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Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 297

post #8881 of 15486
12/7/11 at 1:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pman555 View Post

Oh, i bought them and I'm going to use the crap outta them :-)

By the way, what is the first thing you do once you boot up into your new computer's operating system for the first time? Install drivers? Install virus protection? Run a benchmarking program?

Install Windows Updates. Keep checking, restarting, checking restarting, etc. until no more show up. This is an annoying, but necessary step. Then I'd install my anti-virus, then I'd hit up my drivers. Of course if something you need to complete the first two steps isn't functioning, you'll need to find drivers first. But, with a new computer and a fresh install of Windows 7, I doubt you'll have that problem.
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post #8882 of 15486
12/7/11 at 2:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CarpeD1em500 View Post

Hi all,

Maybe its me, but there doesn't seem to be too many great SSD deals out there right now. Any thoughts? In any event...I've narrowed down my choice at the moment to these two:

Kingston V200: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820139949
OCZ Vertex 3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227737

They are both $84.99 after rebate. Let's assume the rebate will work. Let's also assume the 60 vs. 64 gb is a wash. Which one is the better choice?

TIA

Get the V200 at buy.com for $99.95 - $30 rebate = $69.95 free shipping
[make sure you choose budget shipping at checkout or it defaults to $4.95]

http://www.buy.com/prod/kingston-64g...226050637.html
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post #8883 of 15486
12/7/11 at 2:15pm
For those doing budget builds, the Intel G620 is now $49.99 at Microcenter if you happen to live near one.
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post #8884 of 15486
12/7/11 at 3:55pm
All,

Just wanted to do a quick sanity check before I start Checking Out on Newegg/Amazon. Build is for my upstairs HTPC (bedroom). Content delivered via IP from: (a) Basement media server (b) Shared Ceton tuner from another computer. Connected to a 1080p LCD panel, no surround at the moment. Without further ado...

Case: Apex MI-1000
CPU: i3 2100 - local Microcenter (note - I have an Intel stock "slim" fan I will be using with this. It will not be used with the stock height fan).
RAM: TBD (looking for the cheapest 4-8 GB I can find on Newegg. Recent deals have all had large heatsinks...)
HDD: Already owned 250GB HDD
SSD: Kingston V200 64GB Drive
Windows: Windows 7 from a Student friend
DVD Drive: Cheap DVD drive for case (note: do I need to look for something "slim" here? I'm assuming not.)
Motherboard: Asus P8H61 ITX or ASRock H67M-ITX - Thoughts?
Extra Case Fan: Should I go in and out here? Is it worth it? Would an out be enough?


As always, thanks to everyone for the help!
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post #8885 of 15486
12/7/11 at 5:03pm
So, I just popped open my Hitachi Touro Desk Pro 2TB external drive, purchased from Newegg yesterday, for $99.

Guess what was inside?

A Hitachi Deskstar 7k3000 2TB 6.0 G/s 7200 RPM drive.
Selling at Newegg right now for $250!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...kstar%207k3000

Thanks for your advice, assassin!
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post #8886 of 15486
12/7/11 at 6:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pman555 View Post

So, I got my external HD in the mail today! Gonna crack it open to get my internal drive tonight. Its like a fortune cookie!

Unfortunately my RAM isnt expected to arrive at my office until Saturday, which means I wont get my hands on it until Monday. I chose the free "Egg Saver" shipping on Newegg, thinking that I'd get it within a couple of days because Newegg almost always delivers to me in a couple of days. I guess this time, they truly meant 4-7 business days.

Damn, I was really hoping to boot up my HTPC this weekend.

Newegg sometimes uses DHL now for shipping on egg saver which is noticeably slower.
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post #8887 of 15486
12/7/11 at 6:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jobber8742 View Post

By the way, if you haven't bought Assassin's pay guides, do so. Makes it so much easier to set everything up and gives him a nice little thank you for providing such a great free guide as well.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pman555 View Post

Oh, i bought them and I'm going to use the crap outta them :-)

Thanks guys! Glad you appreciate all the hard work and time I put into them. Thanks for the support.
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post #8888 of 15486
12/7/11 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jobber8742 View Post

Install Windows Updates. Keep checking, restarting, checking restarting, etc. until no more show up. This is an annoying, but necessary step. Then I'd install my anti-virus, then I'd hit up my drivers. Of course if something you need to complete the first two steps isn't functioning, you'll need to find drivers first. But, with a new computer and a fresh install of Windows 7, I doubt you'll have that problem.

