OT: Recycling PC's - Anyone Done It?

I�m thinking about perhaps trying something different � building a PC out of the two and adding some stuff to bring me up to date on the hardware side.

What is the possibility of using one of my current cases (the Gateway�s case is really big), adding a new motherboard and power supply? Use my current floppy, CD drives and the good hard drive from the gateway, my current keyboard, mouse and monitor.

Question is � would all if this stuff go together and work?

Another question is � I have a Dell version of Windows 2000 professional and the CD�s that came with the Dell. Can I load this software onto the new configuration?

The last thing I would add is a really hot video card and about a gig of ram.

Anyone recycled their old PC�s like or kind of like I am talking about?

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Bill

I too have always built my own puters until this one. Both my CTX lap top and my 300mhz, Win98se, 19" monitor, desk PC took a dump at the same time. I can't live without a lap top as I like keeping my books on PC plus on-line banking and I try to leave for 6mths at a time boondock camping (get out of the heat) thus the need for a laptop.

I bought a Toshiba Satellite 2.2ghz Intel/MB with 256mb, 15", DVD, XP, 2yrs ago. Wow what a speed demon comparred to the past puters. Net usage is fantastic faster on a 28.8k dial-up. Only draw back, another propritory OP system just like your Dell. Every 7mths or so I still have to reinstall XP as Toshiba didn't get it quite right either, just like any other propritory system PC maker, they have major glitch's. I haven't even bothered to rebuild the old PC's nor hook up the 19" monitor. I have increased my memory to 512mb and that helped slightly for how I use my PC. The fan is very noisy and needs replaced. Cost $895

At the same time I built my son a 2.4ghz Intel/MB, 512mb, DVD, 80g HDD, XP. Another very nice system as I matched all componets to Intel's "suggestions". This PC smokes mine without any problems even tho it's very close to being the same. Why? the MB bus speed is alot quicker. This XP system hasn't crashed since day one and system restore cures all the glitch's in about 30min of work. The son just updated to 1gb of RAM from 512mb and didn't notice a speed increase for his usage. About $600 including XP without monitor.

I really doubt that I'll try another non-Intel MB. I had just too good of results with going with the best. I just wish a person could piece together a laptop.

I would go with a external HDD on a laptop or desk PC for back-up files and too keep sensitive data on if your going to be on the internet.

First keeping the data off line on the HDD is the only assured way of no hackers obtaining that data and with a flip of a switch that data is available to me.

Second, it's really fast back-up when comparred to DVDrw or CDrw media for a darn cheap cost. I do a monthly CDrw back-up of important data. External USB HDD case, $25, plus the HDD cost.

Of course you need to take my suggestions with a grain of salt as we do have several professional puter wiz's on the forum that can offer far better advice.

T_Bone

Old_bc

After pricing the minimum parts required for the upgrade (motherboard, memory, cpu, new windows cd) just to make it run. I found it much cheaper to buy a new Dell. The Dell is what I'm on at this time. I bought for under $400 just before Christmas. It came with everything including the monitor.

What you could do is take the hard drive out of the Gateway, if it is still good and put it in your Dell. Or just put a new HD in. Eigther way you would need to reinstall Windows

A 933mhz is plenty to browse the internet. You won't see much speed from a faster computer. I don't see any differance between my old 900mhz and this 2.4G. Maybe if you was running multiple browser windows or doing graphic design.

Dell Windows 2000 will not work in any computer that does notn have a Dell motherboard.

Most of the cheap off the shelf systems will not have these features and certainly many of these features will not be available on the two systems that you want to integrate into one.

You can play with the old systems and probably learn some neat stuff.