What do you need more RAM for? (Hint, if you don't know then you don't need it.)

If one of those cards works fine for your monitor, then yes, adding another one should be find to run the second.

youre right, and normally i wouldnt need more than 8 gb, but i want to use some virtual machines

(sketchy links/random web browsing. clicking files from players i back/deal with, who i may trust but choose not to trust their computer security. private poker analysis apps that i find useful but dont trust, etc)

i use too many computers on a daily basis so im trying to be a little more efficient

on a related note, anyone know what windows 7 virtual machine app offers the best performance within the virtual machine?

funkyworms (is he still around?) had me use virtual machines for files i couldnt trust years ago, but ive mostly used virtualbox and the performance is meh

That's supposed to say, "what have YOU done to my ship?" but if you don't already know that you're probably an a-hole anyway

Another card would work but mind the heat. Did I send you a fan in a white box with the case? It's designed to go under a video card and suck heat out. Shouldn't be too bad if not gaming but remember there's just one fan in the entire thing. Maybe the fan can suck out the heat enough to keep temps in a good range but keep an eye on temps.

This isn't such a problem - IT support staff learn dozens of applications. A qualified IT engineer would be proficient in SQL, windows, networking, etc. and would handle dozens of different calls every day. I personally support 30 different applications, plus SQL, Exchange, IIS, Mac and Linux, as well as malware removal across multiple devices.

This is the problem - or worse, if they make a mistake and your computer is not usable for 1 week. They would need substantial liability insurance to ensure you don't take everything they own if they make a mistake.

Funnily enough, I was discussing setting up an on-call IT support team with a friend this last weekend. I'm 100% sure it's viable, as there doesn't seem to be this service already out there, it's just getting sufficient number of engineers that are not in fulltime work (we both work 12+ hours a day, plus travelling, so could not provide sufficient support by ourselves) to man the "helpdesk".

Ime, Virtualisation in Windows 7 is pretty poor regardless of which app you use. Hyper-v on Windows 8 has been great for me.

I have no experience w/ Hyper-v and very little w/ Windows 8.

Is it fairly easy to set up and understand?

I would still see improved performance if I used Windows 7 for the guest operating systems, yes?

I read about it and watched most of an hour-long video, but most of the info out there seems marketed towards developers. I understand that, and realize that isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it makes it difficult for me to evaluate whether it's a good fit for my intended use.

The main functionality is always the same for any virtual machine regardless of the app I use, right? Everything is locked into the virtual machine/nothing within the VM can ever interact with the host or my other VMs?

I can go to givemeavirusdotcom, or screenshare within one of my VMs w/ a horse to walk through something w/ them and they won't be able to see anything else, etc?

I was looking at VMWare Workstation 9 as another possible option.

Other suggestions appreciated.

Windows 8 is a PITA to get used to, for me at least, but it is the first Windows operating system that is actually good at virtualisation, imo.

Very easy Hyper-V and VMware are both very similar to use and understand.

Yes, I have a couple of Windows 7 guest operating systems on a Windows 8 hyper-v that work well.

Oh yes, the functionality of the host and guest OS are pretty much identical. Sometimes VMware does something one way, Microsoft do it another way and other Virtualisation apps do it a third way - but essentially they all give the same result.

It depends. With virtual machines (VMs) you have a lot of choices in how you set them up, so you can provide them with full access to a shared drive / host OS or completely isolate them from everything else around them. The default configuration for a VM is isolation, so if you don't specifically enable access to the host system, it is isolated. But note, there are several ways of setting up the network for the guest operating system (Bridge / NAT / etc.) - some allow communication to the host and other VMs, some don't - so ensure you test whether you can see the host from the guest (a simple ping command will be sufficient).

But don't forget that you need to secure the guest operating system too - ensuring you have a firewall running on the guest operating system will go a long way to doing this.

The VMware suite of apps for virtualisation are great too. VMware have been the leader in virtualisation for years, Microsoft have only just caught up to them with Hyper-V in 2012 / Windows 8 - I suggested Win8 with hyper-v as it is what I have been using a lot of lately.

I have friends that swear by VMware, by Hyper-V and by open source virtualisation (which leads to really boring, repetitive arguments kind of like the PC vs Mac debates) - it really is just a matter of personal preference, so have a play with each of them and see what you prefer.

One other thing - if your laptop / desktop / whatever supports hardware virtualisation, make sure it is turned on in the BIOS! That can make a huge difference to performance for VMs.

ive purchased multiple copies of Windows 7 OEM. i was dumb enough to not label them, so i dont know which disc/product key goes w/ each system.

since OEM installs are tied to the system, is there any way i can figure out which disc i used on a particular system? can i go somewhere within the install and check my product key?

is there any harm in guessing and trying one of my discs/keys on a fresh install? (if i guess incorrectly, will i risk deactivating one of my other installs that im still using?)

yes, have one fan in a white box w/ Low M H switch. should def install that when i add the second card? how would i check to make sure theres not too much heat? tyty

You can download a program called magical jellybean key finder - that will tell you which key is in use on each PC.

But it really doesn't matter that much - there is no harm in guessing at all - the main point is you are sufficiently licensed. Using the same key on 2 different systems won't cause one of them to deactivate.

Any ideas as to why my internet connection is better when running off the battery instead of being plugged in? When plugged in, the connection will cut out and/or my speed slows down to about 2mbps, but it doesn't happen when running off of the battery.

Your power cord isn't near the cable to the modem from wall is it?

No I'm wireless besides the power cord.

check wlan adapter power settings. could be that you have them backwards (max power on battery and power saver on ac).

Will do. Thanks.

Why oh why do people assume that because I am both good with and enjoy technology that I want to fix their broken ****? I have a student with a broken external hard-drive that wants me to magically fix his device. It sounds like it is just broken though, like the platters are just clicking and grinding.

I've made a thread in Marketplace finally advertising my request for tech help.

Would I be breaking the rules if I linked it in this forum?

Yes, if people want to find it they will.

GG?

Is there a kind soul who might help me choose a computer for my grandmother? She is on a tight budget and just needs a decent PC to do some light business work, apart from the usual stuff like FB, skype, YT, etc. I am hoping to find something around 500 usd.

I originally looked at this computer from tiger direct, but then i googled the benchmarks for the intel pentium 6870 and started second guessing myself. Does someone need more than this for such light usage?

Thanks for your time.

It should be more than enough for what she needs it for. That chip is actually ranked quite high price/value.

I have a question that you guys can hopefully help me with;

Right now I'm running a dell 3007wfp along with 2 dell 20 inchers, but I'm thinking of swapping a 20" for a 3007wfp-HC as this is clearly not enough screen.

Would my PC be able to handle this OK? What spec do I need to check in order to verify this? It's a brand new fairly pimped out PC chosen/designed by wellju. Thanks in advance

FionnMac,

You need to check your graphics card. Ideally, just post the model here and I'll tell you.

That said, if you're running a Dell 3007 and 2 Dell 20 inchers, you are very likely to be able to run the two Dell 3007s (or even 3/4 Dell 3007s).