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Mr. Kenyada's Neighborhood presents Building Your Own Computer UNDERSTANDING COMPUTER COMPONENTS | LET'S GET STARTED! | PHOTO ALBUM |
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If you've never looked "under the hood" of a
Personal Computer, it can be a little intimidating at first. If you're not
a computer geek, with a knowledge of all the acronyms and terminology*,
it's easy to lose your place. But building a computer really isn't that
difficult. I'm about ready to build my second and third computers. The first one is
still running flawlessly, and the new computers will used by my wife and I
at our respective places of business. Building your own computer will save you at least 50% (maybe more) of what it would cost you to purchase the same computer from a manufacturer, because the labor is all yours, and you'll buy computer components online with no sales tax. Over the next few months, I will describe
how to build a personal computer. I'll have photos and tips to help you
along the way. In order to get the most out of this guide, you will need a
basic understanding of computer operations and terminology. But don't
worry, I will also explain what I'm doing and why. I will also suggest to
you where you can purchase computer components at the best price. I will
show you photos of my own "computer build" and I will also show you a
basic computer build, as I teach my wife how to build her first computer.
By the end of this Guide, you will have seen two different computers being
built from the ground up - a basic business computer, and a dream computer
that has all the bells and whistles to make it faster and more efficient.
The most important thing we hope to accomplish is empowering you with the
knowledge and confidence that ...You can do this! |
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Planning for a Computer |
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Upgrading an Older
Computer If you are happy with your current computer but just wish it were a little faster, there is hope. If your computer is not too old, or too cheap, it can probably be upgraded with new components that will make it run faster and more efficiently. The two components that can give new life to a two- or three-year old computer are the video card and the memory. The first step is to find out the recommended components for you motherboard. Some budget brands of computers cut costs by permanently soldiering a budget video card to the motherboard. In that case, you'll need to replace the card and the motherboard. Consult the Owner's Manual for your computer or the motherboard. You find the maximum amount of Memory your computer can handle. Video cards now have their own memory chip. If your old video card has less then 128MB, purchase a better one. In most instances, the retail store will do the installation for products that they sell. |
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UNDERSTANDING COMPUTER COMPONENTS The Motherboard (or Main Board) The R.M.A. - When good products go bad
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*Computer Acronyms and Terminology http://www.geocities.com/ikind_babel/babel/babelsr.html |
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This case is made of steel, and theoretically it should meet all computer specifications. But when you buy a budget case, you should be wondering how they managed to keep the cost down. Did they cut corners? Well, if they did literally "cut corners," chances are that they didn't grind them smoothly. In other words, be very careful about jagged and sharp edges. Not only might those edges cut you, they may also cut through your cable, making for a hazardous situation. In most instances, it is far better to buy a very good previously owned case, than a brand new cheap case. Now let's take a look at a top-of-the-line case. But don't get me wrong. If you're building a computer for your niece to do her homework and surf the internet for Barbie Dolls, a basic case like this one will do just fine.
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Lian Li If Rolls Royce made a computer case, it would be called The Lian Li (pronounced Leon Lee). Lian Li continues to be one of the top trendsetters in aluminum cases. To this day, they are one of the only case manufacturers that continue to manufacture the majority of their cases in Taiwan, rather than moving their case manufacturing offshore to China. Lian Li claims that the Taiwanese manufacturing gives them superior quality and an edge within a challenging market space. Lian Li is considered to be the Godfather of the aluminum chassis. This model, the Lian Li PC-777, is the 20th Anniversary Memorial edition. For this model, Lian Li breaks the mold of the square box design. But more importantly, this new design offers a fresh approach to computer case challenges. You won't find too many cases with the Power Supply Unit (PSU) mounted at the bottom of the case. There are not many case design that allow for large 120mm fans at front and rear. Larger fans make for a quieter computer. And for the power user, Lian Li provides room for six, count 'em, six hard drives. Of course the real reason for the popularity of the Lian Li case is the Quality. There is no finer built chassis in all of computer land. And like its predecessors, the PC-777 is built like a brick shhh---, well, let's just say it's the best. You'll find smooth edges and tight corners. Nothing flimsy or slipshod here. But you will pay a premium price for this kind of craftsmanship. The PC-777 retails for $299 for the silver model and $320 for the black one. But you're in luck. there is a local computer store in Metro Atlanta that sells some used Lian Li cases. Monarch Computer Systems in Tucker, GA. has a Lian Li PC-6077 on sale for only $85. I know it's a value because I bought one last year for almost $200. I built my first computer with that case, and it's still standing. In between the Lian Li and the cheapo $20 special, there are many computer cases that are well built and reasonable. I strongly suggest aluminum as the material of choice. It's very light weight and it handles heat well.
