Girl Gamer in distress!!!

I tried to assemble my own computer with some help. In my opinion, it is pretty easy. The only issue that I found is that if certain computer part is not working, then it can be pretty hard to diagnose the problem. It is not rare to have faulty memory or motherboard even I buy them brand new. There are many threads in the forum that are about crash. If I assemble my own and CoH crashes, it is really a headache if I don't have spare computer parts to swap in and out to test things out.

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To the OP thanks for asking this question..I am a guy gamer and is ashamed to admit somewhat ignorant of computers..plug it in and run it..laughs..I am looking at buying a new system for my wife who also plays COX, it is a surprise...so all this information your post has solicited has helped me out a lot...

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Cool! I'm glad it has helped you, too. You're wife is sooo lucky! What a nice surprise!

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Hope your son likes his new machine.

And non-hardware gamer guys, its ok to ask questions

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Lead Squirrel at Dr. E Spider robotic site #643

Nothing saids its your spot like an ourob. Portal dropped on the ground.

Next you'll be telling us it's okay to ask directions when we're lost.

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Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project

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Next you'll be telling us it's okay to ask directions when we're lost.

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This is why I have a GPS.

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A bit more pricey, however you'll save a ton with not having to buy a ton of extra software

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Uhm. No. Essentially, if you don't like the way the system's default software functions, the entire culture is "buy this other thing". Not "try and buy". Buy.

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You won't have to worry about viruses or spyware.

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Again. NO. Simply because the marketshare of the system is so small as to not making viruses worthwhile to write for doesn't mean the system is virus proof.

Also, your statement is only approximating reality IN THE ABSENCE OF OTHER PLATFORMS ON YOUR NETWORK. Translation, there's nothing stopping a Mac from passing on a virus load that doesn't affect *it* to one of the Windows machines on your network.

Please be very careful when making recommendations like this, as they do not, in fact, mirror reality.

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The only "virus" out there in the wild for the mac is one where you have to download a pirated copy of iLife, run it, and use the adminastative password to install.

Yeah you can pass a virus on to other computers through email. However if you don't want to become a semi-expert in computer security, a Mac will do all you need and then some, a lot safer than a Windows Machine. ESPECIALLY a WinXP machine.


Have you ever looked at all the free/share ware for the Mac OS? There's a ton of it. And there's a hell of a lot of "try before you buy" stuff to.


I used to be with you, however now that CoX is on the Mac Platform, there is no reason, other than extreme lack of funds, to buy a Windows PC over a Mac if you don't want to study your butt off learning about PC/Network security.

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omg seriously, if u buy a dell i'm going to cut my big toe's nail off, seriously dell has the worst parts ever, and the worst customer service in the history of customer service.

don't ever do alienware as well they are owned by dell.

seriously the best thing you can really aim for is an imac. they come with boot camp so u can install windows on a partition so he can still run windows based games on the mac natively.

but even if u don't come to your senses and go mac, just for the love of all things alcohol, sweet, spicy, sour and musical do not buy dell. i'd seriously have second thoughts about even receiving a dell as a gift, thinking is there a bomb inside or rat poison boiled into my beer? dell=devil

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Wow! Sounds like you had a terrible experience with Dell! I've been using my laptop for a couple of years now, and the couple of times I had to call for tech support, I always got someone knowledgeable and surprisingly easy to understand (The last time I called their tech support was in the Phillipines). I really like the fact that I could call them 24/7 whenever I had a problem.

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I got a Dell laptop too, and it get BSOD a LOT... It used to be around 1-2 times every day (using it around 1-1.5 hours a day) and its gone down now, but its still around 2 times a week.. sheesh. get a mac Thats what I was thinking of doing after they came out with CoX for mac.



