building a PC
Iv'e decided to get my old PC and try and get the thing working again. not really sure what went wrong with it, and instead of buying a new one i presume i can take the broken gubbins out of it and replace them with new stuff.
how easy is this?
when i turned the PC it would get to the windows loading screen, hang, then turn a funny color, then i had to turn off. reinstalling windows worked for a while, i mean it would load properly then about 5 mins in it would hang turn a funny color and then switch off. (defo not the monitor)
in the bios i tried running windows straight froma dirve (i think, it was advice from someone)
my mate reckoned it was my graphics card, can i swop it out with another one, or will it need installing? my gf has an old pc, and i don't want to fuck hers up.
if no, can i just buy a new processor? it would be a shame to have to shell out for a new cd player, dvd drive etc.
sorry i not sure of the specs of the things, just on my way to pick it up now.
how easy is this?
when i turned the PC it would get to the windows loading screen, hang, then turn a funny color, then i had to turn off. reinstalling windows worked for a while, i mean it would load properly then about 5 mins in it would hang turn a funny color and then switch off. (defo not the monitor)
in the bios i tried running windows straight froma dirve (i think, it was advice from someone)
my mate reckoned it was my graphics card, can i swop it out with another one, or will it need installing? my gf has an old pc, and i don't want to fuck hers up.
if no, can i just buy a new processor? it would be a shame to have to shell out for a new cd player, dvd drive etc.
sorry i not sure of the specs of the things, just on my way to pick it up now.
Post edited by mile on
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ram wise swap for some more ram to test if it works
download and burn to cd ultimate boot cd, that has loads of tests for testing stuff like ram etc
then boot up with that in
personally theres someat big up with mine but i can no longer be bothered trying to fix it, im fed up of just getting by anyway, so im buying a whole new loads better system instead
1) Does the new processor work on your old mobo
2) Does the GFX card work with your old mobo
3) If building a new machine, which processor/mobo/GFX setup works best to compliment each other
4) What speed memory does the mobo support
5) how powerful does the power supply need to be, and does it have all the right connectors on it
6) If a new GFX card is being bought, does it fit the case (This one caught me out once)
7) Can the monitor connect to the new GFX card or will I need to get an adapter (15 pin D-sub or DVI?)
8 ) Will I be quite happy with on-board sound, or do I want a beefy sound card.
The rest is kinda easy - just the size of the hard drive and what optical drive you want.
yeah it'll end up being like triggers brush.
http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/cat.php?search=PCs&nav=227
I had one of there dual core jobbies about 12 months ago and its been on 24/7 acting as my media server. Its good enough for a lot of older PC games and will handle web browsing / office / watching DVD's with no problem at all.
Cost ?129 inc postage and as you already have a screen it cheaper than you can build one. (Base unit, mouse, keyboard and speakers only)
im not really looking for a everyday pc, i need something with a bit of omph, my laptop is for everyday, and i want a decent pc. ;)
took off the sides and it seems pretty straight forward in there, made sure everything was connected properly.
is there any sort of tests i can put it through to make sure it is all functioning properly? there is a thing in the bios but that just tells me that the fan is working.
once it gets past the bios the screen distorts into wierd colors.
ive tried running in safe mode, and VGA mode with no luck. also tried running it from the windows disk.
anything i can try?
the specs are.
- AMD 2100+ XP
- 1 Ghz Crucial CL2 PC133 RAM
- ATI Radeon 8500 64Mb Graphics Card
- 40Gb Maxtor hard drive
- Onboard RAID (isn't that bug spray?)
A good place to go for a cheap, but decent spec system is Dell Outlet. http://www.dell.co.uk/outlet I've bought a few systems from there in the past and always got a good deal.
Graphics card - These days that isn't nearly powerful enough.
HD - You'll fit Windows on it and after that nearly nothing else.
You could keep the processor but if you're buying everything else then you might as well get a new one.
You can get a 1TB HD for ?60. A quality graphics card for less than ?100, a mobo for ?50, 4gb of RAM for ?35 and a decent processor for ?120.
