bfcarson's blog

Hello all, I’m finally getting over this “bug” I have had all weeked long.  I tried last week to update this post but as most already know this site  was down.

Pseudo-Computer, this was a new experience for me.  I like to have never figured out how to make it work.  It was not until Dr. Brown said “computers are really stupid  machines”.  This meaning that you really do have to tell them exactally what to do and when.  I tried putting in my programs as if it already knew what I was anticipating it to do.  Boy was I wrong.  Especially when I tried to make it count up to 100, and I hope that I did that one correct, but using both registers to keep a count for the loop to terminate when it got to zero.

Knowing this, Ihope it will give me a little more insight into higher level programming, as I am taking Java also this semester.   I am having some difficulties, but when compared to all the steps for assembly language, it should come a little bit easier now I hope.  I will say that after I got to “play around with it, and reading some of the other posts, it was pretty cool to finally make it do what I had wanted it to do. 

I guess I had better get off here and prepare for the exam on Thursday.

To build you own PC is not really that hard.  First you need to get a list of the items you are going to need to assemble the final product.  For less than $1700, you can build a very nice machine that is going to last a lot longer than the “off the shelf” purchase at Best Buy.

First you going to have to decide on a case:  I would choose the ‘Cooler master Cosmos 1000, at this link http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138.  This case has cooling fans include, not the greatest, but included.  It also has numerous expansions slots, and lots of ports on the front to keep from having to plug everything up in the back.

Next, it time to look for a mother board.  I would choose the ASUS Xtreme phase with SLI, Crossfire, and Turbo V.  It is Intel X58 compatible and is core I7 , with memory expansion up to 24GB.  Here is a link to get further specs, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365.

After you have decided on the mother board, it is CPU time.  I am an “Intel” guy, only due to the fact that I have had, a know several people who use the “AMD” and for me the Intel processor is still faster.  I would choose the I7 quad core 3.06 GHz.  It has 4 x 256Kb L2 cache, and8MB L3.  It has hyperthreading capability and 64-bit processing, if needed.  Power consumption is a bit shady.  Here is a link to this processor, it also comes with a cooler.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211.

Now on the list is the optical drive.  I have to say that, as for me I’m particular and want a Blu Ray drive.  This one by LG will compare to many of the standard drives on  the market, but it is a bit pricey at $179.00.  I love my Blu Ray player, gen 1 here.  My dad is so cool when it comes to new gadget at Christmas.  Again, here is a link to this player, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136164.

Ram is already starting to stir in the back of most peoples’ minds so here is what I would buy to add to mine.  It is made by GSkill, and it is the Ripjaws series. 240 pin, DDR3 SDRAM, 4GB 2×2, dual channel kit, and has a heat spreader included.  You have to have this, due to it runs so hot.  Here is the link, at $99 bucks, this is a good buy.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231281.   I know this does not seem like a lot of memory these days, buy it is getting cheaper every month, so all you have to do is upgrade later, when you need it.  Cost savings.

Getting a hard drive is next.  I currently have over 1 TB of hard disk space at home.  Music, video, and school take a lot of space these days.  I can remember back when I got my first PC with 350MB, and friends said I would never fill it up, yeah right.  I would choose the Samsung Spinpoint 1TB 3s SATA 3.0 Gb/s @ 7200rpm.  I already know that I currently have more, but this is internal.  Most of mine is external storage.  It’s only $74.99, what a bargain.  Here is the link, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185.

Now this is the biggie, power supply.  I’ve had to replace mine twice.  Graphics, ouch.  I would go with the Antec EA750Wt.  It is already 2.3 SLI certified and Crossfire ready.  It is also at a bargain at $94.99, just barely fits into the case I would buy.  Here is the link, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026.

Finally, the almighty graphics card.  This is where I’m lacking.  I not a big “gamer” like I used to be.  Had to grow up a little.  This is the card I would get to go with this system.  It is a EVGA GeForece GTX, with896MB DDR3 PCI express.  It has a core clock of 633MHz, and 240 processor cores.  It is Direct X 10 and open GL 3.0.  It is SlI ready, and has a fan included as well.  It also has 2 DVI ports, and HDTV out.  Here is the link http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026.

I know this seems a bit geared towards “Newegg.com” but I have bought a lot of products from them, and have never been unsatisfied.  Therefore, I’m gonna plug the site for this assignment.

Now that the parts list has been established, it is time to put everything together.  It will not take that long to do.  All you have to do is put out your case, in a location that is easily accessible.  Be sure that you are grounded at all times while working with the components, you don’t want to have any static electricity around the components.   This would be bad.  Install the mother board, it only fits one way into the case, and screw it down.  Let this be the precursor to the rest of the components, mostly, they all fit just one way.  Now get the CPU, do not touch the gold pins, and install it into the mother board.  Be sure to lock down the clamp that keeps in place.  Now is the time to install the memory, “ram”, keep the notches lined up.  Now install the back board, this is where the mouse, keyboard, usb ports are located in the  back.  Next install the hard drive, sometimes it is easier to remove the front cover and put it back on after installation, don’t forget to make sure the fan is in the lower right corner.  Now it is time for the optical drive, similar to the hard drive install.  Make sure everything is bolted down tight.  Now plug in the power button, reset, and hard  drive light connections.  Be sure that you keep the wires correct for polarity on the hard drive light, it could cause damage.  The colored wire is the one that is positive.   Next plug up all usb, fire-wire, and audio connectors.  Now it is time to finish plugging up the power supply, only use the connections for what you have to install.  It comes with extra cables.  Plug in the video card, making sure you use the PCI express connection.  Last, but not least, plug in the fans.  They are very important in keeping everything cool.  Install the OS and drivers to make sure everything is working correctly.  If so, now it is time to shut it down, take everything apart to do a better job a wire placement.  Such a waste of time if something is not working right,  hum.  This process seems like a lot of work, but it really is not.  Have fun and build your own machine.  If I had a job I would love to build this PC.  Happy computing.

Billy

Hello all.

I was really surprised how easy working with Binary numbers is, coming from someone who has never worked with them before.   As I was doing the problems in the book, I seemed to make it harder than it actually is.

I really found it interesting how the ASCII  chart works, I always wondered how just by using the keyboard to type and just how the computer knew what letter to display.    I also found it interesting as to just how information is stored on a computer.  I knew it was all “1’s” and “0’s”, but really didn’t know just what that meant.  Over all what I have been learning is very interesting, and is helping me with my other class, Java programming.

It may  sound “cheesy” but I do enjoy this class.

Hello, my name is Billy Carson and I am starting over in a new career path.  This path was partially chosen for me earlier this year when I lost my job at a large electronics company that was in transitioning its  manufacturing facility to Mexico.   At almost 40, I’m starting over just like a lot of other people out in world.  This transition has been a little scary, but exciting at the same time.  This summer has been a little strange, getting to do all the things I could not do while working.  I got to walk a lot at the local park, ride my bike, swim, and actually got a tan.  I really never had a tan before.  I also love playing with my Nintendo Wii, and Wii Fit game.  It actually works if you use it.  Playing the game and small diet changes I lost over 80 pounds.  I don’t really know a whole lot about this “blog” and “twitter” thing other than what I’ve read in the news and on television.  I do like to read CNN.com, Knoxnews.com, engadget.com, and CNET.com pages daily.

Hello everyone!  This has been a whirlwind week for me, as I have not went to school full time in over 20 years.  Just trying this “blog” thing out, so give me a shout to let me know someone is actually reading these things.