EDIT: Dang, I wish my mom played CoX with me lol. I mean, my dad plays and has his own account, but hes usually pretty busy. If only my mom would use her time on CoX instead of watching Dancing with the Stars and Giada's cooking show/Rachel Ray's... Tell your son hes very lucky!! lol

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I used to be with you, however now that CoX is on the Mac Platform, there is no reason, other than extreme lack of funds, to buy a Windows PC over a Mac if you don't want to study your butt off learning about PC/Network security.

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orly? I have thousands of dollars of other software, already purchased, that runs on a Windows PC. Sounds like a pretty damn compelling reason to me.

Sometimes people (who don't work in graphic arts) might want to bring work home and they want compatibility with their office computers so the decision was made FOR them. Sounds like another compelling reason.

I've used Macs. Macs are great. The OP came in and listed Windows systems she was considering. Saying "Buy a Mac." isn't really helpful. Go proselytize elsewhere.

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Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project

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I used to be with you, however now that CoX is on the Mac Platform, there is no reason, other than extreme lack of funds, to buy a Windows PC over a Mac if you don't want to study your butt off learning about PC/Network security.

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Not strictly true. As of right now, the Mac port underperforms the PC version. This is *literally* on the identical hardware; using Boot Camp to run Windows on the same laptop gives better CoH performance than running it "natively" in Mac OS. There are also a number of outstanding bugs apparently connected to memory leaks in the Mac version; a significantly higher percentage of Mac users need to use /unloadgfx regularly and/or exit and restart frequently.

The extra bugs are hopefully going to be fixed. The performance may or may not be fixable given how the Transgaming platform works. Add to that the general trend of Mac hardware being more expensive on a clock-for-clock basis, and you're taking a double performance hit per dollar.

There are some hints that Going Rogue will include a new or at least significantly redesigned graphics engine. Little is known at this point; unless you've got a lot of money to spend or an urgent need, now may not be the best time to be buying hardware.

If the new engine is much prettier but more demanding, a currently acceptable machine might not cut it. If the new engine is substantially streamlined, in combination with dropping hardware prices you may be able to get something acceptable for a lot less in a few months.

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CoH Helper * HijackThis

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If the new engine is much prettier but more demanding, a currently acceptable machine might not cut it.

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This. Pre-I14 the laptop was running "okay" and that's being somewhat generous. The graphics were horrid and the lag was sometime obnoxious, but for the most part, the game was playable. Post-I14, the laptop freezes and crashes on a regular basis. I can only guess how the Rogue Expansion will affect it, but I can't imagine the new CoX engine being any gentler.

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Yeah you can pass a virus on to other computers through email.

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And unchecked files on file shares, etc.

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However if you don't want to become a semi-expert in computer security, a Mac will do all you need and then some, a lot safer than a Windows Machine. ESPECIALLY a WinXP machine.

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What's to learn? You put an AV on and some antispyware. Then just make sure you're getting the updates. Done. Wow, steep learning curve.

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I used to be with you, however now that CoX is on the Mac Platform, there is no reason, other than extreme lack of funds, to buy a Windows PC over a Mac if you don't want to study your butt off learning about PC/Network security.

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FUD. Plain and simple.

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To the OP thanks for asking this question..I am a guy gamer and is ashamed to admit somewhat ignorant of computers..plug it in and run it..laughs..I am looking at buying a new system for my wife who also plays COX, it is a surprise...so all this information your post has solicited has helped me out a lot...

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if you want any help with picking out a new PC go ahead and PM me, I helped Rox pick out what her son is getting, 90% of the parts are what I have in my rig. I can find something decent in any price range, as that is what I do for a living.

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That computer does look pretty good for running CoX (and everyday stuff). I also heartily recommend Newegg, and buy almost all of my parts from there. They have one of the most responsive Customer Service departments I have ever seen, and by far the best for a computer retailer.

If you do not feel comfortable, or have the tools for, troubleshooting failed components, you can buy one of their pre-built computers and then the troubleshooting onus is on them. Although, you still have to pay to ship it back to them .

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