Make sure you get some sort of removable storage device in addition to the 1.44mb floppy so that you can back-up your files. 250ZIP or burnable CD drive are good. You can store all your important files on 2 or 3 250mb Zip's in about 5 minutes.
Since you are using this computer for trading, I take it that you have either DSL, cable modem or other high-speed pipe available for your data inputs. Do not forget your internet security SW (along with anti virus SW). IMO, you should get Symantec's Norton Internet Security (includes NAV). Since you will most likely be going with WIN XP PRO (based on inputs from others here and IMO), you will need to get NIS 2002 since NIS2001 is not WIN XP compliant. your best bet for this is to search for it in yahoo shopping; got mine for ~ $10 total (including shipping). Much cheaper than if you buy from store and w/o the coupon hassle! good luck!
Andy, I have to STRONGLY agree with the others about the OS. Get the PRO version (either XP or 2000) NOT the Home version.
Hi all, thanks everyone, will either get Win' 2000 pro' or XP pro',need to check with IB if either of these works better, Yes, it does show a raid card, but at this time was only looking for one board, even with one, it was still more than I wanted to pay. Also thanks about the security, guess I got lucky when I used DSL in Hawaii (but then maybe that's why I need a new tower , will check them out. Concerning the Zip or Cd burner, please excuse my ignorance, what files would I need to copy ?? A floppy has always met my past needs ? Thanks again everybody for your help and insight, Andy
Andy, If you want a cheap way of backing things up, you should simply replace the 52X CD drive with a CD-RW drive. It should only cost you an extra $40 AT THE MOST. You really don't need a top speed drive. For your needs just a 16/10/40 or 24/10/40 CD-RW will do nicely. Even if you didn't need to back up files, imho plain CD drives are a dying breed. You can get a DVD drive that does everything that a CD drive does plus play DVD's for only $20 more or get a CD-RW for $30-40 more. Just ask your builder how much it would cost to replace the CD drive for a CD-RW or DVD drive.
Any of you know anything about the limitations in Win2k Pro on the number of "objects" that can be displayed/handled at once? Or, if you don't know anything yourself, do you have a suggestion on where I could go to find out more? Heard a rumor that there was something that could be done to raise the built-in limit (which can get in the way of handling large numbers of separate charts + graphics), but that doing so might cause problems.
Guys a few corrections: The Abit KR7A-133 that andy originally posted does NOT use the KT133 chipset. Yes that chipset is very old, but that board doesn't use it. It has the KT266A and actually its the fastest KT266A board on the market. The only thing newer is a KT333 chipset (both are made by Via) but honestly the KT333 isn't really much faster. The difference is in the memory it can handle, which IS faster (although not by much): KT133 - SDRAM only (no DDR) PC100 or 133 KT266A - DDR SDRAM PC2100 KT333 - DDR SDRAM PC2700 So make sure you get the correct memory, but if you're not building it yourself you shouldn't have to worry. Incidently there is also a KT266 (no A) but it sucks and its hard to find anyway. Its slower and probably no cheaper than the KT266A. With Via, "A" means better. I just mention it just in case. I agree, get an Athlon XP, not a Tbird. The XP 1800 is currently the best price/performance ratio. Also, I don't see any brands listed, so just in case, this warning to you: Do NOT BUY GENERIC MEMORY!!! You will regret it. Go with a brand name like Crucial or Corsair. Kingston and Samsung are ok too, but Crucial and Corsair are the best. Just don't buy no name!