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Related Topics:
| FSX - a 90 second review - FSX hits the streets tomorrow in the USA and if anyone was wondering whether or not to get it maybe this will help. If the cost of the program doesn't seem like a lot of money to you and you've been anxious to get it, by all means, go ahead and get it. .
Rave Review - I am not generally more than mildly about software which installs bmps and changes sky colours, clouds, changes water texture and so on. On the whole, they have been worth but I've hardly sat at my screen,
Looking for FsX hardware Review - Hi, Is someone have a link to a hardware review for FsX? I am just curious to see what hardware it take to have decent frame rate to run fsX. ( Not a review of hardware that is not available ) PC
Radar Contact review - I'm not going to ramble on too long on this, I'll just give you my as someone who is *not* an expert in ATC Hopefully this will give you a feel for how you might view it. There is no doubt that a huge amount of work has gone into..
Radar Contact 4 - short review - Best. Add-on. EVER! Dan (more on Monday, but so far im very
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External
Since: Oct 18, 2005
Posts: 957
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(Msg. 1) Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:06 pm
Post subject: Another Computer Review Please
Archived from groups: alt>games>microsoft>flight-sim (more info?)
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In an earlier thread..............
Vernon Balbert wrote:
> You can get lots of advice here to determine what you need. To my
> mind there's one disadvantage to building your own computer and
> that's the warranty.
I'm in a similar situation to Tom Garrett; I need a new rig but don't
know enough about them to make a knowledgeable decision, so I would
appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. I have a quote from an online
builder which is below. I have selected all the components (which I can
change before ordering) after reading other threads on this NG, but I am
not confident I have 'ticked all the right boxes'.
A few points.
Triple monitors are not an option.
The rig will be used to play FS9 and FSX ONLY. It will NOT be connected
to the internet, and the only other applications on it will be FS
orientated such as FRAPS.
CPU. AMD Athlon 64 X2 64000+ (3.2GHz) 2x1MB L2 Cache (Socket AM2)
RAM. 2GB Corsair XMS2 800Hz (2x1GB)
MB. ASUS M2: Dual DDR II, S-ATA, x 16 VGA, 3 PCI
OS. XP Home
HD. 150GB WD Raptor SATA 16MB Cache (10000rpm)
Raid. None
CD/DVD Drive. 20x Dual Layer LightScribe DVD Writer
Graphics. 640MB GeForce 8800GTS PCI Express
Sound Card. 6 Channel Realtech ALC660 (onboard)
PS & Cooling. 800W Quiet Quad Rail PSU+120mm Case Fan.
Processor Cooling. ASUS Silent Knight II pure copper ultra cooler.
Monitor. LG L226WTQ 22 inch Wide.
DVI cable. I assume this is to connect the monitor???
Cordless Keyboard and Mouse.
Speakers.
Surge Protector.
Warranty. 1 year return to base, free collect and return.
Lifetime online hardware support.
Price (Excluding VAT) £1109.79
(Including VAT) £1304.00
--
MikeW
Happy New Year |
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External
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Posts: 16
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(Msg. 2) Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:06 pm
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"MikeW" <MikeW.TakeThisOut@spammenot.con> wrote in
news:usudncPxVftnBOjanZ2dnUVZ8vmdnZ2d@bt.com:
> In an earlier thread..............
>
> Vernon Balbert wrote:
>
>> You can get lots of advice here to determine what you need. To my
>> mind there's one disadvantage to building your own computer and
>> that's the warranty.
>
> I'm in a similar situation to Tom Garrett; I need a new rig but don't
> know enough about them to make a knowledgeable decision, so I would
> appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. I have a quote from an online
> builder which is below. I have selected all the components (which I can
> change before ordering) after reading other threads on this NG, but I am
> not confident I have 'ticked all the right boxes'.
>
> A few points.
> Triple monitors are not an option.
