quinriva

s***, I totally forgot there's the X850XT platnium, not X800XT platnium. But as I said ATI have way to many board numbers. I like like the new G70 series from nVidia, much easier to keep track of. There's the 7800GT and the 7800GTX. So, so much easier. I totally understand the confusion - I mean I'm almost an expert on such things and I still get confused by ATI's old namaclature.

I'm only 20

Oooooooooh if there's one thing I hate more than clippy, it's that bloody search dog. I hate the dog.

I haven't really been keeping up much with the Linux scene. How does it compare to Fedora Core 4? oops

Theres a program called nLite which can do all of this for you. I you don't want to moddify any of the windows compontents or settings just skip through to the end and fill in your details. Then select the option that does full unattended (there's a question mark right next to the selection list, which you can click to get details). This will even create the ISO you need to burn. Good luck.

There's a number of ways ot change the drive letter to F:, Y: or Q: but I don't believe that there's any way of changing it to fd0:, etc. I could be wrong but I am almost certain that Windows only alows drive letters from A to Z (which can be an issue if you have more than 26 simultaenous drives. There is however a method of Mapping a folder to a drive letter and I THINK you can Map a drive letter to a folder, which you could subsequently call hd0, but this wouldn't be the same. The program that I have used in the past is called Partion Magic by Powerquest. This also has a nifty utility that checks the registry etc. for old references and updates them to the new drive refrence (fixes shortcuts etc.) The Amiga? I don't think I was born sorry. The first computer I ever used was a Mac Classic when I was 4 years old, I think it was running MacOS 6.xx

Yeh ditto. P4's are notoriously hot, but 80 (I am assuming Celcius) seems far too hot. I wouldn't be too surprised with 60 though. Also what sort of climate are you operating in; I used to live in the tropics and the standard heatsink just doesn't cut it there. My bad, your in Canada, I take it you don't have tropics. Anyway I would buy some Artic Silver 5 and use as appropriate and make sure your heatsink is attached correctly. Also make sure that there aren't any loose wires that prevent the fan from spinning, both that on the heatsink and anycase fans. This could be the cause of the noise and the heat. Otherwise ringfinger's pretty much on the ball.

I not an expert but haveing used both, ME is just a prettied up version of 98 SE. There are a few very minor benifits but honestly ME is more trouble than it's worth. If your laptop can run 2000 it would be worth it, as remember that 2000 was designed for servers so it tends to have low specs. The general opinion regarding ME is that it was a huge mistake on Microsoft part. The net code is horrendus particularly if you are on dialup and causes repeated dropouts. Basically it's primary failling was it's instabilty. It's lack of sales woke Microsoft up to the fact that "Home users want stability too". As much as I hate Microsoft they generally do tend to move forward in the world. The three major exeptions are Windows 3.1, Windows ME, and the Microsoft paperclip, god I hate the paperclip.

Well you could have two graphics cards not in SLi and not in Crossfire. In other words you have two graphics cards so you can have 4 monitors. You hate me don't you?

But which beer is real?

Why am I such newb:

Tcht, Tcht, Tcht. Naughty mod. You could at least try to disguise the fact that you have a pirate copy. Pleas don't ban me I take it all back!

The GT version is only in regards to nVidia products. Remeber back in the day nVidia used to use SL or LE or something for their Ultra (Fast versions) while ATI used the same notation for their slow versions. the X800XL has 512Mb Ram all other X800 series only have 256Mb including the X800XT Platnium. This doesn't make it faster it just means that it has more memory. Many people have argued that this wasn't a very inteligent release as DDR3 memory (which almost all PCI-x cards use) is expensive and as such it became a card that was almost as expensive as the X800XT Plat but nowhere near as fast. Recently the price has dropped as a result of it being less than popular, while the X800XT Plat has remained high priced. To your question: In this case the the X800GT is ok (there are so many models it's rediculous: LE, Normal, Pro, GT, GTO, GTO2, XT, XT Platnium!). It's about midfield although I really have stopped paying attention to the rediculous naming conventions that ATI Has been using as of late (although apparently they have simplified it as part of the X1xxx series) it's all just marketing hype. The one thing I do know is that there is a Sparkle or Sapphire or something model of the X800GT02 (read GTO squared) that uses the same PCB as the X800XT and that there is a software patch (I think it's a bios flash) that turns it into a X800XT (More pipes, higher speed), and you can still overclock it to well past the default XT speeds. Do a google search, I think theres a link in the archives of www.ocau.com as well.

