Computer IS Fried, Need Your input on what to do next.

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

Got my computer checked out for $35. Lightning ruined Power Supply & Motherboard. The guy was very helpful in recommendations. He said his concern was for me keeping all the extras (5.1 surround, firewire, etc) ports I had on my mother board when replacing it.

I have this computer:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00379422

I'm looking at getting replacements parts (motherboard, power supply) or just outright buying a new computer. My parents said they would help me out if I wanted to buy a new computer (meaning, nearly pay for it ) or I can order what I need and install it myself. I need your advice here. I've never replaced anything on a computer before, so I'm weary of replacing the parts, however, I'm very hands on and learn quickly. I feel stupid for asking, but do the processors come with motherboards? Or are they completely seperate? I ask because I was looking at some of the processors and I'm just truthfully not sure.

Option #1: Replace Parts

Mother Board: No idea. Since I have to get a new one, I might as well get something good. Therefore, I'm looking at AMD X2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103747

or Intel Duo Core 2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004

Option #2: Buy new tower

I know you guys have probably seen my previous post about BB or Dell limited due to financing so let's stay within that. My parents will likely pay a good bit, but I'm still putting it on a card. The tower I have now isn't that bad, but when I bought it I didn't know much about video processing cards. I have an integrated one. I'm sure it's not the caliber of what "aftermarket" brands are. I have 1g ram, which is going to hurt for my future projects of video editing/cad. I'd also like this thing to be with me 4 years down the road and don't want to have to replace it any sooner than that (like I'm doing now). Also, is there a way I can use my Media Center hardware from my previous computer on my new one? I can probably find the software to download if I needed to, or just buy it outright. If I go the intel route, could I use my current memory and put that into a new computer? Basically, what could I use from my fried computer in a newer one. That would give me the option of going a little bit cheaper and re-using good equipment. What specs should I watch out for? Ie: My current setup has Four 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets, therefore my memory must be 240-pin. So, I should make sure whatever I get has 240-pin sockets if I want to re-use that memory, right? I know that all of that seems pointless and I might as well get the 2 parts I need, but that would keep me from having to buy the motherboard & processor (most expensive part afaik) and still allow me to use available parts.

I'm sorry if this seems trivial or stupid to ask, I'm just really unsure of what would be more practical. I hate being a noob.

I appreciate all the help.

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[steveyblack 10+ year member]

what is your price range

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

For tower only ~ $1000

 

[steveyblack 10+ year member]

with 1g , build your own...go for a X2 4200, a nice mobo, 1 gig of ram, 7600 pci-e card, 500watt psu, 250 gig drive...then your good to go

 

[sue bee 10+ year member]

might even be able to get a dual vid card setup?

i'd say cut corners where you're supposed to:

hard drive, tower, accessories, cables...save money there.

then spend decent money for psu, mobo, cpu fan

blow money on: cpu, vid cards, mem

there you have it.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

Could I re-use case, hard drive, memory if I go w/an intel?

 

[sue bee 10+ year member]

as long as it's an atx case, yes. memory, yes. hard drive, yes.

only thing you gotta worry about is going from intel to amd, that doesn't translate well. amd to intel is ok.

too bad amd > intel //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

What I plan to do: Video Editing, CAD, internet, office products.

What I have (thats not burnt up)

Everything came stock when I bought it from BB

Memory: 1g ram (I'm not sure if it's 1 or two sticks) 240-pin DDR2

Video Card: Integrated

Audio: Integrated, Realtek 5.1

Tv Tuner w/Remote

Case: HP

O/S: Windows XP w/Media Center 2005

Optical Drives: DVD-ROM & DVD-RW+DL

Anything I'm leaving out?

What I want:

New Processor: Probably Duo Core 2 since it seems from this and other forums the AMD compatibility may be an issue.

Mother Board: I had Micro-ATX, so something like that

Video: NO idea, but want at least 256 mb w/dvi input and tv-out (s-vid, composite, whatever the norm is). I would need one right? Unless i buy a new mobo with built in video? I guess I wouldn't mind built-in, but it's always been my understanding that built-in are junk, especially for graphic programs such as video editing.

Audio: Nothing super-fancy, I listen to my music on my computer, but it's rarely for audiophile

purposes.

Power Supply: No idea. I'd like the cpu to run quiet though.