> The rig will be used to play FS9 and FSX ONLY. It will NOT be connected
> to the internet, and the only other applications on it will be FS
> orientated such as FRAPS.
>
> CPU. AMD Athlon 64 X2 64000+ (3.2GHz) 2x1MB L2 Cache (Socket AM2)
> RAM. 2GB Corsair XMS2 800Hz (2x1GB)
> MB. ASUS M2: Dual DDR II, S-ATA, x 16 VGA, 3 PCI
> OS. XP Home
> HD. 150GB WD Raptor SATA 16MB Cache (10000rpm)
> Raid. None
> CD/DVD Drive. 20x Dual Layer LightScribe DVD Writer
> Graphics. 640MB GeForce 8800GTS PCI Express
> Sound Card. 6 Channel Realtech ALC660 (onboard)
> PS & Cooling. 800W Quiet Quad Rail PSU+120mm Case Fan.
> Processor Cooling. ASUS Silent Knight II pure copper ultra cooler.
> Monitor. LG L226WTQ 22 inch Wide.
> DVI cable. I assume this is to connect the monitor???
> Cordless Keyboard and Mouse.
> Speakers.
> Surge Protector.
> Warranty. 1 year return to base, free collect and return.
> Lifetime online hardware support.
>
> Price (Excluding VAT) £1109.79
> (Including VAT) £1304.00
2 gigs of ram is great for fs9, but FSX likes more.
also if you use much addon scenery, or if your going to keep all your free
a/c on this computer you may want more hard drive space. I have 145.5 gigs
of space taken up on my pc from FS9 and FSX (both installs, fsglobal2008 on
both FS9 & FSX, and all my downloaded addons) |
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External
Since: Feb 15, 2005
Posts: 493
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(Msg. 3) Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:10 pm
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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External
Since: Dec 22, 2007
Posts: 122
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(Msg. 4) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 5:05 am
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"MikeW" <MikeW RemoveThis @spammenot.con> wrote in message
news:usudncPxVftnBOjanZ2dnUVZ8vmdnZ2d@bt.com...
> In an earlier thread..............
>
> Vernon Balbert wrote:
>
>> You can get lots of advice here to determine what you need. To my
>> mind there's one disadvantage to building your own computer and
>> that's the warranty.
>
> I'm in a similar situation to Tom Garrett; I need a new rig but don't know
> enough about them to make a knowledgeable decision, so I would appreciate
> your thoughts and suggestions. I have a quote from an online builder which
> is below. I have selected all the components (which I can change before
> ordering) after reading other threads on this NG, but I am not confident I
> have 'ticked all the right boxes'.
>
> A few points.
> Triple monitors are not an option.
> The rig will be used to play FS9 and FSX ONLY. It will NOT be connected to
> the internet, and the only other applications on it will be FS orientated
> such as FRAPS.
>
> CPU. AMD Athlon 64 X2 64000+ (3.2GHz) 2x1MB L2 Cache (Socket AM2)
> RAM. 2GB Corsair XMS2 800Hz (2x1GB)
> MB. ASUS M2: Dual DDR II, S-ATA, x 16 VGA, 3 PCI
> OS. XP Home
> HD. 150GB WD Raptor SATA 16MB Cache (10000rpm)
> Raid. None
> CD/DVD Drive. 20x Dual Layer LightScribe DVD Writer
> Graphics. 640MB GeForce 8800GTS PCI Express
> Sound Card. 6 Channel Realtech ALC660 (onboard)
> PS & Cooling. 800W Quiet Quad Rail PSU+120mm Case Fan.
> Processor Cooling. ASUS Silent Knight II pure copper ultra cooler.
> Monitor. LG L226WTQ 22 inch Wide.
> DVI cable. I assume this is to connect the monitor???
> Cordless Keyboard and Mouse.
> Speakers.
> Surge Protector.
> Warranty. 1 year return to base, free collect and return.
> Lifetime online hardware support.
