My E-tower computer died, and I have rescued some components from it, that are still good & would like to reuse



What I have to reuse:

- Case: Etower Et2984

- ATA Hard drive ( 4 months old) Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJB 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 3.5" Internal Hard Drive ( was made master)

WDC WD800BB-22FJA0 IDE (2004) makes noise, reason for getting above - but worked 80 GB

- NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner

- and one other cd burner.....

Mulitmedia card reader

I would like this to be a good home computer, but be pretty good with gaming as I am looking into playing games developed using the engine from DOOM3. So a good game/video card would be great ( requiremnts, nvida-fx, geoforce 6800, ATI radeon 9800... not real high performers for today, willing to go better)

So I guess I need a motherboard that would accept the above HD's


Ok, it would be fun to say I have a couple grand $$ to build with, but where is the challenge with that?

My wife is wanting to have a spending limit of $400.00 ( can probably go up from that if necessary).

What would be suggested?

Is the case good enough? Is a case like any other case?

THANKS!!!!!!!!!


Matt

Reusing components from an old PC is an economical, and responsible, thing to do. I did have some issues looking up the case so I cannot tell if it is any good. Reusing cases from OEM's can be problematic since some don't adhere to standards. If the case is a mid or full ATX tower, you may be alright. You might also want to consider getting SATA drives as IDE drives are slow and are quickly becoming obsolete and, if they are several years old, they can fail. Most hard drives last for about five years. Also, you may need to purchase Windows again if you do not own a retail copy. Thankfully, the Windows 7 RC is free and still going on so you will be able to put off buying an operating system for at least a little while. The only real problem I can see is the older PATA (IDE) drives. Most new motherboards only come with one or two connections for those. You can purchase an add-on card or an adapter if you want to reuse those drives on a new motherboard.

Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel - You may not need this if your old case is a mid tower and follows the ATX standard. $50

Motherboard: ECS BLACK SERIES A790GXM-AD3 AM3 - This motherboard supports the latest AMD processors and DDR3 memory. Its got a newer chipset with two PCI-express X16 slots since you are a gamer. It can also handle 4 PATA (IDE) devices before you have to get an IDE to SATA adapter. $109 (Before $10 mail-in rebate)

CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz - This is a triple core processor meaning it has more power than a dual but less than a quad. This is also a Black Edition processor meaning it has an unlocked multiplier making overclocking very easy. However, if you really want to go quad, the Phenom II X4 810 is about $30 more but runs at a slower speed per core. The AMD Phenom II X4 945 runs at 3GHz and is quad core also, but is about $100 more than the 720. $139

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 - This board uses DDR3 memory and this will do. Your PC can handle up to 32GB, but the manufacturer has tested it up to 8GB. You must have a 64-bit operating system to use 4GB or more of memory. $65

Total: $363

If you don't need a new case, or simply want a better graphics card, you can get the SAPPHIRE 100256L Radeon HD 4670 1GB for about $80. Make sure you have at least a 400W power supply, though I suggest 500W or more to have a bit more room to work with. If your old power supply isn't good enough (few budget OEM PC's are) the OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W will work.

DJBP

THANKS for your time in replying!!!!!!!!!!!!,

I do want to reuse at least the one new hard drive, it does have a lot of info on it. Again it is just a few months old.

So I guess from what you are saying motherboards can have both sata and pata plugs.


I will look over your response in more detail, and let you know if I have any questions ( i'm sure I will actually).
Just wanted to let you know I appreciate your time - & I'll be back......

Thanks again

Matt

I am trying to understand how to determine if a case has ATX specs or not, read a few sites on ATX - still gathering an understanding, but so far the sites seem to be a little to wordy to get the idea across. I understand the ATX is a standard that other companies of other components have followed ( ATX motherboards) so as to fit well with other ATX spec components....


M

I just looked at my power supply that came out of the etowers case, it has ATX on its label - does that guarantee the case it ATX compatible? - I'm guessing it is..............


IT does look exactly like this

but without that kind of off switch........


