Laptop and an expansion box questions??????
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From: peter on 8 Jul 2010 19:32 If all of the parts are exactly the same there is no conflict. Once upon a time I build 2 systems one for me and one for a friend using all the same parts.I installed W7 on one system plus programs and then "cloned" to the other systems HD. It worked flawlessly. peter If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate or disruptive,please ignore it. If you dont know how to ignore a posting complain to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate :-) wrote in message news:0htb36tb0b9r99c5oqebu8g9bal1ir3mlq(a)4ax.com... This sounds like a good solution. Are you sure nothing will conflict? On Wed, 7 Jul 2010 19:47:52 -0600, "peter" <peter(a)nowhere.net> wrote: >Build 2 Desktops that are exactly the same..Mobo/RAM/Video/ Operating >system >Use a Case that has removable HD bays...not necesary but it makes it easier >Set up one with OS and programs of your Choice. >Remove the HD and place it in the other Computer...since both have exactly >the same >hardware everything will function as if you were on the 1st computer. > >So when your in Rhode Island doing work on your system you would remove the >HD >and when you go to Texas you would insert that HD into the Texas computer >and >you would be right where you left off in RI > >peter > > > >If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate or >disruptive,please ignore it. If you dont know how to ignore a posting >complain to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate :-) >wrote in message news:jq6a365h85ks3jdcoh9406rd8j076vkd9c(a)4ax.com... > >Thanks all for your comments. I would consider a desktop at each end - >but how do I move the hard drive from one to the other so that I'm always >current? Then there's the backup drive problem. A backup is a MUST!!! > > >On Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:19:43 -0400, PeoplesChoice(a)Chicago.net wrote: > >>I live in two locations: Rhode Island & Texas. I intend to buy a high >>powered laptop (probably Lenovo) so that all my apps are on one computer. >>That way, I'll have the laptop at whichever location I'm at. My problem >>is that I would like something like an expansion box so that I can use >>and/or change some hardware (like a graphics card) when I choose. The >>laptop is not conducive to this. If I did this, I'd have a duplicate >>expansion box in both locations. I'm thinking: the best of both worlds: >>I can have my PC while traveling - and not have to travel with a desktop. >>Overall, I'm thinking this would be both practical and cheaper than a >>desktop. Lenovo doesn't have what I want. Does my idea have merit? If >>so, are there any limitations to what I can put in the expansion box and >>be able to connect to it? Please give me some ideas. Thanks......
From: Paul on 8 Jul 2010 20:36 PeoplesChoice(a)Chicago.net wrote: > I forgot to mention that I'd like to build the 'best' with quality > components. From your email, considering the spec detail, I think that's > where you're coming from too. > I operate "strictly USENET", as this way, if the conversation has any value, it's archived. Alternately, if someone else has a better idea than I do (the team approach), they can add their two cents worth. For example, on computer cases, there are too many of them, for any one person to have seen them all. And when it comes to the perception of whether stuff will fit, a person who has actually fitted a GTX 480 into a computer lately, has a more valuable opinion than I do. I'm willing to answer questions, as they arise. But I draw the line at "writing a book" (most of my posts are book length as it is). If you give us a snapshot as to where you're at (what components you've selected), we can suggest stuff to watch out for. For example, processors come with up to six cores now, but there may not be a whole lot of extra value by using such a solution. On a server, you might get some tangible benefit from it, but on a desktop, most of that power will be snoozing, even when gaming. We still aren't at the point, where "six cores" is mainstream. Software has to catch up. A quad is probably a good choice, with the clock speed a function of the dollars you have to spend. Part of the exercise of building a system, is "learning without getting burned". The objective, is to build a computer, without having a lot of parts left over. That would be considered a success. If you have a lot of trouble getting it running, then swapping in spare parts, makes the exercise less satisfying. You can always rely on the retailer or the manufacturer, to support the warranty, but depending on the cost of the component, you might not want to wait that long. The failure rate on motherboards is probably in the 3% range, which means one builder in thirty three, has a "rough ride". There used to be a computer store in my town, where if you bought the parts from them, they'd assemble it for $100 more. So that is another alternative. The advantage in that case, is if there is a defective component out of the box, while they're building, they just reach for another one. That saves some of the time involved in returning stuff to an Internet retailer. If you already have a feeling for how well you and "electronics" or "gadgets" get along, you may already know what risk level there will be while building your own system. (To give an example, I don't get along with small gasoline engines -- therefore, if someone brings me a chainsaw to fix, I politely have to tell them to walk away. It helps to know your own limits :-) I know how to ruin a chainsaw, but not fix one.) Paul
