My computer died. Motherboard issues.

[no_hypocrisy]

I've been told that I can retrieve the data.

QUESTION: I was recommended to buy an IBUYPOWER Desktop, AMD FX Series (SKU 4757115)

Does anyone have any experience with this brand? I usually play it safe with an HP.

Any advice is welcome. ANY.

Thanks and prospective Happy Thanksgiving.

no_h

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

1. What do you have now?

How much can you spend?
What do you use it for?
Are there any unusual programs you need to run?

[no_hypocrisy]

5. 1. I want to spend as close to $500 as possible.

2. I use it for online and Microsoft Office.
3. No unusual programs although I like using CDs on occasion.

And I had a 2007 HP.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

9. Symptoms?

What was it doing?
Will it boot at all?

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

10. If you do need a new pc consider...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4P03H47431

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

11. On the hand...

...you could try a computer repair shop which shouldn't have a difficult (nor expensive) time replacing you motherboard.
In the interim you could get one of these: http://computers.woot.com/?ref=so_gh_cp_5

Only on sale today and you would have it as a backup.
I think it will work with google docs (for office like apps) and of course email and internet.

[hobbit709]

2. What do you have now?

Never heard of IBUYPOWER.

[gvstn]

3. They used to be online only. Build/customize your own type site.

Looks like they are at Best Buy now. It think this is the specs she is talking about.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ibuypower-desktop-amd-fx-series-8gb-memory-black/4757115.p?id=1219638967131&skuId=4757115

That is not right that has Nvidia graphics.

You can scroll through and see what best matches her needs.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?id=pcat17071&st=AMD+FX-6300+FX-Series+Six-Core+Processor+Edition%2C+Black+AM3+FD6300WMHKBOX

[no_hypocrisy]

4. I have a 2007 HP.

Amazing it lasted this long.

[hobbit709]

6. I've had hardware last an easy 10 years.

Usually it's the drive or a cooling fan that gives out first. Cpus don't get slower with age, it's just the Windows that gets cluttered and bogs them down.
I've had people bring in their computer that was taking over 5 minutes to boot up to the desktop. By the time I cleaned out the accumulated junk files, got rid of the crapware and streamlined their startup, I'd have it boot up in 45 seconds or so.

[Go Vols]

8. If you aren't going to build from scratch

HP is the way I would go.

[eppur_se_muova]

12. It's a good idea to have an external (USB) case for whatever type drive your computer uses.

It's pretty easy to pop out the drive and put it in the external case. Then you can read your data from any (even borrowed) computer. Shop around, you can find them cheap (~$20), especially online. Don't get TOO cheap, though. (Though I did buy my last one from a thrift store for $5).

You'd have to find out whether that model uses ATA or SATA, and get a 2.5" case for laptop drives, 3.5" for desktop. As drive technology progresses, a failed computer could leave you with an older technology drive and no computer that can read it. I have cases for SCSI, IDE, ATA, and SATA all lying around ready to receive a HD from a failed computer, or in use. Of course I didn't buy them all at once, they've just accumulated over the years. It's one of those things you know you should have -- like a smoke alarm or a fire extinguisher -- but not everyone gets around to buying.

[no_hypocrisy]

13. OK, situation remedied.

Bought a Dell Inspiron 3000 at Staples a few hours ago (desktop). On sale for $399.99, savings of $240. Sure maybe I could do better Black Friday, but hey, bird in the hand . . . . and I'm happy with my savings and I don't have to shop on BF.

With the money saved, I also got Word for Windows 10 and back up software.

I feel better already.