Is it just that easy?

[kayden azagthoth]

Okay. I am going to be buying the following:

~ A-Open HX45 P4 ATX w/300w PS (P3/P4/Athlon)
~ AMD Athlon XP1500+ (SocketA)266FSB
~ 256MB DDR RAM
~ MSI K7T-266 Pro2; DDRAM (Socket A) AthlonXP
~ Two extra case fans

Once I get that all together, I am going to add from my CURRENT system:

~ Fujitsu 13G 7200 HDD
~ Soundblaster PCI Ensoniq
~ Nvidia Riva TNT2 64M 32Meg
~ Realtek Ethernet Card
~ 52x CD Rom
~ Sony burner
~ Floppy drive

Now, my question is...is it just as simple as removing my hardware from my older system and placing it in my new system and booting it up? If doing that is a total no-no, can someone guide me as what to do from start to finish in step-by-step details (or at least tell send me a link to a site that shows what I am looking for).

I am on a budget, but I figure my new mobo, cpu, and memory with my older hardware will be better than my current mobo (EPOX MPV3G2), memory (256MB PC-100) and cpu (K6-2 500). I will upgrade my HDD, Soundcard and Vid Card when money warrants.

I just need to know if it's as easy as I think it is. Or will I be in a mess of wires, smoke and sparks?? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Can anyone help me?

BTW my hard drive has about 4 gigs worth of stuff on it (nothing really important) but I just want to know if moving over to the new system will damage or delete any of my files. I am also running Win98SE.

Thank you in advance. It could be a couple weeks before I get my new Hardware, so take your time in replying!!

Kayden

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And all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be.

-Pink Floyd

[diurnal]

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/buildpc/
try this link , I used this the first time i built a cpu, kinda of wild huh?
Its in petes link, cant believe the link still alive. But i had no troubles the first time i built one, except for the floppy. But it will be hardpress not to have in troubles the first time. But its the best experience over a book.

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Sledgehammer will save the day!

[kenja]

Looks like a good setup to me, Kayden. If I were you, I'd burn CDs of all the stuff you want to keep out of the 4GB. Then when the new system is assembled, Fdisk and Format the hard drive for a fresh start.

Your new motherboard is so much different from your current one that I'm pretty sure you won't be able to boot without a reinstallation of the operating system.

[kayden azagthoth]

Thanks for the replies! I read the post that BigBlue posted about reformatting when replacing a motherboard and it pretty much answers all my questions but one...

I know I'm going to sound totally green, but what exactly is FDisk and how do I go about doing it? Does it have anything to do with FAT32?

I'm good with doing a fresh install of Windows...been there and done that, once! It was a little tricky to start, but I got 'er done in an evening...minus a few hairs on my head http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

So should I format my hard drive BEFORE I remove it and put it in my new system or AFTER I hook it into my new motherboard etc.?

Luckily, I'll have this computer I am on now to insure I am doing everything properly!

Man, this forum is amazing. I don't know where I would be without it.

A plethora of knowledge and a huge gang of extremely nice folks. What more could one ask for?

Thank you!

Kayden

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And all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be.

-Pink Floyd

[kenja]

The PCGuide search engine is having trouble right now, but search on FDISK for some good background info. Also search at Google.com (but ignore the Linux version).

If you're happy with your current partitioning, there is no need to use FDISK. If only one hard drive is installed in a system, I prefer to split it in two. This allows Ghost or Drive Image to write the image of one partition onto the other partition.

A rough intro to FDISK: The program is present on the Win98 startup floppy. If you don't have it: go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Startup Disk tab.

I'd be inclined to do this once the new system is assembled:
Boot up into DOS using the Startup floppy. At the a: prompt, type fdisk and press Enter. There will be a question about large disk support. This is actually asking if you want FAT32, so answer "Y".

(Assuming there is currently more than one partition: ) Delete all logical partitions. Delete the extended partition. Delete the primary partition.

Create a primary partition: answer "N" if you don't want the entire disk to be a single partition and enter the size you want it to be. Make the primary partition active (bootable).

Create an extended partition using the rest of the space. Create logical partition(s) within the extended partition.

The computer must be restarted before formatting can take place.


[This message has been edited by kenja (edited 11-09-2001).]

[ranchdog]

kayden....

Check out www.pcnineoneone.com (http://pcnineoneone) . Browse aroud the front page. Lot's to read here as well as How To Build.

Luck. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

P.S. Having trouble with this link. But works if typed in a search.

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 11-09-2001).]

[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 11-09-2001).]

[fixrupr]

Being without a working PC during the build is the main drawback to your plan. Your hard drive & video card will be in the new one. Also check into compatability of modem. I would sacrifice the high end CPU and spend the bucks on a hard drive and video card in order to keep a working PC while building new. Most of the information in posts is from very experienced guys, and while they have great knowledge, they sometimes don't realise how inexperienced the rest of us are. I, for instance, after fighting the lack of space inside the case found that the panel that the board was installed on was totally removable. They have forgotten how the sweat pours the first time you install a $150 CPU. That being said, it is worth every drop of sweat to build your own.