From: PeoplesChoice on 8 Jul 2010 22:18 OK, so be it. I respect your opinion and position. Now, my next concern is how to get assured that, once I start and purchase all the components, that your help and that of the other participants will remain available. I want to build a "powerhouse" with quality components - not 'inexpensive.' Especially if I build TWO identical units. I'd hate to be left alone with that. Of course I expect to be learning as I go along - but the teacher(s) has to be there. The other thing is: I'm not sure exactly what I will eventually want in this computer - its' capability so to speak. I have been ill for about nine years (just coming out of it) so, even though I have used computers for many years, I am somewhat out of touch with what computers are capable of nowadays. For instance, I might want to build a rig that will handle my music system, a 3D flat screen television system, a TIVO type digital recorder, videoconferencing (Skype), home security, ham radio, home conveniences, (you get the idea). I have been reading up on the magazines for months to catch up - but I know I still don't know everything that's out there. I want to be prepared with the components I buy for just about anything. For me, that's a big part of the enjoyment I get out of doing it myself. When it comes to video and audio, I have no idea what capabilities are out there. I want to build a unit that has room to grow. How can I learn about those things (besides waiting for a magazine with the right article to come along? One thing I DO know, I probably will not get involved with games. The rig might be capable of games, but I've never been into them. But I do know I will get back into Photoshop - and probably video editing. I'm more 'technical' and get my kicks out of learning and making things 'work.' I want a home 'command post.' And I definitely want USB3 (for my backups - mostly). I am very big on attempting to make my system 'crashproof.' If it crashes, I don't enjoy rebuilding the hard drive from scratch - mainly because I put so much on it. If I have to do it (and I did recently), I want everything backed up so I can restore all my data and settings. I DO realize that it's a good thing to occasionally rebuild the OS, but I don't like being 'down' while I'm doing it. Well, that's what I can tell you for now. Comments please! (from anyone). On Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:36:28 -0400, Paul <nospam(a)needed.com> wrote: >PeoplesChoice(a)Chicago.net wrote: >> I forgot to mention that I'd like to build the 'best' with quality >> components. From your email, considering the spec detail, I think that's >> where you're coming from too. >> > >I operate "strictly USENET", as this way, if the conversation >has any value, it's archived. Alternately, if someone else >has a better idea than I do (the team approach), they can >add their two cents worth. > >For example, on computer cases, there are too many of them, >for any one person to have seen them all. And when it comes >to the perception of whether stuff will fit, a person >who has actually fitted a GTX 480 into a computer lately, >has a more valuable opinion than I do. > >I'm willing to answer questions, as they arise. But I draw the >line at "writing a book" (most of my posts are book length as it >is). If you give us a snapshot as to where you're at (what >components you've selected), we can suggest stuff to watch out for. > >For example, processors come with up to six cores now, but there may not >be a whole lot of extra value by using such a solution. On a server, >you might get some tangible benefit from it, but on a desktop, >most of that power will be snoozing, even when gaming. We still >aren't at the point, where "six cores" is mainstream. Software >has to catch up. A quad is probably a good choice, with the clock >speed a function of the dollars you have to spend. > >Part of the exercise of building a system, is "learning without >getting burned". The objective, is to build a computer, without >having a lot of parts left over. That would be considered a success. >If you have a lot of trouble getting it running, then swapping in >spare parts, makes the exercise less satisfying. You can always rely >on the retailer or the manufacturer, to support the warranty, but >depending on the cost of the component, you might not want to wait >that long. The failure rate on motherboards is probably in the 3% range, >which means one builder in thirty three, has a "rough ride". > >There used to be a computer store in my town, where if you bought >the parts from them, they'd assemble it for $100 more. So that is >another alternative. The advantage in that case, is if there is >a defective component out of the box, while they're building, >they just reach for another one. That saves some of the time >involved in returning stuff to an Internet retailer. If you already >have a feeling for how well you and "electronics" or "gadgets" get >along, you may already know what risk level there will be while >building your own system. (To give an example, I don't get along >with small gasoline engines -- therefore, if someone brings me >a chainsaw to fix, I politely have to tell them to walk away. It >helps to know your own limits :-) I know how to ruin a chainsaw, >but not fix one.) > > Paul
