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| Thread ID: 41115 | 2003-12-30 16:59:00 | Upgrading | JJJJJ (528) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 204242 | 2003-12-30 16:59:00 | I have decided to upgrade my computer. I currently have a MSI M/B with an XP 2000+ cpu. Stage 1 of upgrade is to replace M/B with a Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro 2, an Athlon XP 3000+ and 1024 mb's of ddr 400 ram. My case is OK and has a 300 watt PSU and an extra fan. I have never removed a M/B before and am a bit nervous about stuffing up. I am thinking of disconnecting everything and then removing board. Then reconnecting power cables etc to the new board before I put in the new board.Will I find all connections on the new board in exactly the same place as on the old one? There seems to be a lot of wireing in there and if it's possible to put things in the wrong place I will probably do it !! Are there any traps I should be aware of? I see from my reading, that the ram should be installed in two sticks. The M/B has two pair of dim slots in two colours. Am I supposed to use one of each colour? In my present set up I have ddr ram but I have three dim slots all the same. What's the story? I know I could get a professional in to do it for me, but that would take away all the fun.However the closer I get to doing it the more nervous I become. Stage two will be to replace HDD with a serial ATA drive. I can do that.If I can get my present drive to work with the new set up I will just transfer everything on to the new drive. If it won't work I will fit the new drive and re-install from scratch. My big worry is replacing the motherboard. Any suggestions ??? Jack. |
JJJJJ (528) | ||
| 204243 | 2003-12-30 18:44:00 | Hi Jack, It may be best to take things one step at a time (If you're new to Hardware upgrades, or are not overly "expereinced"). Id recommend you stick to just the motherboard upgrade first. It shouldnt be too difficult, and having read some of your older posts, your expertise sounds like you should be sweet. You know where to come if things arent 100% ;-) Expect it to take a good hour, so plan for it, you dont want to rush it! :-) Cheers Chill. |
Chilling_Silently (228) | ||
| 204244 | 2003-12-30 19:01:00 | What do you mean, Motherboard first? I understand I have to do M/B, CPU and ram together. The MB requires ddr 400 ram and my old cpu won't run in new MB (133 fsb). Or have I got it all wrong? Jack |
JJJJJ (528) | ||
| 204245 | 2003-12-30 19:19:00 | Sounds like you have it all sussed out Jack . :-) Hopefully you have another computer that you can get online with while you are doing the upgrade just in case you need to sing out for advice . Probably won't need to but it is comforting . I doubt that ALL connections will be in the same place on your new motherboard as they are on the old one, but before pulling all the leads off lay the new one alongside your case (on its anti-static bag) and compare them . Everything should be labelled in the manual but if necessary get some Post It tags and label the leads before pulling them off to make it easier to remember what is what . Like you say, there are an awful lot of wires in there! :D Not sure about the RAM - look that up in the manual or wait until someone else offers advice . It has been recommended here to reinstall Windows completely after a motherboard upgrade so putting your hard drive back in without doing so could be asking for problems . Not sure if you need to reformat as well but I know I would . Regarding your 300 watt PSU that might be a bit on the light side and certainly minimal with your new hardware if it is not a top-grade PSU . You may need to look at upgrading that later on when the SATA drive gets installed depending on what else you have in the system . Sounds like quite a Beasty is about to be born - have fun . :-) |
Susan B (19) | ||
| 204246 | 2003-12-30 19:57:00 | Thanks Susan. No I do not have another comp. Once I start pulling it apart I will be completely isolated so I am trying to find out everything before I start. Yes I know about Windows XP but I am going to try. I dont fancy downloading all the service packs and updates etc. to say nothing of drivers etc for Scanner, modem, and printer. They all require newer drivers than what I have on original cd's. Jack |
JJJJJ (528) | ||
