Our harddrive crashed-for the second time in 7 mos. Last time, the technician was able to clear it/wipe it clean or w/e terminology they use, but basically started from scratch so it was like we had a new computer. (He copied what we had on the hard drive to an external HD which we now have but he says it's a mess-thousands of files, pictures-some load some half load-some scrambled so he thought we'd have to go into every file and see what's there. There were many photos, documents etc. Haven't had the heart to look at it since. 1.Does anyone know if there is a recovery system that might take these files and restore them? We are in a little town and just had someone local that does "computer work" look at it and that was his analysis.

Soooo-now the same thing happened again-hard drive crashed this past weekend so the same guy looked at it and says the hard drive is biting the dust. He was able to recover the data that we've accumulated since December, since the previous incident but this time he says we need to replace it

If anyone would have mercy on a middle aged mom that knows nothing about computers and cares to help me out, I'd be grateful.

It seems I see deals on computers fairly often, but I don't know a gigabyte from a megabyte. I don't really mind buying a new computer but don't want to get taken to the cleaners for my ignorance.

The tech that fixed our computer has a couple for sale-he said he buys them when they are on sale and resells for a small profit. So, all that being said,
second question: Is this a good buy?

Dell (he says there is 11 mos warranty left on it-brand new-still in box)

2.83 gigahertz
Core2Dual
160 gig drive
2 gigabytes of memory
comes loaded with office, windows XP and a 22" wide screen flat panel
upgraded speakers included $759
(DVD burner included)

OR other option he as available to purchase:

Dell $629
2.2 gigahertz
160 gig drive
1 gigabyte ram
loaded with office, windows, XP and a 20" inch screen
upgraded speakers included
(DVD burner included)

How do these systems compare to what's available now that's on sale? (I wouldn't have any shipping charges if I bought a unit from him) and if there's something else out there better, can you provide the link/price? THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

What's the price on the first unit?

What do you use the computer for? Just email & web surfing & picture storage?

Or do you play action games on it? Create DVDs?

Thanks so much for your time in answering this! GREATLY appreciated

First, I'm a believer in buying a monitor seperately and going with an LCD unit has a 3 year P&L warranty. Lately, the Dell deals have not been too good. Next you can always add memory and some B$ member is always posting a deal on sticks that comes with a lifetime warranty. Now buying a PC with the OS and other MS software from a seller is a gray area. IMHO, folks at Redmond are money hungry and I will stop there. I would want to know if the PC you want has ever been on the internet and programs ever been updated.

The PC/operating system is brand new-in box. The monitor --also is new-never used-the one that is for sale.

Really, I think the technician is very trustworthy-it's never been used...

(Forgot the other part of my question was if previously saved info on the hard drive has some distorted documents--is there any hope to restore it to its original way?)

"Distorted" could mean so many things. You'd need someone to look at the files to tell you.

As for the computer systems, no those aren't really good deals. And for systems in that price range, Dell usually offers free shipping as well, so you're not really saving shipping fees. Plus, Dell only charges sales tax in certain states - you may be lucky enough to live in a state where they don't charge tax, whereas your technician would have to since he's local.

It sounds like you would be fine with a low-end computer. Faster processors are only really necessary for playing cutting-edge games, professional photo-manipulation, and editing videos.

Do you really need a new monitor? What size & type (CRT or LCD) is your current monitor? Also, do you *need* MS Office? There is a great, free alternative called OpenOffice. It is absolutely free, and has most of the same functionality, and it can even read in your old MS Office documents.

Assuming that you do need a new monitor, here's a low-end, low-priced system with a 20" monitor:

Dell Vostro 200 Slim Tower, $399
Dell Small Business



Instructions:
To get the Vostro 200 Slim Tower for $399, follow these instructions.

• Click here to configure evalue code 6w300-brcwsgc
• You should end up with a before-discount price of $399.

Pricing:

• Shipping is FREE.

Your final price is:
$399 + tax

Details:
Generic specifications for the Vostro 200 Slim Tower can be found here
Here are the details for this configuration:

• Vostro 200: Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor E2160 (1.80GHz, 1MB L2 Cache)
• Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz - 2DIMMs
• Keyboard: Dell USB Keyboard
• Monitor: Free upgrade from E198WFP to E207WFP Flat Panel
• Video Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
• Hard Drive: Free upgrade from 80GB72K to 160G72K hard drive
• Floppy Drive and Media Reader: No Floppy Drive
• Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic, Service Pack 1
• Mouse: Dell Scroll Mouse
• Network Interface: Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
• Modem and Wireless: No Modem Option
• Adobe Software: Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Optical Drives: Single Drive: 16X DVD-ROM Drive
• Sound: Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
• Speakers: No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
• Office Productivity Software (Pre-installed): No Pre-installed Productivity Software
• Security Software: No Pre-installed Anti-Virus/Security Software
• Warranty & Service: 1 Year Basic Limited Warranty and 1 Year NBD On-Site Service
• Dell DataSafe Online Data Backup: 10GB for 1 Year Online Data Backup by Dell DataSafe
• Remote Advisory Services: 1 Year Dell Automated PC Tuneup
• Internet Access Service: No ISP requested
• Standard Vostro Services Tools: Dell Network Assistant
• Purchase Intent: Purchase is not intended for resale.
• Online Web Site: Free Microsoft Office Live Small Business Product details

You can upgrade to a DVD burner for $15.