That's pretty much what I do.

1. Windows install
2. Install the wireless or LAN driver from the disc (or download it from the website and put it on a flash)
3. Do all the Windows updates
4. Install all the drivers from the websites --- not the disc as these are usually outdated
5. Install Microsoft Security Essentials
6. Install HTPC programs
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post #8889 of 15486
12/7/11 at 6:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by CarpeD1em500 View Post

All,

Just wanted to do a quick sanity check before I start Checking Out on Newegg/Amazon. Build is for my upstairs HTPC (bedroom). Content delivered via IP from: (a) Basement media server (b) Shared Ceton tuner from another computer. Connected to a 1080p LCD panel, no surround at the moment. Without further ado...

Case: Apex MI-1000
CPU: i3 2100 - local Microcenter (note - I have an Intel stock "slim" fan I will be using with this. It will not be used with the stock height fan).
RAM: TBD (looking for the cheapest 4-8 GB I can find on Newegg. Recent deals have all had large heatsinks...)
HDD: Already owned 250GB HDD
SSD: Kingston V200 64GB Drive
Windows: Windows 7 from a Student friend
DVD Drive: Cheap DVD drive for case (note: do I need to look for something "slim" here? I'm assuming not.)
Motherboard: Asus P8H61 ITX or ASRock H67M-ITX - Thoughts?
Extra Case Fan: Should I go in and out here? Is it worth it? Would an out be enough?


As always, thanks to everyone for the help!

I like both motherboards. I would get a fan to blow in cool air.
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post #8890 of 15486
12/7/11 at 6:15pm
Got everything together and am running into some issues. Bios booted, detected everything, but Windows is failing to install. I get the following message:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem
1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and then click Next.
3. Click Repair your computer.

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.
STATUS 0XC0000185
Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible.

I tried disconnecting each of my hard drives, switched from a wireless keyboard and mouse to wired and am now running memtest to check my ram. Being hooked up HDMI to the TV wouldn't cause Windows installation to be erroring out would it?
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post #8891 of 15486
12/7/11 at 6:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pman555 View Post

So, I just popped open my Hitachi Touro Desk Pro 2TB external drive, purchased from Newegg yesterday, for $99.

Guess what was inside?

A Hitachi Deskstar 7k3000 2TB 6.0 G/s 7200 RPM drive.
Selling at Newegg right now for $250!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...kstar%207k3000

Thanks for your advice, assassin!

That's fantastic! Glad you got it at such a (relatively) good price!
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post #8892 of 15486
12/7/11 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jobber8742 View Post

Got everything together and am running into some issues. Bios booted, detected everything, but Windows is failing to install. I get the following message:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem
1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and then click Next.
3. Click Repair your computer.

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.
STATUS 0XC0000185
Info: The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible.

I tried disconnecting each of my hard drives, switched from a wireless keyboard and mouse to wired and am now running memtest to check my ram. Being hooked up HDMI to the TV wouldn't cause Windows installation to be erroring out would it?

HDMI shouldn't be causing this but I usually use VGA to setup the PC the first time until the HDMI drivers are installed.

I would delete and format the hard drive that you are tying to install windows on.

Post your entire system specs as that may help as well.
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post #8893 of 15486
12/7/11 at 8:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

HDMI shouldn't be causing this but I usually use VGA to setup the PC the first time until the HDMI drivers are installed.

I would delete and format the hard drive that you are tying to install windows on.

Post your entire system specs as that may help as well.

Well I figured out the issue, but I'm not sure why. It doesn't like the 64-bit disc. 32-bit started to load just fine. I really don't want to load the 32-bit sytem though. I'm not sure what would be giving it the trouble. The specs are:

Ram: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4gB) Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
Case: nMEDIAPC Model 5000B
Blu-Ray: Asus Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Intel Core i3-2105 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz Model: BX80623I32105
PS: Corsair CX600 600W
MB: Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68
SSD: Kingston V200
HD: Western Digital 2.5TB WD25EZRSDTL
Ceton InfinitiTV 4

I have tried it without each of the HD hooked up. I've taken the Ceton out, and the memory passed memtest twice. I hooked up a VGA monitor. I was going to try to swap out the Blu-Ray drive for a dvd drive i have laying around to test that. I don't see any reason this system should not be 64-bit compatible.

