In short:
How do I find out what kind of processor a processor is by just looking at it? Same with a video card. (The computer wont start up and I can't find out through the system.)
And how do I determine if putting in new parts will work/is safe for my working computer?
In long:
I have a computer that could run source games exceptionally okay that I bought off a lan center when it was closing down. Except something got funky with the OS a couple months later and the only way to fix it is with a disk I don't have. This especially doesn't help since now I don't know what kind of processor, video card, or mobo it has.
I got a new computer for Christmas, and even with an Nvidia and AMD stamp on the front, it completely sucks. I took it apart and believe I found no video card, and an AMD processor that I don't even know if it's good. (AMD Athlon II 170u 2.00 GHz) But what I do like that it has Windows 7, and a nice case. (The lan-center one was ancient)
My computer knowledge pretty much spans to adding and removing ram, and that you can't just drop any parts into a motherboard and expect it to work. But would I would like to do, is find out if I can get the best parts from the first computer, and replace them with the not-as-nice parts of this one.
you should post complete specs (including PSU and case) of both computers
Don't cut the red wire!
First off, if you open the case(power off and unplug power cable), you should be able to see some writing somewhere on the motherboard.
It could be small print, but at least the name of the manufacturer would help.
Next, the CPU info is under the heatsink/fan. So you'd need to remove them and clean off the thermal paste to read that info. Not a good idea unless you're ready with new thermal compound to reinstall the heatsink/fan once you get the info.
Easy way- boot up with a 'Live cd' of a Linux distro(Ubuntu, etc). You don't need to install anything, just boot off the cd. Once you get to the desktop you should be able to find a system info screen.
Finally, a Windows install will configure your computer without you needing to do anything. It'll even give you a basic video driver that will allow you to get to the Windows desktop. It'll be ugly and low res, but it'll allow you to get system info.
I have the first (lan-center, better) computer open right now before even checking on the thread. About to take a look on that one's mobo and processor. Pulled out the video card and identified it as a 'GeForce 7300GT'.
The strange thing about the new one (Compaq) is that it only shows the processor in the system specs. And from the looks of it there's no video card. (The blue monitor input goes directly into the mobo) I'll open that one up in a bit too.
So questions, what's the worst that could happen if I pop this video card into the new computer without any knowledge of it being compatible or not? And what's the difference between a "x86" computer and a non x86 one? Does this have any affect on the video card? (The lan-center, better pc is a non 86, the newer one is.)
[editline]18th December 2010[/editline]
Also, to the person asking about the cases. The lan center one has been modified/customized so I don't think that will help much. And the newer computer is a "Compaq"
Don't "pop" anything into anything else until you know what you're doing. You could burn something out.
x86 usually is a reference to a 32bit Windows based pc. The only thing that affects the videocard is the motherboard. Certain types of cards need matching motherboard slots(AGP/PCI-express/etc). There may be a powersupply issue, I don't offhand know what the power requirements of a 7300GT are, they can't be too high though.
edit: 18A on the 12v output of a 350W powersupply are apparently the minimum requirements.
Going off to write down what system specs I can find. I'll write down the specs of each psu too. Thanks.
[editline]18th December 2010[/editline]
So by the looks of it, the nameless Compaq's PSU specs are:
250W Max, +12V / 14A
vs the Lan-Center
350W-600W (Is this multiple value of watts common in PSU's? I'm kinda new to this so please school me.)
There were value tables for six or so different amounts of watts, I wrote down the lowest, and the one with 18A
350W +12V / 16A
500W 12V / 18A
I'm assuming the card won't work with the new one's PSU then.
[editline]18th December 2010[/editline]
You know, come to think of it... would it just work if I replaced all the parts from the first computer, except the hard drive, into the new one?
Download [url=http://www.piriform.com/speccy]Speccy[/url] onto both computers, publish a screenshot(under the File menu), then post the URL you get for each computer here.