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ATX-Netzteil.jpg





obtained from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX

You need to know the wattage of your power supply if you want to get a better graphics card. There should be a sticker on the unit listing the wattage. Almost all power supplies follow the ATX standard, but there several different variants of that standard. Home Theater PC's (HTPC's) are designed to small and compact, thus they are considered mini or micro-ATX. Most of the motherboards gamers use follow the standard ATX size. However, not all cases can handle a standard ATX motherboard. Obviously, a case designed for a mini-ATX motherboard cannot hold a standard ATX motherboard because of size constraints. My case (Silverstone Temjin TJ10), due to its large size can handle everything from a micro-ATX to an extended-ATX motherboard. Cases rated up to standard-ATX motherboard size are called mid-ATX, cases rated though the extended-ATX motherboard size are extended or Full-ATX cases. Unless your PC was built as a workstation or gaming PC, most computer manufacturers use mid-ATX cases. Normal users don't have to worry about the size of the case. Gamers, however, have to take it into consideration. Graphics cards, especially the high performance ones, are becoming huge. Thankfully, the HD 4670 is not that big (about 7 inches long, I think) so it should fit into most cases. An HD 4890, a more powerful card, is about 10.5 inches making it a very tight fit into some cases. Occasionally, the card will not fit into the case at all they are so big. That's why it is suggested for those cards you should have a full-ATX case, more so if you want two or more cards.

THanks again for the info!!


I'll learn some more around the topics you addressed, and I never knew one could make use of more than one graphic card at a time.......never heard of anyone having 2 - but that is why I'm a newbie!


Thanks!


Matt

It has been possible to use two or more graphics cards for several years now. For Nvidia cards, it is called SLI and for ATI cards it is called Crossfire. Using these technologies, two cards can work almost like one really powerful card. Some motherboards allow up to four, though the performance increase is lowered with every card past the second. So, for example, with the second card the performance could increase 50%, with the third 25%, and the fourth 10%. Not all games can make use of SLI/Crossfire and those that do are able to take advantage of the additional cards in a number of ways. In order to use more than one card, you need to have two or more PCI-express X16 slots. You also need to know which technology your motherboard supports, the motherboard I chose in an earlier post allows for Crossfire. Next, you need have graphics cards that supports the technology, the HD 4670 I chose does. Crossfire is only available on ATI cards and SLI is available only on NVidia cards. Finally, you need to make sure your power supply has enough wattage to power two or more cards. For instance, the graphics card I selected above requires a 550W power supply or higher when used with Crossfire.

Wikipedia - ATI CrossFire
Wikipedia - Scalable Link Interface (SLI)
[H]ardOCP - 9800 GTX vs. SLI vs. 3-way SLI. vs. Quad SLI <<<Although it is SLI using NVidia cards, the same concept works the same on ATI cards.

For $400 you may be better off getting a new basic PC (no monitor). Then you could reuse monitor, HDD (as a second drive), and DVD burner.

Most of those lower cost PC's aren't that good to begin with and you can get better hardware choices if you just simply overhaul your current PC. Dell nor HP sells PC's at that price range that has the same higher performing hardware that is in my initial post. However, if you feel as though you have no idea what you're doing, buying an OEM PC may be preferable.

Bought all of the items you suggested, with the exception of the graphics card, got this instead

hRadeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP


- They had it for 15% off, with $10.00 rebate, and free shipping, so it brought it down a tad below the cost of the other graphics, not including shipping. I understand it is a better card.

So am waiting to receive the items, then will be in touch again.

I do not need a sound card? or is that part of the graphics card?

Also the power supply you suggested, do I need IDE adapters ( not sure what they are called) to be able to fit the power supply connector to my old HD, which is a PATA (IDE)


THanks for all of your help DJB!!!!!!!


