OphCrack is the only tool I’ve ever used to get windows passwords, but you need to boot from CD/USB to use it anyway
might as well just put windows 7
7 is the new xp. It’d be cool to see it in use 8 years from now in libraries/schools etc
… it IS in use in most colleges here…
My fucking computer is probably fucking shot, and my dad refuses to buy a new, having suddenly decided that he only bought it for us to do ‘homework’.
I can probably live with this though. I used the damn thing too much as it is.
I’ll probably have to make linux livecd to get files off it first. But yeah, windows 7 it is.
Pro-tip: Get a job or do some random work for a relative/family friend. Then build one. It only costs around $1k USD 'round where I am, and it’s in VA (things are more expensive here).
Building one yourself will cost far less than US$1k. You can probably get by with $300-$400 unless you want a speedy gaming rig.
check cl and ebay, too. you can survive pc games with 2-years obsolete gear
Prices vary in different states and where you shop. Generally I need a new machine once every 6 years or so. My current system set me back about $1k from the parts I grabbed locally:
Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H mobo
Intel i7-3570k (3.5 GHZ, overclock to 4.0 GHZ)
NVIDIA GTX 660 SC … which I BELIEVE can overclock as well.
a pair of SSDs and 8GB of DDR3 ram
To be fair, I bought parts locally rather than searching around on EBay or buying most of them online. It could be cheaper there.
This beast puts out A LOT of heat though. Room stays at a steady 80-90 generally with the window closed during the winter.
Edit: I forgot to mention. I can run Crysis 3 at max settings in a WINDOW like 1400 px by 800-900 or so. I tend to play games in windowed mode since 1) increase in performance 2) I like multi-tasking and playing around with music in the background.
I’m wondering, can I take the RAM that came with my old system and use it for a new one?
Depends on the Motherboard. Some support different types of ram. One sometimes won’t work on another. You need to figure out the type of RAM (DDR 2/3, etc) and compare it to your MOBO. Ram’s cheap anyway.
First off, you need to determine if it’s DDR2 or DDR3. Then you have to check if they run at the same frequenzy(2000MHz/1866MHz/1600MHz/1333MHz etc.) and when you’ve got that info, you’ll have to find out if they use the same timings/latency(8-8-8-24, 9-9-9-24, 9-10-9-27).
Having the same timings isn’t as crucial as having the same frequenzy. If the frequenzy isn’t the same, the faster memories will underclock themself to the same level as the slower ones. Thus having a significant performance drop.
I’d really like to build my own PC, but reading about all this shit is making my fucking head explode.
And you call yourself a gamer. 
On a more serious note, he’s saying not all memory is created equal. Some have higher frequencies than others, making them faster. Some memory won’t perform as well as other memory.
They need to match up down to the letter in terms of frequency and the type, otherwise your machine won’t function properly. You also need a powerful powersupply to support your hardware. 600-700 watts are usually good. It depends on your components, however.
What I would do in your position is run down the different parts you need, Mobo, CPU, etc. make a list. Once you do that, check the type of ram and the serial code(s) and research it to see what type of RAM it is and if your new MOBO you picked out would support it.
The thing that’s bugging me is that, looking at all these options, there are so many different things you need to exactly match up between all the components. It’s maddening.
That’s what you get when you deal with mechanical parts in general. They need to be exactly the right width, height, frequency, etc. to work properly.
Talk to the computer guru in your family (or your friend circle), see what they say so you can get a base, then comes the “fun” part of getting the stuff, and assembling it at the end.
That’s me. 
Did you short the power button wires? If it doesn’t work then it’s probably a bad power supply. Since your PC is a dell you’re gonna have to buy a Dell power supply to avoid frying what’s left of your PC.
Actually, I’ve managed to convince my dad to finance building my own. 
Well I’ve got from feeling nothing to indescribable anger and disproportionate hatred, not directed towards any particular individual I know. After this weekend though, this. feels. GREAT. 