Apparently, screws have a lot of issues to offer. Just had to say it, because my floppy came today, and it didn't come with mounting screws, so I had to rummage in my motherboard box for a pair, and the ones I found were too big for the holes, so it's secured in but the holes in the drive itself are stripped to hell. Oh, well, it was only $7 and basically free shipping, and my grandmother (whose debit card I needed to use to order it) doesn't want to be paid back cause it's so cheap. It very well could have been a DOA anyway, so...
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Anyway, srose, even if you are out of warranty, nagging the companies for replacement parts could get you at least a discount. My mother's friend had a part go bad about a year after warranty ended once, and he got a replacement free because the part went bad so soon, even though it wasn't covered anymore. I believe it was a video card, but you should at least try. It's worth a shot and there's not much to lose. I suggest a phone call rather than internet communication.

I often use even the smallest problems as an excuse to upgrade. Has anybody just had one of those problems when it would just be easier to re-install the OS rather than go through the trauma of trying to repair? It may only be the OS, but since I'm re-installing Windows, I might as well upgrade at the same time. I think it must just be a geek thing!

Anyhoo, if you do decide to upgrade the motherboard, CPU, memory an graphics card, within $300 SR? Are you a gamer? (I hope not!).

I will try "nagging' the companies to see if I can get replacements first. If not then I'll probably just upgrade... Yeah, I know I cannot get a mobo, cpu, and graphics card for $300 range, but I figured I should be able to get a decent mobo/cpu for that price, and hopefully it will have onboard video until I can get a good vid card.

I've actually started to try to talk myself into bypassing the whole desktop pc and go for a laptop... Problem is, when I DO have time, I enjoy some hardcore gaming, but I know to get a laptop to be able to handle what like to do on pc's, it's gonna cost a pretty penny... We'll see, another option is that a rumor's going around that my company is going to be buying me a laptop soon, so at least I could tool around on that until I figure out a better option...

Well, thanks again for everyone's help with this issue. As I progress through the inevitable replacement/upgrade of my dead pc (as being a pc geek, I cannot just let it sit there, I must revive it in some way even if I do get a laptop!!!), I will post my findings/results.

Hopefully I will chat with you all soon, (but not through a problem of my own), as I look forward to watching this forum and offering any tips/advice that may help others.

Have a great day!!
Scott

Scott scott scott, be a propa geek and have a laptop aaaand a PC! I could never get used to using a laptop for doing work that I would normally do on a PC, it's just not the same. I have a laptop (tablet) that I use mainly for diagnostic work, picking up my e-mails on the move. May pickup the odd thing off the net. My PC I will use for real work.. development... PCHF.. and most importantly... gaming!!

Cheers to that!!!

I currently have a laptop I use mainly to take around with me. Then I have a Desktop that I use mostly on the weekends.