Matt

You're correct the Radeon HD 4850 is a better card spec wise, as you can see here. As for the sound, it is included on the motherboard. You only really need a dedicated sound card if you make music, have very good speakers/headphones, or are planning on using the computer in a home theater. I have a dedicated soundcard because of my heaphones...and my previous soundcard had issues. You do not need special IDE power adapters for your PATA devices, the box will contain all necessary plugs (4-pin molex) for for the drive. There are two plugs that go to your drives, one is for data (SATA or PATA) and the other is for power. Once you've connected everything, all you have to do is reinstall Windows and you're set.

Once again, thanks for your input, I would have responded back quicker, but suffered an injury to my back. Now that I'm up and around again, I'll be working on it!


Thanks again

Matt

Hi,

First question,

hooking up the internal speaker from the case to the motherboard:
wire from case has 2 wires going to the clip, I know which is ground, & pos

The motherboard diagram shows 4 pins, ( though there are 3 pins on the board, thats ok, I get that)
pins are labeled as ( in the book)
1- VCC
2-Key
3-NC
4-Signal


which positive wire goes from the case to the pins above ( 1 or 4)
VCC means positive ( so I thought), but I would also think Signal would also be positive.

There is no indication on the MB which pin is #1 or any other.

Thanks!

Matt

The clip that has the speaker connection on it should only connect to the SPK pins in one way, depending on the case used. I cannot download the motherboard for your PC as the ECS website keeps giving me a 404 error nor can I find the exact model of your case online.

May help...

PCTechGuide - Front panel connectors

Your link did help, showing me VCC is +, so I can take it from there by the missing pin configuration

Thanks for your other efforts - dont know where you could download the MB, I tried to find that link,but could not

Thanks

M

if he's still got windows installed n the old hdd, he doesn't neccessarilly need to reinstall the OS, a fixmbr/fixboot will correct any problems with the windows installation attaching itself to the old hardware, this can be run from the recovery console, which you can download and burn to a disk for free...

The recovery console is on the Windows disc. The fixmbr and fixboot commands will not work in many cases, I've tried it with Vista and I still wasn't able to boot. A clean install is really the most effective and least problematic solution.

you're right, the recovery console is on the windows disk, ONLY XP (so you simply can't use it with Vista), but you can download it and burn it to your own disk from here: http://vlaurie.com/computers2/downloads/re..._console_cd.zip

Vista does not offer the recovery console option as vista only offers the recovery GUI now (on Vista disks, but also available for download from here: http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vist...disc-download/). Instead of fixboot or fixmbr, you run the "Startup repair - This automatically fixes problems that are preventing Windows from starting" this does the same thing as fixboot/fixmbr for Vista, and it DOES work, I've done it many times on many different machines. One HDD of mine has been run in three separate computers without reformatting as the primary boot drive... simple really, just a pain in the butt. and I don't know how many times I've done the same thing with system drives running xp...

With Vista, you can get to the command prompt to run the fixmbr and fixboot commands, sometimes the startup repair does not work and you need to go back to the command prompt. Reinstalling the OS, assuming a backup had been performed, is easier as it removes all the old garbage and brings the system to as clean of state as possible.

I was planning on questioning that when I got to that point with my build.
I will be digesting what you guys wrote, but if it matters any, the OS from my old hard drives is XP

IF I cant use the OS from the drive, will I have to remove to add another?


Thanks

if for some reason you can't get the old HDD to boot in the new system, yes, you will have to reformat and reinstall windows from scratch.

try to recovery console with fixboot/fixmbr tho, i'm sure it'll work fine for you

even if it doesn't, you'll only have lost about 15 minutes worth of time anyways. if it does, you will have saved about 1-2 hours

Just got everything hooked up, with some plugs remaining,
one being the case firewire - no place I found on the motherboard for that - little surprising...
also case wire "HD AUDIO" ( audio sound for the hard drive?)
& case wire AC'97


The board has a plug "ATX12V" which provides power to the CPU. However the CPU I have does not have a plug to go into that socket



But what stopped me from completely finishing the hardware was that the cd/dvd drives ( I have 2 from my old computer which are still very good) have IDE cable pins in the back. The MB has only one IDE plug which is being used for the HD.

