Neal, I think you made a right decision in purchasing the Dell machine. I agree with the subguru here. I currently have an XPS 400. I got it in 2005 and only had trouble once. I had to replace the hard drive 2 weeks ago. No problems with their service and the replacement and support was easy. In regards to memory, yes, Dell Memory right now is very cheap. I just purchased 2GB more of memory to bring my specs up to a total of 4GB. Each 1GB memory module purchased was only $12.59 plus tax and shipping.While I would like to have a new system, my Dell XPS is still running perfectly. I'm sure you'll be happy with your new purchase.

Enjoy the new PC. :yeah:

Personally... I'd never go back to one of those proprietary innard pre-builts.

The computer comes with WinXP, and free Vista upgrade. When the I need the PC to do something that it will not do on XP, I'll consider using the Vista upgrade. With Windows 7 coming, I may skip Vista. I can get MS software for cheap as a student at the college.


Dude! You're getting a Dell!



.

7 is not far off. Good plan of action. Hope the new rig arrives today. I guess we will not see you for a few days, eh? :D

Wait for windows 7. I like it more than vista. But its still beta and not the real finished product... :hmmm: Hard to say... your call dude.

It's here!
http://www.subsim.com/images2/Dell/P3111077.JPG

http://www.subsim.com/images2/Dell/P3111081.JPG

http://www.subsim.com/images2/Dell/P3111082.JPG

http://www.subsim.com/images2/Dell/P3111085.JPG

http://www.subsim.com/images2/Dell/P3111088.JPG

Hehe, sweet! :up:

Are you sure you want to be dressed like that with all those fire ants and killer bees around?:doh: :hmmm:

Wait a minute! how are you gunna get any studyin' done with that new computer.


...starts log of how many classes Neal skips because he's in the middle of a mission!:haha:

Happy for you on your new rig. :up:

But... Who's that drunk leaning on your new Puter ? :haha: :har:

Wana trade pcs neal.:rotfl:Glad you got a nice pc.:up:

Don't forget to strip that sucker of all the bloatware, pc decrapifier works pretty good (free too)

http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

Actually I just formated the HDD and installed my own OS. I hate the restrictions dell puts on my rig with the bloaded OS. I use all drivers from the hardware manufactures. Only thing I search for updates with dell is the firmware bios update for the nforce 790i motherboard. :D

This way I'm in control. They don't like it but that is too bad.. :03:

In the gym.

:D

Yay! Up and running :woot:

First I had to set up my 2002 computer with a keyboard, mouse and monitor, so I can continue using it for e-mail.

Then I set up the XPS, went through the setup and it's rocking right along now.

Ok, you guys said you would walk me through a custom build, so I want to see what kind of assistance I can get from you on a small glitch :yep: .

When I first set up the new Dell with me new-ish 2232BW Plus Samsung 22" WS monitor, it showed the BIOS screen and the initial WinXP screen...then went blank. I could hear the lovely music but all the monitor displayed was the Analog/Digital box, suggesting the monitor was not getting a signal...

Ok, the new Dell has two DVI out connectors on the back, and the Samsung monitor has RGB and a DVI plug. The new Dell came with an adaptor to use the RGB cable and plug into the computer's DVI socket. I also have a DVI cable, not sure where it came from, maybe the 22" Samsung. Are all DVI cables the same? I would assume.

So, here's what I tried:
Using the RGB cable and the DVI adaptor
Using the DVI cable
Moved the cable from one to the other DVI port on the Dell
Starting in SAFE mode to fiddle with the display settings; WinXP got to safe mode but popped up a message saying "Windows will adjust your settings to improve your display..." and promptly froze.

So, I switched monitors, and am using the RGB cable with the DVI adapter on my 19" 931B Samsung monitor, which is a little older than the 22", I think. :88)

So, what do you think?

Did you try safe mode? It may just be a settings issue or its not properly recognizing the monitor, you could also try turning turning the monitor on first then the computer. Another possibility is you need to change the displays own settings.


@Wolfehunter ya you can do that, but its time consuming to do, this program will get rid of all the installed stuff you select automatically. Also going with manufacturer drivers doesn't work if its a laptop, as the manufacturer is effectivly Dell.

Use the DVI cable and connect to the Right DVI socket, if looking from the back.

Dont forget to check your monitor to accept DVI input not VGA.

You should be able to run straight DVI from the monitor to the 9800gt card. I have a Samsung 220WM. The card detected the screen and automatically configured the screen resolution. If you can get you other screen to work I would suggest going to Nvidia for the current driver for the card. Set the program to all defaults for you card and monitor. Check to see if your screen can be changed to DVI input. I think mine had that offering and I selected DVI. Also, get the driver for you monitor at the Samsung website.

Edit: if I remember correctly, once I loaded the monitor driver from Samsung the video card did it's magic and set the best resolution for the screen.