CPCUG Build Team

March 2000 Seminar

Answers to Selected Audience Questions

Q1. ID # on Intel CPUs, describe; able to negate?

A1.

Motherboards:

Q2. Are dual processors of any value on home PCs? If so, on what software?

A2. Dual processors can boost performance of a few operating systems. Most
software cannot take advantage of the dual processors. Windows NT and 2000 both
can use dual processors, as can later versions of Linux (kernel 2.2 and higher).
Value in the home, like beauity in the eyes of the beholder, is subjective.

Q3. Do you have the option of setting a particular PCI slot as bus master/
slave, or is that hard wired for the slot?

A3. The determination of master/slave is a function of the motherboard.

Q4. Do Socket 370 motherboards allow you to monitor the CPU temperature
and fan speed?

A4. Most of today's socket 370 motherboards provide at least 2 temperature
sensing readings (CPU and System) and two or three fan power headers which
use sensing circuitry. The BIOS reports the temperatures of the system and
the CPU internal temperature, as well as the fan speeds.

Memory:

Disk Drives:

Q5. You said not to put a hard drive and a CDROM on the same controller.
But what if you have a 2nd hard drive, putting Win98 on one hard drive
and putting your programs and data on the other hard drive? Should you put
both hard drives on the same controller, or on different controllers, and the
CDROM with one of them?

A5. The recommendations published by at least one manufacturer indicate the
hard drive and CD-ROM drive should be on separate controllers for best
performance. For additional drives, I would put both hard drives on one
controller, with the CD-ROM on the second controller; in other words, don't
mix the slow drives and fast drives on the same controller. If you're
not pushing performance, you may never notice the difference.

Q6. Two years ago I bought a removable drive bay and installed it with a
Western Digital drive in a computer I was building. Several months later
the drive failed. WD replaced it but I was told it got too hot inside
the drive bay. Was this true? If removable drives were problematic then,
are they more reliabile now?

A6. For 5400 rpm drives, the drive bays that provide fan cooling should
provide adequate ventaliation. Special drive bays are required to run
the 7200 and 10000 rpm drives. These use not only fans, but also can better
conduct the higher heat generated by these drives. I run a system 24 hours
a day, use the fan drive bay, and have never had a thermal problem with any
drive.

Video Cards and Monitors:

Q7. What is XGA? Is it a feature of the video card or monitor?

A7.

Q8. What should I be looking for in a graphics card? I'm a graphic
designer using Photoshop, Pagemaker, and Illustrator.

A8. Given your specialized usage, I'd look for the fastest, most power-
full game card available. Perhaps something in the order of 32 or 64 Mb
of Double Data Rate or RAMBUS memory on the card. Probably look to spend
about $200 too.

Q9. For someone with low vision, what size monitor and/or software can
assist in better viewing? What do you give up be getting 17" monitor and
using software to enlarge picture?

A9. Larger screens provide for more real estate to view multiple windows.
By significantly enlarging the screen images in order to enable better viewing,
you reduce the real estate available for multiple windows. Unless you're a power
user, you probably won't lose too much. Try both 17" and 19" monitors in the stores
and set it for the style you need and use your judgement as to what's better for
your needs.

Sound:

CD ROM:

Q10. If I burn a CD using a CD Writer Drive, can it be read by any other
CDROM drive?

A10. In general, if the CD drive is lat model, it can read CD-RW. Sometimes
with the aid of a driver (available from Adaptec), you can read a re-writable
CD, but cannot write to it.

Q11. If I'm not interested in watching a movie or playing games on my PC,
should I purchase a DVD ROM instead of a CD-ROM?

A11. Unless the software you're purchasing comes only in DVD, I'd stay with
CD-ROM technology until 2002. If DVD has taken over the world, then you can
upgrade easily, and your current savings, invested, should be sufficient to
purchase the new drive, and maybe a hearty breakfast.

Modems:

Q12. What should one consider when shopping for an ISP? (telephone) Which
ones do you use and why? How much per month?

A12. There are many factors to consider when shopping for an ISP. What kind
of access do you want (dial up, DSL, or Cable modem)? What services do
you want? Which browser is REQUIRED? Can you call when you're away? How
much does it cost? All the answers are part of your needs and what's best
for you is not necessarily best for me.