>
> Price (Excluding VAT) £1109.79
> (Including VAT) £1304.00
> --
You mention triple monitors not being an option - what about dual? I have a
22 inch lcd as my primary monitor, and extend my desktop to a 19" lcd
secondary monitor. Comes in very handy both for desktop work, and FSX,
allowing me to drag open windows, like radio stack, gps, atc over to the
secondary monitor, getting them out of the way of the cockpit on the
primary, That 8800 GTS will have dual dvi outputs and will handle it just
fine. Just something to consider, you can always add it later at some point
if you want.
2gb ram is fine, I have tested FSX with both 2gb and 4gb installed on XP
Pro, and can't see any real difference. Besides, 32 bit XP only sees app 3gb
max, and reserves some of that for system resources.
If you can, I would add a second hard drive, keep your 150 gb Raptor as your
main drive, use the second for data and possibly your flight sims. It would
not necessarily need to be a Raptor, any Sata 300 7200 rpm hard drive would
work fine. You'll find space eventually will get tight on just 150 gb. Of
course, this can also be added later as well.
Overall, the sytem looks pretty good, and will run FS9 like a bandit, and
FSX fairly well.
Good luck!!
--
Don >> Stay informed about: Another Computer Review Please |
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External
Since: Jul 02, 2007
Posts: 88
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(Msg. 5) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:53 am
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
|
|
"MikeW" <MikeW.TakeThisOut@spammenot.con> wrote in message
news:usudncPxVftnBOjanZ2dnUVZ8vmdnZ2d@bt.com...
> I'm in a similar situation to Tom Garrett; I need a new rig but don't know
> enough about them to make a knowledgeable decision, so I would appreciate
> your thoughts and suggestions. I have a quote from an online builder which
> is below. I have selected all the components (which I can change before
> ordering) after reading other threads on this NG, but I am not confident I
> have 'ticked all the right boxes'.
> ...
150 GB seems a little small, especially if you're collecting videos. But
then, I'm not good a keeping a clean house. I didn't think I really needed
the extra space, but I wanted a really fast, striped RAID 0 data drive. I
ended up with 2 300-GB drives striped together. It suits my housekeeping
abilities, and gives the illusion of serving up data as fast as possible.
2 GB RAM is plenty for FSX. No problems here.
You can tie a dollar figure to the peace of mind of having someone build it
for you, and guarantee performance for a year. The price difference is about
what I spend on coffee in 8 months. >> Stay informed about: Another Computer Review Please |
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External
Since: Apr 18, 2007
Posts: 367
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(Msg. 6) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:53 am
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Dec 28, 7:51 pm, "MikeW" <Mi....DeleteThis@spammenot.con> wrote:
.
>
I need a new rig
We all will eventually. I can't wait until you get your new computer,
so you can share your experiences and issues with us. Then, some of
us will be guided in the right direction.......and no, you are not a
guinea pig....mmm....although I do like them. Had two of them as pets
many years ago.
Good Luck
Arthur >> Stay informed about: Another Computer Review Please |
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External
Since: Oct 18, 2005
Posts: 957
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(Msg. 7) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 1:15 pm
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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noner wrote:
> 2 gigs of ram is great for fs9, but FSX likes more.
> also if you use much addon scenery, or if your going to keep all your
> free a/c on this computer you may want more hard drive space. I have
> 145.5 gigs of space taken up on my pc from FS9 and FSX (both
> installs, fsglobal2008 on both FS9 & FSX, and all my downloaded
> addons)
Thanks noner, I don't use much add-on scenery, and I note your point
about FSX and the requirement for more RAM.
--
MikeW
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the "terminal"? >> Stay informed about: Another Computer Review Please |
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External
Since: Oct 18, 2005
Posts: 957
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(Msg. 8) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 1:18 pm
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Tom Orle wrote:
> "MikeW" <MikeW RemoveThis @spammenot.con> wrote:
>
>> The rig will be used to play FS9 and FSX ONLY. It will NOT be
>> connected to the internet, ..
