Should I Upgrade, or build a new PC?

[vikeen]

First off, I am not all that knowledge with computers. I can plug parts in sure, but when it comes to understanding compatibility and performance of hardware I am lost. My only real objectives with a PC are for programming / web design and gaming. Recently I have gotten some errors and blue screens of death.

Here is an error I receive after a blue screen of death when my PC boots back up:

Award Bootblocker BIOS v1.0
Copyright (c) 2000, Award Software inc.

BIOS ROM Checksum error

Detecting IDE ATAPI device...
Found CD-ROM, try to boot from it ... pass

Automatic Load AWDFLASH.EXE .....



Then it just hangs.


This has been happening for a few months and is becoming more frequent. So, that leads me to my questions. Are there options to fix what I have, or should I consider upgrading or start thinking of building a new PC?

Here are some basic specs for my computer:

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.101026-1503)
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM

Motherboard:
CPU Type Unknown, 3000 MHz
Motherboard Name Unknown
Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce4, AMD Hammer
System Memory 2816 MB (Registered DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award (04/22/08)


Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 240
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GT 240
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
DirectX Version: DirectX 11

Display Memory: 1625 MB
Dedicated Memory: 474 MB
Shared Memory: 1151 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor


I understand that this may be a large task and I fully appreciate any help with it. I have the ability to gather tons of information on my PC I just do not understand what may be important, so if you need something else just let me know and I'll do my best to obtain. I have text files of a full system diagnosis with EVEREST and DXDIAG saved if those would help.

Again, thank you very much time reading this post and attempting to help me.

 

[Deadstick50]

Ok..short and sweet...the Bios seems to be corrupted, thats why its trying to find AWDFLASH.EXE That program is a bios flasher utility that it wants to use to fix itself back up. IF you can get a copy of AWDFLASH.EXE (google it) and burn that to a cd you might, and i stress MIGHT get it to fix.

It is a real possability that you have a hardware problem that flashing the bios wont fix.

If my suggestion doesnt work the easiest path is to go for a new build.

 

[vikeen]

Thanks for the reply. I have been thinking of a new build and I will likely go with this option.

So, assuming I am going to build a new PC here are the only current pieces of hardware I own.

Power Supply: Corsair - TX650W

Video Card: ASUS ENGTX460 TOP, 768MB GDDR5

Any suggestions on these or where to go from here?

 

[Deadstick50]

Ok, how big a budget you planning for?

How old is that Corsair PSU? Does it have alot of plugs on it for modern hardware? (edit...never mind, looked it up its got good specs!)(edit #2 that vid card should be fine if youre not into 100+ fps gaming)

Theres alot i can advise you on, I build AMD systems to sell, but without some basics to work from I'm in the dark here.

So, get back with me on how much $$ you want to spend, oh and do you have a fav parts supplier, oh and what country are you in so i can find you a supplier?

If you want to PM me with the info thats cool or we can keep doing this...your call on that!

 

[vikeen]

I am looking to spend around $500 more. Given time this will change of course, but this is my ball park considering the GPU is already purchased. My monitor, keyboard and mouse still work fine. I heard from a friend that intel processors are out performings amd by a large margin. I wouldn't say he is really update on everything, but how do they compare if I were to get a i5 model?

 

[Deadstick50]

Ok, thats a bit small....but we can find you something that will run good....give me a day or so to look some stuff up.
Oh, and do you need a case, or you gonna re-use old one??

 

[Deadstick50]

Well here's what I've got...let me know what you think!
All items are at NewEgg.com I trust them for my parts.

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Item #: N82E16827135204 $18.99

COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119227 $49.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136534 $64.99

ASUS VH196T-P Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
Item #: N82E16824236088 $99.99

ASUS M4A88T-M AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131657 $94.99

Logitech MK200 Black USB Wired Slim Mouse and Keyboard Combo
Item #: N82E16823126193 $24.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM $46.99

AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX450WFGMBOX
Item #: N82E16819103886 $79.99


Subtotal: $480.92

This is WITHOUT shipping charges, I dont know where you live to try to gauge that!

 

[vikeen]

Sorry I should have specified a little more. I will reuse my old speakers. monitor, keyboard, mouse, and case.

 

[vikeen]

Best answer selected by vikeen.

 

[Deadstick50]

Hope you enjoy the build.........btw my 'net was off for about a week, but Im back on now. Good luck with it, Dead