Am I able to get an IDE to SATA plug converter, or do I have to buy a new cd/dvd drive?

Thanks again!

Matt

<<But what stopped me from completely finishing the hardware was that the cd/dvd drives ( I have 2 from my old computer which are still very good) have IDE cable pins in the back. The MB has only one IDE plug which is being used for the HD.>>

If this is a recent motherboard, you can run both 1 hard drive and 1 optical drive from the same cable, with no ill consequences. This became possible when board manufacturers started doing away with IDE slots on boards. This system that I'm on works fine with my boot drive and 1 optical on the same cable.

You could also just add a controller card, if you intend to continue to use IDE-connecting devices. I prefer these over the converters, but that's a personal bias, based on my perception of reliability .

Example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16816115009

Louis

Thanks for your response!

The HD and cd/dvd drives are too far apart in the case ( case seems like it has specific slots for them(?) for the connectors on the cable to reach both.

I looked at your link, it is what I want I guess but for that one it seems people were having some trouble with it esp it could not see optical drives according to one.

I know that was an example

I am looking at this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16816124001

Guess I'm getting into a catch 22 here....To set up bios on the new motherboard I need disc drive. I cant run the disc drive unless I have a card adapter, which has its own disc for its drivers, and need a functioning computer for that...?

Little confusing to me. .................

I may be stuck in getting a cd/dvd sata drive... but then again I am in the same catch-22.

I am confused!


?????????

What's confusing?

I've already told you that you can attach 1 optical to the same cable.

There's nothing that says that you have to have two optical drives installed initially...when installing other devices. Attach 1 optical drive, install controller drivers, then either move both optical drives to new controller or just add one to new controller.

Louis

why do you need an optical drive to setup the bios on the new motherboard? that doesn't make any sense... mobos come with a bios already... there is normally 0 setup required to get you up and running. you should only need an optical drive if you want to update the bios, but that would be something you want to do after you have everything all put together and up and running...

be creative man, if the cable won't stretch to both the HD and CD/DvD drive mounts, the take on of em out if you have to and just sit it down. computer parts will continue to run whether they're mounted in they're slots or not... just be careful not to jostle them while running.

as to some other points...



Firewire pinouts should be in your mobo manual. read it. HD Audio means Hi-Def Audio.... Hard Drives have no sound.... why would they need it...? informaiton about AC'97 can be found here




I have no idea what you are talking about here.... CPU's (Central Processing Units) don't have plugs... they simply fit into the CPU socket on the mobo... I think you're talking about the 4-pin auxillary power for the CPU. Nothing ever plugs into the CPU... this is merely a 4-pin cable form the PSU that plugs into the board, most of the time very near to the CPU. It does provide auxillary power to the CPU, but it does not plug into the CPU itself... nothing does.

I reread the manual, and there is a bios as you said, though the way the manual is written it was unclear to me.
I am a newbie......
The manual does not say anything about once everything is connected, it can be started up. As for the disc supplied it says

" The support software CD_ROM that is included in the motherboard package contains all the drivers and utility programs to properly run the bundled products"

I thought that was to include implanting bios. Updating bios is apparently only done through downloads from the MB website.

Yes, I can temporarily stuff a hard drive by an optical drive to fit the reach of the cables. Manual says if there are 2 IDE devices on the cable, one MUST be configured as master, the other slave. I did not know ( if it applies) that a burner has a Master/slave option.

There are no firewire pinouts anywhere in the manual, nor seen on the MB. I will inquire directly to the manufacturer.

For the "CPU plug" it was a little surprising to see one.; According to the manual it says:

" Connecting 8-pin power cable: The ATX12V power connector is used to provide power to the CPU. When installing the 8 pin power cable, the latches of power cable and ATC12V match perfectly"

I felt this did not apply, it was just surprising/curiosity to me & thought I would mention it.

Again, I am a newbie, I am sure to be asking questions that will make your eyes roll, and make you slap your forehead. I have no idea if I miss something that I should not because to me it doesn't seem to make sense or vice versa.., if for example, something did not work, one could be asking me "well, that sounds like you never plugged in the 8-pin cable to your MB CPU!!! - didn't your manual tell you to do that?! - you gotta follow directions!"

