Either I need to buy a new computer or I need to fix up the one I have. Seeing as how I've had this one for almost 5 years now, I'm wondering which I should do, considering that money is a big issue right now.

On this PC I need to replace my DVD-drive. It hasn't worked in some time and it makes it cumbersome to get songs onto my iPod (I have to copy CDs to my laptop, copy the mp3s to a Compact Flash card and then transfer them onto the PC). I also think it would help to upgrade the memory. It is too sluggish right now, especially if I run iTunes or if my anti-virus program is updating. I have 2 open slots for memory according
to the info at the Gateway website, and apparently I can have as much as 4 GB max (the computer came with 512MB installed, two 256MB each).

I think I can put in the memory easily enough. I am a little less sure about replacing the DVD-drive, though I did replace a hard drive on my laptop once, but perhaps I can buy an external drive instead. Again, the cost would be a factor. (With Circuit City now going out of business, I'm hoping I might find some bargains before they get too plucked out of the good stuff.)

Any thoughts or advice?

I vote for new computer, but it's not my wallet. Why throw good money after bad...a lot has changed regarding technology in the last five years...I think you'll be glad you bit the bullet and bought a new one. Just for the record, I do not sell computers, nor do I work in the industry.

If all you want to have is a new DVD drive and more memory, there's no need to buy a new computer. Upgrade to 2 GB of memory (or more) and your PC should be fine, unless you want to play the latest games.

5 years is really a long time for a computer. it's time for a new one.

I almost bought a DVD drive and memory today but held off. As it turns out, that may have been a good thing.

I just turned on the PC tonight and something weird occurred. There was one of those old-fashioned looking screens (like the blue screen of death, but not that) that said something about set up, and a bunch of other stuff, and said to hit the F4 key. I did that, then another similar screen came up, and said other stuff (wow, lots of observant details here! ) and I hit the ESC key, and then it booted up as usual. Except the date and time had to be reset (it said January 1, 2002 at 12:00 am -- I should note that the clock has been running a few minutes fast lately).

So now I'm thinking I'd better just buy a new one somehow.

Joe, did you download pics of Aretha's hat? I've heard it's crashed a few computers!

No. I've seen that hat enough, thank you.

I ordered a new computer today. The package comes with a printer but I only recently bought a printer/copier/scanner recently from Amazon (for $29!) so I plan to sell the printer.

that's a pretty good package (no homo).

I've got the new PC running. Seems to be working fine. Had some trouble because of some issues with the Best Buy online order system but I won't bother going into that since everything got resolved (but I'll be checking my credit card statement online to make sure the correct amount was charged).

It wasn't easy but I've managed to get my bookmarks, address book, etc. transferred from Mozilla Firefox/Thunderbird from the old PC to the new one.

Now the big job I have is figuring out the best way to get my iTunes library onto the new PC.

So, JiP, with the super new computer will you be posting at hyperspeed now? How long will it be before you reach 100,000 posts? A month?

Posting is one thing that was rarely affected by the old computer's issues. The lack of participation in some forums and the lack of quality in others, however...