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Computer starting to crash
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Feb 26, 2019 08:40:12   #
dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia
 
TMurphy71 wrote:
I would definitely just ditch the old computer. Make sure they dump the info from your old hard drive into a separate folder onto the new computer. Even better is to have a backup external hard drive.




The first step is, absolutely, to backup all of your data!! Whenever my computer starts to get wiffty for any reason, my first step is to create a clean back up on an external drive that is not my primary backup (just in case the problem is a virus). Then I try to fix the problem

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Feb 26, 2019 09:15:36   #
Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR
 
Your CPU may be overheating due to dust buildup in the vents. Open the case and vacuum/clean the vents. This should be done annually or more often in dusty environments.

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Feb 26, 2019 10:15:17   #
Opsafari Loc: Roodepoort South Africa
 
I also agree to clear the dust inside the PC! Just keep in mind the power supply must be able to supply power to all your internal drives, I had the problem constantly replacing power suppliers untill one clever guy said get a "dual rack" ps the one the gamers use and never looked back! Currently my desktop is 11 years old with 5 internal hard drives and all my photos on 4 x 2GB external drives. My 2c.

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Feb 26, 2019 10:54:17   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
Golden Rule wrote:
My 5 year old computer started getting the blue screen last week so I had my computer tech come over and it isn't the drivers or software causing the problem. I can unhook the computer and take it in for assessing it or I can unhook the thing and have them build me a new one with my specifications. So, after some research I am thinking of having one built unless the fix is real simple and cheap. I am not computer savvy but would like your input on what would be the best components for photo editing. I am looking at CPU: Intel i7 9700k or Intel i9 9900k, GPU: GTX 1070 or 1080, RAM 32GB, primary storage: 1TB SSD and secondary storage of 2TB. Are there any components you would recommend? I'm also looking at getting a 4k monitor but nothing over a 27" viewing area. What monitor would you recommend? Thanks in advance for some educated or experienced advice.
My 5 year old computer started getting the blue sc... (show quote)

Your computer is 5 years old? I have 2 laptops. One is a10 years old backup HP/Presario, and the other is a Lenovo Brand, that is now 4 years old. One thing computers have improved in since I bought my last laptop, is the increase in Memory. Both RAM and Hard Drive. I'm debating if I should have my latest laptop to be upgraded with more RAM, and replace my hard drive with a 500gb SSD. I hear they are better. But, if my CPU fails, then it means disaster.

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Feb 26, 2019 13:37:05   #
Bill_R Loc: Southeastern Wisconsin
 
jerryc41 wrote:
A 1TB drive is probably overkill. I have a 500GB SSD with all my programs and Windows on it, and it's just under half full. I prefer 3 or 4TB D drives for data. The HGST Ultradesk is a good one.

Memory -
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-much-ram-does-your-p
c-need-probably-less-than-you-think/
http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-much-ram-does-your-pc-need/

Processor -
http://gizmodo.com/dont-waste-money-on-intels-top-processor-1791426602
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404674,00.asp
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/intel-core-i9-vs-i7-vs-i5-cpu/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/core-i5-vs-i7
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/210703-intel-core-i5-vs-core-i7-which-processor-should-you-buy

Don't trash the old computer. I have Dell desktops that are seven and twelve years old. I've replaced a graphics card and installed 500GB SSDs. Take your time and reinstall Windows. Remove memory and reinstall the memory cards one by one and see if that's the problem.

Give some thought to your choice of computer case. I chose a "full size," and it's larger than I had expected. Looking at the measurements would have prevented this surprise.
A 1TB drive is probably overkill. I have a 500GB ... (show quote)


I agree that full sized PC cases are pretty big. However, if you work on your own equipment, having all that room inside the case makes them somewhat easier to work on.

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Feb 26, 2019 13:40:58   #
TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA
 
My monitor is a Dell P2715Q, a 27" high gamut monitor that I have been quite happy with for several years. Be sure to get a good monitor; do not scrimp on the monitor as a way to save a few bucks.

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Feb 26, 2019 13:52:11   #
sloscheider Loc: Minnesota
 
jerryc41 wrote:
....Don't trash the old computer. I have Dell desktops that are seven and twelve years old. I've replaced a graphics card and installed 500GB SSDs. Take your time and reinstall Windows. Remove memory and reinstall the memory cards one by one and see if that's the problem.....