So I ask or mention these things.

You confirmed for me the cpu is not plugged in into this plug by any wire.



So once I do the cable, I turn the machine on, hope the Windows XP is picked up from my old hard drive, then install the drivers for the MB via the disc the manufacturer enclosed.


Thanks so much

first, let me apologize, i did not intend to make you feel this way at all, i am truly sorry if i have.

it's strange that your mobo does not have any pinouts for firewire, although some boards (definitely older ones) simply don't have it. i didn't see anywhere in previous posts, but did you give us the name/model of the mobo you ended up getting?

The BIOS normally comes pre-installed on all mobos. one of the reasons for this is because the BIOS is the basic programming that makes all the devices able to communicate in the first place. essentially, without a bios, your mobo would be a dead hunk of silicon with some pretty hunks of mettal attached to it

BIOS updates are sometimes released that will fix bugs or provide patches for better/added functionality, but every mobo should come with a bios pre-installed. if you want to take the time, you can read more about it here

The cd-rom(s) included with your mobo is most likely to enable certain mobo-manufacturer-specific software, or to install certain drivers that may be needed for certain hardware (such as your on-board NIC/LAN port). The drivers you should definitely install as soon as you get up and running, but the extra software is really optional.

Some of this may be system monitoring software (to help you keep an eye on temps, fan speeds, etc.) or just software packages that they bundle with the mobo (such as cd burning software, i think my last mobo came with Nero7 or Roxio or something like that).

a lot of the system monitoring software you probably won't really use as it's most useful if you're trying to overclock or something, but some people like to keep an eye on these things regardless.

as far as the power issues, the new atx12v connections are not quite as standardized as we would all like yet. i normally follow the rule of thumb: if you can plug something into your mobo, there should be a reason why you haven't. if not, you've forgotten something.

all IDE devices need to be configured as master/slave if running on the same cable as another. There should be a small diagram/picture on the optical drive near the jumpers to tell you how to set it as master or slave. If not, you may be able to find the info online by searching the model of optical drive and looking for a manual or something. you may also try to manufacturer's website.



i can nearly guarantee that windows will not boot the first time you hook things up. it will probably come back with a error saying ntldr is missing or something along those lines. you *may* be able ot fix that by booting to your windows cd, then going into the recovery console and running fixboot/fixmbr

for more info about that, along with instructions an how to run those commands, see here

First of all, I want to say thanks for all your help case, I really do appreciate it.

The MB I have is this ECS A790GXM-AD3

The only windows cd I have is for a Dell computer. Seems like the windows os on that disc is specific to dell computers only..
"Only use this CD to reinstall the operating system on a Dell computer"

From what you said it seems I must have a windows cd

If so, then I guess I have an option with downloading Windows 7 RC suggested by DJBPace07 on the very first reply post of this thread. At this time, I am trying to save $$

I will reading and digesting the link you posted.

With computers to be able to do so much with recognition of drivers, software etc, just a little surprising that the MB will not be able to pull up windows from my HD. Oh well, again, I will be reading what you suggested - but it seems like I will have to buy or download a Windows CD OS

like this Windows XP old version

My other computers are using xp home addition 2002 which is fine..

thanks again!!!!!!!

Matt

Correct link for motherboard: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/938/1/

Louis

actually, dell normally pre-packages their own copies of xp to give out with purchased computers, it's really just an xp cd with dell
s logos and stuff on it. You should still be able to use your dell cd to access the recovery console and run the commands i suggested towards the end of my last post. Again, it may not work, but it should only take about 15 minutes or so to try, so if it does, you've saved a lot of time, if not, you've only potentially wasted 15 minutes or so, so i'd give it a shot.

as far as the firewire pinouts, if this board has them, they would most likely be on one of the three sets of pinouts at the bottom of the board (the three orange sets of pins below your last black pci slot) but it looks like those are labelled as the USB 2.0 headers? newegg doesn't list any firewaire ports being on this board, so i'm assuming it doesn't actually have it

Some update from my above note,

My daughter and I plugged everything in ( monitor mouse, & keyboard) & turned the computer on.
(Hard drive on same cable as CD/DVD; - HD config as Master, CD/DVDE config as slave)

( side note maybe of importance - we already palced a graphics card in the mb)

Nothing showed up on the monitor - it was as if it was not receiving a signal.