[This message has been edited by fixrupr (edited 11-09-2001).]

[ranchdog]

Me Forget....

Gotta be yankin' my chain.

My toes curl every time I change the CPU and/or HeatSink Fan assembly. I vision the chip-die becoming history. With some crush effect or a nick being knocked off one of the corners. Everybody sends one sometime to the Great PC In The Sky.

I refuse to use a CPU shim. TaiSol makes a neat three-clip design HS/F clip. Mfg's need to pick up on that one. Works excellent on a ZIF socket that has a broken ear from previous abuse. And it doesn't take a humongus screwdriver and tons of pressure to get it fastened.

Best bet is to install the CPU and HS/F assembly while the Mboard is out on the table.

Luck.

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[fixrupr]

Is true about installing heat sink while board is on the bench. Memory at the same time. I couldn't believe how much force it takes to insert those strips. Re the heat sink hold down clip: after failing by using hand pressure I let it set for quite a while. I reread instructions 3 or 4 times trying to glean some insight, all to no avail. Plyers had to be used. If they had slipped it would have been disaster. This is not something to try after you've had a bad day. It's kinda like the first time you ask a girl to dance--- not all that unpleasant but its nice to have it over and done with.

[kayden azagthoth]

Well, since I am going to be using the same hard drive I don't think I'm going to bother partitioning it into more than the one sector.

So it would be advisable to install the cpu and ram onto the mobo before I put it into the case? Then I can install my old hard drive, video card, sound card, etc.?

Then when I do my first boot, I should have my startup disk in and go about formatting my C: drive? I've formatted and reinstalled Windows before, so I should be cool with that.

BTW that PC911 site is amazingly good. I printed off 8 pages of 'how to assemble a PC'. Good reading there for a rookie like me.

Thanks for the advice gang. I'll keep you up to date when I get going with the proceedure. Should be sometime soon. Thanks for the wishes of good luck.

Kayden

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And all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be.

-Pink Floyd

[fixrupr]

Sounds like a plan! ----It is advisable to do 1st boot with only video card installed. Add others one at a time. Losts of luck, eh http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

[fixrupr]

Sounds like a plan! ----It is advisable to do 1st boot with only video card installed. Add others one at a time. Losts of luck, eh http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

[ranchdog]

kayden....


Here is another excellent site www.duxcw.com (http://www.duxcw.com) . When you get there click on How To. Real good section on how to build a PC.

I know it's been said but take your time as you go along. Reading thru your Mboard manual is a must. As you gaze at the new Mboard. When the manual refers to different jumpers, etc. you can pick them out on the board.

If things become confusing, walk away from it for awhile. Go down to the Quick Stop and grab a Dew. Amazing how things can sort themselves out.

PPPPPP. Prior Planning Prevents P Poor Performance. Wished I had coined the phrase "Haste Makes Waste".

Drive On. Ain't no hill for a climber.

In answer to your last post. Yes and Yes.

BTW. Dynamite selection on the new Mboard!

Luck. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 11-10-2001).]

[kayden azagthoth]

Thanks guys and gals.

I think I have all the answers I need for now...at least I hope so! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

Like I said, I'll keep you all posted on my successes and failures and attempts at how many fistfulls of hair I yank out! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

If all things go well, I should have those parts before Christmas.

If anyone has any more advice, I'd be grateful!

Thanks for the links too!

Kayden

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And all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be.

-Pink Floyd

[not_fred]

Hey, Kayden;

Be sure & watch the MSI support website on that mobo. The BIOS has been updating at a pretty fast clip since the A revision of that board came out. You might want to delay purchase of the mobo until the last thing, to see if they settle it down. Then, when you get it, you have the least chance of having to flash an update.

Mine's running pretty stable (and we're talking an approximation of greased lightning, here); I have not bothered to update the BIOS since I bought it.

[Jumby]

That's a nice system. I would put a better hard drive in it.

[BigBlue66]

Hey,

Another thing to check when you get your new mobo is the CMOS battery. Sometimes manufacturers will insert a piece of material, cardboard? plasic? under the battery so as to conserve battery power.

Also, make sure the CMOS jumper is in the Normal position.

Other than those two things, I think you're ready to go. Remember, when you get your new mobo, just sit and stare at it with utmost appreciation and awe for awhile, before you open the mobo manual. Then, make sure whatever jumpers there are for your specific processor, FSB and such, are in the right place.

It's been said more than once, but take your time. Don't try to rush anything. You're not getting paid to assemble this computer, so there is no need to do a hurry up job. After you have successfully installed the CPU and memory, for example, take a break and then come back to it and start working on those jumper settings, or vice versa. While you are taking a break, you may think of something that you want to check, or recheck, when you get back at it.

And the most important part is, HAVE FUN! There is no better feeling of accomplishment than building your own and having it boot up first time with one beep that says everything is as it should be.

Can't stress enough the importance of adding just one peripheral at a time, too. Gives you far fewer problems.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66


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Life = Karma, or is it, Karma = Life?