Computer newbies: T6524 emachines
Thanks
by JazzVM - 11/12/05 7:27 AM In reply to: Update by yorbaYorba,
Thanks for the advice on the PSU. I bought the same PSU for my T6524, which I bought after I broke my T2865 because I installed a graphics card without upgrading the PSU.
Did you also install a graphics card? I keep reading that I should uninstall the drivers for my previous card first. But I am reluctant to do that for several reasons.
1) Uninstalling the drivers for the onboard ATI graphics card may also uninstall the drivers for the ATI motherboard.
2) If I uninstall the old drivers and the new card doesn't work, then I won't be able to switch back to the old drivers.
Did you uninstall the old drivers?
Thanks,
Jasper
New Video Card
by yorba - 11/12/05 8:35 AM In reply to: Thanks by JazzVMJasper,
Yes, before installing the new video card, you must go into Control Panel / Add Remove Programs, and select to uninstall the ATI video drivers. Don't worry, it uninstalls the video drivers only and not the chipset drivers. Then shut down and install the new video card. Follow the manufacturer's directions on reboot. I installed an ATI Radeon X800XL, which I'm very happy with so far ... can't believe the graphics in Far Cry ... everything set on ultra high and it's crisp, clear, colorful, lifelike, ... anyway, as I was saying ... on reboot, Windows finds new hardware and prompts you for the drivers. I ignored the prompts, Cancel, per manufacturer directions. This may vary per the manufacturer of the card you bought. Windows comes up in VGA mode, things a bit bigger than desired. Then I ran the installation program from ATI, I got the branded card rather than a knockoff. When completed, everything was beautiful. Now .. if you don't uninstall the original drivers first, and the manufacturer says to do so, you'll be jumping through hoops, like I did (duhhh, RTFM first LOL) uninstalling, cleaning up the Registry, and then finally reinstalling.
In response to number 2, don't worry about the old drivers. You'll be able to see things just fine in VGA mode if things don't work out, and will even be able to set the resolution up a bit if you have a flat panel with a higher native resolution like I do. And if need be, you can just go to ATI.com and download the original, or even updated drivers for their on-board graphics chipset. In fact, I had a faulty card the first time and had to exchange it, or my underpowered psu couldn't handle it, whichever. I just downloaded and installed the ATI on-board chipset drivers until I was fully ready to install the new psu and ATI card.
Another question about your new power supply
by Papagenox2 - 11/12/05 1:46 PM In reply to: New Video Card by yorba...or for that matter, the one that you replaced.
Do you have the documentation of the dimensions at all? You mentioned it was a Startech. Did it have one fan or two?
Thanks,
José aka Papagenox2
PSU
by yorba - 11/12/05 9:42 PM In reply to: Another question about your new power supply by Papagenox2The 400 watt psu I put in had only one fan, there is a 2-fan version of it though for just a few dollars more. But watching the temps on the motherboard and cpu show the system running cool. It never gets to the point of the fan running at medium speed to cool things down. Dimensions, 5.9" x 3.39" x 5.51" (150 x 86 x 140mm), they're the same as the one that was in the system, if not even a tad smaller front to rear. The one in the system was a full ATX power supply. The Startech ATXPOWER400 is as well. AMD CPU's run cooler than Intel's. After being on all day, my cpu is currently at 54 degrees C, the motherboard and harddisk both at 48 C according to monitoring software. Any other questions?
Thanks.
by Papagenox2 - 11/13/05 12:29 AM In reply to: PSU by yorbaThanks for the reply. I keep going back and forth on whether to get this machine and upgrade it or build my own from the ground up (this would be my second homebuilt, so it's not as scary as the first time). I'm leaning toward building my own, even though it's more expensive and kind of a hassle (and can be an utter nightmare to troubleshoot a system if you get a bad part). Thankfully my budget isn't superlimited, but I don't want to spend nearly 2000 bucks either. This way I know exactly what's in my machine from top to bottom.
You're welcome
by yorba - 11/13/05 7:11 AM In reply to: Thanks. by Papagenox2And I feel your pain. I wanted to build my own, started planning it out. Of course, it's only a few more dollars to get the better case, a few more dollars to get the better motherboard, a few more ... By the time I got done configuring my own, the cost was well beyond what I spent on this one including the upgrades. And as you mentioned, trying to determine which component was faulty if one were would be even more hassle, and money laid out, coming back, but laid out initially. My whole investment was $1,380. This included a digital 19" flat panel, an upgraded psu, a better though not best video card, a better though not best sound card, best speakers (Klipsch 2.1 THX at $135), and a wireless laser mouse. I ended up with a system I'm really happy with, great for a "like to try the games but not serious gamer", very capable for logging in to my office network and then into client networks to perform tasks on their servers. And a system I am proud to bring in friends and blow them away with the graphics and sounds of Far Cry with everything set on full without a slow down or pause no matter what the action. 
