So........

[Masherbrum]

I make my post a couple of night's ago and SP2 finishes the download.   It won't install.   I run a chkdsk and it gets looped infinitely as 15 bad sectors are found.   After repairing the 6th one it would lockup.   Vicious cycle.   HD is toast.

So....I check out a few places around town and settle on a 320 SATA WD that I really don't need (my 250 Passport is my new Media drive).   At Best Buy this drive is $99.   I'm pissed because I contemplated sneaking a HD into this build.   I hold off and yesterday I go to Best Buy one last time to see if I missed a smaller HD.   I see a Raptor, last one and marked on Clearance for $99 NIB.   I chuckle, look up and walk out.   This things really smokes!   It's only a 150GB but it is all I'll need.   

The only crappy part is now I have to re-route some wires.   PC is holding strong at 31 C Idle.  According to the Asus software.   I'll post pics soon as I am in the process of loading AH and other stuff.   I've had fun (except the crap HD issue) building this PC.   

To answer Getback's question of whether or not I'll come Bish?   Of course I will.   Not permanantly, but I'll go between the countries if no squaddies are on or the numbers situation at the point of logging on.   

[Fulmar]

Wow, $100?  That's a steal.  Those are usually $175+

Especially at Best Buy (hate that store).  I just bought a 500gb Seagate for $80 last month.  Would have cost $50+ more at Best Buy.

But clearance items are where it's at.  Picked up a USB power hub for $7.50 at a local department store.  Works great so far...  Bought a $20 External HD enclosure at Radio Shack.  LEDs went out after a month and I began to question the quality of the circuitry on it (plus it ran hot), so I pulled my HD out of there and stuck it in my case.  Tried getting warranty on it, but the company is MIA/KIA, thus the clearance.  I actually called their support line after some digging (their site was down, had to use Google cache) and I got some guy's voicemail.

It's in the garbage now.

[BaldEagl]

Glad to hear you're getting it going. 

Wish I would have found a 150 Gig Raptor for $99.  As it is I've got a 250 Gig SATA plus a 200 Gig and a 160 Gig ATA drive in my new machine plus a 120 Gig and a 80 Gig in my old machine plus two drives in my laptop which I don't even know what size they are so, at almost a terabyte of drive space I can't really justify buying another one at this point

[DREDIOCK]

I use Best Buy and Ciruit city as more or less convinience stores.
If I want something in a hurry.

Sometimes they do have deals though.
And on some items they are cheaper then New Egg Depending on what your getting.
Most recently My daighter is getting a new portable DVD player.
Check the prices at Best Buy and New Egg and for hte one she wants the price is identical

Also if your going ot shop at Circuit city or Best Buy.
check their Websites first.
Sometimes they have deals online that arent offered in the store.
Where you buty it online.
then go to the store and pick it up.
and you can get it cheaper then if you just walked into the store.
The only difference is where you paid for it.

Bought my wife a Cannon Rebel for XMas that way and saved about $50

[Getback]

Also, check out Walmart. I'm not joking. I've seen them cheaper than Best Buy. That's where I got my last Hard drive. BTW Same as Bestbuy, check them online. Sometimes the prices are cheaper. But if you were like me. I want it now!

Was only kidding about helping Karaya. You did it yourself. Of course you are welcome in Bishland. 

[DREDIOCK]

Also, check out Walmart. I'm not joking. I've seen them cheaper than Best Buy. That's where I got my last Hard drive. BTW Same as Bestbuy, check them online. Sometimes the prices are cheaper. But if you were like me. I want it now!

Was only kidding about helping Karaya. You did it yourself. Of course you are welcome in Bishland. 

No what I was trying to say was. You buy it online.
Then just go tot he store to pick it up.
When I bought the camera. I was in the store picking it up within 20 minutes of ordering it online.
the only difference was where I paid for it.
It was an online only sale with in store pick up.

some sales are online only and you have to wait for it to be shipped..
Some cases you just buy it online and pick it up at the store the same day.

[JTs]

just make sure you have some airflow over that raptor at 10k rpm they get a lil warm