Need some help building a PC (GASP).

[Mac0sXuser]

So for some reason my grandparents want me to build them a PC out of their existing dell Pentium 1 .:lol:

Seriously though I have a few questions.
One is if I get a motherboard/CPU combo will I need to change any settings on it or should I be able to just drop it in?

Secondly will I need to pull the old motherboard out to see if it will support mounting another one?

And my last question is what about the I/O ports?? Will they work on the case? Would it be a better idea to buy a new case? Is this a reputable site? http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=MBB

Thanks!
Mac0sXuser

[Mac0sXuser]

Sorry for bringing back painful memories :tongue:

[Stretch]

I would think it would be alot easier and cheaper to buy/build a slightly new computer. A pentium 1 isn't gonna be able to do much, and it will probably be fairly hard to find any motherboard that will support it.

[MaDDoG]

It wpuld depend on whta Dell case you have. I had a couple way be then and they were upgradable. I pulled the board and CPU out and replaced them. The back of the PC wasn't so neat anymore though as the new board had the i/o's in slightly different places so I had to take out the tin inserts from the case to fit it in.

If it is just to be used as a internet machine I wouldn't bother fiddling too much. You might find just by a simple format and reinstall things may work just that bit faster for them.

However I would look at buying something 2nd hand off ebay for example, as re building the old one will be just as costly as buying a new one. You can get some good brand new PC's for very little money (over here anyway).

If that old one is still running you might even find someone would buy it for parts to keep their own old one going.

[Mac0sXuser]

I was just worried about the Dell case's mounting points. The computer they have is going downhill pretty fast. its from 1994. The SCSI Hard drive is very noisy, the CD-ROM is dead and its running windows 2000. I tried a fresh install but it didn't make any difference. They want to keep it running Microsoft office 2000. I dont think Vista will run it so new computers are out. They dont want Vista anyway due to the problems they have heard about. Unless anyone knows of new computers with XP.

The company who I am buying the board from gives you tin inserts.

[MaDDoG]

Sounds like too many problems to bother with. We can still get new pc's with XP here but you have to ask for XP as everyone is loading Vista.....probably the only way they will sell Vista.
Back up that hard drive now before it give up altogether!!
You should be able to get something cheap and second hand if money is a problem otherwise buy new and get XP. I'm sure I could get you a copy over here if necessary.

[Mac0sXuser]

Sounds like too many problems to bother with. We can still get new pc's with XP here but you have to ask for XP as everyone is loading Vista.....probably the only way they will sell Vista.
Back up that hard drive now before it give up altogether!!
You should be able to get something cheap and second hand if money is a problem otherwise buy new and get XP. I'm sure I could get you a copy over here if necessary.

After some research I can build a computer for about $300 USD shipped and then buy XP. Can I get the XP update version and just put 2000 on it then go from there?
My other biggest concern is the processor. The motherboard says it's supported but I remember way back when there were a ton of jumper settings. Is that still true today?

I did as you said and backed up all their documents on my mac so they are in the clear.


Thanks and sorry for all the questions.

[bobtomay]

You should be getting XP from the company you're buying the parts so you can get the OEM version of XP and save $100.

[MaDDoG]

No most boards these days are plug and play. Pretty basic stuff and some have an install cd for drivers etc
I don't follow....are you going to use the P1 processor? If you are getting a built box it will work straight out of the box....that is after you install the operating system. And as BTM says get OEM from the vendor.

[Mac0sXuser]

Surprisingly they dont offer XP. I am upgrading to a 2.8 GHz P4 on a Biotech board. 1 GB RAM. Pretty basic really I just wonder if I can install 2000 on a new computer and then buy a XP upgrade disk?
Thanks guys!

[MaDDoG]

I don't know Bioteck boards. I usually use Gigabyte or Asus. I'm not sure you will get an upgrade disk as such anymore.

[Mac0sXuser]

I don't know Bioteck boards. I usually use Gigabyte or Asus. I'm not sure you will get an upgrade disk as such anymore.

I found one on amazon for $99 where a full install is $200

[MaDDoG]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Dell-Microsoft-Windows-XP-CD-New-Factory-Sealed_W0QQitemZ280241388160QQihZ018QQcategoryZ112 26QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Mac0sXuser]

No certificate plus they dont ship to the states :(

[MaDDoG]

No certificate plus they dont ship to the states :(

oops my bad.

[MaDDoG]

http://www.ozdirect.com/product/Microsoft+Windows+XP+MCE+2005%2C+SP2b%2C+OEM%2C+Si ngle+pack%2C+CD/pid/48288/manufacturer/Microsoft+OEM/product_info.php?pModel=M93-00294-MS

[Mac0sXuser]

Cool found one here
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2552182&CatId=306

Thanks again maDDog

[MaDDoG]

Cool found one here
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2552182&CatId=306

Thanks again maDDog


Hey thats what were here for.:biggrin:

[Mac0sXuser]

Quick rundown of what it cost

Part # -- Description Qty Price Extended Price
CP2036-BK -- 10-Bay ATX Computer Case w/400-Watt 20+4-p 1 $28.99 $28.99
SMALL-FAN-DT -- Antec 80mm Sleeve Bearing Fan - 4-pin 3 $3.97 $11.91
P42800E775 -- Intel Pentium 4 520 2.8GHz 800MHz 1MB Soc 1 $42.50 $42.50
P4M900-M7-FE -- Biostar P4M900-M7 FE VIA P4M900 Socket 1 $39.99 $39.99
KVR667D2N5-1GB -- Kingston KVR667D2N5/1G 1GB DDR2 RAM P 2 $25.00 $50.00
WD800JD-NDW -- Western Digital Caviar Blue 80GB SATA/15 1 $34.99 $34.99
BLK-TS-H493-DO -- Toshiba/Samsung TS-H493 48x32x48 CD-R 1 $18.99 $18.99
N-ICR001 -- 3.5 7-in-1 Internal Card Reader w/USB 2.0 p 1 $5.99 $5.99

Subtotal:
Shipping:
Total:
$233.36
$60.05
$293.41

Tack on windows XP for $100 shipped

[MaDDoG]

Thats a pretty god little system you have there nd I'm sure the grad parents will be more than happy with it.

Excellent work!!

[Mac0sXuser]

Thanks! I realize it was cut off but for a 2.8 GHZ single core computer with 2 GB of RAM it's sufficient for their needs.