Building a new PC out of spare parts

**helix eternal** · 06-05-2009, 02:23 PM

Hey guys I recently got a used computer from a friend, it's a Compaq system, but the only original parts it has in it are the motherboard and processor, and soon I'm going to switch in a new processor.

Anyway, I'm having a problem doing this. I'm not sure if there is some kind of certain hardware signature embedded into the BIOS or what, because when I try to do a fresh install of XP Pro on the system, I'm getting all kinds of errors. It's still showing the Compaq logo when the system is started too. Would flashing a new BIOS fix this? Or is there an easier way to fix this problem?

If not my next solution is just to buy a different motherboard and put all the parts on it. I'm not sure if a new board would work in the Compaq case though, so that'd mean getting a new case too.

**helix eternal** · 06-07-2009, 10:16 AM

It could also be that the CD-ROM in the system is an old piece of crap and doesn't read CD-R's well. I'm gonna try swapping it for another drive and see if that works.

**helix eternal** · 06-08-2009, 08:25 PM

it was just the xp pro sp2 disc not wanting to install on an ide drive or something
xp pro sp1a worked just fine

anyway now it's not finding the integrated network card
it's an nvidia nforce version 65.7.4, which seems to be vista only, but it seems like there would be a workaround for xp. anybody have any ideas?

**dieKatze88** · 06-08-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helix eternal

it was just the xp pro sp2 disc not wanting to install on an ide drive or something
xp pro sp1a worked just fine

anyway now it's not finding the integrated network card
it's an nvidia nforce version 65.7.4, which seems to be vista only, but it seems like there would be a workaround for xp. anybody have any ideas?

install vista

**helix eternal** · 06-08-2009, 10:32 PM

I would but I don't have any blank DVD's to burn it to.

**dieKatze88** · 06-09-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helix eternal

I would but I don't have any blank DVD's to burn it to.

You can actually boot the installer from a large enough thumb drive IIRC. People are doing it left and right with Windows 7, so just do that.

Or you can borrow Media, unlike previous versions of Windows, Vista media is universal, so if you know someone who bought a PC with vista, just use their disc.

**helix eternal** · 06-09-2009, 02:13 PM

thumb drive option wouldn't work because I can't get drivers for the USB ports yet

I finally got the ethernet port working, so now I have internet. My next problem is Windows Update seems to not be working properly. I have no idea what is wrong. I also tried downloading Service Pack 2 separately, but it refuses to install. The copy of windows has been authenticated or whatever, so that can't be the problem. It just refuses to do any windows updates.

I also tried downloading IE8 and it refuses to install. It only has IE6 right now, maybe I'll try IE7 and see if I can get that to install and try windows update from there.

**dieKatze88** · 06-09-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helix eternal

thumb drive option wouldn't work because I can't get drivers for the USB ports yet

I finally got the ethernet port working, so now I have internet. My next problem is Windows Update seems to not be working properly. I have no idea what is wrong. I also tried downloading Service Pack 2 separately, but it refuses to install. The copy of windows has been authenticated or whatever, so that can't be the problem. It just refuses to do any windows updates.

I also tried downloading IE8 and it refuses to install. It only has IE6 right now, maybe I'll try IE7 and see if I can get that to install and try windows update from there.

1. yes it will, thats a bios level thing and your bios will be able to boot off of a USB drive if you have an Nforce board this new.

2. way to go, but guaranteed the new driver is killing off some packets. Your registry might be corrupt.

**helix eternal** · 06-09-2009, 09:17 PM

I might try the thumb drive option for installing Vista then, if I can get it to work. I have a 4GB drive, I think the Vista disc is only 2.x GB.

What do I do though, copy the image to the thumb drive or copy all the files from the image onto the drive? If all else fails I'll get a Vista disc off somebody.

I'm imagining upgrading to Vista will fix the problems I'm having right now since I'll be able to download the correct drivers.

**dieKatze88** · 06-10-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helix eternal

I might try the thumb drive option for installing Vista then, if I can get it to work. I have a 4GB drive, I think the Vista disc is only 2.x GB.

What do I do though, copy the image to the thumb drive or copy all the files from the image onto the drive? If all else fails I'll get a Vista disc off somebody.

I'm imagining upgrading to Vista will fix the problems I'm having right now since I'll be able to download the correct drivers.

Gizmodo has a great guide for Windows 7. Replace "Windows 7" with "Windows Vista" and follow the instructions except for the part where it wants you to compress the whole hard disk. You can skip that step.

Gizmodo - How To Install Windows 7 On Almost Any Netbook - Windows 7 netbook installation

**helix eternal** · 06-17-2009, 03:39 PM

Yep, Vista fixed all the problems I was having.

**dieKatze88** · 06-17-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helix eternal

Yep, Vista fixed all the problems I was having.

Figured.

**helix eternal** · 06-21-2009, 08:03 PM

It's still having problems installing things sometimes but I'm assuming it's the old crappy IDE hard drive in it. I'll be putting a 500GB SATA drive in it when I get the money.

**dieKatze88** · 06-21-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helix eternal

It's still having problems installing things sometimes but I'm assuming it's the old crappy IDE hard drive in it. I'll be putting a 500GB SATA drive in it when I get the money.

Now you're thinking with your dipstick.