So, you can't teach an old dog, new tricks.

[soup]

Basically for 50+ years, this was me, as far as computers were concerned. No chance that I will ever own one, much less use them. Well it's been an adventure 3 years in the making, going from a very basic system, (single core/one optical drive, GSA-4163B A106, R.I.P./one hard drive, WD320GBs), to having not one, not two, but three systems in the house, two hardwired to an AIO. Still doing what I originally set out to do, but also in the last year moving on to OS installs, data recovery, helping put new systems together, etc. Along the way I have had a lot of help from a lot of patient people, not only here, but at other Forums & also one very patient & great friend where I live, (even although I have had to spend a few nights sleeping with both eyes open, just in case the missus figured she would get more for me taking a dirt nap, than me spending for the upgrading I have done). From the bottom of my heart, I thank every one of them. So to the reason I started this thread, the title is a myth, it's only ourselves who hold us back, nobody else & if I can learn some new things, pretty well anybody can, all you have to do is take that first step. Forums & Google are really your friends when it comes to research, notice the word search is in research. Anyway I have babbled on long enough, just to let you know though, the adventure continues, (even through all the frustration & hair pulling, learning this stuff takes), who knows the new things the next years have in store for us, take that first step & join in.

System #1:

Computer:
      Computer Type                                     ACPI Multiprocessor PC
      Operating System                                  Microsoft Windows XP Professional
      OS Service Pack                                   Service Pack 3

    Motherboard:
      CPU Type                                          QuadCore AMD Phenom 9550, 2200 MHz (11 x 200)
      Motherboard Name                                  MSI K9A2 Platinum (MS-7376)  (2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 4 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Dual Gigabit LAN, IEEE-1394)
      Motherboard Chipset                               AMD 790FX, AMD K10
      System Memory                                     3328 MB  (DDR2 SDRAM)
      DIMM1: OCZ XTC Vista Upgrade Edition OCZ2VU8002G  2 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM  (5-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz)  (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz)  (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)
      DIMM2: OCZ XTC Vista Upgrade Edition OCZ2VU8002G  2 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM  (5-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz)  (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz)  (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)
      DIMM3: OCZ XTC Vista Upgrade Edition OCZ2VU8002G  2 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM  (5-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz)  (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz)  (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)
      DIMM4: OCZ XTC Vista Upgrade Edition OCZ2VU8002G  2 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM  (5-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz)  (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz)  (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)
      BIOS Type                                         AMI (03/12/08)

    Display:
      Video Adapter                                     NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT  (256 MB)
      3D Accelerator                                    nVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
      Monitor                                           Samsung SyncMaster 226BW/MagicSyncMaster CX226BW (Digital)  [22" LCD]

    Multimedia:
      Audio Adapter                                     Realtek ALC888/S/T @ ATI SB600 - High Definition Audio Controller

    Storage:
      IDE Controller                                    ATI IDE Controller
      IDE Controller                                    ATI SATA Controller IDE mode
      Storage Controller                                Promise FastTrak PDC42819 Controller
      Storage Controller                                Promise SATA Console SCSI Processor
      Storage Controller                                Windows Promise RAID Console SCSI Processor Device
      Storage Controller                                Windows Promise SATA300 TX2plus (tm) IDE Controller
      Disk Drive                                        Maxtor 6 L300R0 USB Device  (300 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/133)
      Disk Drive                                        Promise 1+0 JBOD SCSI Disk Device  (465 GB)
      Disk Drive                                        Promise 1+0 JBOD SCSI Disk Device  (465 GB)
      Disk Drive                                        ST3500320AS  (500 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA-II)
      Disk Drive                                        ST3750330AS  (750 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA-II)
      Disk Drive                                        ST380815AS  (80 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA-II)
      Optical Drive                                     BENQ DVD DD DW1620  (DVD+R9:2.4x, DVD+RW:16x/4x, DVD-RW:16x/4x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:40x/24x/40x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
      Optical Drive                                     BENQ DVD DD EW162I USB Device  (DVD+R9:4x, DVD+RW:16x/4x, DVD-RW:16x/4x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:40x/24x/40x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
      Optical Drive                                     BENQ DVD DD EW162I USB Device  (DVD+R9:4x, DVD+RW:16x/4x, DVD-RW:16x/4x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:40x/24x/40x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
      Optical Drive                                     HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-H62N  (DVD+R9:10x, DVD-R9:10x, DVD+RW:18x/8x, DVD-RW:18x/6x, DVD-RAM:12x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)
      Optical Drive                                     Oxford Semiconductor Ltd.    OXFORD IDE Device    IEEE 1394 SBP2 Device
      Optical Drive                                     PIONEER DVD-RW  DVR-215D SCSI CdRom Device  (DVD+R9:10x, DVD-R9:10x, DVD+RW:20x/8x, DVD-RW:20x/6x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:40x/32x/40x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
      Optical Drive                                     PLEXTOR DVDR   PX-716A  (DVD+R9:6x, DVD+RW:16x/8x, DVD-RW:16x/4x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/24x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW)
      Optical Drive                                     TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S203B SCSI CdRom Device  (DVD+R9:16x, DVD-R9:12x, DVD+RW:20x/8x, DVD-RW:20x/6x, DVD-RAM:12x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)

