Hardware Upgrade

By KAAREN VALENTA

Published: Feb 21, 2001 12:00 am

Hardware Upgrade

During past Internet training sessions conducted at the Newtown Library, with greater regularity my students reported having significantly more powerful PCs than my system. Although my computer was only two years old, this triggered my upgrade odyssey. The following happened:

Buying on the Web

Using the Pricewatch (www.pricewatch.com) Web site as the guide for finding hardware vendors, I purchased the following items online:

Product Â Â Â Â Â Â Vendor Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Price

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (including shipping)

Intel PIII (600MHZ)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â EconoPC/ Prime Distributors $158.43

256MB RAMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MemPlus.com Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 95.95

PCI Disk ControllerÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MicroSource Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 38.91

Plextor 12x10x32 CD-RWÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â MSL Computers Inc.Â Â Â Â Â 212.60

Tornado 32MB Graphics CardÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â OCIE.com Â Â Â Â 119.95

IBM 46.1GB 7200RPM HDÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â GoGoCity.comÂ Â Â Â Â 162.97

In each case, the items were purchased at secure Web sites with a Visa credit card issued from Fleet Bank. Almost immediately, I received a call from fraud control stating that there appeared to be unusual activity on my credit card. I had to confirm the purchases. It turns out that five unauthorized purchases were made against my credit card. I contacted each company and reversed the charges. The detailed transactions, including phone numbers of all vendors, was available on Fleetâs Web site. Very convenient.

Hardware Arrives

Almost immediately, the hardware arrived by UPS. As I already had three hard drives in the system, the smallest one, holding 4GB data, was replaced with the 46.1 GB IBM drive. Installation proceeded smoothly with the slight exception of the PIII processor. In this case, most of the bus cards had to be removed and installed one at a time as the operating system recognized their presence. Overall, there were few problems. The performance improvement can be explained in one word: dramatic.

The high-speed 46.1 GB drive became the new C drive. As a result, all programs formerly located on that drive were transferred to free space on another drive. Next, the Windows 2000 operating system was installed. My concern was that some specialized software would not run under it. This turned out to be a false worry. Everything runs under Windows 2000; however, the executable software had to be reinstalled. This means finding the original disks containing the serial number keys and performing a fresh install. This is not exactly a trivial job, but no rocket science either. Once installed, data and profile information files were transferred to the C drive original executable files.

The only problem encountered was the second graphics card used for running the dual monitor system was not supported under Windows 2000. I am back to one 17 inch monitor until I purchase an inexpensive graphics card to overcome this shortfall. At this point, I have become so accustomed to the convenience of two monitors that I cannot go back to a one-monitor computer. It becomes especially painful when developing Web sites. One monitor displays source code while the second monitor displays the resulting Web site. Slick.

Broken Scanner

During the upgrading process, suddenly my scanner performed erratically. Large yellow streaks filled color scans. The light source was failing. A trip to Staples resulted in viewing a display of six or seven scanners. Prices ranged from $60 (after rebate) to a top of the line Hewlett Packard scanner in the $300 range. I chose a Canon N650U for $105 after taxes. Not only is ultra slim unit fast, but the Caere V9.0 optical character recognition software would cost about $400, if purchased separately. This is a USB device that derives its power through the single cord that connects it to the computer. Highly recommended.

Every Several Years

For serious Internet users, upgrading hardware/software should be viewed as a ritual taking place every two or three years. While many people may find it less expensive to purchase a complete new system rather than upgrade individual components, for the brave the rewards can be significant. I love the speed of the new system. With 425 MB main memory RAM, 16 MB video RAM, a 7200 RPM Hard drive, and I-cable, it flies.

Â URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) of interest:

http://www.pricewatch.com/

(Note: This is the 246th of a series of elementary articles designed for surfing the Internet. Next, âAntiques Roadshow Revisitedâ is the subject on tap. Stay Tuned. Until next week, happy travels through cyberspace. Previous issues of Internet Info for Real People can be found: http://www.thebee.com.Please e-mail comments and suggestions: rbrand@JUNO.com or editor@thebee.com.)

