Back to school !!!

[wooly]

Hi all,
After reading through a few of the threads posted, I have realized I dont have a clue what anyone is talking about.

I enjoy playing most kinds of games, but must admit that I have not been able to finish all that many. It is so frustrating to install a game and halfway through it stops with some internal error or fatal error, or just after the intro it pops you back into windows.
Looking back on some of the adjustments mentioned in previous questions, I would not have a clue on where to find any of them !
Short of having to go back to school and do a 3 year course just to understand what you chaps are actualy talking about. Can anyone give me a name of a book(s) which I could purchase that would explain basic computer components and what to look out for or ask for when purchasing a computer.
I have been burnt once already accepting the salesmans word as gosple.

I would really appreciate some help,

Thanks.

 

[grassapa]

www.arstechnica.com
you gotta click around though, its not too hard to find info for newbies. mostly click "how to and tweaks"

real philosophy of life: "do onto others what you dont want them do onto you"

 

[juicebykurt]

it just takes time. try picking up pcgamer and other pc magazines. that was my starting off point. eventually i learned enough about the inside of a comuter to upgrade and build my own. then you start getting into driver updates, game patches, and configurations. just take it slow and youll catch on. find some ppl that know a lot about computers and make them your friends. its always nice to have backup 😉

 

[grassapa]

errr dude, pc gamer talks mostly about games... one pc mag that kicks ass is MAXIMUM PC. they mostly talk about hardware. dont get PC MAGAZINE OR PC WORLD< THEY ARE THE DEVIL AND AVOID THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE. those mags are for business ppl, not us.

real philosophy of life: "do onto others what you dont want them do onto you"

 

[ejsmith2]

Yeah, either pcgamer or pc gaming world. You'll probably like one or the other; either one has a total load of idiots reviewing gamez, or the other one does. Take your pick, and stick with it. Personally, I think pcgamer blows goats.

Anyway, that will clue you into the gamez, and what they should be looking like on a fairly kick @$$ (ass) system. It also will give you an idea of what's out there, what the different 'generes' are, and which one you're probably wanting.

As far as tweaks go, most of the tweaks I'm doing should be standard issue on every computer. If your system is setup for hardcore gaming, then it will smoke applications as fast as it possibly can.

But that's not to say, if you're running a database for example, that you want to use a small MFT. Or turn off the 'last date accessed' coding. All I'm saying is, by default, msft os's load what Gateboy wants all the machines in their headquarters doing by default.

Which means, the other 4.6billion on the planet have absolutely no use for that kind of a Mickey Mouse setup.




Bottom Line: Above all else, when it's said an dun, are you having fun? 'Cause that's what gamez are all about...

 

[jamus34]

I get Max. PC too, the only thing I don't like is the fact that literaly half the magazine is advertisements. Also they seem to have reduced the overall amount of reviews.

But A) What do you expect to a mag that costs $12 a year and B) They still do give you alot of info in the limited # of pages they use.

Your using WHAT??? (quote from friend when I told him my PC specs)

 

[slickstaa]

the best way to learn about computers is through experience. However, check out some books geared toward the a+ exam if you want a basis of knowledge over a wide area.

<font color=blue> If it ain't broke, don't fix it...tweak it.</font color=blue>

 

[wooly]

Thanks for all the ideas, will be starting the learning curve today so be prepared for more cries for help.

Bye now.

 

[lonewolf1215]

In order to learn anything about computers. You might try taking a 3 week course or attending a college seminar. But the best way is to dive right in and just start to mess around with computer. Sure you may break something. But you will learn through errors and mistakes. Always Remember: USE THE FORCE YOUNG PADIWAN!!!

 

[Rubberbband]

Scott Mueller puts out a good textbook every year that covers all things hardware. His explanations have a no nonsense approach. There's lots of info on his website <A HREF="http://www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com/" target="_new">http://www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com/</A> I find his books pricey but I usually buy the previous year's text to save money.

The Men Behind the GUNS!

<A HREF="http://forums.btvillarin.com/index.php?act=ST&f=41&t=327&s=8ae8909977d596e59e0ac8260313c4d0" target="_new"><b>MY SYSTEM</b></A>