How To Choose?

[woodelf]

My local - I stress local - "go to" techno guy on hearing about the probs I'm having with my desktop pc re the erratic switching off and on and the "grinding" sound at start-up on tower - both probs I've written about here in AB - advises I back-up on an external device (which I do) and then consider bying a replacement computer! The thing is, I wouldn't know how or what to look for and as he is booked up for months in remote work, I haven't got anyone to ask or help in how to choose and what to look and ask for in a new pc. I'm not interested in anything to do with games or gaming, just a basic pc; emails, documents, websurfing, playing the odd CD and DVD. I guess I would prefer a tower, but I already have keyboard, screen, mouse, etc, but I suppose a new pc would mean new kit like that...I just don't know...and there's the sizes of RAM and other such stuff to think/know about too, but I wouldn't know how to do all that or...all I do have is the itinerary of the "nuts and bolts" which went into my custom built pc. Can anyone help? Ta Muchly Indeed, Keep Well All.

[The Builder]

Refurbished, Woody.
The first one had an old style hard disk drive (motor-driven disk platters.)
This failed after about eight months. It was my own fault. Bueno always advises the newer type SSD drives (solid state drives. No moving parts.)
So I bought a refurbished Business machine from AC with an SSD.

Since the failed machine had a 12 month guarantee, AC Computers immediately sent me a new HD which I easily fitted myself. They would have repaired it themselves with no argument, but it saved a lot of time and trouble to do it myself.

Something I learnt a long time ago in my business is that the best tradesmen don't necessarily get it right first time. But they are the ones who put it right with no fuss if there's a problem.

[woodelf]

But what you suggest CAC, why doesn't it happen every time, not just now and whenever?

[woodelf]

Many Thanks for that Builder, very reassuring - I'll get on with my mail to them!

[davebro]

If it's the fan it may just need cleaning. I think on here someone said you can cans of compressed are & just give it a good blast through the vents if you don't feel competent to take it apart.

[davebro]

can get

[davebro]

& compressed AIR lol

[Buenchico]

Several people have mentioned my recommendation of A C Computer Warehouse, which I'm happy to continue to endorse.

However, when I recently needed to source a new computer for a friend (who, like Woodelf, only uses a PC for office-based computing, rather than things like gaming), A C Computer Warehouse didn't have anything in stock which really seemed to suit my/his requirements. So I looked elsewhere and found a charity seller (with excellent feedback) on eBay, flogging decent refurbished computers for really low prices. My friend was really pleased the computer I ordered for him (and, as I set it up for him, I can confirm that it's an excellent product).

So I'd happily buy from the same seller again. The computer I'd go for from that seller's current offerings is probably the HP ProDesk 400 G3, with a 6th generation i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB solid state drive. The price is £109.99, including carriage:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324507868429?hash=item4b8e2d1d0d:g:nW8AAOSw3jBggEYd

(If you're interested in that model, Woodelf, I can order it for you in the same way as I did for your other recent eBay purchase. You'd need to get someone to set everything up for you of course; I spent around three hours configuring my friend's new computer from that seller).

[bhg481]

It's usually simple to remove the side from a tower computer and perfectly safe to run it with the cover off. Remove the cover and then start the computer whilst looking inside - you might see where the grinding is coming from. The large cooling fan attached to the case is favourite and is very cheap (I can see one on Amazon for about £4) and very easy to replace. From my experience hard discs click when they have a problem, so I would put money on the cooling fan as it's a grinding noise. Get yourself a fan (your man might sell you one) and give it a go - much cheaper and a lot less hassle than a new computer and very satisfying if it works.

[barry1010]

bhg, great suggestions, clear instructions, but woodelf is partially sighted

[woodelf]

It's okay Dave, I know what you mean and I've got the can of comp air anyway, just aint got round to using it!...and Barry, woodelf, er, is that me?...is totally blind!...there is a difference - I don't try to con people! Chris, flippin' smashing offer, but I haven't got anyone who could install and "build" the pc, so I'll have a great think!

[barry1010]

Sorry, woodelf, I was trying to be tactful

[tamborine]

Here are some local companies who could help. Most could reset & upgrade your tower.

https://www.yell.com/s/computer+repairs-slough.html

[woodelf]

But what about the forthcoming "threat" of Windows 11?...won't that affect what I buy?

[woodelf]

Many Thanks for the link Tambo!

[woodelf]

That's okay Barry - btw, do you know if Windows 11 would alter my buying options re a new or refurb computer, given it's mainly the tower I need replacing...unless I've got that totally wrong too!

[barry1010]

There is no reason why a refurb computer can't be sold with W11 already installed - it is a free upgrade from W10 IF the PC is capable of running it.
I would avoid buying a PC that could not be upgraded to W11 - I'm sure others would disagree with me, though.

[Buenchico]

Forget Windows 11 for the time being. Microsoft has set the bar so high, in terms of the hardware needed in a computer to actually run Windows 11, that hardly any computers currently being sold (either refurbished or brand new) can actually run Windows 11.

For example, some of Microsoft's own 'Surface' laptops, which are currently retailing for up to £3,500, don't meet the specification to run Windows 11!

Windows 10 is going to be around for quite a while yet. Unless you've got loads of dosh to spend on a top-of-the-range computer, I'd stick with looking for a machine that runs Windows 10.