Frankenstein The Computer

[SimonomiS]

So I've got a pretty old and almost dead computer, and a slightly less old, alive computer (theres also a pretty new, very alive computer, but that's my dads and I'm "not allowed" to use it).

My plan is to salvage what I can from the really old one, and put as much as I can into the newer one, the stuff is pretty much too old to sell so it'll probably be thrown away or recycled (good for the planet).

P3 500Mhz
316MB (Or something) RAM
Voodoo 3fx Graphics Card (I think)
Not a clue what sound card
Crap old mouse
Crap old keyboard
Ancient CRT
Under 40GB Hard-drive (Not sure how many physical hard-drives, but theres quite a few partitions of around 5GB adding up to around 35GB)

Pwnage set-up eh? I don't think I can salvage much, but the RAM is two 128 DIMM SDRAM Single banks and one 64 DIMM SDRAM Single bank. Something along those lines anyway.

The current computer has an empty RAM slot, and the RAM I'm using is DIMM, so does that mean they're compatible? What does Single Bank mean?

I'm not sure if 128MB would make a difference anyway, but I'm trying to save cash.

The other thing, is the older computer has a PCI-USB card (I think) which would be really useful in the newer computer, as the USB ports are borked. SiSoft Sandra (which I'm using for pretty much all the info in this post, dad doesn't tell me much about what's actually in the computers) tells me the new computer has all its PCI slots taken up but theres a free AGP slot. Current card is a GeForce 4 MMX, so I guess this means its PCI? If I get a new AGP graphics card, take the GeForce 4 out, that will mean a free PCI slot for the PCI-USB card right? If its even compatible that is. I found out its only 4xAGP...which is crap right?

Final question: The hard-drive, I don't know anything about hard-drives, so say I got a network cable and transferred all the information I wanted from the old hard-drive to the new one, how do I go about getting the actual physical hard-drive into this one? Re-format the drive? How do I tell if theres even space on the mobo for it? Preferably using SiSoft Sandra.

Any help appreciated.

 

[Ennui]

That's not old! I have a computer in my room for writing, no internet connection, etc - my gaming comp is downstairs and is quite respectable - with these stats:

PII 366mhz
32mg RAM
2GB Hard-drive
4x CD-ROM
3d Graphics Accelerator

as for your comp, I think you sould just salvage the RAM.

 

[sinkoman]

I would take out the ram and bore a hole through a corner, then put a keyring around the hole.

Then take out the processor, and glue a long stick of plastic to the top. Comb hair respectively.

I've always wanted to do that with old comp parts, but all my old comps are shitty enough to make that worth it.

Anyway, I would say salvage the HDD as a storage or backup (mostlikely backup) drive. As for moving it, youd take it out of the old one, put it in your handy dandy anti ESD baggie, then go back to the new one, and put it back in

Which would be a process of first takind out the ide cables from the back of the drive (the long ribbon ones), then disconnecting the power from the drive (the molex, a 4 pin most likely white connector. I say mostlikely cause I have black molex's) then unscrewing the drive from it's tray, and then pulling it out. Reinstalling is the same process, except backwards. And when you get to the IDE, you might have to put it in as a slave, that is, if there isn't a free ide channel. In which case, move the jumper in the back of the HDD to the slave position. This is different for many drives (I have a raptor where you move the jumper and a caviar where you take it out completely).

So check first, to see if it'll end up going on as a slave or if it's got its own channel. You really don't want to have to try to take out the jumper while the drive is seated. It isn't fun. My fingers get red whenever I try to borrow mine for cmos shorting.

 

[psyno]

Then take out the processor, and glue a long stick of plastic to the top. Comb hair respectively.

Unfortunately that would be a Slot II interface on the processor he's got there...

It's doubtful salvaging much from this computer would be useful. The RAM is likely too slow to help you out anyway. (Newer computer's specs?) I'd recommend you either keep it around and use it to play old Glide games (since you have a 3dfx card) or you donate it to charity.

*edit: Ah, I just checked and apparently the Coppermine was released at 500 MHz as well, so there may yet be hope for the comb idea...

 

[SimonomiS]

AMD Athlon XP 2200+ ~1.8Ghz
736MB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce MX 440-SE 64MB
SB Audigy Audio
40GB HD

Best part is the mouse - Logitech MX1000

Dad's comp is something like 2.7Ghz but with 40GB HD and 500MB RAM and a FX5200. :-/ Don't ask why, I think he saw it for £200 and thought "Bargain!".

 

[NeptuneUK]

That's not old! I have a computer in my room for writing, no internet connection, etc - my gaming comp is downstairs and is quite respectable - with these stats:

PII 366mhz
32mg RAM
2GB Hard-drive
4x CD-ROM
3d Graphics Accelerator

as for your comp, I think you sould just salvage the RAM.

my oldie is:

Celeron 333mhz
160 Mb RAM
8GB Hard-drive
8x CD-ROM
8mb ATI graphics

it was top of the range in 1998 or 97... cant remember

 

[duffers20]

I got a P2 MMX 233mhz 128mb of ram, 2mb display card, 4gb HD with a good old sound blaster 16bit sound card sitting through the house, should get it running again for a laugh!

 

[SimonomiS]

Just get some old games from Abandonia and play those. :thumbs:

Although this one is chock-full of spyware and crap, and the mouse is rubbish, not even X-Com makes it worth using...

It's probably only because I have a better computer, I'd put up with it if it was all I had.

 

[xLostx]

I would take out the ram and bore a hole through a corner, then put a keyring around the hole.

lol my friend did this

 

[JellyWorld]

I have a 100Mhz com running Windows 95 somewhere in my store room. the registry is corrupted hehe.

 

[diluted]

You could see if a school or library in your area wants it.

 

[Cole]

I have one err...tooo old.. Let me go take a look at it quick...
1993, Compaq....wayyyy to old....

 

[jondy]

I'll raise you all with a 286 laptop