From: GlowingBlueMist on 8 Jul 2010 23:19 On 7/8/2010 10:59 AM, PeoplesChoice(a)Chicago.net wrote: > On Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:43:37 -0500, GlowingBlueMist > <glowingbluemist(a)truely.invalid> wrote: > >> On 7/7/2010 7:29 PM, PeoplesChoice(a)Chicago.net wrote: >>> Thanks all for your comments. I would consider a desktop at each end - >>> but how do I move the hard drive from one to the other so that I'm always >>> current? Then there's the backup drive problem. A backup is a MUST!!! >>> >>> >>> On Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:19:43 -0400, PeoplesChoice(a)Chicago.net wrote: >>> >>>> I live in two locations: Rhode Island& Texas. I intend to buy a high >>>> powered laptop (probably Lenovo) so that all my apps are on one computer. >>>> That way, I'll have the laptop at whichever location I'm at. My problem >>>> is that I would like something like an expansion box so that I can use >>>> and/or change some hardware (like a graphics card) when I choose. The >>>> laptop is not conducive to this. If I did this, I'd have a duplicate >>>> expansion box in both locations. I'm thinking: the best of both worlds: >>>> I can have my PC while traveling - and not have to travel with a desktop. >>>> Overall, I'm thinking this would be both practical and cheaper than a >>>> desktop. Lenovo doesn't have what I want. Does my idea have merit? If >>>> so, are there any limitations to what I can put in the expansion box and >>>> be able to connect to it? Please give me some ideas. Thanks...... >> >> 1.5 and 2 Terabyte drives have come down in price lately. Many times in >> the $89 price range or even less with a rebate. Take one of them and >> either place it in an external USB or ESATA case. Those usually can be >> had at the same place as the drive. If you only need to transfer half >> that amount of data drives with USB cases are going for $59 or less. >> >> Just be aware that if you fly anywhere in the USA that the Homeland >> Security police claim to have the legal right to force you to give them >> any and all passwords needed to access the data on the drive. >> >> Another thought would be to use one of the Online storage methods like >> Carbonite or Mozy. While I have not used either service both of them >> sounds like promising options. Just be sure that PC's from both >> locations would have total access to the stored data before signing up. >> >> Below is a link to a review of both services, just ignore that the >> review is on an Apple Blog as both services support Windows and Apple >> operating systems. >> >> http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/16/mozy-vs-carbonite-mac-backup-smackdown/ >> > Thanks. Should I have two backup storage drives - one at each location - > or travel with one? By using the internal hard drives as the primary you could get by with just one external drive for traveling between the two locations. Another thought might be to use one of the free Dynamic DNS companies to allow you to remotely access one computer from the other over the internet. A small program is added to the computer that keeps track of the IP assigned by your ISP and forwards the IP address periodically to the Dynamic DNS company's computer for updating. Say you are leaving one home you would leave that computer powered on and by using the DNS name you would assign that computer you would remotely be able to log in and transfer any existing data you want over to the computer where you have relocated to. You could get a UPS and leave the computer powered on all the time if you wanted, letting it act like a remote server for you using the Dynamic DNS name to contact it. On my computer motherboard BIOS I have the option of telling it when to power down so I could leave it powered on while traveling, and then it would power itself down say after two days or what ever I specify with in it's range. Not all motherboards support the timed power down option. I would still take along a copy of things I wanted using an external drive just in case of a power failure or other problem at the first address before I arrived at my final destination. True a second backup drive would be nice but if price is a problem you could get by using the free Dynamic DNS method and one external drive. Rather than purchasing external enclosures I presently use what is commonly called using a toaster drive system. You would get two docking stations, one for each house, and then all you would need to purchase is bare external SATA drive(s). You plug a drive into the docking station (toaster) and use it just like any other external drive. Docking stations can be had that support eSATA, USB, or other interfaces. Some with multiple interfaces like eSATA and USB. With this method you can purchase what ever SATA drive is cheapest at the time and use it as another backup drive as needed. Combine this with the Dynamic DNS method and you should be good to go. I use little foam lined camera cases to store and transport my drives. Just keep the drive in the anti-static bag they come in for added protection. Thermaltake is just one brand making the toaster style docking stations.
From: Mike Easter on 9 Jul 2010 12:41
PeoplesChoice(a)Chicago.net wrote: > Comments please! (from anyone). In the beginning, you started this thread with questions about a LT laptop to have the same computer on both ends between RI and TX. Some of us were saying it was easier to have a modest DT computer on both ends and something 'light' to travel with - or even just travel with a portable hdd or I have preferred a removable hdd (tray/caddy) in the past. Nowadays you can have an external/portable SATA at SATA speeds instead of USB bottleneck/chokepoint. But now you are describing some pretty elaborate functions for the computer you may build. Does that mean that you want all of this functionality on both ends of RI and TX, or that you only want some of the functions on both ends and other functions at one end? -- Mike Easter |