I agree, pull the memory and reseat it, we used to call it chip creap back in the days memory was individual chips, things heat up and expand then cool down and contract.

Another thing I do for people is buy a new hard drive so you're not messing with any of your old existing (mostly) working operating system on the old drive. Do a clean install of Windows on the new drive (SSD is highly recommended for the OS as other have said). Install your applications and then connect your old drive to copy over your data.

This all assumes you're on a budget. If money is no object, listen to all the folks saying buy what you can afford and enjoy the new system.

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Feb 26, 2019 15:11:47   #
nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY
 
Don't waste money on a 1 TB SSD. You should only have the OS and application installations on the system drive. Separate hard drive for storage of data. That's why you can see new computers equipped with 256 GB SSDs plus big hard drives. Put money into external drives so you can backup your storage drive frequently. There's no reason to backup the system drive if you have install media for the OS and program installation media available or downloadable. If you lack these media, you probably aren't a legal user anyway.

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Feb 26, 2019 15:16:55   #
nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY
 
Five years is not an old computer. If it was serving you well before the Blue Screens, and no one can fix the blue-screening, why not just wipe the drive and reinstall the OS and programs? Or better yet, you can save the intact hard drive, replace it with an SSD, and add a hard drive for storage space (if computer has a place for it).
Then you can connect the original drive externally to recover any data you have on it.

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Feb 26, 2019 15:20:40   #
tgreenhaw
 
Its a shot in the dark, but older computers often get dirty inside. The CPU Cooler can get clogged with dust and when the computer overheats, it causes just what you describe. Try blowing the old guy off outside especially around the cpu and video card. If its not overheating, it could be failing memory or power supply. Unless you have spare parts, its probably not worth your trouble trying to fix.

Either Core i7 would be nice. 32GB is plenty. Specs always change, so consider comparisons on https://www.cpubenchmark.net/

If you are having it built, consider having the SSD using the latest m2 interface. The drive mounts directly to the motherboard and is way faster than SATA drives. They do cost more, but I think its worth it if you are handling lots of large files. See: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-970-EVO-1TB-MZ-V7E1T0BW/dp/B07BN217QG/

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Feb 26, 2019 21:03:03   #
Golden Rule Loc: Washington State
 
Everyone has been helpful and given me some tips to try to stabilize my computer for the time being. I'm pulling the computer and taking it in on Friday to get a diagnosis and/or give my wish list for a new build. I'm considering the "Magnificent Intel Gaming/Streaming" build from PC Part Picker. Although the computer business may suggest other parts.

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Feb 26, 2019 21:23:20   #
TBPJr Loc: South Carolina
 
Golden Rule wrote:
My 5 year old computer started getting the blue screen last week so I had my computer tech come over and it isn't the drivers or software causing the problem. I can unhook the computer and take it in for assessing it or I can unhook the thing and have them build me a new one with my specifications. So, after some research I am thinking of having one built unless the fix is real simple and cheap. I am not computer savvy but would like your input on what would be the best components for photo editing. I am looking at CPU: Intel i7 9700k or Intel i9 9900k, GPU: GTX 1070 or 1080, RAM 32GB, primary storage: 1TB SSD and secondary storage of 2TB. Are there any components you would recommend? I'm also looking at getting a 4k monitor but nothing over a 27" viewing area. What monitor would you recommend? Thanks in advance for some educated or experienced advice.
My 5 year old computer started getting the blue sc... (show quote)


I second (or third) the recommendation for 64 (or even 128) GB of RAM; also, gaming components will serve you well, in terms of longevity and speed--and a gaming case will give you enough room for multiple drives. I don't see any reason to overclock your system--both the processors you list have eight cores (sixteen threads)--with a lot of RAM, you will not need any overclocking, which really ups the heat produced by the system. Most better editors now take advantage of multiple threads (video is the only thing I have ever seen max out all six of my cores). Your plan to use an SSD for your OS is a good one; I am a very firm believer in mirrored pairs of identical drives (RAID 1), one for both the OS and programs, and at least one other for data/photos. I went with mirrors after losing hard drives six months apart--the next hard drive failure meant I just had to identify the bad drive, replace it, and rebuild the mirror on the replacement drive. Backups are essential, too--the better way is to have one complete backup that you can store in a different place, in addition to any other you have co-located with your system. Video cards are more expensive than they ought to be (thanks, Bitcoin miners), but the more capable, the better. Here is a link to a Tech Radar recommendation list (but they are all 32-inches or thereabouts, except one, at 22-inches): https://www.techradar.com/news/best-monitor-for-photo-editing. It makes it clear what I think most know now, that LCD-backlighted IPS screens are the only ones you should consider.

