Quoting Matt : > This isn't really directly about Linux, but what are your opinions on > building your own computer, or buying a Sony/Dell/whatever? I ask because > for the past few years I've been building my own, and it doesn't seem to be > working out too well for me. SuSE Linux 7.3 is supposed to have an > amazingly > easy install, but it took me a week to install it, even though my computer > is very powerful. It always freezes somewhere, usually when it has to > reboot > or on its way back to the installation from rebooting. But anyway, I > shouldn't go into all of that. I think a manufactured PC might work better > because I know the manufacturers test all the parts together to make sure > they don't "fight" with eachother, and because I let my friend borrow my > SuSE CD's and he installed it flawlessly on his emachine, with windows, and > that computer is about a third as powerful as mine. > Having built dozens of boxes I'm surprised you've had so much trouble. My first thought is that you must have a resource (IRQ) conflict somewhere, that would explain the erratic behavior (HINT: try removing all the unnecessary cards, reboot and see if it runs better). There really isn't anything in a commercial box that is better than what you can buy yourself and manufacturers don't always spend as much time selecting the right parts as you would think. Also, an extra $1 spent on a component is a big deal with them - $1x100,000 units=$$$! Most components are very standard today. True you have to learn some things (see www.pcguide.com) and be willing to troubleshoot and ask for help when you are stumped. Recently a friend asked for my help shopping for a new computer at Best Buy and CompUSA. I felt a little useless since I couldn't open the boxes to see what was inside nor find a sales person that could do more than read the specs. In the end my friend made a decision based on price and the fact the the HP he choose had a nice button on the keyboard to check his e-mail! I'd bet that the manufactureers know this is what the average consumer looks for and build accordingly. Dennis Kibbe ------------------------------------------------- Everyone should have http://www.freedom2surf.net/