Upgrade system using barebones

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ed
  • Start date Start date
E

Ed

Hi All: dont know if this is the right NG but seems appropriate.
I have a HP 8770 thats showing signs of failing (ghosting lines on screen,
slow operation etc..) I would like to reuse harddrive, cdrw, dvd and zip.
Any thoughts on where to get help on setting up the new system or even where
to start as thsi would be first build.
thanks, ed
 
Ed said:
Hi All: dont know if this is the right NG but seems appropriate.
I have a HP 8770 thats showing signs of failing (ghosting lines on screen,
slow operation etc..) I would like to reuse harddrive, cdrw, dvd and zip.
Any thoughts on where to get help on setting up the new system or even where
to start as thsi would be first build.
thanks, ed
Click to expand...

If money's not a problem, I would suggest getting a new PC. Just be sure to
back up all your important stuff onto CD (MP3s, setup programs, documents,
weblinks, etc.).

My Dell Dimension 2350 (which I was able to configure on-site) cost me $429
(monitor not incl.; I already had a monitor), and since I bought it @ the
Dell website, I saved the $99 shipping.
[/QUOTE]
 
Hi All: dont know if this is the right NG but seems appropriate.
I have a HP 8770 thats showing signs of failing (ghosting lines on screen,
slow operation etc..) I would like to reuse harddrive, cdrw, dvd and zip.
Any thoughts on where to get help on setting up the new system or even where
to start as thsi would be first build.
thanks, ed
Click to expand...

Your subject line might be the best solution for you...especially if
you don't wanna take the time to get a major education along the way.

Go to your local ma & pa computer store...and tell them you want a
barebones system. Decide on which one you want. From that point, you
have a few options...depending on what you want to do and what they
will do for you.

1. Take your major parts out of your machine...and you install them
in the new machine. Ask them beforehand if it'd be okay if you call
them along the way with any minor installation questions. Many shops
will be more than glad to work with you.

2. Same as #1...but you have THEM install the parts...for an
agreed-upon IN-WRITING price.

A barebones system doesn't come with a monitor, however. And, if the
hd isn't at least a 7200 rpm, you may want to consider replacing that
also.

Good luck.


Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!
 
Thanks, Great ideas i will look into local shops. How do i check speed on
hd?
Click to expand...

Some drives print the speed on the top of the drive...on the label.
But some don't. Its best to ask the vendor...and then make sure that
speed is written somewhere on your receipt.

If yer looking for an awesome system, get the Western Digital Raptor
serial ATA (SATA) drive. 10,000 rpm...with very impressive specs and
a 5-yr. warranty.

Just make sure you get a board that you can use it on.

Good luck.


Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!
 
Ed said:
Hi All: dont know if this is the right NG but seems appropriate.
I have a HP 8770 thats showing signs of failing (ghosting lines on screen,
slow operation etc..) I would like to reuse harddrive, cdrw, dvd and zip.
Any thoughts on where to get help on setting up the new system or even where
to start as thsi would be first build.
thanks, ed
Click to expand...

Are we talking about a laptop or a desktop here? If it's a desktop,
this is easy. If it's a laptop, you're probably out of luck.

You need to find out what's causing the errors you mentioned. If it's
one of the components you want to save and stick into the new barebones
system, then you're going to spend lots of money to solve nothing.

What operating system are you running? I'm assuming some flavor of
Windows. Before mucking about with hardware, you should probably
restart Windows first and see what that cures. It should fix the slow
down you're talking about.

I'm not sure what you mean when you talk about "ghosting lines on
screen". Is this only in 3D applications or also on 2D applications?
If it's just 3D applications, it's likely something is wrong with your
3D accelerator (if you have one).

Do you have another monitor in your house? If so, try swapping
monitors. If the ghosting problems persist there's likely something
wrong with your videocard. If they go away, it's the monitor that's
screwed up, at which point you can chuck that (or keep it around for
occasional non-serious use where the ghosting lines problem you
mentioned really isn't a huge bother). If the problems don't go away,
you probably need a new video card.

None of these fixes I've mentioned require getting a whole new barebones
system and transplanting the PC's innards. That's just a little bit
extreme (and unnecessary). In general I either upgrade new machines
part by part or just get another new one. I don't think it's worth it
to buy another barebones and then transfer the innards of your computer
into it.
 
Ed said:
Hi All: dont know if this is the right NG but seems appropriate.
I have a HP 8770 thats showing signs of failing (ghosting lines on screen,
slow operation etc..) I would like to reuse harddrive, cdrw, dvd and zip.
Any thoughts on where to get help on setting up the new system or even where
to start as thsi would be first build.
thanks, ed
Click to expand...


Are we talking about a laptop or a desktop here? If it's a desktop,
this is easy. If it's a laptop, you're probably out of luck.

You need to find out what's causing the errors you mentioned. If it's
one of the components you want to save and stick into the new barebones
system, then you're going to spend lots of money to solve nothing.

What operating system are you running? I'm assuming some flavor of
Windows. Before mucking about with hardware, you should probably
restart Windows first and see what that cures. It should fix the slow
down you're talking about.

I'm not sure what you mean when you talk about "ghosting lines on
screen". Is this only in 3D applications or also on 2D applications? If
it's just 3D applications, it's likely something is wrong with your 3D
accelerator (if you have one).

Do you have another monitor in your house? If so, try swapping
monitors. If the ghosting problems persist there's likely something
wrong with your videocard. If they go away, it's the monitor that's
screwed up, at which point you can chuck that (or keep it around for
occasional non-serious use where the ghosting lines problem you
mentioned really isn't a huge bother). If the problems don't go away,
you probably need a new video card.

None of these fixes I've mentioned require getting a whole new barebones
system and transplanting the PC's innards. That's just a little bit
extreme (and unnecessary). In general I either upgrade new machines
part by part or just get another new one. I don't think it's worth it
to buy another barebones and then transfer the innards of your computer
into it.
 
Thanks All. Turned out to be video card.
But in future i would like to increase speed of computer and found at
tigerdirect a barebones case, board, processor and power supply for 170.00
The reason for wanting to reuse my harddrive is I have so many programs and
set ups for printers, scanners networks etc it seeems to take days to
reinstall.
besides i have winxp pro on this drive and dont need to purchase an
opertaing system again. on top of office developer and many other long
install and configure items seems it would be easier to swap hardware.
Ed
 
Swapping hardware is a good plan. Might want to check resellerratings and
the history in this (and other) newsgroups. Tiger direct has a lousy
reputation. I, persomally, avoid them, and advise my friends to avoid them
as well. There are other good sources on the net like Newegg and Mwave that
are competitive on price and have better service and reputations.

JT
 
Thanks All. Turned out to be video card.
But in future i would like to increase speed of computer and found at
tigerdirect a barebones case, board, processor and power supply for 170.00
The reason for wanting to reuse my harddrive is I have so many programs and
set ups for printers, scanners networks etc it seeems to take days to
reinstall.
Click to expand...

Just clone that drive over to the new drive, Ed...then do a repair
install. Not the most fun in the world...but easily doable. lol
besides i have winxp pro on this drive and dont need to purchase an
opertaing system again. on top of office developer and many other long
install and configure items seems it would be easier to swap hardware.
Ed
Click to expand...

All you'll most likely need to do is activate xp again, Ed.

Glad you got your problem solved.


Have a nice week...

Trent

Follow Joan Rivers' example --- get pre-embalmed!
 
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