Good luck!

You need to be sure you get an adequate power supply for everything you intend to run--I ended up with a 1260-Watt. I have used a UPS with my systems for a long time; when I got this one running, my UPS showed that its battery needed to be replaced. Since it was under warranty, I called APC tech support, and a tech ran me through some checks, then he asked me what I had hooked up to the USP. When I told him I had a 1260-Watt power supply (the biggest I could find when I built, after using a website that added up my components and calculated the power output needed), he told me I had to have a much larger UPS. I ordered one and received it--the plugs were the round type with the connectors set at angles instead of parallel (60-volt, 20-amp plugs, I learned); fortunately, my office was wired for 20-amps, so I only needed to have a couple of the proper face plates installed.

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Feb 27, 2019 00:22:50   #
SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont
 
Golden Rule wrote:
My 5 year old computer started getting the blue screen last week so I had my computer tech come over and it isn't the drivers or software causing the problem. I can unhook the computer and take it in for assessing it or I can unhook the thing and have them build me a new one with my specifications. So, after some research I am thinking of having one built unless the fix is real simple and cheap. I am not computer savvy but would like your input on what would be the best components for photo editing. I am looking at CPU: Intel i7 9700k or Intel i9 9900k, GPU: GTX 1070 or 1080, RAM 32GB, primary storage: 1TB SSD and secondary storage of 2TB. Are there any components you would recommend? I'm also looking at getting a 4k monitor but nothing over a 27" viewing area. What monitor would you recommend? Thanks in advance for some educated or experienced advice.
My 5 year old computer started getting the blue sc... (show quote)

You might like looking that the Puget Systems website. They build custom computers, and their website has a lot of excellent information on recommended components and discussion of why those were chosen. Of course, you don't have to go with exactly what they are using, but it makes a good guideline.

https://www.pugetsystems.com/

I did some upgrades to my desktop computer last year and Puget's website was a big help.

The SSD should be no less than 500GB, and this is where you will store your operating system and all other programs that you use on your system. Your internal HDD should be at least 4TB so that you are not likely to run out of space any time soon. This is where all your documents and photos will be stored.
The HDDs need to be good quality, such as the HGST Ultrastar, which has a 5 year warranty. I also use another 4TB HGST Ultrastar as an external drive for backing up photos and documents, installed in a case with a fan. It is easy to do, just insert the drive and plug it in! More than one backup drive is recommended - I have another 4TB WD My Book for backups. I use a Dell Monitor 27" and I like the size very well. I also have space limitations! The one I use is an UltraSharp IPS monitor.

Additional things to consider: Adequate size power supply, dedicated graphics/video card, motherboard.
The nice thing about a desktop is you can have more than just 2 internal drives if you want. The most important thing is compatibility of components. When I did the upgrades, I was limited to choosing components that were compatible with my motherboard, which I was not replacing. Eventually it will get replaced as well, because it is older, and then I may also end up having to also replace the RAM, depending on the motherboard I will install.

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Feb 27, 2019 00:35:08   #
TBPJr Loc: South Carolina
 
I don’t know where I came up with “60-volt”—it should have been “120-volt.” I must have been thinking 60-Htz.

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Feb 27, 2019 17:59:41   #
RickSask Loc: Saskatchewan
 
TMurphy71 wrote:
My son is the computer guru (Software engineer and now going for his cyber securities degree), what he suggested to me was look for a high grade gaming computer. That way you'll have the speed, graphics and memory more than capable to handle just about anything.


I totally agree with your son. Wish they would find a different name for "gaming computers" because they are exactly what a photo/video editor needs.

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