Computer Question

[Nala]

I'm wondering if this has ever happened to anyone. I upgraded from a CD-Rom Drive to a DVD Rom Drive. I got it back today but they had phone me if they would have to clean the inside of the computer before putting in the new drive. They said there were spiders as well as dust. Has this happened to any of you?

[memnv]

I have not had any spiders in my computers that I know of, But it does not surprise me, They like the heat.

[Zoltack]

Ahhhhh. If you have spiders crawling in your computer. I think you should clean it often.
I mean that's not right, I never heard of anyone who had spiders in their computer before...that's a new one to me. And you should actually clean your computer ever so often so it doesn't short out or anything like that. Also all the dust can make your computer overheat as well causing it to spontaneously shut down.

[Roger Rabbit]

Dust is nothing new. I can see getting dust in your computer, and yeah that ought to be *carefully* cleaned out from time to time. Spiders--eww. That's another story. No spiders in our computer--just webcrawlers.

[Nala]

I didn't even know there were spiders in there until I had to change my rom drive. My CD Rom Drive went and I had to get a new one and I changed to DVD Rom. The person installing it at Staples phoned me that they'd have to clean it before they could install the DVD Rom drive.

[Isidour]

well, that´s really weird, instea you are a Spiderman fan I can´t think on a possible reason for finding spiders on your pc

[DarthPrime]

Well I always build and upgrade my own PCs, but I don't see any reason why they needed to dust your computer just to install a DVD drive. All thats involved is a few screws and plugging in 2 connectors.

Although it is a great ideal to try to keep the inside of your PC dust free. Dust inside your computer case can cause the computer to overheat. Also to much dust can damage fans, etc...

I usually take my computer outside with a can of compressed air and give it a cleaning every few months. Doesn't take very long, and sometimes its surprising how much dust gets sucked in though the case fans leaving a system on almost 24/7. I have never found spiders inside my computer though. I would probably go crazy if that happened, I can't stand those things.

[Hogi Bear]

Now that's weird, even the fact they rung you to tell you that they had to clean it. Maybe if they were poisonous, it would be something for them to worry about and that.

Oh and a tip on cleaning your computer inside, don't use a vacuum cleaner, use something that blows (and that does not have an oil solution thing hooked up to it (Air Powered tools requires oil to be added to the compressed air)). I think that's right anyway.

My CD-RW/DVD Drive just kicked the bucket itself, so I'm going to get DVD-RW to replace it.

[memnv]

I used to work at a company the built computers and if I remember right they blew not sucked like Darthprime said and he is correct about the overheating, and if there is enough dust it could even start a fire.

[Nala]

Now that's weird, even the fact they rung you to tell you that they had to clean it. Maybe if they were poisonous, it would be something for them to worry about and that.

Oh and a tip on cleaning your computer inside, don't use a vacuum cleaner, use something that blows (and that does not have an oil solution thing hooked up to it (Air Powered tools requires oil to be added to the compressed air)). I think that's right anyway.

My CD-RW/DVD Drive just kicked the bucket itself, so I'm going to get DVD-RW to replace it.

They had to phone me because they had to charge me to get it dusted and cleaned. They have now told me that my computer needs a tuneup as it's running a little slow.

[MICKEYMOUSE]

Hey, DarthPrime I was wanting to buy cans of compressed air, at Best Buy, to clean a lot of dust inside my keyboard, and my computer. But I have a question about the computer. Do you open up the tower, and used the compressed air, or is that bad? I wanted to know if I open the screws of the computer, dust if off, will anything bad happen to the computer? This question is really for whoever knows about computers, and the compressed air.

[DarthPrime]

Hey, DarthPrime I was wanting to buy cans of compressed air, at Best Buy, to clean a lot of dust inside my keyboard, and my computer. But I have a question about the computer. Do you open up the tower, and used the compressed air, or is that bad? I wanted to know if I open the screws of the computer, dust if off, will anything bad happen to the computer? This question is really for whoever knows about computers, and the compressed air.

I've used the cans of compressed air for awhile now and haven't had any problems. Just don't turn them upside down when your using them because the liquid (not real sure what it is) will come out.

When you open your case just be careful. Don't handle any of the components (motherboard, video card, memory, cpu, etc...) without being grounded. Static can kill these components if your not grounded. Touching the case itself is usually good enough for grounding. But if your worried you can pickup a wrist strap pretty cheap from Radio Shack.

I've found the easiest way to dust the inside of my case is to remove both side panels. That way when I use the compressed air most of the dust goes out the other side of the case.

[Nala]

I basically use the compressed air for my keyboard. I might actually end up buying a new computer altogether as it's old and needs upgrading badly. I was told I'd be better buying a new computer instead of upgrading. I would be able to get a refund for the DVD drive I just had put in.

[Hogi Bear]

They had to phone me because they had to charge me to get it dusted and cleaned. They have now told me that my computer needs a tuneup as it's running a little slow.

oh, I see.

I basically use the compressed air for my keyboard. I might actually end up buying a new computer altogether as it's old and needs upgrading badly. I was told I'd be better buying a new computer instead of upgrading. I would be able to get a refund for the DVD drive I just had put in.

How old is it? A bit more memory added and even a new graphics card may make all the difference, though if it is pretty old and that you may want to buy a new one. Remember to have a shop around before buying a new one.

I've used the cans of compressed air for awhile now and haven't had any problems. Just don't turn them upside down when your using them because the liquid (not real sure what it is) will come out.

Can you use the cans with air tools? Because it maybe oil (for lubrication of the tools to make sure they don't lock up and wear out too fast).

[DarthPrime]

I'm not sure on that Hogi Bear, I've only used the compressed air.

