upgrade help needed...

Helo all, happy holidays...
I have a compaq 5080us desktop pc.
When I bought it, it came with windows me preinstalled...
I upgraded to windows xp pro(full os).
I would like to upgrade the entire inside of my pc, It came with a cheap
18.6 gb hd...
What components would be compatible with my pc to change...
What's the largest hd I can go with?

 

Well it depends on your motherboard.
Compaq makes its own motherboards i think.

But if i were you, i would save the money for the upgrading and use it to build a better computer or if your a newbie at this stuff, buy an oem.

And just give your comcrap, oh my bad, compaq to your kids.

and if your worried about your data, just back them up.

 

Hey Mobo!
Well, you have to talk to me like I'm a 3 year old(LOL)
What's an OEM?

 

My bad im sorry.

OEM is like HP, Compaq, Sony Vaio, etc.....Like those.
OEM are companies who make computers for the consumer.

 

Well mobo, what do you think would be best to go with....
Basically, I need a pretty fast pc, 'cause my system is pretty much dedicated
to music production programs and games, and right now, I have so much stuff in here, I had to add another hd, no OS on it, I just store files on it,
I don't know if this is a good idea, BTW, that one is completely full.
I swear, I think I see my cpu busting at the sides , but seriously though,
It runs pretty crappy now.

 

Hi,

MOBO, I might differ if I could. OEM machines may be a quick-fix now, but could leave cpu04 in the same situation in the near future. A lot of OEM manufacturers like to make it almost impossible to upgrade their machines without having to buy their own brand at excessive cost. Most also use "recovery" installation disks so that you cannot upgrade the Operating System yourself. There is a LOT that they do not tell you in their glossy brochures.

cpu04, I would investigate getting a "pre-built" system from a computer retailer/supplier.You should even be able to get them to change parts to suit yourself, like say, a bigger HDD. Make sure it comes with decent warranty. You should then be able to upgrade without restriction.

It sounds like you are willing to do your own upgrading...that takes research, but I'm sure you will be pleased with doing it yourself.

Matt

 

Thats why i said to either BUILD or by OEM.

I prefer Build because you know whats inside your rig.

I never buy OEM computers because its possible to upgrade like you said.

 

Hi guys,
Actually, I'm trying to take my computer skills to a higher level, so I figured
this would be a good project for me to work on, as well as benefitting myself
with a better system. There's a sticker on the front of my pc that says
"Easy access design for simple upgrade" I have already added a 2.5gb
(I think) hd with no OS, to use for storage space, as of now, both of
my hd's are full. I also added a 64 mb g-force video card, sound blaster 5.1
sound card, m-audio delta series sound card/breakout box via pci slot,linksys
ethernet card,midiman usb/midi interface,and Oxygen 8 midi controller, all
of which haven't given me any conflicts whatsoever. After almost 2 years
with this pc, I've gotten comfortable with this system. My only gripe is speed
and storage space. I would rather do an upgrade(if I can) rather than buy a
whole new system.
Pleeeeeeese help!

 

MOBO, from the sound of it, I think we could both recommend that cpu04 look to build his/her own machine

cpu04, with your current machine, do upgrades that can be transferred to a future machine. You can get a larger harddisk that can be used for data storage, then transfer that to your new/future machine.

Investigate what parts you have now. Most parts may be transferable to a "new" machine.

By saying a "new machine ", it may only need a new case and motherboard with all the other hardware swapped over.

I'll leave you to do some research. You seem to to have the willingness to find the background information.

It is hard to find anywhere that will state the "BIOS limitation" for a harddrive. Unless it is stated in the BIOS upgrades for your motherboard, I would expect a BIOS "limitation" at the next level, which would be 32gb. You could get a 40gb HDD and "jumper" it as 32gb, then look at utilising the whole 40gb when you get (build ) a new computer.

Matt

 

cpu04,
If, as you said, you would like to take your skills to a higher level,i would suggest a Read-thru of all these processes described here and see if you can adapt any to your needs.

http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20020904/

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20020918/

http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20021102/

 

OK guys, I'll post back