    Partitions:
      C: (NTFS)                                         76308 MB (57142 MB free)
      F: (NTFS)                                         476929 MB (460730 MB free)
      H: (NTFS)                                         715402 MB (715315 MB free)
      M: (NTFS)                                         476938 MB (438104 MB free)
      N: (NTFS)                                         476937 MB (284457 MB free)
      O: (NTFS)                                         286181 MB (95448 MB free)
      Total Size                                        2449.9 GB (2003.1 GB free)

    Peripherals:
      Printer                                           HP PSC 1400 series
      Printer                                           Microsoft XPS Document Writer
      Printer                                           Send To OneNote 2007
      FireWire Controller                               VIA VT6306/6307 Fire II IEEE1394 Host Controller
      USB1 Controller                                   ATI SB600 - OCHI USB Controller
      USB1 Controller                                   ATI SB600 - OCHI USB Controller
      USB1 Controller                                   ATI SB600 - OCHI USB Controller
      USB1 Controller                                   ATI SB600 - OCHI USB Controller
      USB1 Controller                                   ATI SB600 - OCHI USB Controller
      USB2 Controller                                   ATI SB600 - EHCI USB 2.0 Controller
      USB Device                                        HP PSC 1400 series (DOT4USB)
      USB Device                                        HP PSC 1400
      USB Device                                        USB Composite Device
      USB Device                                        USB Composite Device
      USB Device                                        USB Composite Device
      USB Device                                        USB Human Interface Device
      USB Device                                        USB Human Interface Device
      USB Device                                        USB Human Interface Device
      USB Device                                        USB Human Interface Device
      USB Device                                        USB Mass Storage Device
      USB Device                                        USB Mass Storage Device
      USB Device                                        USB Mass Storage Device
      USB Device                                        USB Printing Support

    DMI:
      DMI BIOS Vendor                                   American Megatrends Inc.
      DMI BIOS Version                                  V1.4
      DMI System Manufacturer                           MICRO-STAR INTERANTIONAL CO.,LTD
      DMI System Product                                MS-7376
      DMI System Version                                1.0
      DMI Motherboard Manufacturer                      MICRO-STAR INTERANTIONAL CO.,LTD
      DMI Motherboard Product                           MS-7376
      DMI Motherboard Version                           1.0
      DMI Chassis Manufacturer                          MICRO-STAR INTERANTIONAL CO.,LTD
      DMI Chassis Version                               1.0
      DMI Chassis Type                                  Desktop Case
      DMI Total / Free Memory Sockets                   4 / 0

System #2:

Computer:
      Computer Type                                     ACPI Multiprocessor PC
      Operating System                                  Microsoft Windows XP Professional
      OS Service Pack                                   Service Pack 3

    Motherboard:
      CPU Type                                          DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2500 MHz (12.5 x 200) 4800+
      Motherboard Name                                  Abit AN9 32X / Fatal1ty AN9 32X  (1 PCI, 2 PCI-E x1, 2 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Dual Gigabit LAN, IEEE-1394)
      Motherboard Chipset                               nVIDIA nForce 590 SLI, AMD Hammer
      System Memory                                     3584 MB  (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)
      DIMM1: OCZ XTC Vista Upgrade Edition OCZ2VU8002G  2 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM  (5-6-6-18 @ 400 MHz)  (4-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz)  (3-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz)
      DIMM2: OCZ XTC Vista Upgrade Edition OCZ2VU8002G  2 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM  (5-6-6-18 @ 400 MHz)  (4-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz)  (3-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz)
      BIOS Type                                         Award (11/19/07)

    Display:
      Video Adapter                                     ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO  (512 MB)
      Video Adapter                                     ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO  (512 MB)
      3D Accelerator                                    ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro (RV630)
      Monitor                                           Philips 190S (190S6)  [19" LCD]  (BZ  112224)

    Multimedia:
      Audio Adapter                                     ATI Radeon HDMI @ ATI Radeon HD 2600 - High Definition Audio Controller
      Audio Adapter                                     Realtek ALC882/D/M @ nVIDIA nForce 590 SLI (MCP55PXE) - High Definition Audio Controller