Yes it would make sense. But think about this the only motherboards that nVidia SLI works on are nVidia nForce 4 SLI motherboard. It just happens that nVidia were thinking about SLI for a long time (I believe the technology was in the FX series but never turned on). nVidia prepared the motherboards at the same time, while ATI has been playing catch up; but yes you do need a motheboard with ATI's crossfire technology. But honestly think about it. The only time SLI/Crossfire has been shown to work is on the no budget systems (read 2x7800GTX or 2xX1800XT Platnium Pro Ultra Mega Power Rangers Dinosaur Mode). Otherwise a 6800GT performs better than 2x6600GTs and it cost less. So you are paying more for less performance. The major benifit of have SLI is that you can have 4 monitors. Also if in the distant future you wish to purchase a second old card as a stopgap before a major upgrade. Think hypothetically that SLI existed in the AGP days and you had an SLi capable 9600xt. If your computer was really old but you, couldn't afford to replace it with a nice new 6800GT (which would also mean upgrading your motheboard to a PCI Express one and consequently upgrading your CPU) then you could temporarily buy a second 9600xt to go with your current one until you can afford to replace your whole system. On the plus you get a 50% graphics boost on the cheap, on the negative it will only last you 6-12 months until you replace your whole system. Now with the way that crossfire works (which wasn't thought through before the original X800 series cards were made) it doesn't allow you to have 4 monitors (I not 100% sure bet pretty sure), in fact I think you can only have one or prehaps 2. This is the major downside for me as far as crossfire is concerned. Additionally have you even seen much support for crossfire? Remeber games have to support it in order for it to be of benifit. Now I know that many major games (but not all) support SLi but how many support crossfire. Just something to think about.

I'm not sure where I read it but it was a reliable site. It may have been a one off thing but I generally don't trust build quality on cheapo Power Supplies. The what you pay for is what you get works very well with power supplies. Gennerally a generic one will cost AU$40 and a decent one like the Antec 480W NeoPower will cost AU$180. The Superflower 500W sits at $120. Not crap, but certainly not the quality you get from Antec, Thermaltake, Coolermaster etc. Oh Btw there is a X800GTO2 (read GTO squared) that uses the same board as a X800xt. It's cheap and with a bios flash can become a X800XT! I would buy it but it's not available in Australia. Yeah it's probably not worth upgrading your processor to anything other than an 3800 X2, but you wouldn't get that much of a performance boost and the X2 4400 is too expensive.