Candy, I would go with a garsh recommendation. Alan may also show up here and he's also a guru.
The one garsh posted is excellent!

you can add speakers and the DVD burner and you are still way below the other guy's price.

garsh, does she need a modem?

How about THIS? Just downgrade the processor.

too late on that. deal is dead.

Don't necessarily need a new monitor--a bigger one would be nice-BUT, not necessary.

Modem-yes-we'd need that if we wanted to get a new system-right?? I do store quite a few pictures.

Gee, $399 is much better sounding the $759!

When we picked our "fixed" computer up, he said that sometimes Dell or others will put in older equipment-for example when we bought our computer in 2004-the harddrive installed in it was new, but was already a year old according to the internal info on it....

He told us the "cheap ones" that are listed in the flyers one receives from Dell are usually just that--cheap and it's worth paying the couple hundred more to get something that will be more durable or "not junk." Which basically, when you know nothing about computers--you about feel at their mercy. I don't know--are they really JUNK in those flyers??

Ack!

a modem really is not beneficial unless you use dial up connection. I dont think I have used a modem in at least 8 yrs.

If he tells you the cheap ones are junk then that gives you an indication that he is trying to push his overpriced ones on you. The cheap flyer ones are not junk but just basic which for most situations you seem to need it for is very sufficent

That's how ignorant I am about this--here I thought the "modem" was the guts that make it work.

We do not have dial-up but DSL so I guess according to the terminology-no I don't need a modem!

(I'm feeling more and more like my mother all the time).

Once again-grateful to anyone willing to give me their help:)

You only need a modem if you have a dial-up internet connection.
If you have cable internet or DSL, then you do not.
If you do need a modem, it's a $30 add-on for that $399 system I posted above.
For somebody who is worried about performance, then his statements make sense. The cheaper computers use older technology that isn't as fast.

For someone who is mainly worried about reliability (which I believe is your situation), then it doesn't really make a difference - the components for cheap computers and expensive computers are all made in China/Malaysia by the same companies (regardless of whether you buy Dell, HP, Toshiba, etc.), and they all have about the same reliability.

For your situation, it sounds like a low-end computer is the way to go. It will still probably be twice as fast as your old computer (maybe more, depending on what you have and what you get). So if you were happy with your current machine's performance (ignoring the recent problems, of course), then you should be quite happy with a new, low-end machine.

Oh, I forgot to tell you - Dell updates their specials on Thursday mornings. So it appears that the deal I posted above is no longer available.

If you think you'd rather purchase one yourself instead of from your technician, just let me know and I'll see if I can find something similar for this week.

Bless your heart! I'll pm you after I talk with my DH!

keep in mind, "old" when shopping new PCs is like just a couple of months!!
then, on the other hand, when talking about the PCs you have at home, "old" is usually anything that doesn't have the latest chip.

I think the guy is just trying to sell you his stuff...you can do better. Most of us here buy Dells. My house has 6 desktops and 3 laptops, all from Dell. (we have 4 kids) We are happy!

Dejavu-sounds like your household is similar to ours--5 kids-I wouldn't mind getting a laptop for myself for taking along when going on work trips just for surfing the web and checking email, IM--and other than that-whatever you think a family with kids would need-they like to play games-I like to save pictures-it seems like we need a fair amount of memory (RAM-right??) as that's been an issue in the past.

I like something that is fast as well-currently, it seems a little slow.....

And---we probably would like a bigger monitor--if it's an option.

Is it necessary to have a Dual Core Processor? The technician guy said we for sure would want that.

(oh and if there is a good buy on a laptop--did I hear there is a flamingo pink??!! YES!)

Thanks for searching you do for me. There's no hurry so if I'm better off waiting a month or so--then so be it. Thanks to all.

First off, the Vista OS is a memory hog and 1GB is the minimium. Any PC or laptop should be using 667 MHz speed, like those in the Dells that get mentioned else where, not the older 400. Photos can be stored on USB drives, which can be purchased at reasonable prices, instead of filling up a hard drive, especially on a laptop. Watching what programs, e.g. MS Office, you open over times and closing when memory usage is high, will make 1 GB to 2 GB of memory do the job.

Unless you are working with a graphic program or software that really needs a good graphic card, whatever CPU is in entry level PC or laptop should work. Looks like Dell entry PC are all dual-core Intel processor.

Finally, Dell also does some cut in prices at the end of the quarter. Garth would know when that may happen. If the laptop is for work, ask if your company will pay any of the cost or not.