the case which draws 0.52 amps. I connected it to the12v lead(s) from the power supply rather than to the sys fan plug on the board. (another half amp through the mobo) The fan has the 3rd wire (for speed control? I dont know), am I missing out on some 3rd wire benefit?

Anyway, thanks for tips & suggestions.

-corne-

I forgot about this. You could connect that 120mm fan to the sys fan plug on the board if you want to, and probably should. One wire on the 3-pin fans is used to sense how fast the fan is spinning, and if it is running. If the fan is connected to the motherboard, the motherboard will alert you if it stops running. http://pcbheaven.com/wikipages/How_PC_Fans_Work/