>
> So, how are you going to get real weather??? ;-(
>
> -=tom=-
Tom,
The computer room is a converted bedroom. If I remove the roof I will
have all the REAL weather I will need. 
--
The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely
kill you.
MikeW >> Stay informed about: Another Computer Review Please |
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External
Since: Oct 18, 2005
Posts: 957
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(Msg. 9) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:15 pm
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
|
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MikeWhy wrote:
>
> 150 GB seems a little small, especially if you're collecting videos.
> But then, I'm not good a keeping a clean house. I didn't think I
> really needed the extra space, but I wanted a really fast, striped
> RAID 0 data drive. I ended up with 2 300-GB drives striped together.
> It suits my housekeeping abilities, and gives the illusion of serving
> up data as fast as possible.
I'll store, and edit, all my video's on my other machine.
>
> 2 GB RAM is plenty for FSX. No problems here.
>
Good!
>
> You can tie a dollar figure to the peace of mind of having someone
> build it for you, and guarantee performance for a year. The price
> difference is about what I spend on coffee in 8 months.
Thanks for taking the time to look over the spec's and for responding
Mike.
--
The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely
kill you.
MikeW >> Stay informed about: Another Computer Review Please |
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External
Since: Dec 15, 2006
Posts: 392
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(Msg. 10) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:21 pm
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Looks good to me, but I would get a bigger HD while you are about it. Say,
250 GB.
--
Yrs Quilly
"MikeW" <MikeW DeleteThis @spammenot.con> wrote in message
news:usudncPxVftnBOjanZ2dnUVZ8vmdnZ2d@bt.com...
> In an earlier thread..............
>
> Vernon Balbert wrote:
>
>> You can get lots of advice here to determine what you need. To my
>> mind there's one disadvantage to building your own computer and
>> that's the warranty.
>
> I'm in a similar situation to Tom Garrett; I need a new rig but don't know
> enough about them to make a knowledgeable decision, so I would appreciate
> your thoughts and suggestions. I have a quote from an online builder which
> is below. I have selected all the components (which I can change before
> ordering) after reading other threads on this NG, but I am not confident I
> have 'ticked all the right boxes'.
>
> A few points.
> Triple monitors are not an option.
> The rig will be used to play FS9 and FSX ONLY. It will NOT be connected to
> the internet, and the only other applications on it will be FS orientated
> such as FRAPS.
>
> CPU. AMD Athlon 64 X2 64000+ (3.2GHz) 2x1MB L2 Cache (Socket AM2)
> RAM. 2GB Corsair XMS2 800Hz (2x1GB)
> MB. ASUS M2: Dual DDR II, S-ATA, x 16 VGA, 3 PCI
> OS. XP Home
> HD. 150GB WD Raptor SATA 16MB Cache (10000rpm)
> Raid. None
> CD/DVD Drive. 20x Dual Layer LightScribe DVD Writer
> Graphics. 640MB GeForce 8800GTS PCI Express
> Sound Card. 6 Channel Realtech ALC660 (onboard)
> PS & Cooling. 800W Quiet Quad Rail PSU+120mm Case Fan.
> Processor Cooling. ASUS Silent Knight II pure copper ultra cooler.
> Monitor. LG L226WTQ 22 inch Wide.
> DVI cable. I assume this is to connect the monitor???
> Cordless Keyboard and Mouse.
> Speakers.
> Surge Protector.
> Warranty. 1 year return to base, free collect and return.
> Lifetime online hardware support.
>
> Price (Excluding VAT) £1109.79
> (Including VAT) £1304.00
> --
> MikeW
> Happy New Year
>
>
>
> >> Stay informed about: Another Computer Review Please |
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External
Since: Oct 18, 2005
Posts: 957
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(Msg. 11) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:30 pm
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Don wrote:
>
> You mention triple monitors not being an option - what about dual? I
> have a 22 inch lcd as my primary monitor, and extend my desktop to a
> 19" lcd secondary monitor. Comes in very handy both for desktop work,
> and FSX, allowing me to drag open windows, like radio stack, gps, atc
> over to the secondary monitor, getting them out of the way of the
> cockpit on the primary, That 8800 GTS will have dual dvi outputs and
> will handle it just fine. Just something to consider, you can always
> add it later at some point if you want.