EDIT: Whelp, it's the Blu-Ray drive. Hooked up the DVD-Rom and it loaded the disc right up. I know the Blu-Ray works because it loaded memtest and the 32-bit disc fine. I think I'm going to install Windows with the DVD-Rom hooked up and try to find a driver for the Blu-Ray drive and put it back in. I really have no clue why the drive would be causing it? I made a copy of the disc to see if maybe it didn't like the disc, but that had no affect on it.
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post #8894 of 15486
12/8/11 at 4:41am
Thread Starter 
Try to update the firmware for the drive.

That is one crazy problem. Kudos to you for figuring it out.
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post #8895 of 15486
12/8/11 at 4:42am
Tiger Direct Deal of the Day $99.97 after rebate... awesome deal for an SSD that is 90Gig SATA III

Corsair CSSD-F90GB3-BK Force Series 3 Solid State Drive - 90GB, SATA III 6Gbps
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post #8896 of 15486
12/8/11 at 4:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Try to update the firmware for the drive.

That is one crazy problem. Kudos to you for figuring it out.

Was planning on researching that today. Hopefully it works. I'd certainly prefer to have a Blu-Ray drive. I suppose I can move my Blu-Ray burner from my main PC to it in a worst case situation.
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post #8897 of 15486
12/8/11 at 5:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dpnaylor View Post

Tiger Direct Deal of the Day $99.97 after rebate... awesome deal for an SSD that is 90Gig SATA III

Corsair CSSD-F90GB3-BK Force Series 3 Solid State Drive - 90GB, SATA III 6Gbps

Damn, and I just ordered a 64GB Crucial M4 SSD from Amazon yesterday for $109. The Tiger Direct one would require a rebate, but it would give me an extra 26GB. I suppose I could always return the Crucial drive....
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post #8898 of 15486
12/8/11 at 10:30am
Got my RAM today, surprisingly!

Now I'll be able to put together the entire HTPC and close up the case and boot it up into BIOS. Unfortunately, I might not get my copy of Win7 until next week.

But hey, if its free, I can wait!
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post #8899 of 15486
12/8/11 at 10:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dpnaylor View Post

Tiger Direct Deal of the Day $99.97 after rebate... awesome deal for an SSD that is 90Gig SATA III

Corsair CSSD-F90GB3-BK Force Series 3 Solid State Drive - 90GB, SATA III 6Gbps

Vertex 3 120GB for $114
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post #8900 of 15486
12/8/11 at 4:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jobber8742 View Post

Well I figured out the issue, but I'm not sure why. It doesn't like the 64-bit disc. 32-bit started to load just fine. I really don't want to load the 32-bit sytem though. I'm not sure what would be giving it the trouble. The specs are:

Ram: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4gB) Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
Case: nMEDIAPC Model 5000B
Blu-Ray: Asus Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS
Intel Core i3-2105 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz Model: BX80623I32105
PS: Corsair CX600 600W
MB: Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 LGA 1155 Z68
SSD: Kingston V200
HD: Western Digital 2.5TB WD25EZRSDTL
Ceton InfinitiTV 4

I have tried it without each of the HD hooked up. I've taken the Ceton out, and the memory passed memtest twice. I hooked up a VGA monitor. I was going to try to swap out the Blu-Ray drive for a dvd drive i have laying around to test that. I don't see any reason this system should not be 64-bit compatible.

EDIT: Whelp, it's the Blu-Ray drive. Hooked up the DVD-Rom and it loaded the disc right up. I know the Blu-Ray works because it loaded memtest and the 32-bit disc fine. I think I'm going to install Windows with the DVD-Rom hooked up and try to find a driver for the Blu-Ray drive and put it back in. I really have no clue why the drive would be causing it? I made a copy of the disc to see if maybe it didn't like the disc, but that had no affect on it.

The disc may just be warped enough for your BR drive to have issues. There have been many reported problems with windows discs not loading. If you have issues with a disc you can try and slow down the spinning speed of your drive.
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post #8901 of 15486
12/8/11 at 5:47pm
OK, so I'm plugging in all the wires to my motherboard and I have a question.
I have three fans and they are all 3 pin, and my case came with a splitter that connects all three directly to the PSU via molex.

However, the motherboard has a SYS_FAN header with 4 pins that looks like this. (This should be able to control the fan speeds, right?)



Now, should I buy something like this, in order to be able to connect the fans to the mobo so that the mobo can control their speeds?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

Or, is there no point?
I have a feeling it would be a good idea since I'd prefer it if my case were as silent as possible and if my fans dont have to run at full speed, I'd prefer them not to, right?
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post #8902 of 15486
12/8/11 at 7:01pm
SUCCESS!

