computer problem

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Most hard drives are SATA. I have software that will let me make an exact copy of a hard drive, so a new drive would have everything copied over to it. The key here is the motherboard and what it will support. SCSI drives are rare, unless you are talking about a server, so I'm assuming your drive is SATA. A 1TB drive is about $50.

What software do you use to copy hard drives? Boot sector and all. Is it free?" Is it easy to use? I had good experience with "Drive Image" way back when. But now I need to upgrade and have not been successful in finding an appropriate and simple drive copy program.

[Scott Douglas]

Yeah, but the old box already has 6GB of it and right now I don't have the $100.

[azasadny]

No new motherboard uses DDR2, it has served you well, junk it or sell it on eBay, somebody may buy it...

[Scott Douglas]

I hear you. Thanks.

[stomachmonkey]

That Gigabyte MOBO has dual channel memory slots.

You can populate and run with one 4 GB stick and add a second as funds / needs dictate.

Current Microcenter circular has a PNY (name brand) 4 GB stick of DDR3 on sale for $37.00, a no brand 4 GB stick for $34.99 and a Kingston 8 GB 2 stick kit for $79.99

Or Tigerdirect, 1 4GB stick DDR3 $35 out the door plus $5.00 rebate get's it to $29.99. Disclaimer: tigerdirect were a partner when I was at CA and their rebate center sucked, you need to do everything right.
ADATA XPG V1.0 Destktop Memory - DDR3 1600, 4GB, Blue - AX3U1600W4G11-RD at TigerDirect.com

[azasadny]

I use Acronis True Image Premium to image copy hard drives...

[stomachmonkey]

You could always do that Quad core CPU bundle at $69.99.

Performance wise it's a small notch up from what you have.

Not demonstrably better but still better.

[atcjorg]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

Once a year I haul all my PC's from around the house and my office outside for a little spring cleaning.

Screw those little cans, I hit them with 100psi of shop air.

Shocking how much crap comes out.

Yes but don't spin up the little fans with it they weren't designed to spin that fast

[Scott Douglas]

Been reading up on RAM etc to see what options I have.

It's looking like it may be more cost effective for me to just go get a whole new box. The broken one is 6 years old and so are all the peripherals in it (fans, pwr supply etc.).
If I got a new box with SATA drive(s) in it, could I just sub my present SATA drive in or would it be easier/better to use it as a slave?
I was running Vista 64 without any problems, and liked it better than my wife's Win 7. I don't really want to go to WIN 7 or 8, but if that's what will be so be it.
If looking at new boxes, what cpu should I be looking at as a minimum? The old computer handled my pics and videos fairly easily and quickly. I'm not sure how much of that was due to its being a quad core processor.
Any suggestions would be helpful. If I have to I'll use my DVD player/burner from the old computer. I definitely will be using the old HD in some fashion as all my pics etc are on it and my old old computer won't interface with SATA as far as I know.
I really appreciate everyone's input so far.
Thanks.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Been reading up on RAM etc to see what options I have.

It's looking like it may be more cost effective for me to just go get a whole new box. The broken one is 6 years old and so are all the peripherals in it (fans, pwr supply etc.).
If I got a new box with SATA drive(s) in it, could I just sub my present SATA drive in or would it be easier/better to use it as a slave?
I was running Vista 64 without any problems, and liked it better than my wife's Win 7. I don't really want to go to WIN 7 or 8, but if that's what will be so be it.
If looking at new boxes, what cpu should I be looking at as a minimum? The old computer handled my pics and videos fairly easily and quickly. I'm not sure how much of that was due to its being a quad core processor.
Any suggestions would be helpful. If I have to I'll use my DVD player/burner from the old computer. I definitely will be using the old HD in some fashion as all my pics etc are on it and my old old computer won't interface with SATA as far as I know.
I really appreciate everyone's input so far.
Thanks.

It's almost always cheaper to build your own than buy a retail box. There are exceptions, you could find a crazy blow out / loss leader sale or good deal on a factory refurb but we are not talking savings of 50% over building the box yourself.

As far as the 6 year old peripherals.

The case is not a wear item, no need to ever replace.

Case fan, you can find them all day long everyday from $5.00 and up and take 5 minutes to swap out.
case fan : Micro Center

Power supply. You can get 500W starting at $20.00. 15 minute swap.
Diablotek EL Series PSEL500 500 Watt ATX Power Supply PSEL500 - Micro Center

CD/ DVD. For readers only $10.00 and up. Writers $15.00 and up. 5 minute swap.
dvd drive : Micro Center

Hard Drive. 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA drive, $55.00 and up. 5 minute swap.
Toshiba 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive DT01ACA100 - Bare Drive 965038 - Micro Center

Add in the the $69.99 AMD bundle plus new RAM you can walk out of Microcenter with everything you need all at once for $200.00

Personally if funds are an issue I would not replace functioning peripherals until necessary.

I would strongly consider grabbing a hard drive as that is the most critical component related to data loss but the other stuff I'd take a wait and see approach.

If you are totally paranoid about data loss grab 2 hard drives. The Gigabyte board in the bundle has an onboard raid controller.

[Scott Douglas]

OK. So the gigabyte bundle + the Kingston 8gb 2 stick ram package, a little work to r&r the MOBO and I'm up again with close to or a little better performance than the old computer had, and it's only @$160.
Is the video 'built-in'?

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

OK. So the gigabyte bundle + the Kingston 8gb 2 stick ram package, a little work to r&r the MOBO and I'm up again with close to or a little better performance than the old computer had, and it's only @$160.
Is the video 'built-in'?

Performance on the CPU is a bit better.
AMD Phenom II X4 955 vs FX 4130

You may see some small gain from the MOBO as well.

MOBO has onboard VGA and DVI.