Where to get computers from

[AndyC_123]

Hi

Bought some all in 1 computers from PC Specialist 3 years ago (for a small office). They are starting to slow down a bit and 1 keeps crashing so wondering whether to get new ones.

Had a few problems with them (I think graphics card failure) and wasn't overly enamoured by the way the original supplier washed their hands of any issues.

Any recomendations of where to get new ones from? They're only used for standard office jobs, emails and Microsoft Office etc.

Thank you

[AndyC_123]

Sorry just to add, we got all in one last time because of space issues, but have since moved so that won't be a requirement

[GregK2]

I would be amazed if any machine produced in the last few years could not handle those tasks, seems wasteful to buy new again already.

[TownIdiot]

Depending on the spec a three year old PC should still be well capable of running basic office tasks,

How much RAM is installed and what processor do they have?

[Mont Blanc]

GregK2 said:

I would be amazed if any machine produced in the last few years could not handle those tasks, seems wasteful to buy new again already.

This. Seems very odd.

I bought a cheap ACER 'all in one' computer for a business 8 years ago for use in a workshop environment for all the things you suggest - emails, web browsing, invoices, Word/Excel etc, and it still works perfectly now.

I think it was about £450 at the time and was from Currys, similar to this:

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/acer-aspire-c221...

[AndyC_123]

OK thanks guys

This is the spec of them:

[TownIdiot]

10th Gen I5 with 16GB of Ram and an SSD should have absolutely no issues running office tasks,

Maybe time for a reset and a clean install.

[Dave Hedgehog]

that spec is perfectly good to run office type tasks

maybe a clean install of windows will sort out any problems

W10 is going end of life soon so it maybe a good time to do a clean install on W11

[durbster]

Yeah it doesn't sound like that machine would struggle with those tasks.

For PC stuff I tend to use Scan, Novatech and Overclockers.

Scan don't do free delivery which is a little annoying but I have to say their processing times are incredible. I ordered an SSD from them on Sunday. The order was confirmed at 16:33 and I got another email saying it had been despatched at 16:56.

That seems to be the experience each time I order from them too.

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

TownIdiot said:

10th Gen I5 with 16GB of Ram and an SSD should have absolutely no issues running office tasks,

Maybe time for a reset and a clean install.

This 100%.

I am sure a fresh install of Windows would fix all your issues. I would probably take the cover off and hoover out all the dust too.

[AndyC_123]

Brilliant, thanks guys I'll give that a go.

Really appreciate it

[GregK2]

That spec should see those machines absolutely flying and not breaking a sweat!
I would invest in someone to give them a health check, particularly the one crashing. And as mentioned an update to Win 11 if the machine has not already taken care of that itself

[vaud]

Spec will be fine.

Might be worth paying someone to come in and upgrade to W11, check backups are all in place, check the machines over (fans all working, none clogged up with dust, etc) if you are less comfortable with that.

[mmm-five]

I'm not sure about the graphics card failure, as the specs don't list one, it'll be an integrated GPU (Intel UHD Graphics 630) within the CPU.

The only slightly weak bit on that build is the PCS SATA SSD, but it'll normally just fail rather than slow down, so it's more likely a software issue.

How full is the SSD? If it is failing you may be able to disassemble the unit to install a 'big-brand' m.2 SSD (that motherboard should support a single 2280 m.2 NVMe SSD)?

The only other thing I can think of is if it's getting hot (poor cooling, dust, dried out thermal paste). So you could try running HW Monitor or HWInfo to check it's not getting to boiling point.

Edited by mmm-five on Wednesday 12th June 11:41

[Mr Pointy]

The PCs are all-in-one types so not so easy to access the insides to clean the dust out, but as has been said the spec should be fine.
https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/VanGuardI...

[biggiles]

How often is the "1 keeps crashing" happening? Has anything happened to it, is it in a dusty area?

With a dodgy machine, this is a good way to check memory: https://www.memtest.org/

But since a replacement machine is only a £few then it's sometimes not worth spending too much time on it.

In answer to your original question Dell website (including refurbished) is a good source, there are many others.

[eeLee]

if you install lots and lots of rubbish, it can impact the stability of the computer.

Given they are Win10, I would move the data off, save or note settings and licence keys and then use the Windows reset function to download the latest Windows (10) from MS and install clean. I would then ensure latest BIOS and drivers and keep the devices clean once they are rebuilt.

Most of my workloads are performed on a Dell Optiplex 3050 micro that I extended the storage and RAM on. It hosts VMs for me and thus the core OS on the device is never touched....... this hands-off is important on Windows as it will get bogged down with sludge over the years.

[wyson]

I’ll go against the grain here and say at 3 years old, for work machines, it isn’t outrageous to replace the lot.

Why faff around, when time and money is involved?

I’d be looking to replace a work machine at 5 years old anyway.

Edited by wyson on Wednesday 12th June 15:24

[TownIdiot]

wyson said:

I’ll go against the grain here and say at 3 years old, for work machines, it isn’t outrageous to replace the lot.

Why faff around, when time and money is involved?

I’d be looking to replace a work machine at 5 years old anyway.

Edited by wyson on Wednesday 12th June 15:24

Not an invalid point if fixing them up takes time away from the main job.

[dudleybloke]

Spec is well above my mini pc (i5-6500) and that runs pretty well as long as its not a graphics hungry application like a modern pc game. It runs Serato even in stems mode which is quite processor hungry.

As others have said, a refresh of windows would be my first course of action.