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My darling, You were the best GRANDmother a child could ask for. You created so many great memories & traditions that I have passed down to your Great grandchildren. You brought joy into every room you stepped into. Your laughter, singing, whistling and the signature Rockettes high kicks, is something I will always hold in my heart. There was something about walking into your home and being greeted by your beautiful face. *kiss on each check* followed by HELLOOOOOO Darling! The classical music playing softly in the background and your love and comfort made your home, a safe space. Somewhere, where love knew no boundaries. It was so much more than a home. I aim for the same in my home, and play the classic music 24/7, but it will never be the same. I pray I can be 1/4 of GRAND, you put in GRANDmother. You were so resilient. You found the positive in every situation. I look up to you so much. I remember begging Mom and Dad for years to change my name to “Carmen”. They didn’t officially change my name, but eventually started calling me “Carmenita” as I am a little you. THE HONOR. You were there for me, no matter the day or hour. You were always the one who would talk me through whatever hard situation I was going through. When my baby passed away, I refused to talk to anyone for 3 weeks. Except for you. You said to me “Better days are coming, babes. There’s always a rainbow after the storm”. Of course, you were right, because you are GRAND. I picture you in heaven dancing and laughing with him. Uncle Jay playing the money game with him. To know you are with your children again & with mine does bring me some joy. Twas the night before Christmas & New Year’s Eve, will never be the same. Another tradition you created. A memory that will last forever. Not just with me, but for generations to come. It may not be the same, but we won’t let it die. It will live on, in your name. To be your first GRANDchild was a blessing. I could write an entire book about you & all the amazing things about you. Even though we were robbed of time together & it makes me angry, I know I will see you again. This isn’t a goodbye, but a “see you later”. Just like we ended every phone call. Ciao, darling. I love you. MWAH MWAH! Love your GRANDchild, Kimberly aka Carmenita

Carmen Accashian

Unfortunately, I think this is likely to get worse, not better... Based on both public comments and private conversations, I’m increasingly concerned that our newly elected First Selectman intends not just to install these cameras, but to expand their use for full-blown enforcement and fines. Try getting a straight answer out of him about the long-term plan and you quickly realize how vague the responses become. Tyler is absolutely right to raise the privacy issue. These systems don’t just “catch speeders” — they quietly build a database of where we drive, when we drive, and who is in our vehicles. Once that infrastructure is in place, it becomes very easy to justify expanding its scope: more cameras, more locations, more uses, and eventually more automated enforcement. If Newtown is going down this road, residents deserve clear, written answers to some basic questions before anything is expanded: What limits will be placed on how and where cameras are used? Will footage and plate data be used only for speed enforcement, or for other investigations too? How long will data be stored, and who can access it? What safeguards will prevent vendors and individuals from abusing this information? Without firm, enforceable rules in place, “just a few cameras to slow traffic” can turn into something very different over time. I support safe roads — but not at the cost of unchecked surveillance and vague promises from our leaders. You try getting straight answers out of our First Selectman, myself and others have not been able to...

Discusses Traffic Cameras

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Real people were just in a frightening car accident. To immediately frame their misfortune as rhetorical ammunition against new housing — affordable housing included — feels less like concern for “health and safety” and more like opportunistically using a scary moment to support a pre-existing position. If we’re going to debate this proposal, we should do it honestly: with data on traffic volume, accident history, engineering recommendations, and the town’s housing needs, not by seizing on a single crash as proof that 300 apartments are inherently unsafe. Newtown deserves a thoughtful, fact-based conversation about growth, safety, and affordability — one that doesn’t turn other people’s bad day into a political talking point.

How Many Accidents Will It Take?

To add context that did not occur at the meeting would not be an accurate representation of the meeting and would, in fact, be editorializing to shape public opinion. The editorial staff here do not consider ourselves to be final arbiters of what the truth is (and if we did, it would make us partisan and biased), and we would need to provide a source for any dissenting information (sourcing all information in an article is literally Journalism 101). There were no such sources present at the meeting in question, and so it would not be appropriate to include such information in an article about the meeting. Dissenting voices appear in meeting stories when there were active participants with dissenting opinions, such as during public participation or the words of a council member who disagreed. It should be noted that the Interfaith Council, like many local boards and commissions, conduct meetings that are open to the public. This was not an article on the actions of the Greater Danbury Area Unites for Immigrants, or on immigrants, or on ICE's actions in the community, where including other voices or perspectives would be appropriate. We appreciate your opinion, but we stand by our meeting coverage and consider this discussion closed.

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