I don't need anything fancy AFA visuals, but I do want this thing to last me a very long time. Therefore, I'm hoping to re-use anything I can, whether I go with a new tower bought at a store, or simply replace bad parts. I was truly thinking if my parents are going to front a computer I should just find a good one I like and re-use the ram I have. Then keep the old one around and sometime in the future (tax returns) build it back up when I have the time and money.

I'd like to say that a new computer budget would be $1000 since my parents will pay the majority. However, if I'm buying parts I'm having to pay out of pocket since it won't be financed, so that changes up things a bit. I don't have a target range for myself, but I can't really afford to pay more than $600 out of pocket.

 

[wilzyx 5,000+ posts]

i think your gonna have to go with intel to keep the ddr2 ram, i havent seen any amd compatible motherboards with it. also, if the video card is integrated and your mobo is fired all of your sound/video/etc that is built on to the mobo is gone too.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

Thanks for that input. I didn't even consider that.

 

[ssj2xxgotenxx 10+ year member]

The AMD 64 bit dual core processors just recently dropped in price to compete with Intel chips. Build a new tower with next generation technology.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

From another forum I posted on:

"You won't be able to replace the motherboard with a better one, because the Reinstall CD you have with the Operating System on it is designed for that specific machine and when you start replacing parts theres a good chance that it won't work.

Reusing some of the parts in a custom built machine is possible, but again, you won't be able to use the Operating System that you currently have because it's been customized to work with your HP only. You'd need to get another copy of Windows Media Center."

Uh-oh?...

 

[wilzyx 5,000+ posts]

^^^^wow, thats just bullshit. i hate when companies do that.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

Okay, another question...

Assuming a d/l XP media center, how would you go about installing this if you replace the mobo? Is there a prompt to load the cd, jump drive, etc?

I have a 80gb external drive, so I could put the program onto that? Do I need to burn a cd/dvd with the image file onto it? ...NO f'ing idea how to load dowloaded windows to my new mobo.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

From convo w/HP tech:

Me: I had considered ordering a new power supply and mother board, however, I

am told that HP's technology is proprietary and if I tried to replace

motherboard with an aftermarket one that windows would not load correctly

and I would ultimately have to buy a copy of windows. Is there truth to

this? I was hoping to simply upgrade my mother board and processor, along

with power supply, but from what I'm being told I can't simply do that.

HP: Let me explain it to you.

Me: Please do. I was hoping to 'upgrade' what I had as far as mobo,

processor, and power supply.

HP: What you have heard is true, once you upgrade the motherboard, you may

need to purchase a new version of OS.

HP: continuing...

HP: So if you consider upgrading the motherboard, power supply and processor

of the PC, then you can go for a brand new PC from us with the latest

configuration, that would be an excellent option rather than upgrading the

components.

Me: Okay. I personally feel that upgrading the components I need would be my

best option, as I have spent some time on the internet and stores pricing

new systems. I feel that those prices are a bit out of my league at this

point.

HP: I see, may I know which motherboard/processor and power supply you would

like to upgrade to?

Me: I haven't narrowed down a specific part yet for each. The reason being,

what I had heard about compatibility issues. That being said, I was

wanting to invest in an Intel Duo Core 2 chip and a micro-atx mother

board. I don't have a specific on the power supply, other than something

that does about 550w or so, seeing that the video card I will use requires

400watts.

Me: I realize you don't have the freedom to name specific brands, but if you

can give me certain specifications I need to watch for, that would be very

helpful to me. If you'd like, I can even provide internet links to a few

of the items I'm looking at.

HP: Sure, you can give me the links, thank you for your understanding though.

Me: Mother Board:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131031

Processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004

Power Supply:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817159006

HP: Being used this motherboard I have no words to explain about this

motherboard, it is simply awesome!!! My friend got the same board.

Me: Another concern is that since I had on-board audio/video those will need

to be replaced. The video card I'm planning to use is this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130033

HP: For sure You need not remove it, you can just disable it in BIOS. I mean the onboard video.

Me: Okay. I don't know, because I didnt' think to ask, but like I said, I

assume that the video is fried since the mobo is.

HP: Erin, since you are planning to upgrade the mobo, I think you need to go

for a stand alone OS as well.

Me: My issue here is compatibility, though. Is it certain the windows won't

run once I replace the mobo, or is that just an uncertainty?

HP: It will not run for sure. Our mobos has something called tatoo information

in it. So once you change the mobo, and use the recovery CD it will search

for this tatoo and it may not work since the new motherboard does not have

it. this happens because the OS/recovery is also made for HP PCs.

Stand alone is nothing but a full version of operating system from

Microsoft.