My half new and half old computer...

[bobsaget]

Ok. Just to let you know, I am trying to just build a computer with a good processor and motherboard, and nothing else. I figure that I can upgrade it when I get more money. This is what I have.

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ w/stock HSF
Asus A7N8X-X Mobo
128MB pc2100 memory out of an HP Pavillion
40 gig hard drive from emachines with WinXP installed on it.
CD-RW from that emachines
modem from that emachines
Antec Solution series case w/300w Antec PSU
Old geforce2 MX400 PCI video card

OK. Don't laugh. lol.
Now for my question...

Will XP boot with this config? I know I will have to reactivate windows in 30 days.

Thank you very much!

 

[ST|FFY]

so the new components are the CPU and Mobo rite?
what were the old things you replaced them with?

im not sure about this topic but if it was an Intel platform, u mite need a fresh install of windows

or if it wasnt an Nforce2 Chipset u also may need a fresh install

 

[Slava]

It should boot, but will be slow. My old 400 mhz with 220 mb of ram boots but freezes because cpu is bottleneck.

 

[Mad_Pyro]

Using the XP cd - use the "repair" feature. I went from a P3-500MHz with VIA chipset to a 2500+ with Nforce2 board and used the repair feature. I also changed video cards. I did it just to see if it worked and it was fine.

 

[MrGreg62]

It'll probably boot but it will run like crap. Because you started with an e-machines I am assuming you have a restore disc rather than a stand alone copy of XP? I would recommend removing all devices in device manager before you pull the e-machines apart. Xp should detect all of your hardware on boot-up and hopefully you can go from there installing your chipset drivers etc. If you do indeed have a true windows XP disc reformat and start from scratch.
I would also recommend spending a few extra dollars and getting at least a 256 meg stick of pc2700 and ditching that pc2100 it's probably not quality ram and isn't likely to run at the speed you will need to run that XP2500+ at it's default speed. 128 realy isn't enough for XP anyway.

 

[bobsaget]

It will be slow because of the 128mb ram right? But you do think it will boot into WinXP like usual?

 

[bobsaget]

yes, i only have the recovery disc.
Remember guys, this setup is only to get it running. I will be upgrading when I get the money.

 

[Misfitted_Mecha]

i think you might be able to boot into windows xp...only way you can find out is to try, right?that ram is really pushing it

 

[malingjc]

Good luck on trying to get that 2500+ working with PC2100 ram. You might have to underclock the processor if it doesn't work right.

 

[bobsaget]

i know, i know. the ram sucks. before i replaced my dad's computer with 256mb pc2700, he had that in it. WinXP was so slow! It took 5-20 seconds to open internet explorer! As soon as i put the 256mb in, we are talking instantly baby!

But anyways, back to the thread.

WinXP will recognize that CDRW and modem right?

When MrGreg said to disable all of the components in device manager, is that everything that I can find to disable? Once I do that, I turn the computer off and then plug everything into my newly built computer, right?

 

[malingjc]

It'll detect the CDRW, but maybe not the modem. As far as the restore discs, you're probably screwed. I work on eMachines at work all the time and if you use the wrong restore CDs, it will restore but it will blue screen because it is made for certain hardware configuration. You have about a 0.1% chance that it will boot. And no, I'm not kidding.

 

[bobsaget]

what would happen if the pc2100 ram didn't work with the 2500+? Would it just not boot?

 

[bobsaget]

I guess all i can do is try...

Thanks for all the great feedback! You are very helpful!