Is it just me or did Microcrap/Lionhead's game Fable: The Lost Chapters just suck? Now I played Fable, and after spending 3 days just getting it to work, so that I could get past the tutorial stage, I felt sorely disappointed having finished the XBox (original) component of the game just 6 hours later. Now there is something to be said for what was attempted in the game, but all the hype that Microsoft but up about how open the game is and how you can do anything and how it affects the world; one just can't help but compare it to Morrowind, GTA:SA and KOTOR 2 (and KOTOR 1). Now GTA:SA has crap graphics, Morrowind's animations are pathetic and KOTOR is well a bit repetitive - but then every game has its flaws. Nope not Fable, the only flaw in fable was its release on the PC. Now granted this isn't Dai Katana (did anyone read FS's review of that game?) but Fable just isn't worth the polycarbonate disk that it's printed on. Lets start with the fact that it doesn't run. Yep it's incompatible with everything from 6800GT's to Creative Audigy sound Cards to my Keyboard. Yes even my keyboard, you see I'm an Australian whom uses a Dvorak (as opposed to Qwerty) layout. Now sometimes this mean I have to reconfigure key from WASD to <AOE, and I accept this. Top notch games will recognise may layout and rearrange the keys accordingly (UT2004 etc.). But Fable just gives a random Crash to desk top half way through training with no explanation - EVERY SINGLE TIME! Now the games not quite as buggy as boiling point, but then boiling Point had patches to fix the bugs. Playing the game was about as challenging as touching my toes - with my othe foot. I felt like the game was made for an 8 year old who got a kick out of running around in CS with god mode on. Because it's all about how many things you can kill regardless of whether or not they can hurt you. Wow you can be evil. You can either kill the travellers or protect them. So what? What does being evil get you. Can you not wear armour or not use items or casts spells because your too evil? Can you not get healing because your too evil? Will people refuse to sell to you because your evil? NO! Apart from looking evil and having peasants run away from you (unless you try to talk to them, then they suddenly stop caring) being evil in no way affects the game. And what I about the final scene were you have to kill some guy and you can only hurt him with a bow? Seriously kids, you just made a game where only an archer can win. So I decided to be a Barbarian I have never picked up a bow in my life and suddenly BAM, the game can't be won. Now admittedly the game is rather pretty and does look pretty cool, but then that's not too hard when the game world is about as big as my backyard and there are only 4 suits of armour to model (and a whopping 3 textures on each). There were more weapons and armour in the first Level of Diablo 1 then the whole Fable game! Now lets have another look at how challenging the game was. I was never a huge fan of Diablo, and although I did get halfway through Act 2 or the third (highest) level of Diablo 2 LOD before completely bored, I did enjoy the game. It was challenging and there was always the endless Mephisto runs to get that full suit of unique armour. Now Diablo was a very linear hack and slash dungeon crawl - nothing more, nothing less. Fable on the other hand, well 10 seconds after I finish the tutorial I go and get a haircut and a beard; suddenly I maxed out my attractiveness and scariness stats. WTF, I've only just started the game. Now what do I do? So I saved a bit of money and bought a Master Greatsword - apparently the best weapon in the game (now the weapon you get when you finish the game really isn't any better and what are you going to do with it, you've already finished the game?) Let’s compare how you get good weapons in other games: Morrowind – generally kill a few hundred Daedra then Soul Trap a Golden Saint in an Ultra-rare Grand soul gem and spend a bazillion gold paying someone to enchant the sword with a spell using your soul gem KOTOR – Kill big bad Sith to get a light sabre and find various components to add to it throughout the game GTA – how about a flame thrower or rocket launcher, ok a bit easier but then every time you die (which is far, far more often) you have to go get it again. This generally envolves doing lots of missions to have the guns spawn outside your house or always spending money on them. And they have ammo which needs replenishing! Diablo 2 – Kill Mephisto or Diablo, over and over and over again. Q.E.D.! Now I can overlook the shoddy controls, as they obviously work better on the XBox but I can't target my fireballs at the explosive barrel which all the bad guys are standing next to? What's with that? The auto-target automatically selects monsters and although I can switch between which monster I want to attack I apparently cant target a barrel - a barrel full of gunpowder next to the monsters - and no shooting a fireball at the monster standing next to the barrel does not cause the barrel to explode - but hitting it with a sword does? Ok fair enough if the game was aimed at kids, but its not. There is profanity, there is a brothel where you can pay for sex, and you can kill innocent people. Fable is not a children’s game. I bored now. I think I've written about 2000 words on the forum tonight so I'll be back after I get some sleep. Be warned, I have not finished my rant!

Yes I agree. If your on a tight budget the 9600xt is a good choice. Don't neglect older gen cards when a budget is concerned. Some old cards will still outpace many newer cards under the right conditions. Granted you will probably lose Shader model support, but I doubt you would be able to take advantage of any of the shader model 3.0 support or HDR with a 6200. Also have a look at the 9800Pro if you have the time, or the non-GT 6600 AGP is also pretty cheap; although performs abysmally compared to the GT version (but that's DDR3 for you.).

