Well, then...the pc, I guess

[j2k4]

You suffer an embarrassment of riches, boy.
A 22" LCD as a backup monitor?

Maybe SWMBO is due for a dual monitor setup...

Well, she'll have two monitors, but the second one will be connected to her other computer - my Dell will be demoted to biz-only, and all the mods from the E521 (PSU, mem, Vid card, etc.) will be transferred to her primary (E520) machine.

I'll probably install the leftover Intel cooler from the E8400 too, 'cuz I think it's better than the OEM Dell setup with the remote fan/passive heat sink.

[clocker]

It probably is.

[j2k4]

For perspective - Mrs. J's 22" Samsung, then the HG...





...then from the chair, maybe 30" away?

[Acid_death69]

that is pretty huge like, same goes for the screen i jest yes it is a big screen

[Detale]

I.....I hate you.

[j2k4]

I.....I hate you.

I experienced about a nanosecond of self-loathing, myself.

[Detale]

Im sure you have, I got $250 in gift certs for Xmas and I may just have to gey a 21.5" inch with the good sales they're having ATM. Hmmm

[j2k4]

Im sure you have, I got $250 in gift certs for Xmas and I may just have to gey a 21.5" inch with the good sales they're having ATM. Hmmm

There should be scads of good deals just now, especially where you are.

Zip over to J & R; see what they've got.

[clocker]

So, about RAID.

I think you should try it.
Only by setting up an array can you tell whether it's practical for you and IC.

I have never lost an array during regular use...hardware has improved considerably since RAID was first used and, as you know, I don't value my OS install much...if it vanished, I'd just reinstall.
Data should be backed up to disk or external storage- but this holds true even for a non-RAID setup, so that's really no different.

For a multi-disk array such as you are considering, making a small partition just for the OS ("shortstroking" as we wonks call it) will give the most impressive results.
For a Vista install, 50-60GB should work fine.
This would be RAID 0.

The remaining space can be a separate RAID 0 array or -thanks to modern technology- could even be set as a RAID 1 array, although I'm not sure how useful that would be.
I'd say just hike up your skirt and spread 'em- go RAID 0 all the way.

Now, about those shortcuts...

Right click anywhere on the desktop, choose New>Shortcut.
In the location box type (no quotes)- "shutdown(space)-s(space)-t(space)0".
Looks like this in practice: shutdown -s -t 0.
Name it anything you like, mine is "KILL".
It will appear on the desktop as a generic label called "KILL" (or whatever you named it.
Right click on the shortcut and go to "Properties".
In the "Run" box, toggle it to "minimized".
You can change the icon here as well.

Drag to the QuickLaunch bar and delete the duplicate that remains on the desktop.
Done.

For a Reboot icon, the procedure is exactly the same but the target is "shutdown -r -t 0".

Sleep is a whole 'nother animal.
First, navigate to Power Options in the control panel.
You should be running "high performance", go to the advanced settings.
Disable "hybrid sleep".
Next you have to disable "hibernation".
Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Command Prompt.
Type in "powercfg –h off" (again, no quotes).
Hit enter.

Now make the shortcut.
Procedure is the same as before, target is: "%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState"
Done.

Before using the shortcut, make sure your BIOS is set to sleep properly.
The fastest way to do this is just to use the stock Windows "sleep" button.
Hit "Start" and in the lower righthand corner are three icons- a power icon, a padlock and a little arrow.
Hover over the arrow and choose "sleep" from the submenu that appears.

In a perfect world, you machine shuts down, just as if you shut it down normally.
Wait a minute or two.
A simple keystroke or mouse movement should wake it right back up...very quickly.
That's if everything is just right.
If not, the PC will go into an endless reboot sequence.
Should this happen, kill the power by shutting off your PSU.
Let it sit a few minutes, then turn the power supply back on.
If you're lucky, nothing will happen.

Hit the power button and it should just turn on normally.
Now you know if "Sleep" works or not.

If it DID work, try the shortcut.
It should work also and life is good.
If not, I anticipate a phone call.

Merry Christmas.

[j2k4]

Muto obrigato.