yet i think an overheating CPU would shut it down, not just freeze it.
No, a hot cpu will freeze, not reboot, though fan tech nowadays detects a non-functioning fan, and forces shutdown on most machines... but if your fan is not spinning well, and the 'shutdown' part is not functional, it could be causing freeze-ups... Or yours may be old enough that it just freezes...
Bad RAM can go either way - but usually causes an abrupt reboot.
However, don't worry about it... popped cap means certain death SOON. Don't throw any money fixing what you have.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lenovo-1995A2U/19490409#Specifications
Lenovo (IBM) makes good stuff... but they tend to be slower than I expect them to be... but very stable and long lasting.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6661041&CatId=1813
This link is for 'Dragon Naturally Speaking,' and I assume is not pertinent to our conversation.
http://www.portatech.com/catalog/viewitem.asp?ID=38653&O=38644%2C65753%2C26503%2C26382%2C26413&fbm=1&r=p%20%20Asus%20p5lp-vx%20motherboard (liked this the most, but short warranty)
BIG Bang-for-buck... but I don't know the maker. The MB selections are all real good top-tier boards (Asus, MSI, Gigabyte [in that order]) Would pump up the Power Supply if I were you... 600w bare min (mine are all above 700w). Would need to pump up the DVD to DVD-RW too, for write capability...
If you are going white-box, I would highly recommend a back-alley builder in your own town that has a high word-of-mouth reputation... unless this portatech guy is close by. Warranty is not a big thing, as generally all of them require you to send the thing back to them, which no one ever wants to do, as it takes too long. Inevitably, if it makes it a year, you will almost certainly fix it yourself, or use a local tech to fix it for that reason... But that is the MAIN reason to use a local white-box builder, rather than one from the inet.
Still think ACER is best bang-for-buck from a name-brand source. I used to be white-box all the way, and still am for my test benches, but those Acers are hard to beat for joe-six-pack... I can't build one for the price.
May God bless you for your helpful advice. I know the mfg are only putting parts togeth4r, and their quality and interaction is key, but the white box type offer more for the money, and you can often choose what components you want.
I did look up the mobos on some and upgraded estimates if they only had 2 memory slots. Of course,
The http://www.computerlx.com/view_cart.aspx one gives 3 yr. warranty and lifetime free email support, while http://www.pricewatch.com ones are even cheaper. I prayerfully helped someone get a PC from the a few years ago and found the former co., and the 400.00 PC from them has always run fine. And i looked up the parts and could not have built it cheaper, with the OS. Came with an actual, non-bloatware OS CD as well.
What is your take on Intel Vs. AMD? Does 3.2ghz with the latter mean the same as it does to the former? Thanks for the rating on mobos. I had an old 650mhz AMD for years (till about 2005), with an MSI mobo. Competition has helped here in man’s fallen condition (just imagine if all computers were gov. issue).
The Lenovo was attractive because of its full size, as i am wary of small form factors. anyway, while i do not know if i will be doing anything soon, may i ask what would be your prayerful pick be for a PC under 450.00 like from here, http://www.pricewatch.com/gallery/computer_systems_with_os/3.5ghz presuming AMD is best? CPU find favor with many: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103894&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-AMD-_-19103894