-
Whoops! Sorry! Missed that one. No, there are no "dumb" questions here...I remember all too well being in the same position years back. Ask away.
Win 98 SE is in effect it's "own" operating system--no DOS base. The "DOS" you see in Windows is really a DOS emulator. "TRUE" DOS is only accessed at boot-up from a boot disk.
(The CPU chip or processor is the "brain"--the operating system, such as Windows or DOS, doesn't reside in the processor, but the hard drive).
Does this clarify, or only muddy the waters more?
If you decide to install a new hard drive, you will have to install the operating system (OS) I.E.: Windows. They don't come with it pre-installed like store-bought ready-made computers such as Gateway, Dell, and the like.
-
I get it. I think.
I will be getting a new hard drive, so will it come with the boot disk ?
-
Queen_of_Hearts
I retire 1 nov 1982 from the US Army so, you see I ain't to young.
Working with radios and when you tune them right away you find out metal of any kind is hazardous to your health as they are powered up. Hence the diddle sticks. Various, screwdrivers, allen wrenchs, and a laundry list of more Items. As there were tubes involved the voltages were a lot higher than what is in pcs. Highest seen was 150,000 volts. No metal in or on clothing period.
oh, well ancient history. Still have my general band receiver though.
Now do make your comparison list.
------------------
SMILE
-
That is what you present computer needs to contribute.
------------------
SMILE
-
Sitting here thinking about this. Years ago, my brother-in-law described it to me like this:
Processor or CPU chip: the brain, processes the info, but has no info on it's own; the bigger the brain, the faster it can process the info, but it relies on the...
Hard Drive: Where the info resides--the Tasks, Programs that the "brain" needs to process i.e. the operating system such as Windows.
RAM: extra memory for the brain so it can process faster and more efficient
BIOS: the jump-starter for the brain--processes the basic commands, then turns the system over to Windows--that info resides on the BIOS chip on the motherboard.
Hope this helps a bit.
-
Then, are all hard drives the same size, and the RAM you have to go with it makes it bigger ?
-
Your new hard drive will probably come with a special floppy disk. However, before you use it, post in the forum and let us know what it is. Maxtors, Western Digitals and others usually come with what is called a disk overlay program such as EZ-BIOS, MaxBlast, etc.. These are "good" if you have a motherboard/BIOS that doesn't support hard drives over 2 gigs. I will assume the new motherboard you get DOES support over 2 gigs, so the disk will be unecessary---even detrimental if you use it. But we're not there yet. (The "Windows Boot Disk" is made while you are installing Win 98.)
-
Thanks a lot Train. Makes sense to me. Trouble is I'm impatient to do this and want it right now. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Bistro and Queen of Hearts brought up somethin'. The OS. Here's the question. Build PC>new hard drive>install WIN OS. Is DOS necessary or just a want to have?
Bistro - How did the pool party go? Got daughter to nine ok?
-
Mosaic,
This is a problem I have never had to worry about. But I can see that if it is 15 or 30 gigs stuff gets spread all over the place and you would partition to control that ?
And I think I just answered my own question. They are obviously not all the same size !
I think I'll worry about that afterwards. To much to learn now.
Is hard drive and hard disk the same thing ?
So, why would I salvage this one (now don't laugh....) 802MB https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
-
PC hard drives are almost all the same physical size--just slight variances. But they come in different capacities;
i.e. 10, 20, 30 gigabytes and up. Also two basic speeds: 5400 rpm(revolutions per minute) or 7200 rpm. (There ARE faster ones such as 10,000rpm jobs---but forget those--special purpose). Of course, the faster they spin, the faster the info is accessed. I won't get into Bus speeds here--would be too confusing at this point. Suffice it to say, the more gigabytes of "memory" the hd has, the more programs and file storage space you'll have to play with. However, you can go overboard with this---for home use (simple projects, word processing, games), a 60 gigabyte hd would really be a waste of space and money---you'll probably never really use it all. But if you do a lot of archiving of large files, or into high-end graphics, etc.--it might be perfect.
If you don't want to have to upgrade in the
near future, you want a 7200rpm (ATA-66 or 100) hard drive and a motherboard that supports it--the RAM "speed" should match that (called PC-100 or PC-133). Ram amount? 128 mb or more.
P.S.--yes, "hard drive" and "hard disk" are the same animal.
[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 12-05-2000).]
-
All these numbers and innitials are finally starting to make sense. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Great explanation bistro.
-
Hello Queen of Hearts, Did you notice how modest Mosaic is while promoting her running buddies. I bet she can't wait to get to two new hard drives. You notice how they keep overloading our input circuits? Non ferrous tools, static bracelets, outlets for dust, ATX case, 300W PS, etc. etc. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
-
Ya think we've given her the fever ?
She wouldn't do that to HP.....Would she?
-
Now we see progress, when terms start being comfortable.
Believe it or not as you wish. But, learning a lot and enjoying it.
Now to convince someone else https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ ,then I will leave this one alone.
------------------
SMILE
-
Yeah, all those computers terms are interesting to learn...now if you want to be really challenged, I'll give them to you in German or Japanese...AAAAAAGH!
Gotta go now--bedtime and big day tomorrow..
Oh, the pool party went great...12 giggly eight to nine year-old girls...it'll take me another week to recover... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Nite all--will try to catch you in the morning sometime.
