[JJON]

(Sorry for calling you Geeks, just making the most of it before the term gets banned, bloody PC Brigade )

Right, I've probably never mentioned it before but my PC is a bit crap, here's the specs:

Dell Dimensions 3000 :emb
XP2
Celeron CPU 2.66 GHz, 256MB RAM

Admit it, you're impressed :cool

Having long ago tired of console games, I've turned to the PC for games that test the old grey matter abit more. Rome: Total War is a game I've always fancied, and Civilisation 4.

Rome needs the following to run:

Microsoft Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
Pentium III 1.0GHz or Athlon 1.0GHz processor or higher
256MB RAM
8x Speed CD-ROM drive (1200KB/sec sustained transfer rate) and latest drivers
300MB of uncompressed free hard disk space
100% DirectX 9.0b compatible 16-bit sound card and latest drivers
100% Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP compatible mouse, keyboard and latest drivers
DirectX 9.0b
3D hardware Accelerator Card Required - 100% DirectX 9.0b compatible 64MB Hardware Accelerated video card and the latest drivers

Which is fine, but the only part I'm not sure about is everything in the Quote :book I don't know my GB from my GHz, my RAM from my CPU, nor my ARSE from my ELB 0W :notme
So, will the game play on my PC? The '100% DirectX 9.0b' part has me totally lost. I've looked for it on my PC but can't find, though I have just noticed that Civ 3 requires it, and that works OK on my PC so I'll assume that I have it without even knowing?

Will I need anything extra to play the game? Should I bin the PC and get a new one (cheap please). What about these 'make your own PC' shops, are they any good (and cheap).

And lastly, what do you think of http://myaolbroadband.co.uk/broadband/broadband-wirelessplus.adp. Not much info on it but I'm sure you chaps will know the lowdown :kiss

 

[DAN]

John... just had a quick scan through but yes your PC should be fine... where you would notice an almost immediate improvement though would be in memory... I'd highly recommend you bung a further 512mb in it...

According to the Crucial Memory configurator HERE you need DDR memory but you need to make sure it runs at the right speed etc.... (PC3200 or PC2700) would be OK. Your PC apparently has two slots so one will probably already have 256mb in it but it is possible that two lots of 128mb have been fitted. As I say stick another 512mb in it or maybe more.... your PC can apparently go to a maximum of 2 x 1GB memory.

Doing this will make a huge difference to the speed of you PC... memory isn't expensive and even cheaper off the net/Ebay

If you want to get into Online games then my personal opinion is to get a Xbox 360, there are plenty of strategy games.

On the broadband front I hate AOL and always have... do they still insist on you using their crappy browser and used to be strict on sharing a internet connection with other PC.... frankly I think you could probably get much better. I have cable but do use ADSL (via a telephone line) in the office.... I have absolutely no complaints with https://www.bethere.co.uk/ - cheap, fast and extremely reliable, definitely worth you considering in my opinion.

 

[JJON]

Cheers Dan, it wasn't the Broadband I was after, it was the free Dell laptop, but I'll look into the extra memory. Downloading a demo of Rome, so will try it tomorrow :lick

 

[DAN]

Ah Ok mate...as I said - quick scan :8

 

[JJON]

Hmm, that's a good site, did a scan of my PC and, as you said, it will take 2MB, and has at the moment 2 x 128MB.

I take it that removing the 128MB's won't remove any data?

And does it matter if I get the 3200 or 2700? :banghead

 

[DAN]

Tight bastards Dell giving you 2 x 128mb

Dump one of them (you won't lose anything and stick a new one in....) to be honest John for what they cost you may as well get 2 x 512mb of the same type etc... PC3200 or 27000 (wont matter) less chance of memory incompatibility then.

 

[JJON]

Cheers mate, I was going to get 2 x 512. Surprised at how cheap it is, I'd have looked into it sooner had I known. :thumbup

 

[JJON]

Keep your eyes peeled for the next chapter *ATTENTION GEEKS - Think I've broke my PC'

 

[Felix]

I take it that removing the 128MB's won't remove any data?

:lol No, it's just memory you gonk!

No such thing as the free laptop mate, the fookers will want you to spend £29.99 for 18 months or some similar shit ... just get some new memory for cheap and buy your own laptop

WILL YOU STOP POSTING FOKKIN REPLIES>>> TWATS>>>> THIS IS MY THIRD ATTEMPT TO POST THIS!!!

OH YOU SILLY CNUTS>> FOUTHRTH TIME AND COUNTING!!! :banghead :banghead :banghead

 

[JJON]

I take it that removing the 128MB's won't remove any data?

:lol No, it's just memory you gonk!

No such thing as the free laptop mate, the fookers will want you to spend £29.99 for 18 months or some similar shit ... just get some new memory for cheap and buy your own laptop

WILL YOU STOP POSTING FOKKIN REPLIES>>> TWATS>>>> THIS IS MY THIRD ATTEMPT TO POST THIS!!!

OH YOU SILLY CNUTS>> FOUTHRTH TIME AND COUNTING!!! :banghead :banghead :banghead

Can't even find the submit button yet calls me a gonk :kicknuts

The AOL offer isn't that bad, works out at £10 per month more than I'm paying now, which is £240 over the 24 month period, so £240 for a laptop or PS3.

 

[Felix]

Can't even find the submit button yet calls me a gonk :kicknuts

yEAH, i COULD AND EVERY TIME i PRESSED SUBMIT IT COME UP AND SAID SOME TWAT HAD POSTED AGAIN FFS

The AOL offer isn't that bad, works out at £10 per month more than I'm paying now, which is £240 over the 24 month period, so £240 for a laptop or PS3.

ADD THAT TO THE FACT THAT AOL IS FCUKING SHIT AND ITS A GREAT DEAL ... BELIEVE ME, I HAD IT FOR 4 YEARS .. ONLY KEPT IT COS WORK WAS PAYING SO WHO GIVES A FOC

 

[JJON]

Can't even find the submit button yet calls me a gonk :kicknuts

yEAH, i COULD AND EVERY TIME i PRESSED SUBMIT IT COME UP AND SAID SOME TWAT HAD POSTED AGAIN FFS

FFS, he can't even work out how to turn off Caps Lock but calls me a gonk :twofin

 

[Felix]

caberbnet sauvignon! ... STICK THAT IN YER PIPE GEEKBOY

 

[JJON]

caberbnet sauvignon! ... STICK THAT IN YER PIPE GEEKBOY

Foccin hell, I thought TAD had gone to somewhere around the Red Sea, not the Black Stuff. Send him home now!!! :twofin

 

[Felix]

I'll have you know, Red Sea or not ...

The Guv'nor is always watching his manor ... either his battery ran out or his credit did ...

all I heard was 'Is the money still comin' in boys?'

 

[JJON]

Dear chap, is it not considered bad form for one man to be sending pictures of himself to another man? :kiss

 

[Felix]

Dear chap ...

SSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! :hand

That's the wine gone ... now I'm on this ...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ip1zsUIosoA

 

[JJON]

Dear chap ...

SSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! :hand

That's the wine gone ... now I'm on this ...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ip1zsUIosoA

Dear chap ...

That's the taste in music gone ... now I'm on this :lol

 

[Felix]

Dear chap ....

:rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin

I'm movin' onto similar meself :rollin :rollin

 

[DAN]

John, rather than the AOL laptop this might be better.... at the very least use it as a comparison against the AOL one http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/new ... tter120108