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A Case for Compromise: The Lian Li PC-6077 I've shown you the cheapest computer case ($20), and I've shown you a very expensive case ($300). Now I'd like to introduce you to a compromise - The Lian Li PC-6077. It is a compromise between old and new, cheap and expensive, barebones and feature-rich computer cases. The one place there is no compromise with this case is in its Quality. The PC-6077 comes in two color options - Aluminum and Black. Both are made of aluminum, and both are, well, beautiful. This is the best case for a computer builder, particularly a first-time builder, because there is plenty of room to get in there and explore. Lian Li is noted for their removable motherboard trays that slide completely out to that you can install your motherboard in complete comfort. Of course, I can say this with some authority, because my first computer build included a black PC-6077.
Newegg has a nice price for this case, and so does Directron . OK, let's move on to the next component...
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"SHUT YO' MOUTH
!!" The Motherboard
I have orientated the photo so that the top of the motherboard as shown will be installed at the top of your computer case. The left side of the motherboard will be located at the rear of the case. This particular motherboard is the Asus P4C800-E Deluxe. It has won many awards by reviewers and computer magazines. Tom's Hardware, a noted online reference for the best equipment, tested this Asus motherboard and compared it to 11 others. As a result Tom's Hardware handed Asus the coveted "Editor's Choice Award, "...and Asus once again delivers a product that sets the standards, thanks to its excellent features and a perfect score in our memory test." So Ike was right, this IS a bad motherboard. It's the one I chose for my first computer build. I had heard so many horror stories about motherboards, so this Asus provided a pleasant surprise. Everything was laid out well, and the enclosed software was easy to work with. We will continue with the Motherboard right after a word from our sponsor, Common Sense...
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... and now a few words about Static
Electricity
One fire official: “We tested his clothes with a static electricity field meter and measured a current of 40,000 volts, which is one step shy of spontaneous combustion, where his clothes would have self-ignited.”
This
message will be repeated when when start assembling the computer. |
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The Motherboard (continued)
Let's talk some about the geography of this motherboard. In the upper right-hand corner, you'll see two long sets (Blue & Black) of slots. They are for your memory sticks: They come in varying capacities, but I would suggest 4 sticks at 512MB each, totaling 2Gigabytes of RAM (Random Access Memory), which we will explain in detail later. Moving to the left of the memory slots, you see something that looks like a TV screen, with cream-colored box inside. That's where you will mount you computer processor unit (CPU). If the motherboard is the brains of your computer, the CPU is its soul. For your first computer build, I recommend the Pentium 4, 3.4MHz Processor. It works well with this motherboard. Moving further down on the motherboard, you see a long brown slot. There is no mistaking that slot. It is the Accelerated Graphics PORT, commonly called the AGP slot. Easy to spot because it's always brown and always located next to the PCI slots (the five white horizontal slots). An easy way to remember these slots is to think of the George Bush cabinet. The AGP slot is Condolezza Rice. [Are you feelin' me yet?] The AGP slot is where you will connect your graphics card, which is one of the most important components, with regard to what you will see on your computer monitor. The five PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slots are where you will connect other components like a network card and a sound card. Fortunately, you won't really need to purchase those cards, because those components have been included on your Asus motherboard. On the upper left-hand edge of the motherboard, you see those ports and others. Let's take a better look at them.