You've got the casing and screen already so you're in a good position.
ah doesn't sound too bad then, i did have a look at processors on PC world website and they were starting at 500 quid. i guess i should have looked further afield.
right i think i will do that then.
cheers mate.
i did find a useful site about builing a PC, so i will have a look through that and see whats what.
the cheap ones i have seen are about 200 quid to buy but they come with things like a DVD drive which i already have etc.
i guess i don't need to buy a PSU though? and the usb connections, CD drive, DVD drive, fans will all be fine.
i might do that for a laugh, make the GF wonder what i had on there.
When I fired it up it started first time.
As regards the psu thats all dependant on what you already have. Choose the right mobo and you'll get lots of USB and SATA connections.
Do lots of Googling about building a PC, it may not give you too many handy hints but it will give you confidence.
Go for it, I've done it once and I'll definitely do it again and you save as much money by doing it this way.
cheers dude, i will certainly have a look around and have a go at it.
Depends. Chances are if you want to run a newer CPU and a decent graphics card, you'll need a more powerful PSU to drive it all. And if you switch to using SATA drives rather than IDE, you'll need one with new power connectors anyway.
Generally speaking, as soon as you swap the motherboard out, everything is going to need replacing. Worrying about keeping the DVD drives etc is a false economy, 'cos they're probably worth < ?10 each.
Might also help if you mutter things like "It musn't be found" and "Quick, quick...they are coming" just to add to the authenticity. :-D
obviously this might not be the cheapest way to do it
just been looking on the misco site, the motherboard products seem to tell you what is compatable.
So, is the mother board the thing that will tell you what else to buy, i mean is that the starting place.
The starting place for me usually is the processor.
When you've found the one you want, then that will determine which socket motherboard you need.
When you have picked the motherboard you want, then that in turn should dictate graphics, memory, SATA etc.
nice one, what should i be spending money on? i mean what can i buy cheaply and what must i spend some extra cash on?
im not looking to play high end pc games, just to use a couple of programs, so it doesn't need to be super fast or anything. just as good as the model i have (of course a working model)
As a general rule of thumb I always *ALWAYS* buy AMD. They are usually cheaper than their Intel equivalents and usually out perform them by varying degrees as well - sometimes dramatically so.
So, sorry to not be more specific, I'd be looking at some AMD processors that will sit on a motherboard that is PCIe compatible. That would be my start point now.
As for places to look
http://www.ebuyer.com/
Pretty decent place. Never had any problems with them.
http://www.scan.co.uk/
Another decent place to deal with. Locally based for me too in Bolton.
http://www.cclonline.com/
Based in Bradford (or should that be Bratfo'?). The PC I bought before my current one was from theses guys. That was self assembled as well. went in, sat down with them and walked out with the full kit...paid a bit for it but I wanted Audigy, nVidia etc, etc...
http://www.dabs.com/
Also very good, and also based in Bolton.
Hope that gives you some more ideas...
STeaMy
Just get a 2nd hand cheap graphics card from a car boot sale for ?1 to ?5, bung it in and off you go.
Windows XP was designed way before 2.1Ghz processors were possible, my parents run XP on a 1.6Ghz processor with 128Mb of Ram and have no problem for surfing the internet or using MS office.
As for Win XP taking up most of the 40gb hard drive, not it won't. Even a fully patched Win XP Service Pack two or three comes in at under or arround 4gb (depending on what drivers you have installed). MS Office is also only about 500Mb tops.
So for normal low level usage your computer should be fine as it is. Only if you plan to have loads of webpages, documents or apps open would I suggest you upgrade. Or of course if you plan to use any operating system that is MS Vista and above. You did mention you would like to program games in MS XNA, to do this I would also suggest an upgrade.
This is true, I used to run XP Pro on a 1.8MHz AMD Athlon Palomino quite happily.
Scan are pretty cool.
I always stick things on my Dads orders when I know he is putting an order in with them.
Good thing is that, usually, they can get shit to you the next day as well. Which is good for me because I'm an impatient lil' shitbag! :lol:
I know what you mean, i remember Crash back in the day, was gutted when my local newsagents (Or WH Smiths) didnt get it on the day it came out and i would have to wait !