    Storage:
      IDE Controller                                    NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller
      IDE Controller                                    NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller
      IDE Controller                                    NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller
      IDE Controller                                    Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
      Storage Controller                                Silicon Image SiI 3132 SATALink Controller
      Disk Drive                                        ST325062 0AS SCSI Disk Device  (250 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA-II)
      Disk Drive                                        ST332062 0AS SCSI Disk Device  (320 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA-II)
      Optical Drive                                     PLEXTOR DVDR   PX-810SA SCSI CdRom Device  (DVD+R9:10x, DVD-R9:10x, DVD+RW:18x/8x, DVD-RW:18x/6x, DVD-RAM:12x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:40x/32x/40x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)
      Optical Drive                                     TSSTcorp CD/DVDW SH-S182D  (DVD+R9:8x, DVD-R9:8x, DVD+RW:18x/8x, DVD-RW:18x/6x, DVD-RAM:12x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)
      Optical Drive                                     TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S202J  (DVD+R9:16x, DVD-R9:12x, DVD+RW:20x/8x, DVD-RW:20x/6x, DVD-RAM:12x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)
      Optical Drive                                     TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S203B SCSI CdRom Device  (DVD+R9:16x, DVD-R9:12x, DVD+RW:20x/8x, DVD-RW:20x/6x, DVD-RAM:12x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)

    Partitions:
      C: (NTFS)                                         86796 MB (75585 MB free)
      D: (NTFS)                                         151676 MB (102490 MB free)
      F: (NTFS)                                         104704 MB (94741 MB free)
      G: (NTFS)                                         200537 MB (200460 MB free)
      Total Size                                        531.0 GB (462.2 GB free)


    Peripherals:
      FireWire Controller                               Texas Instruments TSB43AB22 1394A-2000 OHCI PHY/Link-Layer Controller
      USB1 Controller                                   nVIDIA nForce 590 SLI (MCP55PXE) - OHCI USB 1.1 Controller
      USB2 Controller                                   nVIDIA nForce 590 SLI (MCP55PXE) - EHCI USB 2.0 Controller

    DMI:
      DMI BIOS Vendor                                   Phoenix Technologies, LTD
      DMI BIOS Version                                  6.00 PG
      DMI Motherboard Manufacturer                      http://www.abit.com.tw/
      DMI Motherboard Product                           AN9 32X series(C51XE-MCP55XE)
      DMI Motherboard Version                           1.x
      DMI Chassis Type                                  Desktop Case
      DMI Total / Free Memory Sockets                   4 / 2

First pic, system #1, second pic, system #2.

[Chewy]

does the xp/64bit see all 8 gigs?

can you get over 4 gigs to be in use?

[soup]

Hopefully this will answer your questions. I picked a program I would use on a regular basis. BTW that program is still running while I am here posting this.

[Chewy]

physical memory available, 7 gigs

[soup]

More pics, while doing a few things.

[Chewy]

You could try 2 instances of dvdrebuilder, it might use a couple of gigs

Now a game might add another 2 gigs

but that still leaves 4 gigs

I would assume a web forum server might use that kind of memory

[soup]

I probably will never come close to maxing it out, but the price was right & you never know what is around the corner.

[Chewy]

vista 64 bit could put a dent in that ram I am sure

[tonysmith1929]

Cant teach old dog new tricks

Hi Soup..... You aint old yet, I can beat you by 24 years, and I am still very interested in computors. Like you, I would never manage without the help of all the wonderfull people on this forum,which is THE BEST....

[soup]

Hello tonysmith1929, True that,

[gonwk]

Hi Soup,

I see you are strictly an AMD man ... how did you get hooked on AMD ... even after all the publicity and rave reviews INTEL gets?

Also, if I have Win XP SP2 (32bit) ... never bothered to upgrade to SP3 ... how can I get the 64X version?

Thanks,
G!

[Kabuchan]

Geez Soup, that's quite a setup! Planning on hacking NASA? LOL
Congrats on the new build! I will stay with my 32bit until my fractals take more RAM. But my dual core spits them out wonderfully!

[soup]

Hi Soup,

I see you are strictly an AMD man ... how did you get hooked on AMD ... even after all the publicity and rave reviews INTEL gets?

Also, if I have Win XP SP2 (32bit) ... never bothered to upgrade to SP3 ... how can I get the 64X version?

Thanks,
G!

Re: AMD, while Google & research is good, I have found out that it doesn't override listening to people in the business. So I rely a lot on the person I helped put my builds together & he does a lot of testing & researching to put together the best systems possible. So this at the time these builds were done was thought to be the best possible matchup. I see no drawback in updating to SP3, but one tip if you are ever doing a clean install & plan to have IE7, make sure it is installed before installing SP3. As for XP64, I really don't know how you would get it in your neck of the woods.

[soup]

Geez Soup, that's quite a setup! Planning on hacking NASA? LOL
Congrats on the new build! I will stay with my 32bit until my fractals take more RAM. But my dual core spits them out wonderfully!

Thank you & no plans at the moment, LOL.

[gonwk]

... I see no drawback in updating to SP3, but one tip if you are ever doing a clean install & plan to have IE7, make sure it is installed before installing SP3. ...

Hi Soup,

Thanks for the Tips ...

1) So, are you recommending I go and upgrade to SP3?

2) Is IE7 any better (more secure or whatever) than IE6.0? Becuase I am still on IE6.

3) What is the catch with installing IE7 before I upgrade to SP3? Any conflicts or ...?

Thanks,
G!