See if I can simplify it, correct me if wrong, my networking knowledge isn't the greatest.

Hub - if one computer sends a packet to another one, it is broadcasted to all other computers connected as well as hubs do not know a direct route to send the data, therefore it can be considered less efficient.

Switch - like a hub, but switches can make a dedicated connection from computer A to B, so the packet does not to travel to all computers.

Router - pretty much a switch, but comes with neat and helpful features like a DCHP server and can act as a gateway out to other networks.

Simply, if you are creating a LAN, buy a router to connect 4 computers (very simple) and if you need more computers to LAN (say 5 to 11 more) then buy a switch and connect that switch to the router, it would act as an extension.

Hope that helps, subrosian's explanation is well detailed (props to you mate!) but like I said, router + switch is pretty much all you need. BTW can you even buy hubs now?

Laptops aren't really the best option if you want to play recent games unless you're running older games (like before 2004).

Best off with a desktop setup if you can, with $1000, you can build a very decent setup can run all of todays game fine.

I don't know why, but for the last 3 days, I couldn't get onto the Gamespot website (I come here for my union) - everytime I go to au.gamespot.com, or even gamespot.com, I get shown a 'Connection Failed' or 'Timed Out' error.

So I'm just wondering, has Gamespot been down for the last few days? Or is my IP blocked?

If my IP is blocked, I would like to know why, I have done nothing wrong, I just logged in a day before it happened, just browsed the forums a bit, and the next day, this all happened.

Think I have to clear out my internet cookies/settings?

(BTW, I'm using the work's comp and internet and its working fine)

You can use hard drive cloning programs like ones from Acronis to transfer everything.

Or just plug both hard drives in, then just manually copy/move the files from the IDE to the SATA drive.

kool, but whats out now?PS2_PC_FAN

Hmmm... probably you can find a 7800GTX or X1950XT as the best bet, but better wait for HD3850 AGP if you are willing to wait ...