>
That's a very good point Don, thanks. It had crossed my mind as to
whether it was possible to use a wide screen with a 'normal'
one......and whether I had the 'bits' in my computer to do this!
>
> 2gb ram is fine, I have tested FSX with both 2gb and 4gb installed on
> XP Pro, and can't see any real difference. Besides, 32 bit XP only
> sees app 3gb max, and reserves some of that for system resources.
>
'Tis what I thought from reading all the other threads.
>
> If you can, I would add a second hard drive, keep your 150 gb Raptor
> as your main drive, use the second for data and possibly your flight
> sims. It would not necessarily need to be a Raptor, any Sata 300 7200
> rpm hard drive would work fine. You'll find space eventually will get
> tight on just 150 gb. Of course, this can also be added later as well.
>
As you suggested I will act upon this, if need be, later.
>
> Overall, the sytem looks pretty good, and will run FS9 like a bandit,
> and FSX fairly well.
>
> Good luck!!
Thanks for your response Don, much appreciated.
--
MikeW
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the "terminal"? >> Stay informed about: Another Computer Review Please |
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External
Since: Dec 22, 2007
Posts: 122
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(Msg. 12) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:30 pm
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"MikeW" <MikeW RemoveThis @spammenot.con> wrote in message
news:c4adnQlILrmLx-vanZ2dnUVZ8h-dnZ2d@bt.com...
> Don wrote:
>
>>
>> You mention triple monitors not being an option - what about dual? I
>> have a 22 inch lcd as my primary monitor, and extend my desktop to a
>> 19" lcd secondary monitor. Comes in very handy both for desktop work,
>> and FSX, allowing me to drag open windows, like radio stack, gps, atc
>> over to the secondary monitor, getting them out of the way of the
>> cockpit on the primary, That 8800 GTS will have dual dvi outputs and
>> will handle it just fine. Just something to consider, you can always
>> add it later at some point if you want.
>>
> That's a very good point Don, thanks. It had crossed my mind as to whether
> it was possible to use a wide screen with a 'normal' one......and whether
> I had the 'bits' in my computer to do this!
Yep, it does it no problem, my primary is a widescreen, secondary is a
standard. I see no performance loss at all from doing this.
Your very welcome, and have fun!
--
Don >> Stay informed about: Another Computer Review Please |
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External
Since: Oct 18, 2005
Posts: 957
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(Msg. 13) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 2:47 pm
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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External
Since: May 29, 2007
Posts: 432
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(Msg. 14) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:06 pm
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"MikeW" <MikeW.RemoveThis@spammenot.con> wrote in message
news:usudncPxVftnBOjanZ2dnUVZ8vmdnZ2d@bt.com...
Mike, I would agree with adding a second HD and would get 2 x 250GB. I would
also avoid the onboard sound and go for a Creative Audigy or similar sound
card. Otherwise it looks fine although the price is a little on the high
side. Have you shopped around? Just my two pence worth!
Iain >> Stay informed about: Another Computer Review Please |
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External
Since: Feb 15, 2005
Posts: 493
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(Msg. 15) Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 4:36 pm
Post subject: Re: Another Computer Review Please [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"MikeW" <MikeW RemoveThis @spammenot.con> wrote:
>Tom,
>
>The computer room is a converted bedroom. If I remove the roof I will
>have all the REAL weather I will need.
Mike,
That sounds like a winner!
But don't complain if you encounter a blizzard on your final to PHNL
 (assuming you live in blizzard country).
-=tom=- >> Stay informed about: Another Computer Review Please |
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