No offence but my card outperforms yours and mine is comeing up on the 3 year mark (time to through it out and replace it). I have a Ti4200 and it performs about as well as the 5600 (or in ATI terms, a bit better than the Radeon 9600 when AA and AF are NOT enabled). Basically you bought the bottom of the range of one of nVidias worst ranges of cards, actually probably nVidias very worst card ever. And you bought it 2 and a half years too late. I really don't want to sound offensive, but you were ripped off. The only thing that card could be an upgrade from is an MX400/MX440 otherwise it was a waste of money. Many onboard cards in older systems used a card that was comparable to the 5200, and if you have a newer system with on-board graphics then the on-board is better. If I was on a budget I would either go with an old 9800 Pro or 6600GT. 5200's, 6200's and X300's are not meant for playing games. You can watch movies no problem and it will render windows XP special effects like transparency and the Blue Luna theme, but for the love of God/Budda/Muhhammed and even the the 6 armed Hindii chick, don't try to play games on that card. Except solatair. Solatair will work, but I'll kill anyone who uses a computer for solatair. ==> Here's a deck of cards go sit in the corner.

Based on the little Swiss flag there I imagine your in a similar boat te myself when it comes to buying graphics cards; that being they're a lot more expensive then in the US. Graphics: Bassically, unless your really on a budget SLI isn't worth it. Yeh spend $200 odd dollars (I'm guessing) and you'll get a reasonable improvement, but remember that nVidia doesn't share memory (so 2*128Mb = 128Mb still, not 256Mb). If you have the money your best bet for a speed boost will be to purchase a 7800GT. They're a s*** load cheaper than the 7800GTX's and they not much more than the 6800 GT's. Plus they will give you a pretty big performance boost. Currently the best pop for the buck is the 6600GT's or believe it or not the X800's (normal or Pro I can't remeber). In in case this will most certainly give you the biggest performance boost in games. SLI is nice but only if you want 3 (I love my dual 22" pureflat CRT's) or more monitors or if your running 2x7800GTX's. As far as ATI goes - don't. Yes there products are as good in some cases and at the top end even better than nVidia's offerings but not on a price comparsison. It will be 6 Months before they catch up with nVidia Price wise, hell some of they're cards are still a little under 2 months away from release (28 November). If you're willing to wait 6 months then it would be worth it but for now stay well away from ATI (the X1600 goes for about the same price as a 6800GT and compares in performance to a 6600GT, a bit better performance sometimes, much better AA but the perfomance just doesn't compare to the similarly priced 6800GT). On the CPU front. The Athlon 3200's (current core) are still one of the best out there if you overclock. They overclock more than the 3000 and can reach the same clocks as the overclocked 3500 and the 3800 (They all have an upper limmiter which can be reached by all three chips - though not the 3000). For you howerver it wouldn't be worth the upgrade - unless of course you where using an old socket 754 mobo which I am assuming your not. The Athlon 3800 X2 is good if your dooing a lot a multithread and parrallel tasks (and so you can play games and do encoding at the same time - don't neglect this feature; it sucks not being able to use your comp just because your encoding something. The altneraitive is to do all your encoding on one of your old computers that you didn't give to your sister/mum/wife.) This is probably the best money bet if your serious about upgrading your CPU. This will probably get you through the next couple of waves of new games too. My socket A 2800 is still seeing me through, but I'll upgrade by Christmas. PSU. I been a bit out of touch as of late, but I believe that Antec do a pretty decent 5xx Watt NeoPower. I wouldn't go near Superflower with a 6' pole, but that's just me. I vaguely remember that one of these actually BLEW UP in an Anandtech or Tom's Hardware stress test. Superflower were sure p***ed when they published those results!. Now here's the biggy for Unreal 3 (and I'm guessing Quake 5, Half-Life 3 et al.) Many of the next gen engines including Unreal 3 (ie. UT2007) are using a Novodex Engine for physics calculations. This is the software interface for Aegia's new PhysX chip basically a physics processing unit (PPU). Sony's playstation 3 and Nintendo Revolution are also using this (as far as I am aware, although I am unsure of the XBox360); so you can expect all ports of Sony games (do Nintendo ever port to PC?) to utilise the PhysX chip. This will be a must have for all of 2007's titles. And weighs in at a hefty $250 - $300. I'm assuming that you are of course using 1Gb of RAM. Anything less would be just silly. But will what you have run AOE III and many of 2006's games? In short - YES. You may not be able to run the all with lovely AA and AF, and for many of them some of the settings will have to be turned down to Medium if you need to achieve 1280x960 (or if your one of the nasty people who like the 5:4 1280x1024 resolution). Hell I still get beutiful frames in games like Dawn of War with many of the settings on High, and I'm running an old GeForce4 Ti4200, granted I don't have shader 2.0 and smoke effects make me die (how I hate the last mission in GTA:SA the one with the burning building) but I put up with these small anoyances at least for another two months until I'm working Full time again and have enough money to buy a new computer. **** I hate shadows too, shadows and smoke just kill my comp - but oh the joys of Corsair XMS CAS 2 RAM!

