How long do PC last

[perplexed]

I am on my second desktop ist lasted about 3 years it was HP, never will I buy another, second one is a little over 3 years and have memory problems freezing problems trying to get it all checked out.

MY ? is this how do I know when it is fixable without putting too much money
into it ?? What I mean is do I upgrade memory or replace memory or buy a new desktop? What if I put money into my desktop and then something else goes out and on and on.


Is there a set amount of time desktops last?? I have a systemax.When do you know it is time to just replace PC??? On the other hand I don't wanna spend hundreds if it is just a minor problems.

Thanks!

[gimpy530]

PCs are like cars, parts die and need to be replaced......if the alternator in your car died, would you get rid of the car? Well the same idea applies to computers, if the RAM dies, why throw out the entire computer?

To make sure the RAM is dead, check for bad RAM:
Go to this site (http://www.memtest86.com/#download0) and download the program, put the disk in and restart your computer as normal, run the test........note that you may have to enter your BIOS and make sure the CD/floppy is the first boot device (if you download the CD image use your CD burning software to extract the ISO to a disk, do not burn the ISO itself as data).......test with only one stick of RAM in at a time if you ahver more than one, and let it run for a while

If the test shows no errors then your problem may not be RAM related, if it does show errors then tell me the make and model of the computer and what country you live in

[smurfy]

I have a couple of machines that are still running fine that would be at least 10 years old on all original parts.
I've got other old boxes that have had to have CD-Rom drives, Floppy Drives and occasionally hard drives and power supplies replaced through "old age" related failures.
However most computer parts should last about as long as they are fast or big enough to not have to be replaced as an upgrade.

[cHiNgY1788]

if the RAM dies, why throw out the entire computer?

There Are people who do
I picked up a P4 2Ghz and an AMD Athlon 2000+, though they are stripped bare, they still work fine

My general rule of thumb is to upgrade (total system) in about every 3-4 years, thats if the system fairly obsolete, it can't run some programs I want to use

The PC it self if build form quality parts should last up to and over 10 yeras
I know some 486s (like 15 - 20 yrs old) are still running today

[perplexed]

Thanks to all of you ,makes sense. I have a computer guy coming tomorrow to check out everything.

I really appreciate all of you!

[Kilerz]

i have a dell dimension its still running fine. i take care of it. every month defrag your computer, but no matter what after a while most computer will start going slow so bakup your files and reformat it( it will run like new). Depending on what u do with your computer can determine its life spand, you might have overclocked the computer which if you dont have a good cooling fan it could ruin your computer. or if u have had someone else put ram in your computer it may have been refurbished.

[tmbm]

My longest comp was for 12 years packerd bell

[gimpy530]

A working packerd bell? Why I have never heard of such a thing!

[tmbm]

12 years