From: "John M. Aldrich" Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.djgpp Subject: Re: OT: Is it difficult to Install a new Motherboard??? Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 22:42:47 -0500 Organization: Two pounds of chaos and a pinch of salt. Lines: 56 Message-ID: <34F4E4B7.1DD3@cs.com> References: <2 DOT 2 DOT 32 DOT 19980225230954 DOT 006e5288 AT gate-i> NNTP-Posting-Host: ppp204.cs.com Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com DJ-Gateway: from newsgroup comp.os.msdos.djgpp Precedence: bulk Alan Wilson wrote: > Why are you asking us this question? It doesn't exactly have anything to do with DJGPP. The comp. hierarchy contains a whole section of newsgroups devoted to PC hardware issues. But since you took the trouble to ask, I might as well answer, as long as you realize that I am not an official source. As with medicine, always get a second opinion. :-) > Is it difficult to install a new motherboard on an old PC? and is there > anything else I would have to get besides that? Are there compatibility > issues that I should be concerned about? Are there any websites that you > know that could give me more information on this topic? I've been through this, and the difficulty factor depends on a lot of things. First, does your current computer from a proprietary manufacturer, such as Dell, Compaq, Gateway 2000, or Packard Bell? If so, it likely uses many customized proprietary components, particularly its case and motherboard, which cannot be upgraded with generic parts. If you pass the generic test, you are in reasonably good shape. You should take your current computer case to a dealer to see what size/shape of motherboard can fit in it. There has been some development in case/power supply technology of late; you may want to consider upgrading to an ATX case which provides improved power management and more internal space, among other things. Cases are relatively cheap, so unless you are very cash-strapped it's worth considering to get a new one. If your system is proprietary, then I wish you luck. You'll either have to ship it off to an authorized dealer and pay whatever price they demand, or replace the case, motherboard, and often video/sound/modem cards with generic hardware. Actually installing the new components requires some technical proficiency, but can be done in a couple of hours even by an inexperienced person. I put my new computer together from scratch with new case, motherboard, CPU, hard drive, and salvaged components from two other computers, and it was not difficult, merely taxing on the hands. Be careful with those damned metal inserts that go in the expansion and drive slots of new cases; they can scratch up your hands something fierce. And try to get all the cables plugged in the right way. Sometimes, you will find that your old hardware is incompatible with your new system. This happened to me with one of my old hard drives, and a CD-ROM drive. These things happen. -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- | John M. Aldrich | "Sex should be friendly. Otherwise | | aka Fighteer I | stick to mechanical toys; it's more | | mailto:fighteer AT cs DOT com | sanitary." | | http://www.cs.com/fighteer | - Lazarus Long | ---------------------------------------------------------------------