Computer virgin, help!!?
469982
Congrats on your buy.I would suggest taking a non-credit introductory course to learn the basics.Alot you can teach yourself by experimentation.Have fun!!
723711
The very first thing you do is sit down and write a list of all the things you want to do on the computer. Then go over the list and edit out all the things you put on the list that you know YOU'RE NOT REALLY GOING TO DO!\n\nThen go to a responsable computer store and talk (not buying anything yet) to someone there and get an idea of what's available in your price range. Then go online and see what online stores and manufactures are offering........Ask questions. The one piece of advice I always give is to only buy a computer that has some flexablity for upgrading in the future. (extra slots for cards etc)
179060
Go to compaq.com website\nthe tech support people should be of great help
191842
possible problems\n\n1. motherboard not compatible with processor\n2. power problem\n3. is the screen on?\n4. you dont have an operating system installed. did your computer come with something like windows?
1083077
upgrade the mother board.It sounds like that u are using a old board.U can use the other parts to put back in it when u get this done.NOTE:make sure there is a enough slots to up grade as u grow with it.
929148
Look to your local PC stores and get one built - you'll be able to get it built to best suit your needs and it will save you a bundle. You don't need to be some sort of computer expert - they should take however much time is needed to sit down with you and go through all your options. \n\nDoing this will give you a computer to rival anything off the shelf, it will no be weighed down with a whole heap of proprietary/3rd party software which you'll never use (and will slow down most systems anyhow), and will save on the wallet, which means you'll be able to afford to get the bells and whistles which otherwise would have been out of your price-range.\n\nOh, and just a tip in regards to Vista - get the full copy on disc. Will save a lot of headaches in the future if you ever have to reformat your system
932069
Well I would say go for it but if you are fairly ne this is what you might try. The biggest problem is with the motherboard and CPU that most new builders have. so I would suggest this\nGet a bare bones system this is just a case and powersupply with the motherboard/CPU installed  you decide on what memory video card operating sys. etc. then install those yourself. \nthis method is only slightly more expensive and avoids the major pitfalls but still lets you build your own system\nas for sites for buying hardware and software I would suggest you look at WWW.Pricewatch.com
876092
get ubuntu a very good linux distro which is totally free!!\nget a free copy from here https://shipit.ubuntu.com/\n\nbtw people he meant he hates windows as much as he hates laden !!
436336
As far as I know, and I've had quite a bit of experience with computers, \n-the first thing you should look for is a motherboard. The motherboard is the main part of the computer (the part that all the other devices are connected with, which means that the motherboard (hence its name) connects, and makes all components that a computer requires to boot work together.)\nAfter choosing your motherboard, you go after a processor. -Some motherboards come with a built in processor, and maybe additional components as well. However, I would buy all components separately, since it is more likely that the quality will be better.\n-After that, you look for a fan, and the electricity/power device.\n-Physical RAM memory.\n-You'll also need a graphics card (and by the way, you've gotta check for compatibility with the motherboard before purchasing the components.)\n-Sound card.\n-cd/dvd drive\n-network card, or a modem\n-you might also find USB ports useful\n-the keyboard and mouse ports usually come with the motherboard, but you still have to check on that first.\n-and a case for the main unit\n\nNow that you're done with the main unit, you can go pick a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse. And you're done.\nOf course, it is not as simple as it sounds, but I'm sure all the components that you will buy come with instructions, and if you have the time and nerve to go through them, I'm sure you'll be able to get it up and running successfully.\n\nI hope you find this info useful.\nGood luck
405427
Since your computer apparently does not support upgrading, you will need an external box. many can be found here:\nhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Description=&MinPrice=&MaxPrice=&OEMMark=-1&Manufactory=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=0&PropertyCodeValue=1484%3A10234&Submit=Property&SubCategory=47
975453
Get Alienware.....awesome machines....as long as you don't mind spending a little bit more for it. If money is an issue and you want something cheaper, I recommend a Dell. Don't go with Compaq or HP if you can avoid it, they are just proprietary, production machines.
737884
I don't have a lot of time here, but why not get a brand new motherboard?  That's the heart of the computer, don't cheap out there.  Get a state-of-the-art motherboard and build an awesome computer.  Buy all the memory the MB will take.  Power supply, DVD burners, CD burners, expansion slots, a tower casing, 19" flat screen monitor, and so on.\n\nIf you are trying to build a cheap system, why not just buy one for even cheaper and save all that work?
813914
Built my first computer,about as hard as a snap together model I used to build when I was little. Biggest worry, static electricity.\nSure, there are some cheap computers out there. But once you get what you want added on, you'll be surprised at how high that price will go. Not only that but upgrading certain things will be impossible or just a downright pain in the butt. \nIf you're looking for the minimum, just buy one. If you're looking to for something a little nicer with some goodies and may want to upgrade or add on as you go, build it yourself.\nAlso, if you have the time, check some of the deal websites out there, they can make things MUCH cheaper with rebates and sales for certain items. An example...you might find a hard drive you want for $80, but catch the deal and you might get a $40-$60 rebate. slickdeals.net is a favorite of mine.
355142
borrow the program disk of a friend that has it or tell them to make a copy of it, and DONT BUY FROM SECOND HAND SHOPS. get a cheap one from dell or somat. their cheapest is about £129
1001746
definitely get more RAM - at least 1gb, and 2gb if you can. \n\nalso, a 250gb hard drive would be useful, and quite cheap.\n\nperhaps a new graphics card, 256mb....\n\nor get a mobo that supports pci-express and sata hard drive, with 3.4ghz P4...
728262
Let us know what the closest main city is for help.  I find local computer places are much better than the big box stores.  Especially price-wise.  Look in your yellow pages for a store that services computers and sells re-furbished ones.  They're the ones that will use the parts they have on hand instead of trying to sell you special order stuff, or a whole new computer for that matter.
942998
go to PC world, they might help u.