upgrading question

[Murphie]

I'm afraid these may be dumb questions, but this is new to me.
This computer was built by an acquaintance who is no longer in the picture. I'm running out of room fast--about 6% free space. I bought a 160 G Maxtor DiamondMax Plus but I have some questions.

Would it help to have this information? (from Everest)
Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Celeron II, 1000 MHz (10 x 100)
Motherboard Name DFI CA64-BN/LN
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8604/5/6 ProSavage PL133/PM133/PN133
System Memory 512 MB (SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award Modular (04/18/01)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter ATI Technologies, Inc. RAGE XL AGP 2X (8

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter ESS Technology Allegro-1.COMM AudioDrive

Storage:
IDE Controller VIA Bus Master IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive ST320413A (20 GB, 5400 RPM,

Ultra-ATA/100)
Disk Drive SanDisk Imagemate CF-MCF USB Device
Disk Drive SanDisk Imagemate CF-MMS USB Device
Disk Drive IMG VP0
Disk Drive Maxtor OneTouch USB Disk (152 GB, USB)
Optical Drive LITE-ON LTR-12101B (12x/10x/32x CD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK


CPU Properties:
CPU Type Intel Celeron II, 1000 MHz (10 x 100)
CPU Alias Celeron III, Coppermine Lite,

Coppermine-128
CPU Stepping cD0
Instruction Set x86, MMX, SSE
Original Clock 1000 MHz
L1 Code Cache 16 KB
L1 Data Cache 16 KB
L2 Cache 128 KB (On-Die, ATC, Full-Speed)

CPU Physical Info:
Package Type 370 Pin FC-PGA
Package Size 4.95 cm x 4.95 cm
Transistors 28.1 million
Process Technology 6M, 0.18 um, CMOS
Die Size 95 mm2
Core Voltage 1.75 V
I/O Voltage 3.3 V
Typical Power 9 - 22 W (depending on clock speed)
Maximum Power 14.0 - 33.0 W (depending on clock speed)

CPU Manufacturer:
Company Name Intel Corporation
Product Information

CPU Utilization:
CPU #1 74 %


CPUID Properties:
CPUID Manufacturer GenuineIntel
CPUID Revision 0000068Ah
IA Brand ID 01h (Intel Celeron)
Platform ID 05h (Socket 370)
IA CPU Serial Number Unknown
HTT / CMP Units 0 / 0


Motherboard Properties:
Motherboard ID 04/18/2001-694X-686B-6A6LJD4NC-00
Motherboard Name DFI CA64-BN/LN

Front Side Bus Properties:
Bus Type Intel GTL+
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz
Effective Clock 100 MHz
Bandwidth 800 MB/s

Motherboard Manufacturer:
Company Name DFI Corporation

Physical Memory:
Total 511 MB
Used 220 MB
Free 291 MB
Utilization 43 %

Swap Space:
Total 1249 MB
Used 168 MB
Free 1081 MB
Utilization 13 %

Virtual Memory:
Total 1761 MB
Used 388 MB
Free 1372 MB
Utilization 22 %



[ DIMM1: 256 MB PC133 SDRAM ]

[ DIMM2: 256 MB PC133 SDRAM ]


[ North Bridge: VIA VT8604/5/6 ProSavage PL133/PM133/PN133 ]

North Bridge Properties:
North Bridge VIA VT8604/5/6 ProSavage PL133/PM133/PN133

Memory Timings:
CAS Latency (CL) 2T
RAS To CAS Delay (tRCD) 2T
RAS Precharge (tRP) 3T
RAS Active Time (tRAS) 6T

Memory Slots:
DRAM Slot #1 256 MB (SDRAM)
DRAM Slot #2 256 MB (SDRAM)

Integrated Graphics Controller:
Graphics Controller Type S3 ProSavage
Graphics Controller Status Disabled

AGP Controller:
AGP Version 2.00
AGP Status Enabled
AGP Device ATI Rage XL
AGP Aperture Size 64 MB
Supported AGP Speeds 1x, 2x
Current AGP Speed 2x
Fast-Write Not Supported
Side Band Addressing Supported, Enabled

Chipset Manufacturer:
Company Name VIA Technologies, Inc.
Product Information [url]

BIOS Properties:
BIOS Type Award Modular
Award BIOS Type Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Award BIOS Message
System BIOS Date 04/18/01
Video BIOS Date 00/10/24

BIOS Manufacturer:
Company Name Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Product Information

I hope it's not way too much stuff to send...

1. Do I need to upgrade the BIOS? The MB manufacturer has phased out the MB, and their isn't a newer BIOS available at their site. Does that mean I need to pay for one? I noticed that Everest has a link for BIOS upgrades.
2. I also wanted to up the RAM. Apparently there are 3 slots, and 2 of them have 256 ea, but it's supposed to able to use 1GB--can I put a 512 stick in the remaining free slot?

The most intensive thing we do now is Photoshop (actually pretty intensive). No games. Digital video may happen in the future, though. Would the larger and faster HD and more RAM make a substantial difference in speed? Or is there anything else that seems really necessary? (Although I wasn't thinking to make a really big project out of this.)
The large HD there is an external, used for backup of the whole workgroup, so not really available, in case anyone was wondering.

Thank you very much!
Murphie

[david eaton]

You should have no problem installing and using that new hard drive.
Check the existing hard drive, to see what it is jumpered as. If it is jumpered as "master", then set the new drive as "slave".
If the existing drive is set to "cable select", then set the new drive the same way.
Connect to the spare connector on the hard drive ribbon cable.

Did the new drive come with any software? If so, it will include tools for formatting, which will have to be done before use. The makers tools runa lot faster than the Microsoft offerings, so if you don't have them, go to the makers website, and download them before starting.

If the maker does not list a newer BIOS for that board, then there isn't one! Using a BIOS flash for another board, even if it uses the same chipset is most likely to convert your computer into a paperweight!

Some more memory is always worthwhile, if the board will accept it. To be sure, visit the Crucial Website (www.crucial.com) and search for your motherboard type. That will list what memory is suitable, and what your options are.

[classicsoftware]

1) Shut the system off

2) Unplug the system.

3) Open the case

4) Touch a piece of the metal case to discharge static electricity.

5) Remove the ribbon and power cable from the master cable on the secondary IDE cable, this is usually either empty or the CD-ROM.

6) Attach the power & tibbon cables from step 5 to the drive to be cloned.

7) Plug power back in

8) Boot system

9) Install the maxblast software for Windows and use it to partition the new drive and copy the files from th old drive to the new drive.

10) Shut system off

11) Unplug power

12) Remove power & ribbon cables from old hard drive

13) Attach ribbon & power cable to CD-ROM

14) Plug system back in.

15) Re-boot system

16) Replace the cover.

17) You can attach the old drive as slave on the primary IDE controller or get a USB 2.0 or Firewire external enclosure.

[Murphie]

Thanks very much to both of you!! I'd be lost without y'all!
Murphie