new computer

I have backed up as much as I can so will just keep running the machine until it gives up. If it keeps going until Black Friday I may be able to pick up a bargain!

There is so much technical jargon with regard to the internals of computers, it is difficult to know what is best to get. I just want a machine that loads up fast and does the basics well, nothing fancy needed.

Doug

My windows 10 was obtained via the free conversion from an older version when Windows 10 was introduced, so where does the activation code come from? I assume there is software out there for cloning the operating system, I must have a look.

Doug

I have been a very satisfied customer of these people for a long time - they have taken over the Morgan Computers business. Most recently an A1 reconditioned iPad **LINK**

Remember a new system will probably have Win10 installed perhaps unlike your present one - many people don't like this and some of your present software may need updating, but with win7 going out of support it is hard to recommend a different version if you are going down the Microsoft route.

Out of 14 SSD's that I have bought, from 32 to 500 Gb, only one has failed, a 120 Gb. I have had 4 hdds fail over the years. If I was going to buy a new pc, I would look at what Novatech have to offer in the UK. Or something like this if second hand:

**LINK**

"Acronis True Image" will back up files and clone hard drives. Google "Acronis True Image bootable ISO"

Edited By Anthony Knights on 04/11/2019 11:04:11 edited for typos

Edited By Anthony Knights on 04/11/2019 11:05:18

Sorry Douglas - our posts must have crossed!

Mike's position is the same as mine. Exactly. I've had 'commercial' PCs in the past (Dell, HP etc.) but their options aren't as flexible as PCSpecialist in my opinion.

The only problem that I encountered was the build time. Otherwise very happy with my AIO.

I bought a lot of stuff from novatech back when I was in business. I can't speak for them these days but back then they were always helpful and quick.

pgk

My last laptop began giving me those messages too and told me that if I did not do something about it, it would switch off "To protect the system", and it did, full stop !

When I went about having it repaired, I was told that it needed a new hard drive plus new cooling fans and maybe something else .Might be cheaper to buy a new one. How old was it ? seven years !

It seems that these things are updated every week and no-one is really interested in repairing them.

How long will my "New" one last ? Good question.

Dependant on current hard drive size you may want to consider a new SSD hard drive from the likes of Crucial + kit as it comes with a clone option to copy your current drive to the new drive, instructions are simple enough, I've done it with 3 desktops and a couple of laptops all with a major speed boost.

Will second the company MichaelR linked to, I have 3 true workstations. one built by Pc Specialist, 1 built by Scan Computers and 1 built by Utopia, all superb builds, anyone of those companies will do a superb job.

This is an interesting thread. I've had several computers over the years and the last two were/are laptops. You're lucky in some respect that you have actually been given a warning....I've never had that, usually instant failure. The last being when away in Spain for a while, so I had to resort to using my phone for everything. When I returned to the UK I bought another laptop, very high spec but unfortunately loaded with Win10!

I thought I'd try and see if the hard drive from the old one still worked, so I bought a slave housing off ebay and linked it up to my new laptop and hey ho....it worked, so nothing was lost. The new laptop has an SSD so less of a problem with hauling the laptop around on planes etc.

I find the above info from members both useful and a bit scary......you can't not power off a laptop to my knowledge, and I thought an SSD would be good for the life of the laptop. Oh well, nothing last forever......must get back to the habit of backing up each day!

When all the usual file recovery methods fail .... one thing you can try is to wrap/seal the drive in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer overnight. Next day quickly connect it to an external USB drive (just connect the cables) and see if you can read it.

I know it sounds a bit daft, but it worked for me for a drive that was in the same position as yours. I got all my data off it over several repeats of this process.

The hard drive is still working so it will be interesting to see how long it lasts. I am now considering replacing the drive rather than buying a new computer but wonder if my machine is too old (about 9 years ) to be able to fit a SSD rather than a HDD. The old motherboard might not be up to the task of running a SSD in which case I may revert to plan A and replace the computer.

Doug

I will just add to the vast amount of good advice above, that if you use a 3d graphics program, like fusion360, or any sort of CAD/CAM, a gaming machine can be a very good choice, as they have much better graphics and main processors than business computers. Playing a fast 3d game is the hardest thing that any computer will ever do, and when you try to do it on business computer, it quickly becomes obvious that they are not up to the task.!

You'll need it to have a SATA HD interface to start with. Preferably SATA-3 (6GB/sec) to take full advantage of modern SSDs.

I doubt a 9 year old PC is too old to accept a SSD hard drive after all the Intel Core I5 is now 10 years old. May not work at optimal speed but still considerably faster than a mechanical drive. Do you know make and model of motherboard and processor? "Belarc Advisor" will tell you, only a small application. 

Edited By Bob Brown 1 on 04/11/2019 22:16:26

Went into a small local PC repair shop this morning and the very helpful chap ran me through what he could do for me. I ended up leaving my machine with him to replace the hard drive with an SSD drive and swap the operating system and all other stuff onto the new drive. Provided I get a few more years out of it I will be happy.

Doug

Good to hear you are supporting local shops Douglas, if we don't use them we will lose them and be at the command of the large chains.

Emgee