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Finally figured out how to put in the graphic about deer ...

Very Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

I'm getting ready to replace my main computer. It is becoming increasingly slow. It takes 20 min to boot up before I can begin working and if I leave it for a while and come back, it takes forever to pick up speed. It locks up sometimes, so I know it's just a matter of time before it dies. When I bought it I thought it was the fastest thing around, now either I'm faster or it's slower. I use it for ATX and QuickBooks mainly and I hardly ever turn it off. It has the I5 processor and 8 gigs of ram, 1TB hard drive with Windows 7 operating system. What would you suggest I do? I'm thinking I7 processor and at least 16 gigs of ram and the one I'm looking at is Windows 10. Not so much interested in brand recommendations as I have a favorite, or would you suggest having one custom made? Got a quote for one custom made and it seems high compared to what I can purchase elsewhere (I was quoted with tax around 1350.00) The one I'm looking at is 749.00. Quite a difference. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I may do that eventually on the new computer. But the one I currently am using is 5+ years old and is showing signs of wear. I don't want to have to stop during the tax season and get one in a hurry. This way I can get it set up and get use to it before the rush.

In the Drake FAQ on what Drake requires for efiling one question says: How often do I need to register my EFIN? This is a one-time verification process. You do not need to re-send your EFIN document unless your EFIN number has changed.

I went to My ATX site and see my EFIN there. The only way I can see to upload my acceptance letter is to go to change my EFIN but I'm not changing anything so I do not believe this is required. I have my letter ready but I am going to wait till I send my first efile before I struggle with this. I still believe that if we are already established it is not needed. If it was I believe our EFIN number would not be showing on our info thus forcing it to be updated. I vaguely remember having to do this the first year I efiled way back in the day.

Video graphic card is NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 750Ti with 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Memory. As to Windows 10, I'm leaning that route mainly because I plan to keep this computer at least 5 years. If I need to upgrade to 10 I prefer a new install instead of a upgrade.

Thankful for this forum, and everyone on it, where we get to "Talk Turkey" all year.

You are on the best path (I7, 16 gig ram, 1 TB hard drive. Not sure yet about win 10 but we seem to be going there anyway (computers in general) The "bit better" might be things such as SSD (basically a hard drive that does not move) but they do add some expense (getting less expensive as time goes on). Many of the folks I know have gone to SSD for the initial drive (where operating system resides) for the quicker boot-up. Some have gone to SSD for "storage" but many still use the basic hard drives. 1 TB hard drive is good but depending on how many records, etc. you keep, perhaps 2 or even 3 TB (they can be had for not all that much more at times) might serve you well too. If you want to keep the system for a while and want the continued quickness consider possibly going up to 24 or 32 gig ram. Many programs can use the ram for normal operation and do not need to access the "hard drive" as often - so more ram the better and the easier access for your system. By the way, will you be using a 64 bit or 32 bit system --- 64 will operate a bit faster (you may not notice but the computer will). Pricing seems about right ---- make sure you also have a good graphics card (multiple monitor availability) and that the card will "stand-up" to heavy use --- some systems offered have good spec's all around but fall short with the graphics. Many are integrated (means a built-in part of the mother board) which uses YOUR ram not there own). This basically means your 16 gig ram might only have 8 or 12 gigs available for your processing while the balance is used for graphic, etc. Another reason for higher ram needed to perform best, in some systems. As processors change (a lot sometimes) go to the Intel site and review the specs. Some I5 might be as good as an I7 and son on. Also CNET.com has good tutorials on spec'ing computers. I use them as "I know enough to make problems for myself" but do not use that knowledge enough to always remember what-is-what; so I relearn as needed. If you can understand and do taxes, computers are "different" but not nearly as exasperating as government regulations (close maybe - your call). Have a good Thanksgiving and even better holidays to come!