Now I'm going to go through Assassin's tutorial on how to set up my BIOS!

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post #8903 of 15486
12/8/11 at 7:45pm
MediaBrowser/ WMC7 Question

I watch a movie in media browser, I do not close media browser down. I switch inputs via my HarmonyOne and watch live TV. When I switch back to my HTPC input, my Media browser is no longer up and it defaults to Recorded TV within WMC. I can get back to media browser by hitting my back button on my remote but Why does it not just stay in MediaBrowser window and keep going to the Recorded TV section within WMC?



Hope I explained this correctly...!
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post #8904 of 15486
12/8/11 at 7:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tbraden32 View Post

MediaBrowser/ WMC7 Question

I watch a movie in media browser, I do not close media browser down. I switch inputs via my HarmonyOne and watch live TV. When I switch back to my HTPC input, my Media browser is no longer up and it defaults to Recorded TV within WMC. I can get back to media browser by hitting my back button on my remote but Why does it not just stay in MediaBrowser window and keep going to the Recorded TV section within WMC?



Hope I explained this correctly...!

It sounds like your Harmony One might be sending some sort of signal to the HTPC to change to live tv. Other than that I have no idea why it would switch without some sort of signal to do so.
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post #8905 of 15486
12/8/11 at 7:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pman555 View Post

OK, so I'm plugging in all the wires to my motherboard and I have a question.
I have three fans and they are all 3 pin, and my case came with a splitter that connects all three directly to the PSU via molex.

However, the motherboard has a SYS_FAN header with 4 pins that looks like this. (This should be able to control the fan speeds, right?)



Now, should I buy something like this, in order to be able to connect the fans to the mobo so that the mobo can control their speeds?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

Or, is there no point?
I have a feeling it would be a good idea since I'd prefer it if my case were as silent as possible and if my fans dont have to run at full speed, I'd prefer them not to, right?

Look at my FAQ in this thread. I show you how to slow down molex fans for free!
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post #8906 of 15486
12/8/11 at 7:51pm
That's kinda of my thought but wasn't sure what or how to change the commands.

Might post in H1 thread unless someone reading this thread is experienced with the H1?
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post #8907 of 15486
12/8/11 at 7:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pman555 View Post

So, I just popped open my Hitachi Touro Desk Pro 2TB external drive, purchased from Newegg yesterday, for $99.

Guess what was inside?

A Hitachi Deskstar 7k3000 2TB 6.0 G/s 7200 RPM drive.
Selling at Newegg right now for $250!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...kstar%207k3000

Thanks for your advice, assassin!

Office Depot was clearing out Hitachi Desktop drives. $29.99 for 1TB and $69.99 for 2TB. These have the same Deskstar drives in them (at least the 2TB does).

Picked up 2 Hitachi Desktop 2TB drives at Office Depot today $49.99 each ($69.99 - $20 staples coupon). That's 2 for $99.98....though I did have to pay tax so it was more like $105.

Inside: Hitachi Deskstar 7K3000 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s
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post #8908 of 15486
12/8/11 at 7:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Look at my FAQ in this thread. I show you how to slow down molex fans for free!

So I'd have to pull out the wires and rearrange them in the connector?

I think I'll see how the sound is while watching a movie before I go and do that. I'd love for them to be automatically controlled though, but I dont think thats a feature of my mobo as I didnt see anything in the BIOS about it. I only saw automatic control of the CPU fan.
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post #8909 of 15486
12/8/11 at 7:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by krooooog View Post

Office Depot was clearing out Hitachi Desktop drives. $29.99 for 1TB and $69.99 for 2TB. These have the same Deskstar drives in them (at least the 2TB does).

Picked up 2 Hitachi Desktop 2TB drives at Office Depot today $49.99 each ($69.99 - $20 staples coupon). That's 2 for $99.98....though I did have to pay tax so it was more like $105.

Inside: Hitachi Deskstar 7K3000 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s

Wow, thats amazing! Great find!
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post #8910 of 15486
12/8/11 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pman555 View Post

So I'd have to pull out the wires and rearrange them in the connector?

I think I'll see how the sound is while watching a movie before I go and do that. I'd love for them to be automatically controlled though, but I dont think thats a feature of my mobo as I didnt see anything in the BIOS about it. I only saw automatic control of the CPU fan.

Those fans aren't going to be able to be controlled unless they are attached to a motherboard header.
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