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Thread ID: 25405	2002-10-02 23:38:00	How determine max HD size for old CPUs ?	Steve_L (763)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
85556	2002-10-02 23:38:00	Hello group, Friends came over last night and once again I managed to talk computer :-) even though they are not computer people like all of us are ;-) Anyhow, they mentioned that it would be nice for them to have a computer to do email and surfing at home. They are really limited with funds so their cashflow is down to a trickle at best. So I told them that I still plod on with an old computer at work (Win95, 166 Mhz but upgraded HD of 20 Gigs) and why don't they consider getting a cheapie for around 300 to 400 bucks or so? I said that for simple tasks like emailing, basic surfing and word processing, an old 166 or 233 should do fine. Well, they lit up with smiles and asked me to look around. But here is the problem: with HD's getting larger and larger (minimum size to buy these days seems to be 20 Gigs), how can we tell what size an old chip/motherboard can accomodate? Is there a web site that has this info? I have looked at sites like Tom's Hardware and CPUScorecard, but cannot find anything on this topic. Yeah, I know buying an old computer comes with risks, just like buying an old car. My friends drive a banged up 1974 Toyota, so they can live with old stuff, but if I find them an old computer and the HD packs up one day, will they be able to replace it or will the old CPU/mb prevent it? Thanks - Steve	Steve_L (763)
85557	2002-10-03 00:35:00	Most potential problems came be addressed by dynamic drive overlay (DDO) programs which 'bridge" BIOS HDD recognition limitations. DDOs are specific to HDD manufacturers. Unless an early or brand low grade Pentium or 486 potential problems are minimal.	Merlin (503)
85558	2002-10-03 00:58:00	<<DDOs are specific to HDD manufacturers.>> Thanks Merlin. Do I understand this correctly..... when buying a new HD (e.g. to replace an older, smaller one that died), there will be software supplied that will allow the old CPU/mboard (e.g. a 166 Mhz) to connect to the HD ? Sorry if this is really basic, i.e. a stupid Q. It follows then to ask: what about RAM ? My Celeron 400 Mhz will 'only' take 512 M of RAM. Personally, I do not see a problem - I would think that an old 166 could accomodate enough RAM for running Win98, etc., seeing that my friends will not use the old computer for heavy tasks like gaming and video editing. Just wondering - in case they ask. Cheers - Steve	Steve_L (763)
85559	2002-10-03 01:06:00	New HDDs should have software included - but not always . Check the manufacturers website for downloadable software . Check the knowledgebase at MS for the minimum and recommended hardware specifications for 98 . Keep in mind that a souped-up Mini is always going to be a Mini and will never be in the same class as a Ferrari	Merlin (503)
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