Technical Help, Please

[Antilight]

Hey all! I am coming back after a 3 YEAR hiatus! I plan on limiting my characters to a Necro and a Shaman. I want the Necro for those times when I'm in a soloing mood. Heres the situation and I'd like some advice. I'm not as computer literate as I should be so I'll miss alot of information. Also, bear in mind this is to hold me over until I can save for a REAL computer

First off, my computer was my main problem with leaving EQ prior to Shadows of Luclin. I started getting some error or other that dealt with Drivers (vague, I know). I have the same computer now and will be upgrading RAM, Memory (only had 6 GIG), my CD Drive and 'A' Drive. I am also going to have them reinstall the drivers and see if they find anything hokey with them.

When I bought the Compaq/Presario (yeah, stop cringing) it worked just fine until Shadows of Luclin came out without ANY upgrades.

I will be going to 256 RAM (I know 512 would be prefered but the machine is old and I'll have to see if it can handle so many upgrades).

I have an AMD2 (if that is right, it was a factory Vid Card). Couldn't tell you about my sound card but I never used it (should have, Giants in Rathe Mts sound pretty neat).

Going with 20 GIG Memory.

Not sure of the MegaHurtz(?) and don't know how I can find that out.

Now, I know that I should upgrade the video card, are there any suggestions? I mean, can I take the video card to a GeoForce4 (something) with first upgrading other things? Could I survive with this if I play the first 3 expansion? Or even if I add all of them?

[Nerium]

Antilight, Welcome Back! The changes that have taken place since you left will simply astound you. The latest expansion called The Gates of Discord will have a new engine that reduces the hardware requirements needed to run Everquest by half (or so i have heard...can anyone confirm this?) Also, it should reduce lag in many of the zones.

When you say AMD2 do you mean the processor? Even though VI/SOE wouldn't outright admit it, they would not support AMD processors beyond Shadows of Luclin hence my problems with my old computer after the release of SoL.

How upgradeable is your Compaq Presario *tries not to cringe and fails miserably* Most PC owners I know were unable to really upgrade this piece of work and it turned out better in the long run for them to simply build a new one with the funds they would've spent upgrading their Compaq.

Perhaps another option would be to wait on The Gates of Discord expansion. If it is the technological marvel it is rumoured to be, you may be able to install it and run with the Compaq afterall.

Nerium of Neriak

[Antilight]

Thanks, Nerium. Part of the problem is I don't know what is what, I'm afraid. I know some friends who can get the Technical Stuff, but if what you are saying is true about AMD processors, then I may be screwed. I'll still get the computer fixed, I just won't be able to get on as soon as I was hoping.

I know there are ways to get your computer stats, if someone tells me I can be more thorough in the info I provide. Thanks again.


Antilight

[Xavier]

Well I dunno what hes saying about AMD cpu's. Thats all I run. I play now on an AMD 1.2 ghz. And give your take your operating system. Im assuming its windows 98 or ME. Goto my computer icon...open it....then control panel....then system....that should tell you the specific cpu and speed. But I can tell you now that they support it. Because Ive been on an AMD since beta. Here is my site if worse comes to worse.

http://www.cognigen-pc.com/main/BTO/cat.aspx?catid=desktop

And the 2 best deals I think for starting packages that can handle eq decently.

http://www.cognigen-pc.com/main/BTO/config.aspx?PCID=105

http://www.cognigen-pc.com/main/BTO/config.aspx?PCID=103

Now I dont want to make it sound like Im advertising. Because Im not. I just think those are low cost and would suit a budget for you. IF worse comes to worse. It is on my site, but they are money savers. Id rather not even mention my site to anyone on here. Simply because I dont have permission from the owners to do so. But it sounds like to me you could use some help with all thats going on. Even if you buy the parts somewhere else, which I have no problem with. But need help. Then send me an email Ill even install or setup your machine just so you can play. No charge for a player.

[Emperson]

yeah im sure umbrello will PWN you for it lol

[Antilight]

Thanks for the replies. I got this information:

Compac Presario
AuthenticAMD
AMD-K6™ 3D Processor
128 MB RAM.

I can't visit many sites from work, Xavier, but I'll try at my other job. I'm going to go with the upgrades I've mentioned and work from there. If this means anything to anyone or I might run into problems please let me know. Thanks.