Taking a different view, you can see all the ports that will be available on the back of your completed computer assembly. The ports you will use most often are, from left to right... The stacked teal and lavender ports are for your keyboard and mouse. The trapezoidal 9-pin VGA port is for your monitor. The triple-stacked ports in the center are for a "Firewire" connection and two USB connections. Nowadays, USB connections can be used for your printer, scanner and many other components. The next triple-stacked group is the Network connection and two more USB connections. The last triple-stacked group (blue, yellow and pink) are for speakers, microphone and headphones. The above ports will be used for your permanent connections. Your Lian Li case includes 2 USB, one firewire, headphone and microphone connectors right up front. [I told you that this is a quality case]
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If the Motherboard is the computer's brains, and the Processor is its soul, then the Power Supply surely must be the strength of the computer to do what it thinks and feels. OK, it's a stretch, but not by much. Power supply units are often overlooked when building a computer system. In some instances, a PSU is hastily thrown in at the last moment, by those looking to cut costs. That's unfortunate because a poor quality PSU can greatly reduce the life span of a good system. On the other hand, a high quality PSU can help reduce the noise or heat generated within a computer system. Most power supplies that are priced below $40 generally do not meet the power requirements of the latest fast processors. To make matters worse, the components used in them are of inferior quality and more likely to fail over time. This is particularly true of PSUs that use sleeve bearing cooling fans instead of ball bearings. Sleeve bearing fans have a shorter life span and generate more noise.
When shopping for a power supply, always consider the Enermax brand. Their mid-range PSUs are efficient and reliable. I recommend the 470W model for this system. It should cost less than $80, and it comes with a three-year warranty.
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Even if you are not going to be playing games on your computer, there are many more uses that will require a very good video card. On used computers, it is the one item that, if upgraded, can dramatically improve the results. You should be able to find a decent video card for $150, but for $50 more, you'll find yourself on the mid-level floor of the cutting edge of video card technology. It is not unusual, however, to find that gamers and graphics pros spend upwards of $500 on a video card. As always, the bottom line comes down to what you're planning to do with your computer.
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Do you have a cassette tape? or, for you old geezers, do you have an 8-track tape? J Take a look at it… You are looking at an older version of a computer hard disk drive (HDD). They both store information using the same magnetic recording techniques, which means that they share the same benefits of the magnetic storage. The magnetic medium can be easily erased and rewritten, and it will "remember" the magnetic flux patterns stored onto the medium for many years. Of course, there are basic differences between your cassette tape and your computer’s hard disk. Otherwise, there’d be a big, fat cassette tape under the cover of your computer. Eh, trust me, it’s not there.
There are some basic differences between a hard disk and the cassette tape. First of all, the magnetic recording material is coated on a thin plastic strip, and you have to fast-forward or reverse to get to a particular spot on the tape. And that can take several minutes on a particularly long tape (remember reel-to-reel machines?) With a hard disk, the magnetic info is layered onto a high-precision platter made of aluminum or glass, then polished like a mirror. And you can access any part of that recorded info almost instantly. In a cassette recorder, the read/write head touches the tape directly. And each time a tape is played it is possible to lose some of the signal because of the friction. In a hard disk, the read/write head flies over the disk, never actually touching it. Of course, speed is another factor. The tape in your tape deck moves over the head at about 2 inches per second, as opposed to the platter on a hard disk, which travels at 3,000 inches per second. We’re talkin’ speeds up to 170 miles per hour. Smokin’! When you’re shopping for a hard disk, pay particular attention to two measurements: data rate and seek time. The Data Rate is the bytes per second that the hard disk can deliver to the computer. Speeds of 5 – 40 megabytes are common. The lower, the better. The Seek Time is the amount of time between when a computer asks for a file and when the first byte of the file arrives at the computer. Times between 10-20 milliseconds (ms) are common. Again, the lower, the better. That’s about as technical as we’re going to get here. The most important thing to remember is that your selected hard disk must be compatible with your motherboard. There are several excellent brands of hard disk drives - Western Digital, Maxtor and Seagate are very good. You'll also find several reputable reviewers online who put reviewed equipment through rigorous testing. My favorite is Tom's Hardware Guide. What makes his website among the best is that he compares different brands and shows you how they fared against each other. When it comes time to purchase a hard drive, make THG your first stop. Depending upon how you will use your computer, the storage capacity of the hard disk drive you select should be your first consideration. I installed a 160GB HDD on my first build, but that was a year ago. My next build will probably take me up to 300GB or higher. If you don't plan on storing a lot of graphics like photos, videos, etc., you can probably settle for a 100GB HDD at a very reasonable price. Right now, and for some time, the Western Digital 74GB Raptor is the fastest hard disk drive available. And it's only 74GB. I guess size isn't everything... Of course, I wouldn't know personally. The remarkable thing about Cost in the wonderful world of computer components is that each year, your dollar buys you more... more size, more speed, better quality. As chips become smaller, the manufacture of those chips becomes cheaper. And that savings is being passed on to you, the consumer.
