[Solidify]

OK so this will probably be the last thread I'll post about my current build.

For approximately 2 weeks, my desktop computer been very slow and sometimes freezing (requiring a manual reboot, as much as I hate doing that). Today, it was stuck at the black boot screen (the one that displays all the connected drives) for about 5 minutes before proceeded to boot from the OS.

I wanted to know if this is a common symptom or whether it can be related to a certain dieing component (e.g. the CPU). The reason I ask is because over the course of the last few months, I've been troubleshooting and resolving numerous issues related to my computer, one after another and frankly, I'm tired of it. If I can find out whether all these problems are symptoms of a dieing computer, I'll buy another one. But I'm afraid that if I buy a new one without being sure these are resolvable issues, I'll have not used my computer to its fullest.

 

[Solidify]

And also, if I decided not to use the recommended builds on TSF and preferred to make my own build, how would I know/test which components are compatible with one another? For instance, how would I know that the CPU I buy would work with the Motherboard or that the RAM memory modules would be compatible with the motherboard etc. The reason I'm asking is because, as much as I appreciate that TSF has compiled a recommended build list, the components in the list are not as up-to-date as I would like to have mine (judging from the "Revised 10/11/12" indication at the top left hand corner of the recommended builds page).

 

[Solidify]

One more thing: would anyone object to buying any of the DIY PC combos on Newegg's website as an alternative to the recommended builds on TSF?

 

[JMPC]

I would start by testing the hard drives and the memory. Memtest is good for memory testing and the hard drive manufacturer will have a utility for testing the drive. Both can be burned to a CD to boot the system with. If all tests come back clean, remove anything that isn't completely necessary to boot the system (keep CPU, memory and one hard drive) and see if anything changes.

As far as selecting new hardware. With CPU's and motherboards the sockets need to be the same. So an Intel i5 process which is socket 1155 requires a motherboard of the same socket. All new motherboards use DDR3 so as long as you pick memory known to be compatible with your motherboard you're fine. Video card and other components won't matter as long as you have the proper slots, connections on the motherboard.

 

[Solidify]

If all tests come back clean, remove anything that isn't completely necessary to boot the system (keep CPU, memory and one hard drive) and see if anything changes.

The computer still manages to boot up with everything plugged into it. It's just a luck of the draw. For the most part, it always works. But it's when it doesn't work that I don't know what the problem is. I've already tried what you recommend I do in the past and everything seemed fine.

I hate these problems; the kind that aren't consistent which makes them all that harder to troubleshoot.

 

[Solidify]

Also, is there a way to determine the form factor of my current computer case? (I would like to know what size case I should shop for in my new build or for that matter if I should shop by motherboard and then buy a case suitable for the motherboard).. new to this lol

 

[Solidify]

I don't have a clue how to decide whether to buy a standard-atx or micro-atx motherboard or even whether to buy a desktop, full tower or mini tower case (for either ATX or microATX).

 

[JMPC]

Many ATX cases (if not all) will support standard ATX motherboard and mATX motherboards. Picking a case depends on your needs and budget. Mid-tower is typically fine for most people and should work with any motherboard out there.

Your current case looks like a standard ATX case.

 

[Solidify]

OK. If I report back with the results for Seagate's Seatools DOS on my system's hard drive disks and Memtest on my RAM memory modules, would you mind continuing to help me troubleshoot the cause (if there is an issue)?

 

[Tyree]

OK so this will probably be the last thread I'll post about my current build.

For approximately 2 weeks, my desktop computer been very slow and sometimes freezing (requiring a manual reboot, as much as I hate doing that). Today, it was stuck at the black boot screen (the one that displays all the connected drives) for about 5 minutes before proceeded to boot from the OS.

I wanted to know if this is a common symptom or whether it can be related to a certain dieing component (e.g. the CPU). The reason I ask is because over the course of the last few months, I've been troubleshooting and resolving numerous issues related to my computer, one after another and frankly, I'm tired of it. If I can find out whether all these problems are symptoms of a dieing computer, I'll buy another one. But I'm afraid that if I buy a new one without being sure these are resolvable issues, I'll have not used my computer to its fullest.

We can't effectively assist if we don't know what we're working with.
PC Specs?
Pre- Built Brand & Model Number
Custom Built- Brand & Model of Mobo-CPU-RAM-Graphics-PSU.

 

[Tyree]

Also, is there a way to determine the form factor of my current computer case? (I would like to know what size case I should shop for in my new build or for that matter if I should shop by motherboard and then buy a case suitable for the motherboard).. new to this lol

That appears to be a Mid-tower case and the Mobo is MATX.

 

[Tyree]

One more thing: would anyone object to buying any of the DIY PC combos on Newegg's website as an alternative to the recommended builds on TSF?

Our builds have been put together by our team of professionals and are all top quality parts known to be compatible.
Using that list as a guide will insure you get top quality components.
Bundles commonly contain at least one lower quality component to keep the price down and make the deal appear better than it is.
Some Combo's are OK as they are usually just bundling components together.
Why anyone would be reluctant to use our builds is totally beyond my comprehension.

 

[Solidify]

We can't effectively assist if we don't know what we're working with.
PC Specs?
Pre- Built Brand & Model Number
Custom Built- Brand & Model of Mobo-CPU-RAM-Graphics-PSU.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2.40GHz
Mainboard: Intel 945GCT-M (CPU 1)
Memory: 2.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 332MHz (5-5-5-15)
Hard Drive: 932GB Seagate ST31000528AS ATA Device (SATA)
Video: iIntel 82945G Express Chipset Family
Sound: High Definition Audio Device
CD Rom: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH20NS10 ATA Device, ATAPI iHAS224 B ATA Device
Power Supply: Powerlink LPK2-30 500W
Printer: Lexmark X5450
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit SP1

 

[Solidify]

Why anyone would be reluctant to use our builds is totally beyond my comprehension.

Because the revised date for the builds thread is not as recent as I would have liked it to be and therefore there may be more up-to-date components available for purchase.

 

[JMPC]

The list might be a few months old but there's not been any major releases in the area of CPU, motherboard or video cards that would be recommended. You can find plenty of other recommended builds on other hardware sites if you want to compare. You don't have to follow the build exactly but it's a very good reference.