I need a computer expert!

[Lena]

I'm fixing up and upgrading an old desktop of mine using parts from my boyfriend's broken computer and I need some help..

Basically all I have done was add better RAM (went from 256k to 1G), and upgrade the processor (from AMD Sempron to AMD Athlon).

My questions:
- How can I find out if my motherboard can handle the processor upgrade?
- Could anything I have done disabled monitor use? Last monitor I was using would not respond to the computer at all..
- How do I fix the above?

Thanks guys. I'm a total newbie at all of this.. But I'm having fun learning. :main_thumbsup:

 

[Riyo]

Have you already put the RAM and the processor in? My main concern would be whether the motherboard could support the AMD Athlon (meaning, does it have the right socket?). Same goes for the RAM. (There are different kinds) What motherboard do you have and how old is it? Do you have any information on the desktop (prior your upgrade).

As far as monitor use it could depend on your video card..not sure, need some more information on that one.

 

[Lena]

I have no idea as far as the ram goes.. But I can give you info on the motherboard and the computer prior to upgrading..

The computer is an Emachine (I know, yuck!)...
Motherboard says this in big letters on it: K8MC5IG

The computer model is T3304.

 

[Riyo]

I did a little digging and your mobo supports PC 2700 RAM (DDR 333) and it is a socket 754. I'll try to verify that this information is correct and if it is you need to make sure that both the processor you salvaged and the RAM fit those specifications or they will not work (Or fit on the board).

 

[Lena]

If the socket is right, it supports the following AMD Athlon processors:
AMD Athlon 64 (2800+ - 3700+)
AMD Mobile Athlon 64 (2800+ - 4000+)

I am pretty sure it's the AMD Athlon 64.. But I can't recall the number.. All I know is that it came out of an semi-old Compaq. I'll have to find out which it is.

As for the RAM, is there somewhere on the stick itself that'll tell me what type of RAM it is?

EDIT:
Pulled one of the RAM sticks out... Here's what it says on it:
hynix KOREA 07
PC3200U-30330 0620
512MB DDR 400MHz CL3
HYMD564646CP8J-D43 AA-T

 

[Riyo]

I was able to find that your mobo is indeed a socket 754. When you take the old processor out you should be able to put the new one in and as long as you have it oriented right (There is a small arrow in one corner that will line up with a notch on the socket). Make sure you are grounded when you are handling the processor/RAM/Mobo/Other cards or you could kill them with static. Also, if you are able to, I would get some thermal paste and reapply it to the top of the processor (a small daub will do, don't go overboard) before reseating the CPU fan.

As for the RAM, the information may be listed on a sticker on the back of it. Just look it over. If you aren't able to find it on the RAM you may need to find out what your boy's old computer was and look it up.

 

[Lena]

Well that's good to hear about the processor.. 'Cause I already put it in a bit ago.. I'm glad I didn't break something.

I'm guessing the prongs wouldn't have fit if it was not compatible?

 

[Riyo]

No, the prongs would not have lined up.

As for the RAM, I see it says its PC 3200 (DDR 400)

Both PC 2700 and PC 3200 are 184 Pins sooo it should fit in the slot.

EDIT:
If your computer has trouble booting when you start it up (meaning it starts squealing at you with POST errors) you might have to play around with the RAM...remove one stick, see if it boots, try the other stick...reseat both...remove both.. experiment until it decides to work. Sometimes it takes a bit of fiddling around.

 

[Lena]

Great! Thanks for all your help, Riyo! Glad to hear everything fits.

Now to just get the darn thing working.

 

[Riyo]

Welcome if you need any help feel free to email me/PM me and I'll try to help you troubleshoot.

Good luck!

 

[Yamori]

I myself was going to fix up and upgrade an old pc i had lying around about a year ago but after looking in to it i decided against it, mainly because computers age and become obsolete so quickly.

It depends on what you want to use it for, for me it was for high performance gaming. So the old components, (motherboard, graphics card, cpu, sound card,PSU) were far too obsolete and outdated so i bought a newer pc and upgraded from there. Now it can play every game out. i can play crysis on max setting. Those of you that know crysis know its become the bench mark tool for all computers. put it bluntly, if you can play crysis on full setting you can play anything.

 

[Lena]

I'm actually fixing this old computer up in the hopes of being able to play World of Warcraft. *Nerd*

When I'm done with it it'll easily surpass the requirements..