Stinger 0 Posted February 15, 2003 Share Posted February 15, 2003 I have a window in my case now and often just start stairing into it. Guess what I noticed today. In the place where an AGP slot would be. There is an open bay above all the other PCI slots. There is a brwon little strip with silver points too. Compaq, just ripped off the freakin slot part. So now they have nothing where an AGP or PCI slot could be. Just an open wasted area. Why in the heck would they have removed the AGP slot? What bunch of jerks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RooK 0 Posted February 15, 2003 Share Posted February 15, 2003 You'll find out that cheaper boards with fewer features are actually expensive boards with missing parts. Heck, even my mb has places for additional usb headers that weren't attached. The reason it's like that is to save money using one basic mb design, but not going through the process of soldering the agp port and prepping for it saved them money. That's how come a retail pc usually cost less than a custom built one. They cut corners everywhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Killa_N_Manila 0 Posted February 15, 2003 Share Posted February 15, 2003 Thanks for the explanation Rook...I'll keep putting my own pc's together for that reason alone...thats a pretty cheap way of rippin of the customer... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NYR_32 6 Posted February 16, 2003 Share Posted February 16, 2003 @Stinger Compaq ripped me off too, I payed alot for my comp, and when I open the thing up I find out what a cheap mobo they used , thats why I'm gonna build my own once I can afford the parts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jester Posted February 16, 2003 Share Posted February 16, 2003 I once was installing a card for somebody (I don't remember what) a couple years ago. They had a Compaq. You know how those little metal covers on the back of the case are really easy to pop out? Usually, it's just a matter of pushing it out. I had so much trouble removing one from the case on this Compaq that I actually had to use a hammer and a screwdriver to manually break it free. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
snakebite1967 0 Posted February 16, 2003 Share Posted February 16, 2003 my kids have my old pavilion , its a piece of cheap garbage tho not cheap at the time i cant even get a decent psu inside the case i have to sit it on top, a buddy of mine recently bought a hp p4 1.6 nice enough packadge till he tried to add a better video card then no end of problems, best thing to do is build your own it isnt hard theres plenty of how to guides on the net Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stinger 0 Posted February 16, 2003 Author Share Posted February 16, 2003 Yeah, it is anm Asus P4G533 or something like that. But it peeves me so much. They ripped the AGP slot out and now there is a wasted slot no PCI or APG. I spend (after rebates) $999.99 on my puter. This is what I have added and costs: 69.99 For Case 69.99 For PSU 99.99 For GFX 99.99 For Sound and Speaker Combo 60.00 For 4 80mm Fans and 1 92mm Beast 129.99 For External HDD --------- $529.95 w/o costs of shipping and a few other small things. That is half my puters cost. Plus I am gonna replace that mobo too. So I am gonna BUILD MY OWN next time for sure! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Killa_N_Manila 0 Posted February 16, 2003 Share Posted February 16, 2003 Def a good idea Stinger, good luck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NYR_32 6 Posted February 16, 2003 Share Posted February 16, 2003 Compaq has given me some much trouble, especially tech support, and I've had to put alot into mine to, sound card, graphics card and ram, for the price I paid I shouldn't have had to do what I did. Well good bye to retail I'm building my own, when I get the cash. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stinger 0 Posted February 16, 2003 Author Share Posted February 16, 2003 Talk about trouble, first I sent in my puter for repair. The guy told me the worng place and since HP and Compaq merged it waited in a Warehouse for 6 weeks doing nothing. Then I called and found out that they couldnt fix it. So I got it back and took it to another place they said would do it. (This is all under Warranty) and they fixed it in a week. So I was peeved that 6 weeks were wasted. No time for rebates. They are 3 weeks later than the max already. I finally get one and they mess up and give me too little. Then they skip one of them and eventually 2 months later I have all the rebates. I now know why people go crazy and would want to blow up a company's HQ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Killa_N_Manila 0 Posted February 16, 2003 Share Posted February 16, 2003 Ouch Stinger, I can only imagine the pain you felt... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dark Ranger 0 Posted February 16, 2003 Share Posted February 16, 2003 So I am gonna BUILD MY OWN next time for sure! This is why I say: "Never, ever buy a prefab system. Most times, manufacturers sell computers in packages. So you either pay to much for options you don't need, or too little for pieces of crap that won't be any better than your last puter. OR you could "customize" your PC. Retailers love that. More money. "Oh, you want the Audigy card instead of this POC? Well, that's going to cost you alot because we gotta really tweak the board to handle your card. So labor is going to be through the roof. $159.00 please for your new Audigy Gamer." Build your PC yourself. Research the parts you want, spec out your system, and order the components. If you don't know how to build a computer, there are many tutorials available on the 'net to answer most FAQ's. Post in this room and you will most likely get all the help you could want. The keys to building your own system are: 1. Research your components to ensure compatability. 2. Aquire any manuals, help guides, or documentation on your parts and learn everything about them BEFORE you rip off the packaging materials for installation. 3. TAKE YOUR TIME! Do not expect to have a PC build in a day if you're a newbie with building your own system. Read and reread the instructions if you have to. 4. CHECK AND DOULBLE CHECK YOUR WORK!!! You would be surprised at the errors you'd find. Read the manuals page by page. Check jumper caps once, twice, three times if you have too prior to booting up. and the Wisdom Tip Of the Day from DR: Count how many standoffs your motherboard uses, and be sure the same amount lie on the mount plate. Be sure no metal objects are touching the mobo. Otherwise, you will ground out and possibly fry your board! Do not hesitate to ask for help. I have built 3 computers myself, and it is wonderful when the actually boot up first time. Yet, I still have issues I run into. Don't get frustrated. Check your connections, manuals, etc. and come post on GR.net. We have many competent computer-techies on this site. You'll get back up and running. Most of all: Have Fun! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Killa_N_Manila 0 Posted February 16, 2003 Share Posted February 16, 2003 Good tips from DR...Team up with a local pc dealer. I've become quite friendly with a few guys at a local store, they installed my RAID as well as ordered different parts for me at times with no extra cost. They usually have a technician who is free as business there is localized and not booming. I'm actually in the process of beginning an internship there to learn the ins and outs as I'm still pretty ignorant with 'puters. As long as you share the interest, I'm sure they'll be willing to help in any way possible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NYR_32 6 Posted February 16, 2003 Share Posted February 16, 2003 @Dark Ranger, I plan to build my, but I cant afford to now, but I'm already doing the research, and when I'm ready to I'll know what to do. NO more prefab systems for me, the Compaq I'm using now is a piece of junk compared to what I could build myself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stinger 0 Posted February 16, 2003 Author Share Posted February 16, 2003 Yeah great tips guys. I went prefab cause I wanted a puter at the time and didnt have the 1k I would need to get the same. Metal eh...hmm, I bet that is what caused my first frying DR lol. I know a lot more now then I did back in October when I bought the creature. If the solder points (are there some???) on the back of the mobo touch the Aluminum case is that okay? I never jacked with mobo stuff really. I know lots IMHO but dont ussually do much. But recently I learned a lot. I really think I had something metal prolly touch the mobo that one time now. I loved it when I unhooked everything, put in my GFX and PSU hooked it all back up and no smoke. That felt good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cobblers 12 Posted February 17, 2003 Share Posted February 17, 2003 My work used to be official re-sellers of Compaq. And where people get this idea that Compaq are a good company I'll never know. We had nothing bu problems with them from the sales to reliablity and their support. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Killa_N_Manila 0 Posted February 17, 2003 Share Posted February 17, 2003 So, to sum up this thread for all those who are new to it, don't buy Compaqs or pre-fab systems. Put your own comp together which will save time and money... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RooK 0 Posted February 18, 2003 Share Posted February 18, 2003 To add to Killa's statement: Don't buy prefab unless you buy it from Alienware, Falcon Northwest, or Voodoo, but they're still not as good as a personal built PC and are quite expensive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
XRW_Hotdog 2 Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 for now my gateway has been a great pc, no problems with any upgrades or installs as of yet. it is my 3rd store bought machine but it will be the last. everything that has been posted in the computer discussions section here has only made me want to build my next machine myself even more so. i'll just keep on reading what the 's have to say. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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