Can I cannibalize my emachine for a few parts for a new build?

[Agent67]

I have some components for a new build but am lacking a few things and wanted to strip them out of an emachine I have to use until I can upgrade.

Parts I have;

ATX tower
550w psu
asus A8N sli deluxe Mobo
Opteron 175 2.2ghz dual core cpu
EVGA 7950 gt GPU

Parts I want to steal-

200GB HD
2- 1GB sticks of Ram
Optical drives- dvd-cd
Multi card reader.


I was wondering about the harddrive. Is it possible to keep the harddrive intact?
Keep the os and data?

As for compatability all these things are compatible, I just can't afford to spend the cash right now and am impatient to get this together.

Also I bought this A8N sli deluxe over a year ago, and just recently bought the dual-core CPU. I can't find any info on asus' site about whether it will run a dual core cpu. Any ideas?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Agent67 Parts I want to steal- 200GB HD 2- 1GB sticks of Ram Optical drives- dvd-cd Multi card reader.

The two sticks of RAM may be questionable.
What kind of HDD is it? IDE or SATA?
Are the opticals IDE/ATAPI or SATA?
Does the multi-card reader connect to a USB header on the motherboard?

Originally Posted by Agent67 I was wondering about the harddrive. Is it possible to keep the harddrive intact? Keep the os and data?

What OS is on the HDD? Do you have the original installation CD?

Originally Posted by Agent67 Also I bought this A8N sli deluxe over a year ago, and just recently bought the dual-core CPU. I can't find any info on asus' site about whether it will run a dual core cpu. Any ideas?

The A8N SLi Deluxe will support a Opteron 175 if your motherboard has BIOS version 1017.002.

Cricket

[Agent67]

The Multi-reader connects to the Mobo

As for the Hdd and opticals- I'm not sure unless I can tell by the tape style plug connectors.

and I have no idea what bios version it has but I can update that can't I?

I don't know where the Windows XP disc is. I'm not sure I even got one with this machine.

I would hate to have to buy another copy of windows xp right now..I can probably get a replacement from emachines I would think. So if I have the disc, can I leave the HD intact?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Agent67 The Multi-reader connects to the Mobo

USB header connection...the A8N should have a few available.

Originally Posted by Agent67 As for the Hdd and opticals- I'm not sure unless I can tell by the tape style plug connectors.

Long flat ribbon cables? Those are IDE drives.

Originally Posted by Agent67 and I have no idea what bios version it has but I can update that can't I?

Only with a supported CPU. If you try with the Opteron 175 and the BIOS is an old one that doesn't support the 175 the computer won't work. You'll need to get/borrow a supported Socket 939 CPU just so you can update the BIOS so that it will recognize the 175.

Originally Posted by Agent67 I don't know where the Windows XP disc is. I'm not sure I even got one with this machine.

If you try to boot up with a hard drive that already has WinXP on it from another computer you'll get a BSOD and the system will halt. It's less hassles to just buy a new copy of WinXP and install it to a blank hard drive.

Originally Posted by Agent67 I would hate to have to buy another copy of windows xp right now..I can probably get a replacement from emachines I would think. So if I have the disc, can I leave the HD intact?

Problem is the copy of WinXP from eMachines might be keyed to a eMachine BIOS. If that's the case you won't be able to use it. Better to buy a new copy of WinXP and install it to a blank hard drive.

Cricket

[Agent67]

Grrrr... so in the end I might as well leave the emachine working and just buy the parts I need.

Back on the shelf with this one for awhile..thanks Cricket

[Toasteddude]

IDE has a ribbon-like cable. It should also say IDE1 or somthing on the cable next to the connection on the MoBo.