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OK, let's take a break... As you read this guide you may come up with questions and/or ideas. You can reach me at my e-mail address: rkenyadaATbellsouth.net (I've coded it so that I won't receive spam. Just substitute the @ symbol for "AT") I've heard from some of you already, and the response has been encouraging. Thank you. Please understand that the descriptions you have read thus far have been wordy out of necessity. When I get into the actual build of the computer, however, there will be much more photos than text, and I will try to keep them small (in bytes) so it won't bog down your computer. I'm having fun with this, and I hope you are, too. |
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In her award-winning song, “The Way We Were,” Barbra Streisand sings about memories lighting the corners of her mind. Well, computer memory, commonly called RAM, does so much more. It runs every software program in your computer.
RAM is volatile, meaning that it loses its contents when the power is turned off. Think of RAM as being synonymous with the term main memory, because RAM is used by programs like Microsoft Windows, for example. You name the software, and your computer’s RAM will handle it… that’s IF you have enough RAM. Some Memory-hungry programs like the afore-mentioned Windows won’t even load onto your computer if you don’t have enough RAM to handle it. For that reason, it’s a good idea to purchase all the RAM you can afford, up to the limit of your motherboard. In order to better illustrate how computer programs use Random Access Memory, I want you to imagine that you own a ranch out west. You have a herd of horses that stay in a corral on the ranch. Each day your ranch help takes some of your horses out on the range, and at the end of the day, they return the horses to the corral.
Now imagine that each horse represents a megabyte of memory… [stay with me] and those ranch hands are computer programs like Quicken or Adobe Acrobat Reader. Those programs take some of your RAM and use them to run their tasks. When the program closes, the RAM is returned to your computer’s corral of RAM. Most programs are very efficient that way, but BEWARE… Here comes some horse thieves, and they’ve come to rustle (take) your horses. Imagine that, instead of horse thieves, you are really dealing with software programs by Microsoft. Microsoft programs like Windows, Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc, are all RAM-hungry, and ready to take as much of your RAM as they need. The difference between Microsoft programs and other software is that Microsoft programs don’t return your horses (RAM) when they are through with them. They keep your RAM until your computer is turned off. Remember what I said above... "RAM is volatile. It loses its content when the power is turned off." When your computer is turned back on, your RAM is as fresh as new, restored to its full capacity. Some people leave on their computers that they use at work, and after about two or three days, the computer might respond sluggishly. The primary cause of computers acting haywire is that there is a memory drain. A reboot of the computer is often all it takes to revitalize a sluggish computer. To avoid this it is preferable to close your computer down at the end of the day. It's also preferable to load your computer with as much RAM as you can. My first computer build has 2 gigabytes of RAM, and I'm still considering adding more at some point. Of course, at some point you are faced with the law of diminished returns, which means your computer's benefit is considerably less than the added RAM is worth. Usually, 1 GB of RAM will be fine for general computer use. We will get more specific when it's time to add RAM to our motherboard. I just wanted to give you a general idea of what RAM is all about, and why it's important to have as much as possible.
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I know the Table of Contents also mentions CD-ROM Drive, but really, what’s the point? A good DVD recorder handles DVDs and CDs, right? The techie slang for DVD or CD recording is "Burning," and that's because the process of recording involves using a laser that burns information onto the disc. These days it's popular to own a DVD player at home, but the DVD Burner in every computer worth its salt, is head and shoulders above that movie machine. I want to cut to the chase on this one, because we all know that a DVD is just another form of data storage, and a DVD holds more than a CD-ROM, especially now since DVDs are being recorded in dual-layer format. Suffice it to say that every computer build should have at least one DVD recorder. But I recommend two, in case you want to make, eh, back up copies of your favorite movies or games (that you have purchased legitimately, right?) There are several brands available. My recommendation is Plextor, Model 716A. It’s a dual-layer recorder, which has received many Editors’ Choice Awards over the years. Remember what I said about Lian Li computer cases? They pay attention to detail. Plextor is all about quality and consumer satisfaction. Every Plextor 716A comes with a silver bezel and black bezel, which helps you match it to your computer case. Fortunately, the Lian Li case has a sliding drawer cover that makes the bezel switch unnecessary. I’ll show you what I mean later when we install the DVD drive.