Nala how old is your machine? A DVD drive can be bought for around $20 online. And some DVD Burners can be had for around $40 to $50. I ordered a combo drive (DVD Rom/CDRW) last year (December) for a machine for around $30. It came with PowerDVD, and Nero as well. Now the DVD writers are almost the same price as the combo drive I bought.

I would personally try to fix the DVD drive and keep the machine around if it was me. If you got a new machine you could always keep that one as a backup/second, or give it to a family member that doesn't have a machine.

I'm not trying to sound bad or down on the place your getting it installed, but sometimes they will tell you to replace your computer even if it doesn't need replacing. It just means you'll end up spending more money in their store. As long as the computer does what you want it to do I don't see any reason to buy a new one because of a CDRom/DVD drive.

[Nala]

It's actually got 256KB of RAM and I had to upgrade already from 32 which is the amount that came with it when I bought it. I bought it in 1999 and it came with Windows 98, second edtion. It has 500 mHz. When the guy installed the DVD drive, he said the computer was running slow.

[Hogi Bear]

That sounds like an okay setup. If you use it for just general things like typing and even watching movies. One of the slowdown though will probably be Windows 98 (if you actually notice that it's running slow and not just the guy from shop saying). Windows XP runs a lot more stable than Windows 98 and so does Linux.

[Nala]

That sounds like an okay setup. If you use it for just general things like typing and even watching movies. One of the slowdown though will probably be Windows 98 (if you actually notice that it's running slow and not just the guy from shop saying). Windows XP runs a lot more stable than Windows 98 and so does Linux.

I noticed it was slow even after we had additional RAM installed. It only has 10 GB of hard drive and the DVD Rom needs 10GB of free hard drive. I didn't notice it until we got it back when we had the DVD ROM drive installed after the CD Rom kicked the bucket. We'll get a refund for the DVD Rom drive as they'll uninstall it.

When I took a computer course, they had Windows 2000 and it was faster. I'm also running Norton Anti-Virus and that uses about 32KB of RAM. We ended up buying a new comptuer from Staples today and it has Windows XP. I'll be getting it tomorrow. Upgrading to Windows XP would have been $130 and the HD would have needed to be bigger as well and that would be at least another $130 if now more. There's also a 60-day Internet Security on this computer and I can purchase it at Staples and install it after the 60 days.

[DarthPrime]

Upgrading to a different Operating System would probably help with your computer if its crashing or blue screening. Windows 2000 and Windows XP are both very stable MS Operating Systems. Personally I would recommend Windows 2000 over Windows XP if you only have 256 Megs of RAM. 2000 and XP are almost identical. You just want have all the eye candy that XP has. But upgrading your OS would set you back around $100 to $150 for the Pro versions, XP Home would be about $90.

If the machine hasn't been reformatted since you bought it (or its been a year or so) that might be one of the reasons its slow. Reinstalling Windows from scratch and your programs can help. Also have you run a virus scanner and some anti spyware apps? You could have a virus or some spyware on the system thats causing it to be slow.

Anyway... 500MHz with 256 Megs of RAM should be just fine for a DVD. I have a friend that still has an older Celeron 366 MHz with 512 Megs of RAM that plays DVDs fine.

Upgrading your OS is always an option, but I would try a reformat or run some virus/anti spyware scanners first. Windows 98 should be plenty fast on that system.

EDIT: I just saw your post about getting a new computer. Have fun with it.

Why did the DVD drive require 10 gigs? thats insane. I'm using PowerDVD and it takes up hardly any space at all. Windows XP would have fit on that 10 gig drive. It would require between 2 and 3 gigs to install.

Anyway congrats on getting a new computer. I'm planning to build another one next year for myself since the one I have now is showing its age badly. Not sure if I'll stay with Windows XP or try the new Windows Vista thats coming out.

[Nala]

Upgrading to a different Operating System would probably help with your computer if its crashing or blue screening. Windows 2000 and Windows XP are both very stable MS Operating Systems. Personally I would recommend Windows 2000 over Windows XP if you only have 256 Megs of RAM. 2000 and XP are almost identical. You just want have all the eye candy that XP has. But upgrading your OS would set you back around $100 to $150 for the Pro versions, XP Home would be about $90.

If the machine hasn't been reformatted since you bought it (or its been a year or so) that might be one of the reasons its slow. Reinstalling Windows from scratch and your programs can help. Also have you run a virus scanner and some anti spyware apps? You could have a virus or some spyware on the system thats causing it to be slow.

Anyway... 500MHz with 256 Megs of RAM should be just fine for a DVD. I have a friend that still has an older Celeron 366 MHz with 512 Megs of RAM that plays DVDs fine.

Upgrading your OS is always an option, but I would try a reformat or run some virus/anti spyware scanners first. Windows 98 should be plenty fast on that system.

EDIT: I just saw your post about getting a new computer. Have fun with it.

Why did the DVD drive require 10 gigs? thats insane. I'm using PowerDVD and it takes up hardly any space at all. Windows XP would have fit on that 10 gig drive. It would require between 2 and 3 gigs to install.

Anyway congrats on getting a new computer. I'm planning to build another one next year for myself since the one I have now is showing its age badly. Not sure if I'll stay with Windows XP or try the new Windows Vista thats coming out.

Not really sure. It's a Retail Plus DVD+/-RW. It's Dural Format (+/-), Double Layer (8.5 Gb)

The features:

Create personal DVD movies
Back up data & drives
Create still photo slide shows
Burn music CDs

You can also burn CDs. I just reformatted my hard drive within the last month but it didn't help. My Virus Scanner automatically scans every Friday and there's no viruses on there. It shows OK when it scans for viruses. It might also be the machine as it's an e-machine and I have heard it isn't the greatest.