Need help with upgrading

[crank33]

I'm going to upgrade my computer (running Win 98SE) from an AMD 1 gHz Athlon Thunderbird to a 2.4 gHz Pentium 4 but I'm going to use the same Hard Disk. What must I do to the HD before I make the switch? Do I have to fdisk it and wipe it clean before I switch or what? I can back up everything on the HD and fdisk it if that is what is necessary. Do you see any other problems I'm going to have when I switch MOBOs and CPU's?

Thank you, Crank

[GaryRouth]

Hi Crank

There's an article in the "Tips & Tricks" section here at Pc Mechanic (you'll see it listed on the main forum page) that describes "The ENUM trick". It's a quick way to upgrade motherboard's & cpus without completely reinstalling from scratch.

Myself, I like to reinstall from scratch. Less Registry cleanup for Windows to manage. But truthfully, I've used the enum trick many times when time was short & it worked fine.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[crank33]

Thanks Gary. If I decide to install from scratch, I can wait to fdisk until I get the new MOBO and CU in can't I?

Crank

[GaryRouth]

As long as you boot from either your Windows installation CD or a bootable floppy disk, yes. (otherwise you'll be stuck waiting while Windows tries to figure out what happened as it detects the new machine).

A little shopping note: if you haven't bought the motherboard yet, that's a good time to buy a new operating system, if you're interested in one: you'll qualify for the OEM price if you buy it at the same time/place as the motherboard (WinXP Pro for $160, for example). Of course, as a previous Windows owner, you also qualify for the upgrade versions (which cost about the same amount).

[and a trivia time note: I used to work with a fellow we gave two nicknames to. We called him "Crank" and "Crash" - depending on 1) his mood that day, or 2) what computer he had recklessly destroyed that day . . . . . . he got the last laugh, now he's in charge of some software development at a high level for Bank Of America]

Never a dull moment
. . . Gary

[crank33]

Hi Gary,

I had to laugh about the "Crank"/"Crash" thing. I'm pretty good at crashing computers (and cars) myself. I'm retired now so I'm slowing down a bit. Since were on the subject of computers (I know this is the wrong forum) what case (300W, P4 ready) do you like? Crank

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

For cases, I have to admit that I like one that looks nice. My biggest worry is getting a high-quality power supply that's really, really, quiet. Since you're getting a P4, which can run quite a bit quieter than some of the Athlons, you might be interested in some of the power supplies that specialize in near silence. Enermax, Enlight, Antec, and Sparkle get high points here in the forum boards: of these, the Enermax and Antec are the quieter type. There are specialty power supplies coming out that are even quieter though, and in that price range (a small premium over the average Antec price, for example) they'd better be high quality. Here's an article over at sudhian.com about some power supplies and heatsink/fan combos that aim at quieting today's noisy boxes: http://www.sudhian.com/docs.cfm/id/286.sud

I'm thinking that if I was building a box with both quiet and quality in mind - I'd look a while in their direction. Before processors and power supplies got so noisy, I never had much decision to make: I just bought an Antec. Nowadays, I'm looking down at the decibel output of things.

I'd even consider water-cooling for the near complete silence, but I just can't get rid of the idea that I'd be haunted by nightmares of liquid condensation forming in the box somewhere. . . ZAP! [probably an idle worry - the other worry is that it costs so much].

Maybe some day . . .
. . . Gary

[my current favorite case: any one that's on sale with a power supply by Antec or Enermax]

[crank33]

Thanks again, Gary. I'm with you on quietness----I hate fan noise. I used to have a Mac platform box made by Power Computing. That thing was full of fans and sounded like a 747. Nearly drove me nuts. I'm looking for the quietest PS I can find that doesn't cost too darn much. As far as I can see, power supplies are very reasonably priced. Thanks for your help. Crank

[Vladiator16]

The Antec TruPower 330W is nice and quiet and provides excellent voltages. $53.00 at newegg.

[eshort]

Power supply is very important--poor ones can cause more problems than U can imagine (freezes-lock ups-BSOD etc etc).

Above suggestion is a good one!

The folks at Gateway Inc only put a 150 watt (!!) PS in their PIII-933 box which I am about to change (to at least 300 watts).

[crank33]

I took vlad16's advice and got the Antec PS. In fact, I bought the Antec case with the PS in it. Thanks, Crank