New motherboard installation

[Rainwoman]

Would it hurt to use components from a failed motherboard, i.e. video card, memory, modem, etc., on a new motherboard? I have had intermittent problems (since the day it was purchased) that have steadily gotten worse for the past two years and now finally the computer will only boot into safe mode. I had a CPU fan failure in the first week of purchasing the PC and then in the next couple of weeks the CPU itself was replaced as well as one of the sticks of memory the repairman had said was bad and then was told if that didn't fix my problems that possibly the motherboard would need to be replaced. Hoping this will fix my woes. Like I said, the problems weren't terrible and very intermittent at first and then just steadily got worse and worse.

[malcore]

Is this repairman the same fella who sold you the computer?
Something smells fishy here. Failed CPU fan, replaced CPU, replaced memory, now replaced motherboard.?????????

You CAN use the old componenets in a new motherboard. But I suggest you take the system to another repairman at another shop and get a second opinion. You must find the cause of these problems before you replace anything else. You have almost replaced the whole system. What's next? Bad Hard Drive? Bad Power Supply? Faulty CD Rom?

GET A SECOND OPINION!

Maybe give us all a rundown of your entire system, CPU, memory, motherboard, power supply, HDD, etc. Operating system. Also describe the problems you have been having. Crashes, freezes, rebooting?

Edit- I always forget----Welcome to the PCGuide:p

[Rainwoman]

This work was warranty work for HP. Two different places had their hands on the computer within the first month of having purchased it. The first time I had taken it in it was making some strange noises that I thought sounded like the fan. They found nothing wrong with it and so I picked it up and brought it back home and two days later, bingo, CPU fan failure detected. Took it back in and fan was replaced, but still having some strange things happening very intermittently. Took it to another authorized warranty repair place and at first they could not duplicate the problems I was having. He finally called me back and said that he did have some strange things happening also and said that one of the memory sticks was bad and also the CPU. The CPU of course was under warranty, but they would not cover the memory. They then informed me that if I was still having problems that the next thing would be the motherboard. I do have another motherboard and seeing as how this computer is no longer covered under warranty, I don't want to mess with taking it in again. I have done several upgrades on another computer that I have, a much older one, adding more memory, installing a second hard drive, new CD-RW drive, and have had no problems with it. I call her "old faithful". So I won't mind tackling the task of trying to re-build this now non-working computer, although I am very much of a beginner/novice and am not always sure of what I am doing. So far, I guess, I have been lucky. By the way, the computer that I am talking about that is no longer working is an HP Pavilion XP789.

[Rainwoman]

... and yes, all of the above problems were happening, but mostly when using I guess more memory intensive programs such as online gaming - kids were big into Everquest - and burning CDs, using DVD, etc.

[Rainwoman]

[Also describe the problems you have been having. Crashes, freezes, rebooting?]

... and yes, all of the above problems were happening, but mostly when using I guess more memory intensive programs such as online gaming - kids were big into Everquest - and burning CDs, using DVD, etc.

[malcore]

I still don't know what operating system you are using, or what type of processor or what kind of RAM. But....

Read your new motherboard manual and make sure it is compatible with the processor you have AND the RAM you have.

Also, I assume you are using Windows. Usually when you change your motherboard and use your old hardware, or new for that matter, Windows will have a fit trying to recognize it all and install all the drivers.
So, I hope you have a copy of Windows, because it is always a good idea to re=install Windows clean when upgrading a motherboard.

If doing this, then you will also want to backup any data you want to keep from the hard drive.



Edit---re previous post-"components", "et" go home!;)

[Rainwoman]

Thanks Malcore. I appreciate your advice. The new motherboard is an Epox 8K7A+ with an Athlon 1 gHz processor. Will be using Windows ME and will have to purchase the new DDR memory. As far as backing up goes, I am way beyond that because I had re-formatted, re-installed, etc. And I do have the Windows ME CD full install.

[HeadachesAbound]

Just a side note here.

You might run into problems when using the new MB in the old Case with the HP Supplied Power Supply.

The major manufacturers tend to use proprietary hardware that doesn't work with anything but the proprietary hardware. I had a MB go bad on an old Dell machine and had no choice but to get a new Case, Power Supply, and MB.

[mjc]

HP, while proprietary, does use standard ATX connectors (the BIOS and feature of an HP are crippled), standard (although low end or chepie) vid cards, etc if the they aren't onbaord. So, yes you can use them. Even the Riptide modem/sound card can be used in another machine...but why?