PSU rating for T6542
by gsolomon516 - 12/29/06 2:41 PM In reply to: Thanks by JazzVMHi All,
I recently purchased the eMachines T6542 and wanted to know if anyone knew what the PSU wattage was? I am beginning to wonder if the x16 PCIe slot is there for show, i.e., not usable with any kind of decent graphics engine unless also jacking up the PSU first.
The one spec that is not listed anywhere in eMachines system specs is the PSU power delivery wattage.
Please advise, and thanks.
-Gary
(NT) Sure of that Model number ?
by VAPCMD - 12/29/06 4:03 PM In reply to: PSU rating for T6542 by gsolomon516T6542 and T2865, Power Supply (PSU), ATI 9600 Video Card
by JohnEHarkins - 1/17/07 8:44 PM In reply to: Thanks by JazzVMHi!
I've got a T6542 and you've convinced me that I need to upgrade the power supply in order to add an ATI 9600 video card.
The sales group at Gateway told me that I needed a new power supply; however, the technical support people said I didn't if all I wanted to do was add a 9600. The sales group said my ATI 9600 video card would not work with the existing slots and that I needed a PCI Express card. the technical support group said I could use the card.
Can someone help me sort out truth from fiction?
I've added 1GB of DDR2 memory (PC4200), because that's what the tech support people told me to do, even when I asked if I couldn't use faster memory. Now, I understand presumably that faster memory if used solo (up to 2GB) would have provided a better performer.
What should I do?
Lastly, the sales people said that I could use the PCI video card in my T2865, but that I'd have to replace the power supply. Could I get a new power supply, take the old one from the T6542 and put it in the T2865?
Thanks!
PSU Continuation
by CompNewbie - 11/29/05 12:33 AM In reply to: Update by yorbaHiya,
kewl that ur t6524 works that well,
I'm planning on getting a t6524 as well but am definitely planning to get a new PSU to come along with it b/c i want at least a minimum of a 128 mb pci-e card on it n there will be alot of usb extras on it. But i was curious, did you ever have to put extra 'cooling' measures?
i'm assuming there's already an adequte cpu fan, and there is thermal paste (y/n?) on the t6524..
Is there any space to put an extra case fan just for added protection, just because i'd like to be able to keep the desktop on for quite a while, even close to almost always being on..?
thnx in advance for your response
Extra Cool
by yorba - 11/29/05 8:07 AM In reply to: PSU Continuation by CompNewbieThe psu I put in came from Gateway, I wanted to maintain the company link to ensure there would be no warranty issues. Not sure if it matters or not, but figured if it's one they sell, it must be approved by them. I installed a 400 watt psu, which should be plenty for anything added to the system. The 400 watt psu from Gateway comes in two configurations, a single and a dual fan. The dual fan is only $10 more, probably worth the difference. I went with the single fan, more by error, would have preferred the dual ... but the system runs cool anyway. AMD makes a cooler running cpu than Intel, and I have monitored the case, hard drive, and cpu temps and can verify that is true ... even with the single fan psu. I installed a 256Mb pci-e card, which has it's own cooling fan as well. The system runs like a dream come true. In fact, the temps, even after heavy game play, don't even go high enough for the system fan to switch up to medium speed.
hmmm..
by CompNewbie - 11/29/05 6:22 PM In reply to: Extra Cool by yorbaI went to the emachines site, and couldn't find the startech 400wat one, but i did find it through gateway.. was that the right one?
Any chance you have that link?
The only one I have is,
"
http://accessories.gateway.com/AccessoryStore/PC+Accessories_316441/PC+Components_316805/Power+Supplies_316811/3270617_ProdDetail
"
Btw did your addition of a new PSU or perhaps if u add more ram or a new gpu, will it void the warranty? did you buy ur t6524 from store or from emachines directly?
sorry for the many queries, i'm just curious b4 i actually buy it lol sorry
CNET.com Review on T6524
by Tconley2 - 10/30/05 1:40 PM In reply to: T6524 emachines by smartcopOkay, here is what CNET had to say about the T6524.
http://reviews.cnet.com/eMachines_T6524/4505-3118_7-31556305.html
Thank you Tconley
by yorba - 10/30/05 5:41 PM In reply to: CNET.com Review on T6524 by Tconley2Enjoyed reading the review, and wrote my own correcting the reviewers error about there being only one Firewire port. Thanks for pointing it out.
You are Welcome
by Tconley2 - 10/31/05 5:17 PM In reply to: Thank you Tconley by yorbaI also think the slam on the speakers and mouse is unfair. A tech savvy buyer would add those including a monitor.
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