What can I build with this?

[lgbpop]

OK, I need some (a lot) of tech help. I bought a new hard drive because it was on sale (a Maxtor 160gig SATA 150, 7200 rpm) with grandiose plans on upgrading my trusty ole HP w/98SE. Now, I'm wondering if maybe I should build one from scratch, then transfer the 98SE to the new creation. Anyone want to help? $$ is an issue, but not insurmountable.

[SuperSparks]

Sure we'll help

But first of all I would question the wisdom of installing Win98 on a new machine, you're likely to run into problems with getting W98 drivers for some new hardware now. If you really want to stick with Win98 then upgrading the old m,achine might be the better option.

[lgbpop]

I'd prefer to remain with the 98SE. Have dabbled with Win2000, NT, and ME; have owned an XP for three years now. Still can't beat the 98SE for user-friendliness; ME was buggy, NT and 2000 are quirkazoids, and XP is downright evil. Even its visuals drive me crazy--it's not just coincidence that the root word of lunacy is Luna.

Hahhhhh, that makes me feel so much better. Anyhow, are there any specific drivers you had in mind? Or did you mean that versions for 98SE just don't exist? I've substituted ME drivers whenever necessary the past couple of years, they seem to work fine. Actually, your idea of updating intrigues me. Make a "sleeper" out of that Plymouth Valiant-looking HP Pavilion! Where would I proceed next, then? My next post, I'll be on the machine in question and will attach an Everest summary and a few other things so you know what I have.

[SuperSparks]

I didn't have any specific drivers in mind, it's just that you may find that there are no 98 drivers for some of the latest hardware. It will be OK as long as you check first that you can get W98 drivers though. Also, there is more and more software that requires W2000 or XP to run.

It's odd how people's opinions differ, I hated Win98 with a vengeance, and I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when Win2000 came along

Let's see what hardware you've got and we can go from there.

[lgbpop]

Wow, it looks like an antique reading the specs alone... Nevertheless, I like it and want to update/improve/enhance it. I was thinking of new mobo to accomodate SATA hard drive, way more memory (to 98SE's limit) and faster CPU. See attached Everest report. Looking forward to suggestions not involving dumpsters or hammers!

[photolady]

Not to be rude or anything but could you copy and paste that info from Everest in this post. I dislike downloading anything with the extension txt.

[Train]

I'll mess with the report for you.

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Celeron-A, 500 MHz (7.5 x 67)
Motherboard Name TriGem Cognac
Motherboard Chipset Intel Whitney i810
System Memory 64 MB (PC100 SDRAM)

Display:
Video Adapter Intel(R) 82810 Graphics Controller
3D Accelerator Intel i752

IDE Controller Intel 82801AB Ultra ATA Controller
IDE Controller Primary Ultra ATA Controller
IDE Controller Secondary Ultra ATA Controller
SCSI/RAID Controller Iomega Parallel Port Interface
Floppy Drive GENERIC NEC FLOPPY DISK
Disk Drive ST313021 A (12 GB, 5400 RPM, Ultra-ATA/66)
Optical Drive SAMSUNG CD-ROM SC-140 (40x CD-ROM)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

We still need te model of that computer.
Need to add at least another 64MB of ram.

[photolady]

The model number of your HP would help, Igbpop. If we had that, I could search HP's site and find more info that we could use the tell you what you could or couldn't upgrade.

[lgbpop]

Duh, sorry lol Coulda sworn I included that! It's an HP Pavilion 6636. Forgot its birthday but it's around October of 1999, we bought it in Feb '00. Thx for the HP site help, have no idea where to start or what to start with.
Know about the RAM, would like to bring it to at least the 256MB that the existing system can handle. I'm sure with only 64MB the computer spends half its time in swap file. With upgrades would like at least 512MB. I've read that 98SE won't handle a gig, no need for that much anyway. I'm not a gamer, don't play music through the computer. Would like better graphics, speed and storage--that's why I bought the 160GB HD (SATA150). It'll force me to improve and update things. The only update I've done recently was on the 82810 graphics drivers I believe, was a few months ago. Definitely want a more powerful CPU--the Celeron was competitive then, but this is now.

[Train]

Well with that rig you are limited to 256 MB (2 x 128 MB DIMM)

HP Pavilion PC Model 6636 (US) - Product Specifications

And from what I have tested out,98SE with 384Mb of ram is the sweet spot. 512 will cause some programs to actually slow down.

HP Pavilion 6636 Desktop PC (US) starting point in P.

Now here it says you can use 2 sticks of 256.
Motherboard Layout and Information

[lgbpop]

Wish I understood all that, but I'm not quite at that level. Do I understand correctly that the CPU can be changed on the existing mobo? My present one runs around 500mHz, but the site said the mobo would support up to 800mHz. Is there any connection between processor speed and optimum RAM capacity? Afraid this raises more questions--love to hear the answers. Any ideas brewing yet?

[Abhoth]

1) A jump from 500 to 800mhz is really not worth the money, considering that most modern processors are running 2000mhz and above. And that's the low end (read that as not expensive!)

2) There is no relation between processor speed and the RAM capacity ... the capacity is limited by the motherboard. And the "type" of RAM that goes into that board, as it's old, is basically crap by today's standards. Apologies, call 'em as I see 'em... ;-)

3) Win XP rocks, I too held out... couldn't give up my good old Win98se... I didn't care how often I had to reload the damn thing!
And if you don't like the visuals of XP, I don't like the cartoon either, you can set it for best performance and make it look like Win98.
But the main reason for an OS upgrade is simply security ... security be number one and then driver compatibility/availability.

4) And it all boils down to the fact that it's an HP ... sorry, they are not generally great machines and upgradability is quite limited. So, you can throw good money after bad ... or build a real machine.

[lgbpop]

How much is involved in replacing the motherboard to accomodate modern processor and more memory?

[SuperSparks]

It's not hard at all. Provided you don't have a tiny tower (in which case you'd be resticted to Micro ATX motherboards), and ATX mobo will fit. It's simply a case of unplugging all the connectors, unscrewing the motherboard, moving any standoffs that need moving, and screwing the new one in. Here are a couple of good how-to's to give you a good idea of what is involved:

Build your own PC

Build an Intel PC

[lgbpop]

So far, so good...all I need is a hammer and pliers, and I'm good to go. All kidding aside, please clarify "standoffs"--you mean the removable disk drives, hard drive and PCI cards, or something else? Also, am I limited to an ATX board out of all those made or is that the best option? Are the newer boards SATA-ready or do they need a PCI card? Last question for now: are processors sold already on the board, or are they modular add-ons so I can pick & choose?

Already bought 2x128MB sticks of PC133 SDRAM to replace that pitiful 64MB mfgr. install, what a difference already--got them for US$20.00 each on clearance (some advantages to owning older computer!) Not worried about replacing them with more RAM on new mobo; I have two other computers of marginal worth that I can upgrade a bit and use at work, so the 128s can be used in them.

TIA for your patience with all of my questions.