Q13. I want to speed up my internet access. Currently use Milkern ISP and
56K baud modem. Can I keep ISP? Recommendations please.

A13. You have 3 basic options: 1-if you're not getting 48,000 bps or better
try upgrading your phone line; 2-you can get a Asynchronus Digitial
Subscriber Line and achieve speeds in the low 100,000 bps provided you live
within 4 miles of your telephone central office; and 3-you can subscribe
to a cable modem (ethernet on broadband cable -- the LAN is everyone
on your community cable system). Contact Milkern to see if they offer
options 2 or 3 or make a selection and sign up with a new ISP.

Q14. On modems, the ads make it difficult to tell if it is a Winmodem or
"full" modem. What do you look for to avoid winmodems?

A14. Basically the WinModem will be in the $25 range, while "full" modems
will usually be $60 and above. Secondly, WinModems will usually require
a minimum CPU speed of 266 Mhz, while a "full" modem doesn't have this
need. Full modems also work under DOS, WinModems cannot operate under DOS.

Q15. Is it worth switching from dial up access to Cable (or DSL) access?

A15. If you have a "need for speed" then its to your advantage to switch to Cable/DSL.
However, the real issue is how much throughput will you get? Multi-day down times for
DSL or storm outages for Cable are other factors to consider. Also, Cable/DSL may limit
your choices of ISPs to that of the Cable/DSL provider.

USB and I/O Ports:

Q16. Should you get parallel or USB ZIP drive if want an external backup?
(apparently DOS can't access USB).

A16. Look at all your options, but either is OK. With a parallel port
external ZIP drive, a DOS disk is all that's needed to read data off the
ZIP. However in order to use the USB port, a Windows-type operating system
is required, and it may be the operating system you're trying to rebuild.

Local Area Networks:

Q17. Is USB an alternative to ethernet for networking in the home
environment?

A17. One can use a special cable to link two computers together via
the USB ports. You can also do the same with a Cross-Over ethernet
cable at about 20% of the USB cost. However, most of the work and
resources will be for ethernet and not USB networking.

Q18. I have a LAN on Win95/98. What do I need to share internet access at
multiple PCs?

A18. Basically you need a hardware or software router. Companies like
NetGear make hardware routers that dial you ISP when you seen an address
outside the local network. If you have Windows 98se or Windows ME installed
on one of those computers, it can provide a crude the elementary form of a
software router. Lastly a product like Win.......also serve as multi-PC routing
access to the internet.

Q19. What means is the fastest to transfer data from an older machine to
a new system? Is a cable between the two a good option to transfer data?

A19. Several solutions exist. One is to copy the old disk to the new computer's
disk with a product such as Disk Copy. Another approach would be to connect
the two computers together in a small network and copy the files across the
network (a 10 Mbs ethernet is sufficient). Cross-connected ethernet cable
and $20 LAN cards in each computer is sufficient. A third mechanism is with a
parallel Laplink cable that can link the 2 computers; a cross-linked USB cable is
also workable. Once the connection is established and the right permissions set up,
then its a simple copy or drag and drop to make the transfers.

Cases:

Q20. I have a Dell 600 Pentium III GX 110/T. How can I tell if I can add
a CD-Writer drive? Will there be a free slot?

A20. You should contact Dell technical support for the best answer. Most
likely you could replace your current CD-ROM with a CD-RW, but its still best
to contact technical support.

Q21. What are the minimum specifications for a power supply?

A21. Probably 250 watts and ATX v2.01 specification compliance.

Q22. Can you use one monitor and CPU and share with additional keyboards
and mice?

A22. You can configure a Keyboard-Mouse-Screen (KMS) switch so that it only
switches the keyboard and mouse rather than the monitor...effectively giving
you several keyboards with entry into a single computer system (but why would
you want this type of configuration?).

Q23. Could you describe in more detail some of the problems associated
with mounting the motherboard incorrectly? How were the boards incorrectly
installed?

A23. An incorrectly mounted motherboard may cause a electrical short circuit,
thereby failing to start up. Usually this can be corrected by adjusting the
mounting. In some small number of occasions, you may cause failures in the
electronics of the motherboard (or other components) requiring replacement.

Backup Strategies:

Q24. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a second hard
drive for backup?