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Even sophisticated computer component manufacturers continue to provide a place for the internal floppy disk drive (FDD) on their cases and motherboards. |
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Recently, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors are the rage. Commonly called flat screens, they are enjoying increased popularity because the prices have dropped so dramatically.
What should you look for when shopping for a
monitor? It's all about Resolution... No, my militant Brother; not
revolution, RESOLUTION. That's Resolution, Refresh Rate and Dot Pitch -
and that applies to both CRT monitors and Flat screen monitors. You are
looking for a sharp image, with crystal clear images and sharp text. OK,
it's time for me to drop a little more tech talk, but I'll be gentle.
Display Resolution is all about the number of dots of light, commonly
called "pixels" (picture elements) that you monitor can display.
1,024x768, 1280x1,040 and higher - depending on the quality of your
graphics card - is recommended. Refresh Rate is the number of
times per second that your video card is able to send a signal to the
monitor and the monitor is able to repaint the screen. This is very
important, because a refresh rate lower than 60Hz will cause a noticeable
flicker in your screen - talk about annoying. It is generally
The Monitor and The Video Card work together in bringing you a computer display that will not cause eye strain. |
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There are many models of keyboards out there - the most popular being those by Microsoft and Logitech. Like everyone else, I suppose, I began my computer tech journey with a strong preference for all things Microsoft. But as new products emerged, the Gadget Guy in me was drawn toward other brands. I really started favoring Logitech because they were one of the early sponsors of the PCs to the People initiative. They donated several new mice to our organization.
The keyboard runs on four AA batteries, which last a very long time. I can't remember the last time I had to change them. Unfortunately, Logitech bundles this particular cordless keyboard with a cordless mouse, which I've already replaced. Luckily, the keyboard runs on its own and can be separated from the mouse. |
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I've worked with a lot of mice over the years. Again, my early preferences were for the Microsoft brand, but Logitech eventually won me over. They represented the innovator in the field. It seemed like Microsoft was playing a catch up game with Logitech. Logitech's models were stuck in an oval shape for a long time. And then, taking a clue from Microsoft, they began to make their mice ergonomically correct, fitting the hand in its natural position.
What I like most about the G7 is the twin Li-ion battery packs that come with it. One can be recharging while the other is being used in the G7. And it uses USB speed + 2.4GHz cordless for what Logitech calls a "bulletproof connection." All of this is probably more than you'll need for your applications, and any one of Logitech's other models... or even Microsoft's cordless mice will do just fine. But cut the cord for the newfound freedom it brings. |
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By the way, now is a good time for all of those who choose to keep their current computers. Make sure that you have enough memory (RAM) loaded on your computer, because Vista is another memory hog. You may even want to upgrade your video card, too. Windows Vista will put some demands on current equipment, and if you're building a new computer, you'll want to build it for the future, which means more RAM, and a better video card.
In the meantime... If you are building your computer before the release of Windows Vista, you may want to get a head start by installing Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. I loaded this OS onto my new build and I'm very impressed with it. This 64-Bit edition of XP will allow me to add more RAM - for my motherboard, up to 16GB - in preparation for the future memory-hungry Vista. |
| One more thing... Buying computer parts online is a great way in which to save money, but there are a few guidelines that will ensure your purchasing experiences will be satisfactory. Deal with reputable vendors who back up the products they sell. Occasionally, a computer component may not work properly, and you want to make sure you can return the merchandise for a new component. But even reputable vendors require that you apply for an RMA, Returned Merchandise Authorization. The requirements of most vendors' RMAs are that you send the unit back in its original packaging, with an the RMA number (they will send it to you by e-mail) printed on the outside of the package. You must send it by FedEx or UPS at your own expense, but they will send you the replacement free of postage. |
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We're going to be building two computers. We will build a business computer that will be used for day-to-day business applications and working online. We will also build a "dream computer" that has much of the speed and capacity that a computer gamer would need. Keep in mind that we will build these computers as we purchase the parts, so that we will have plenty of time to fully explain the thought processes and procedures involved in building both types of computer. It may seem odd, but we will begin by building the most complicated computer first. I know that if I can adequately explain that computer build, the budget computer build will be so much easier to understand. The budget computer will be housed in a silver case, with the usual box-type shape. The dream computer will be in a black case with a very different shape, somewhat similar to a snail or sea shell. As the pages are developed, you will be able to click on the thumbnail photo to get a larger more detailed view.