We tried both monitor outputs, from MB first, nothing, then graphics card monitor output, no signal to the monitor as I expected. Moved monitor cable back to the MB monitor output

I thought that we must load the drivers to see anything on the monitor ( didnt think so, but..wanted to try something else - by inserting the MB CD? right or wrong in reason, we found that the cd would not open!

Long story short - we found that only if the IDE cable was NOT hooked up to the cd/dvd it would open.
With IDE attached it would not open.

I would be a little surprised, but was wondering if the IDE cable has plugs designated for Master, vs Slave devices. I told my daughter I would be surprised if that was so. Out of curiostiy pulled out an IDE cable from our old cable, and on it was stamped by one plug, "Master" by the other plug "Slave"


Hmm, maybe that was for setup at the factory?

When we turn on the computer, get the MB green light, see the red lights on the graphics card, all the fans run,( CPU, case, PS)

That's all that's working so far!

Help would be greatly appreciated. thought we would get a little further than this


Matt

normal configurations require the master device to be the one furthest from the motherboard on the cable, or the one on the end. The slave device must be the second, or middle IDE plug.

However, you can have cables that makes use of "cable select" which is basically just a special IDE cable that does not require specific positioning for master/slave. Since yours is labelled, I'd follow that. This may make things even more difficult, since i know you had problems mounting both the cd/dvd drive and the HDD while plugging them both in due to the length of the IDE cable initially. It may be best to just go out and pick up an IDE expansion card for one of your PCI slots, then you can just run both as a master on separate cables/controllers. For some reason, optical drives and HDs sometimes have problems running on the same cable. Good news is, PCI expansion cards are dirt cheap, can probably get one for somewhere between 10-20 bucks.

As far as your video drivers, you will need to install them, but you should still be able to get a picture of some sort. It's normally really ugly, bad resolution, messed up colors, but it's a picture that works until you get drivers installed. everything will just be really big and ugly in windows.

Thanks for the quick reply,

I will switch the devices on the cable, to try that first, though the IDE cable we tried did not have master/slave written on it, just a spare one I pulled out for reference, and that one did.

I did get a an IDE expansion card just in case.

This is what I get confused about, what must come first, what is dependent on what.
The expansion slot came with a cd .but how can the computer initially recognize the expansion for what it is without first laoding the MB drivers? For the expansion card, do I load that driver before loading the drivers for the MB?..

This is what I think , and I know it may be wrong.

1) get all the basic hardware installed, HD, CD/DVD, RAM, & wires hooked up
( DO I really need to install a HD at this point?)

2) hook up all cables, power cord, mouse, keyboard, monitor

3) Turn on computer. Bios should " fire up" and I should see something on the monitor relating to BIOS.
3a) OR, Turn computer on, will not see anything on the monitor until I put drivers CD in and let it autorun


4) Let all drivers be installed, then add components which require its own cd for programming the computer ( graphics card, expansion card

5) Then try loading windows.....

I think that is it

I hope it is the cable for why we did not see anything.
I am thinking the computer I am on now may have a SATA cd/dvd, not sure but can open and check and use it if there are any other problems seeming relating to this.

Will be trying tomorrow night with the cable.

Thanks!

Matt

Most hardware devices will work straight out of the box. Graphics cards/adapters are a special case. they will work in the sense that you should be able to get some kind of picture, although as i said before, once you get into windows, it will be ugly, with bad resolution and messed up colors. Once you install the drivers, then the card knows how to properly interpret everything, and things will be pretty, with the correct resolution and color and all that jazz.

so, to follow your list, you have everything in the right order. Yes, you do need a HD at this point. without the HD you won't be able to do anythingother than look at the bios, which won't get you much. The HD is the storage center, and along with your processor, functions like the brain of your computer, so without it, your computer won't be able to store ANY data including drivers.