A24. Its real fast to backup and restore; its expensive, its harder to do
generational backups (different versions of the same files) and incremental
backups, and if a power glitch or fire destroys the computer, your backup
goes at the same time.

Peripherals:

Q25. Can one get a scanner for home use for less than $125?

A25. Yes, several are made. I've seen prices as low as $65. Also what resolution and
color depth are you getting? And lastly, where do you get support and drivers for that
new operating system when you need them?

Power:

Q26. What kind of UPS does a new PC need?

A26. Figure out the power consumption of the computer and monitor, add in
how long you want it to operate without line power and then select the UPS
that matches.

Q27. How long can I expect a UPS to be good before I should replace it?

A27. Recent UPS products have a user replaceable battery, so you don't have
to replace the entire unit. APC recommends replacing the battery after
about five (????) years.

OS Software:

Q28. You said to stay away from OS upgrades because of problems. But the
full version costs a lot more. What about that?

A28. Avoidance of but a single problem with more than cover the difference
in cost. The big problem with upgrades, is they may leave strange software
modules behind that could interfere with other software.

Q29. If you want to run multiple operating systems, what options are
available for multi-booting or sharing one monitor between multiple
machines?

A29. You have several options available: One is to use multiple partitions
on the disk with each operating system taking up one partition. A product
such as Partition Magic can help you set up the disk properly for that operation.
Another option is to use a dual boot option with systems like Windows 2000 which
permits Windows 9X and Windows 2000 to share the same drive. Set them up for FAT32
and they can share the same files.

Another approach is to use plugable hard drives in what's called a Mobile Rack.
This type of product permits you to install conventional hard drives in a frame and
to change operating systems you power down, change frames, and power up with your
new operating system.

Lastly, you can build several computers, install one OS in each computer, and share
keyboard, video, and mouse with a KMS switch. Generally up to 4 computers can be
linked with conventional KMS switches that are on the market today.

Applications Software:

General:

Q30. Is it ok to leave a computer on all the time instead of turning it on
and off?

A30. Yes, as long as you understand the risks of both forms of operation.
Most often devices fail during a power up cycle as the chips heat up.
But keeping it on all the time has its own perils. Adequate surge and power
protection is required most likely a UPS, and if connected to the internet via DSL or cable
modem a good firewall to protect against intruders.

Q31. How does one build one's first computer? Is access to internet
necessary to complete construction and check-out?

A31. Access to the Internet is not needed to build a computer nor required
for construction and check-out. Access is very helpful if you run into
problems and want to ask a vendor questions, research the problem, or obtain
some test software. Numerous books are available to help guide you through
construction, as are some commercial courses, and of course the Build Workshop.

Q32. I only have room on my desk for one monitor, but I have two computers.
Is there a way I can use the same monitor for the two?

A32. Use a KMS switch.

Q33. How does one make games perform better on a PC? For example, when
playing a game at the store, there's a close correspondence between motion
of the car on screen and movement of the raching wheel. But on my computer
at home, this is not so.

A33. If you're buying the very same computer and not getting the results
you saw in the store, then take the machine back and ask them why. If you're
trying to duplicate the store, make sure your computer has at least: the same
processor speed, main memory, video card, and maybe operating system. The
three hardware factors are probably the most significant performance issues
affecting game performance.

Q34. Can a fully-configured laptop be a good home computer?

A34. Yes, and a port replicator will make all the printer/lan/power
connections so you won't have to reinstall cables all the time. One needs
to be concerned with the screen size and keyboard size. Some keyboards are
than full size and may be too small for work at home. Although screen sizes
are sufficient for portable work, the 10" to 13" typical screen sizes may not
be suitable for several hours of work. 14" and greater sizes will add both
a premium cost to the acquisition and considerable weight for portable
operations.

Q35. I bought a Dell computer several years ago - Penitum II-200Mhz. All
or most of documentation was on disks inside the computer. I had a problem
with the keyboard lock up -- it could not access the computer. Who do you
do?

A35. One: why not change the keyboard, a new one will cost about $20 or less.
Two: if after checking the Dell web site for technical answers, and do an
Internet search, a call to Dell technical support is in order.

Notice: The above answers are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of CPCUG nor the CPCUG Build Team.  They may not even be the right answers.

Last Updated:  07 Oct 2000