| 204247 | 2003-12-30 20:39:00 | > I am thinking of disconnecting everything and then removing board. Then reconnecting power cables etc to the new board before I put in the new board.Will I find all connections on the new board in exactly the same place as on the old one? There seems to be a lot of wireing in there and if it's possible to put things in the wrong place I will probably do it !! Are there any traps I should be aware of? As Susan has mentioned, you more than likely find the connectors on the motherboard to be in different places. Each mobo manufacturer will follow their preferred layout of the board - but the manual should have clear instructions on where to attach everything. You could download your manual from here (www.giga-byte.com) if you don't already have it (it is 4.98 MB pdf). The stand-offs on your case chassis might need to be re-arranged to aligned with the support holes on the new motherboard, so check that first. You will want to connect up all the major cables (power supply, IDE, floppy) last as they will get in your way when adding the other components. Having a magnifying glass (or very good eyesight) will help to read off the labelling on the motherboard to confirm the correct orientation and position of the smaller cables. Double-check all connections are made and firmly in place and that no cables are touching any fans before applying power for the first time, and make sure you observe anti-static precautions the whole time. It can be a nerve-wracking experience, but the satisfaction of having built your own system is awesome :D Go for it! |
Jen C (20) | ||
| 204248 | 2003-12-30 21:58:00 | Before you power down the old motherboard for the last time, uninstall all the peripherals in Control Panel - System - Hardware - Device Manager. (Video, Audio, Processor, IDE, PCI and USB controllers etc). Otherwise it simply may not boot on the new motherboard, as all the chipsets will be force-fed the wrong drivers. Even doing this will not always avoid a plague of pestilence, flood and system errors. Its highly recommended to reinstall Windows. |
godfather (25) | ||
| 204249 | 2003-12-31 06:37:00 | Do we all really need to do a further upgrade?? most PCs these days are merely used for surfing and the occasional game or two. I think that the best upgrade are a bigger monitor, faster larger HDD with a good dvd burner , followed on my wish list is a faster unlimited cable connection that is cheap to run and better software that is actually is useful and doesnt crash or conflict with my O/S which is still 98SE lol. |
kiwibeat (304) | ||
| 204250 | 2003-12-31 08:10:00 | Definitely a good idea to reformat your hard drive before removing old motherboard and reinstall windows once you have successfuuly installed the new mo/bo, RAM & CPU. Although it looks confusing as long as you follow your manual you will be okay. I would fit the RAM & CPU prior to installing the motherboard into the case. I would hazard a guess that the RAM slots are colour coded so that you do run 2 identitcal RAM sticks on the same colour so as to be able to take advantage of dual channel RAM (assuming your mo/bo supports it). Once again your motherboard manual will clarify this. |
Chemical Ali (118) | ||
| 204251 | 2003-12-31 08:45:00 | I agree Godfather. Removing all devices is a good step anyway if you intend to use the O/S you have installed. When replacing a Motherboard I put the CPU into the new motherboard and then fix the heatsink and fan. After that I put the RAM into the new board. All this before inserting the new board into a case. I then attack the case with old motherboard in and remove all add on cards like PCI, AGP and backplates for USB etc. All cables are then disconnected from the old motherboard end and are left attached to drives. Power cables are disconnected at the drive ( floppy, Hard drive, CDRom etc ) but I usually leave IDE cables attached to the drives and pull out the end at the motherboard. Remove the OLD motherboard from the case and insert new motherboard. Your case just MAY turn into a problem if you are putting in the new motherboard and there isn't enough clearance between the board itself and a removable hard drive or CDRom drive. If this happens then you need to consider locating items like this in the 5.25 bays at the top of the case. As a previous poster said you just may want to change the power supply anyway. A case with power supply 400W and front USB ports should set you back not much more than $100 and could cost less. OK... Back to the chase.... :-) Insert the NEW motherboard with CPU, Heatsink, Fan and RAM installed into your case. If you have just now bought a NEW case then you will need to pull out the drives you have. |
Elephant (599) | ||
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