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Computer
designers originally called this component the Main Board, but over the
years it's been called Motherboard. Personally, I think that label dates
back to the first "Alien" movie when Sojourney Weaver referred the
computer's mainframe as "Mother." Motherboard, or MoBo for the initiated,
is the brains of your computer. And every component is connected in some
way to the motherboard.
Australian
Frank Clewer built up a static charge simply by wearing a nylon jacket
over a woolen shirt. Upon entering an office building, Clewer caused the
carpet to ignite with a noise like a firecracker and later melted plastic
on the floor of his car.
When
you are building a computer, static electricity is your worst enemy. If
you walk across a carpeted floor and touch a doorknob or someone's hand,
you may create a shock you can feel. But it's harmless to people and
doorknobs. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for computer components.
That same discharge can destroy expensive computer parts in a flash.
When
building your computer, or touching parts of the computer take
precautions. For example, don't unpack your computer components in a room
where you have recently received an electrical shock. I always try to wear
sneakers or rubber-soled shoes when I'm assembling my computer or working
under the hood. Also, get into the habit of touching an electrical ground
as you work. A screw on the faceplate of an electrical outlet, or the
metal case of an electrical appliance., or even a tool that uses a
three-prong plug. A great place for a computer assembly is in a damp
basement. The moisture in the air lessens static electric charges. I
always use a Grounding Strap. Available for a few dollars at Radio Shack,
it's a Velcro wrist strap with a coiled grounding wire and a clip to
attach to the frame of your computer. That will guarantee that your body
will not build up a harmful charge. 
The
ATi Radeon 9800 Pro is a good mid-range choice at about $125. It offers
128MB of graphics memory. If you're a gamer you'll want to climb up into
the rarified air of 256-512MB of graphics memory.
First a little history…
Hard disks were invented in the 1950s as a 20-inch platter, but they held
only a few megabytes of information. Originally called “fixed disks,” the
name was changed in order to differentiate them from floppy disks which,
at the time, were really floppy, thin film-like 5-inch disks. On
the right, you can see the older floppy compared to the newer plastic
shell. By the way, the little floppy disk is on its way out, too. It's
quickly being replaced by the more versatile "flash drive" that uses a USB
port to transfer information. We'll talk about that later.
The Floppy
Disk, as I mentioned earlier is just another method of data storage. Every
year computer technology purists contend that the floppy disk is obsolete.
After all, it only holds 1.44 megabytes (MB) of data as opposed to the new
flash drives that hold up to 4 gigabytes (GB) of data. But the floppy disk
is like the Energizer Bunny - it just keeps going and going. It is
probably the most recognized method of data storage and transfer in the
world. Who can ever forget the movie, "Mission Impossible," when Tom
Cruise repelled from a ceiling to record a classified list on a floppy
disk?
The
Computer's Display, commonly called The Monitor, is easily the most
visible part of yo
ur
computer. It is for that reason and others, your selection is important.
The big question usually asked when the conversation turns to the Monitor
is, "Which is best, the flat screen or the TV-looking thing?" When I
taught computer workshop classes a few years ago, the choice was
relatively simple. Flat screen monitors were generally higher priced and
not quite as reliable as the CRT (cathode ray tube) on the left.
recommended
that you look for a monitor with a refresh rate around 85Hz. Lastly,
let's talk about Dot Pitch, which 
For
the past two years, I've used the Logitech Cordless Keyboard, which looks
like the one on the left, with the exception of the cord. This keyboard
has all the bells and whistles without being too crowded. You can
configure the buttons along the top to take you to your Home Page or your
favorite shopping website. It also has a convenient scroll wheel on the
left that you can use in addition to the one on your mouse.
Logitech's
newest model - and the model that I've chosen for my new computer build -
is the Laser G7. It's probably the fastest mouse in the Logitech stable.
They are making a serious run for the gamer crowd. 
As you may know,
Windows XP is on its way out as the latest and greatest Operating System
(OS). Pretty soon, Windows Vista will debut and XP will go the way of
Windows 98. However, I would suggest sticking with Windows XP Professional
for the time being. Let's give MS a chance to work out all the bugs before
we jump onboard.