[QUOTE=General J;26789482]Going off to write down what system specs I can find. I'll write down the specs of each psu too. Thanks.
[editline]18th December 2010[/editline]
So by the looks of it, the nameless Compaq's PSU specs are:
250W Max, +12V / 14A
vs the Lan-Center
350W-600W (Is this multiple value of watts common in PSU's? I'm kinda new to this so please school me.)
There were value tables for six or so different amounts of watts, I wrote down the lowest, and the one with 18A
350W +12V / 16A
500W 12V / 18A
I'm assuming the card won't work with the new one's PSU then.
[editline]18th December 2010[/editline]
You know, come to think of it... would it just work if I replaced all the parts from the first computer, except the hard drive, into the new one?[/QUOTE]
No. For the processor you'll need to know what kind of processor is in it and what kind of socket the motherboard has for a processor. Your luck you'll jab it in there and bend some pins and make it completely unusable.
The graphics card you'll need to figure out what kind of slot it uses (PCI Express, etc.) and then figure out if the other computer has one. Then you have to figure out your power issues and driver issues when you first boot up the system. Try the Live CD option. Here's a [url=http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download]link[/url] to the Ubuntu download page. Just leave the drop down menus as they are and then click the nice big orange download button.
When you burn the .ISO to media and put it into your computer you'll have to enter into the BIOS and tell it to boot from the CD drive first. Just change the boot order using the on screen prompts. Then, save and it'll boot. You'll come up to an Ubuntu screen. Select to try Ubuntu before installing. Wait a little while and you'll reach the desktop. From there figure out and specs you can and report back to us.
[QUOTE=Dr Nick;26790769]Download [url=http://www.piriform.com/speccy]Speccy[/url] onto both computers, publish a screenshot(under the File menu), then post the URL you get for each computer here.[/QUOTE]
Speccy wouldn't help him on the LAN center computer since there are problems with the OS.
Also, what are the problems with the OS anyways?
Something about a missing or corrupted system 32 file. Can't start up correctly without it. As far as I know, I can't fix it without the Windows XP disk.
Also, when I said "replacing all the parts" I meant literally taking all components from the nicer computer, even the mobo (but not the hard drive with the corrupted OS) and place them in the computer with the nicer case, but not-as-nice parts, and using the hard drive already with this one.
Also, no flash drives for unbuntu, and I can't go out and buy a CD till tomorrow :pcgaming:
Anyway, specs of the Compaq;
[IMG]http://i53.tinypic.com/2jg6sgh.png[/IMG]
Okay so here's what I got so far:
New AMD Athlon II 170u CPU is a "Sargas" single core, which is probably why you're not impressed with performance- only one core.
I'd bet the lan computer is at least dual core. That's why it ran Source games okay even with a 7300GT, which was not a bad card in its day although it was a lower end gaming card. Also, your monitor is set at 1024x768 so that also helps the 7300's performance.
So what I would do is:
A) figure out exactly what the lan computer is(CPU/motherboard)
B) assuming for now the lan computer is some kind of dual core AMD system AND uses DDR2, I'd take usable stuff out of the Compaq and add it to the lan computer. Stuff like the memory and drives are easily transferable.
C) install Win7 or whichever OS you plan to use on the lan computer.
The Compaq, being single core, is severely limited for gaming. I know, I've been gaming on a single core until very recently- it's just not good.
What version of windows is on the LAN center PC? XP or Vista, since you were so happy about the windows 7.
Also, my laptop is better than your new PC and my laptop is two years old... :saddowns:
Damned Compaq...
I have never owned a computer with a Windows OS higher than XP, so yeah I'm a little excited about that.
Well I think I'm just gonna take cecil's advice. If I need any help with wiring/cooling/assembly when I'm putting the new stuff in, I'm sure there's probably a megathread for that sort of thing. Other than that I might take the Compaq's parts and turn it into a long-wanted server.
Thanks again! :pcgaming:
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