To install any drivers, you're going to first need to get into windows. This is most likely where you're going to run into the biggest problem. Given your space/cable restrictions, you may have to lay the HD and cd/dvd drive of to the side with the case open at first until you get into windows.

So, try this list:

1. Hook up all your internal hardware devices, including your IDE expansion card (lay the HD and cd/dvd drive off to the side if you can't mount them just yet due to cabling restrictions)

2. Hook up your cables (power/keyboard/mouse/etc.)

3. Turn your computer on and try to boot into windows.
3A. If it doesn't boot into windows, see one of my previous posts regarding the fixboot/fixdmbr commands from the Recovery console. I belive I linked you to a walkthrough on how to get into the recovery console as well, but just in case, here's the link again: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058 You'll want Option 2: Option 2: Starting the Windows Recovery Console from the Windows XP CD-ROM (your Dell XP CD) Once you are in the Recovery Console, just type in "fixboot" and follow the prompts, followed by "fixmbr" and follow the prompts for that as well.

4. Once you get into Windows, you can proceed with installing all your drivers.

5. Once you have all your drivers installed, you can shutdown the PC, put your cd/dvd drive on a separate cable from the HDD and mount both the cd/dvd drive and HDD in your PC case properly.

Good Luck!

This is what we did tonight,

pulled the HD & CD/DVD, out recabled as needed, HD was Master, CD was slave.

Getting nada on the computer monitor.

To make this short, we unplugged all plugs from the cd, and only ran the HD
Turned the power on, HD did not start ( could not hear it)
Turned power off
Removed the IDE cable, left the power to the HD
Turned the computer on, could hear the HD start and continue to run
repeated the above.

Repeated the above with my backup HD, same thing, once the IDE cable is plugged in, the HD will not run.

Seems like the IDE cable is giving feedback to the devices, and preventing them from running.




Would it be worth to try the expansion card, even though that needs drivers to run? - so I think?



If the MB is bad, I want to thank you for all your help and esp your patience!!!


Matt

hmm. sounds like ether a bad cable or bad IDE controller. you might want to try a new cable first before assuming the mobo is bad, if you have one. if you bought this mobo new, you should be able to return it for replacement.

Sorry I did not mention, did try 2 IDE cables,

I do have a 3rd .............

Bought it from NEWEGG

Also emailed the support tech at the MB company site.

Dang, I wont get the rebate now!


Matt

Well, - I'm BAAAaaack!!!

Got an exact replacement for the MB, as it was thought to be bad -

New MB is doing the exact same thing...



Everything hooked up ( no graphics card installed yet)
IDE cable plugged into the HD
When the IDE cable is plugged into the HD, the HD will NOT run. Unhookd the IDE, HD begins to run, plug IDE back in, HD continues to run. - (?)

Same thing with a cd/dvd burner

I am seeing a big fat ZERO on the monitor ( ie., nothing. - wish I saw at least a zero) , it acts as if it does not recieve a signal.

If the HD is not plugged in, nor the cd/dvd player, I beleive I should see a signal ( I beleive the MB has its own graphics, so do not need to install a graphics card.)

Why am I not seening anything?

Could it be the processor? - maybe it is bad?

What is the minimm I need to see anything from a working (?) MB?

This is sooo frustrating!!!!!!


THanks!

Matt

Maybe I'm missing something so basic, it isi not even mentioned...I doubt it very much, but am I to hit an F9 key or somehting.... naah, I'm getting desperate.

You should not be connecting/disconnecting an IDE hard drive...when Windows is up., the system is powered, etc.