[Vavra]

win98 won't display the actual processor speed, you have to go into the bios to see it. or another way would be to look up the model on the manufactures website... or post the model here and I will look it up.. also the video error you got could be because your current video card does not support the "new game engine" more than likely you have an onboard video card that shares the system memory (UDMA) if that is the case it will not have the power to run the game, and upgrading would be necessary.

best thing to see if it is at all upgradeable would be to post the actual model number here and one of us knowledgeable pc geeks :blink: can check to see what is what... :P

[Antilight]

Thanks, Vavra, I'll look at it again tonight and see if I can't get that processor speed. I'll edit this when I do with it.


Antilight

[Xavier]

Aye I wasnt wanting you to look at the site except if worse comes to worse. Id rather have you try to fix the one ya got. So you dont have to buy a new one. Money doesnt grow on trees lol. But I wish ya the best of luck man and well be here for ya when ya need it. I might have a spare mem stick laying around if I can find it I might send it to ya.

[illitcro]

Originally posted by Antilight@Dec 30 2003, 02:11 AM
I know there are ways to get your computer stats, if someone tells me I can be more thorough in the info I provide. Thanks again.


Antilight
That's easy to do. I'll explain it in a step-by-step process, very easy.

1) Click on Start.
2) Now, choose "Run"
3) The program that you want to run is "dxdiag" - it is short for DirectX Diagnosis. It will come up with lots of information about your system. It should provide everything you'll need to know and more about needing to run EQ.

That's right, only 3 steps. Pretty easy, eh? Well, I told you that already. Hope that helps you out.

btw - Welcome back!
________
vaporizer affiliate programs (http://vaporizeraffiliateprogram.com)

[Antilight]

Wow, that is pretty simple. I've had to do that before for something (if I could remember everything I've ever done on the computer I wouldn't have this problem, hehe).

Thanks. :D

[KarmaKeeper]

hopefully you can fix whatcha got.

also, check out newegg.com

you can order lots of great stuff for cheap with free shipping mostly. its very quick too. cali based company i believe got my orders to east coast in 2 days each time. for free =)

just a last ditch effort

[Xavier]

Newegg.com is a great site. So is:

Compgeeks (http://www.compgeeks.com)

Price Watch (http://www.pricewatch.com)

[abys]

I'll sum up all these hints for ya: you need a new computer. Sorry my friend, yours is just a little too outdated :(. AMD processors are fine, supported or not. It won't matter one way or another which you get. For a low budget which you seem to have, I would suggest another AMD processor (at least 1.6 GHZ, or 1600 MHZ. That's and XP 1900+ or higher.) with a lower end motherboard, 512 MB of RAM (DDR preferably), and a GeForce 5200 FX or some video card like that. You can see some very nice technical reviews of parts at TomsHardware.com and HardOCP.com.

If you have any more questions, ask the elite cadre of technically-inclined necros here at necrotalk.

[Antilight]

Originally posted by abys@Jan 2 2004, 01:26 PM
I'll sum up all these hints for ya: you need a new computer. Sorry my friend, yours is just a little too outdated :(. AMD processors are fine, supported or not. It won't matter one way or another which you get. For a low budget which you seem to have, I would suggest another AMD processor (at least 1.6 GHZ, or 1600 MHZ. That's and XP 1900+ or higher.) with a lower end motherboard, 512 MB of RAM (DDR preferably), and a GeForce 5200 FX or some video card like that. You can see some very nice technical reviews of parts at TomsHardware.com and HardOCP.com.

If you have any more questions, ask the elite cadre of technically-inclined necros here at necrotalk.
Yeah, Abys, you're right. I called and gave the stats to the guy at the store who was familiar with Everquest and he told me the same thing. So, I think it might be awhile before I can get back on but I'll be saving money for a new computer. You'd figure in three years I could have saved the money but with a family its not as easy as it sounds.

However, I'm not discouraged. I think the wife is on board with a new computer so it's only a matter of time and discipline. Thanks for all the replies though.


Antilight :D

[abys]

I understand family, you have to take care of your own.
But... with the wife on board, you'll be set :)

By the way, an EQ-ready computer can be good to go for about $500. That will last you for some time.