That is awsome, seriously you HAVE to read this review. It will only take 30 seconds but it's about time there were some decent reviewers out there.

Woo-hoo I actually helped someone!

This seems to be another coding error can you report details regarding: The location of your save files (the game may considered some of the characters in the file directory to be illegal under certain circumstances) Windows version including service packs Keyboard and keyboard drivers (yes I'm serious, this has been one of the culprits) Your keyboard layout, is it default WASD or have you changed it. Insallation directory background tasks Anything about your computer that may be non-standard, for instance having you language settings set to a non-US language (for instance Australian English) can also cause trouble. It seems that the game was only tested on 1 or 2 computers and that many of the errors seem to be stemming from people useing something that isn't a Genering HP or Compaq. That fact that you have a dual processor may well be the cause, the game may have some error trying to addressone of the processors during the save. Honestly, the game isn't worth playing. If you're a fan of any decent RPG's like Morrowind, KOTOR or Neverwinter Nights, you'll be sorely disapointed with Fable. Where you are at now is the pinacle of the game. You probably already have the beast weapon and armour there is. Seriously I wouldn't bother.

Just thought I would let every know about this. Just something that we've figured out relating to the crashes. I didn't find this out myself but I have confirmed that it does work. So heres the full details: Fable The Lost Chapters for PC, C++ Visual Runtime Error Crash to Desktop during the Archery training scene and others. Cause: Apparently the game doesn't like non-standard keyboard layouts Solution: If you have set the keyboard layout to anything other than the Default WASD layout change it back. If you have a DVORAK keyboard the go into Regional & Language Options (in the control panel) under WindowsXP or Keyboard under Windows 2000 and add: English United States - Keyboard layout: US and apply this as the default keyboard layout. And this should work. If it doesn't then it is likely that you have a different problem. Take note Fable does not support GeForce4 MX series cards (they don't have pixel shaders which are needed) apparently there might be a work around but the game looks and plays like s***. Buy a new video card. Even a cheap GeForce 6200 would do the trick. Also there is known issues involving Creative Audigy drivers. If you have a GeForce4 MX or a Creative Audigy then read the post relating to those specific topics.

Winamp has real issues skipping forward in some movies (depending on the codecs), but is great for audio. VLC used to have issues too, but has come a long way recently and is my prefered video player. Media player classic can play .rm files, so this is a big plus. But I don't think it has as many options as VLC.

I used to have the same problem, every minute or so the mouse would just appear to stop responding for like 2 seconds? Now I'm not entirely sure but I vaguely remember fixing the problem (but this was like a year and 20 Windows reinstalls ago). The problem arose from a conflict with the speach recognition software that is installed with UT2004. I think it is actually a motherboard or driver conflict. Anyway if you go into Add-Remove Programs you should be able to remove the software for speech recognition. This should fix your problem (if it doesn't and you use speech commands in UT2004 you can always reinstall it). I am not using a logitech mouse but I am using a logitech keyboard. Anyway I have not had this issue in a long time and the only thing I have changed is my motherboard and various drivers (I don't think I use the logitech keyboard drivers anymore either.) Anyway post your specs and I'll see if I can help.