That can only be done (safely) with SATA drives, if the AHCI mode is enabled in the BIOS.

http://www.techmetica.com/howto/sata-ahci-...hat-does-it-do/

Louis

hmm. the behavior doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but as louis said, it's a very big no-no to plug IDE devices in or out while the system is up and running. this can easily damage your drive (not always, but often enough for ti to be one of the first big no-nos about building a computer), especially hdds.

what kind of cabling are you hooking your monitor up with? is this the standard VGA hook-up (normally a blue plug, with a vaguely d-shaped plug where the pins are) or DVI (normally a white plug, with two distinctly different sets of pin-groups)? You may try switching your monitor input. I ran into a problem the first time I converted to DVI where my monitor was not smart enough to auto-detect that I was using DVI rather than VGA, so that may be an issue if your monitor is expecting one input (such as being set for DVI when you're using VGA or vice-versa)

You should definitly be getting some kind of output on your monitor, even without your drives hooked up. You should be able to at least get as far as the BIOS load screen.

I may have missed it...but did you get a new power supply?

That seems a logical candidate, with a new MB and CPU.

Louis

Thanks for the above info, I am using the blue VGA hookup to the MB from my computer.
The first time around with the other MB, I even tried another monitor and got the same results, - I did have one other monitor to try, but guessed there was not going to be a change. ( The 2 tried monitors both have the VGA hookup).

I have a new power supply when I ordered the inital MB, (OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W). When turning on the PS, the green light on the MB does light up, if that means a lot, ie does it mean that all the components of the MB are getting power?

I guess everyone is stumped here?

Could it be a bad processor.

There is this, quite a while ago, on my other computer (DELL) some of the ram went bad ( either the sockets or the sticks) I THINK ( been a while) that when they went bad, nothing showed up on the monitor ( I still have the sticks maybe I should put them back into the Dell to confirm). There were error code lights on the machine which I think helped me track the prob down. Took out the sticks , worked. Put them back in , did not work, - but that was about 6 months ago.




Thanks again for trying!!

Matt

What bugs me, is this troulbleshooting which resulted me sending back the MB for another, has taken enough time past the 30 day mark for returns to NEWEGG. Also could not get any rebates, cause did not want to send in the UPC code as because who knows if I had to return something

IMO, lights don't mean anything.

I would try the PS on a different system...it only takes a few minutes to make those simple connections and power a system.

Louis

Yes, I'll do that...

Guess all I need to do in get the computers close to each other unplug the "power" connector from the MB of the good computer, and plug it to the MB of the troubled computer. No other connection changes ncecessary - right?


Then turn on the good computer which will turn on the power supply...


Thanks!

Matt

I'm back and fixed the problem

OK, first of all remember I am a newbie - that is my disclaimer!

In my MB manual it said for a MB receptical, "Connect the axillary case power supply connector to ATX12V"

I did not know this meant this was the plug for powering the CPU.

Plugged the only PS plugs that would fit the receptical and HD, CD and monitor worked!!

Now, ..

as this is a HD from and Etower computer ( actually a new HD that has the old hd copied to it). This HD has Windows home xp, Etower drivers etc

When the monitor goes on, I do not see bios,

What I see is this not so uncommon info



Apologies Windows did not start successfully. IF computer restarted expectantly or had automatic shutdown to prevent damage to files, blah blah......

select one...

Safe Mode
Save with networking..
Save with command prompt
Choose last known good configuration...

Start Windows normally...

These options are on a timer, when run through, the monitor turns off, then turns on again, then repeats the above.

I've tried most of the above, but does not help.

I was able to get into a "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console, hitting F8,
I get the above, and ...

Enable Boot Logging, Enable VGA Mode
Last Known Good Configuration (I know that does not help)
Directory Services Restore Mode (Windows domain controller)
Debugging mode
Disable automatic restart on system failure

Any suggestions?




I have heard that each pre-installed OS is linked to the motherboard via a number, and this association cant be broken. It was suggested I contact Etowers, tell them that my computer died, & trying to move to new computer and ask for a Windows OS. I doubt I would be successful with that!

With this allocations and with it looping, I guess I will have to to purchase a Windows XP OS

As always, THANKS!

m