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Author Topic: Two computers, one dilemma.  (Read 5851 times)

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manadude2

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    Two computers, one dilemma.
    « on: August 31, 2009, 05:15:28 PM »
    Ok, I'll cut to the chase.

    I am being given a computer from a friend of mine to either replace or help repair and upgrade my Packard Bell.

    I have no details about this computer except the fact that it has a few viruses on it.

    My Packard Bell has a PSU failure.

    I am wondering whether it would be simpler to transfer the working PSU into my Packard Bell or to transfer my hard drive from the Packard Bell into the "new" computer.

    I am a bit sceptical of transferring the hard drive because of hardware incompatibility, drivers, no free hard drive bay etc. and I am also a bit sceptical of transferring the PSU because it need to power two DVD drives, a card reader, one hard drive and the motherboard.

    In terms of simplicity, which is easiest?

    Once I know more about the "new" computer, I will be able to post more details.
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    smeezekitty

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    Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
    « Reply #1 on: August 31, 2009, 05:26:08 PM »
    i really think you should do nether
    buy a new cheap psu
    and reformat and reinstall an both computers will run like new
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    Geek-9pm


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    Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
    « Reply #2 on: August 31, 2009, 05:31:10 PM »
    Quote
    I am wondering whether it would be simpler to transfer the working PSU into my Packard Bell or to transfer my hard drive from the Packard Bell into the "new" computer.
    First choice is the PSU. Check to see if the connectors are the same. What is the PSU power rating?
    Moving the hard drive to the 'new' PC means that it may not boot well until you get the motherboard drivers. And you don't want to copy them rfom an infected drive.

    Have you been to the Packard Bell User Forum?
    http://forum.packardbell.com/en/viewtopic.php?t=59832&sid=eb0dd073d7665be67eae45a724729926
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    manadude2

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      Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
      « Reply #3 on: August 31, 2009, 05:48:16 PM »
      Quote from: smeezekitty on August 31, 2009, 05:26:08 PM
      i really think you should do nether
      buy a new cheap psu
      and reformat and reinstall an both computers will run like new

      That is an option but then again it's not really.

      To do that I need to know where I can find a suitable high wattage PSU. I'm not a big fan of internet shopping, especially when it comes to electronics, so that's out of the question but I live about 15 miles from my nearest computer store.

      I also don't have an XP disk for either computer and for some reason all the restore points on my Packard Bell have been deleted so a reinstall is out of the question.

      Quote from: Geek-9pm on August 31, 2009, 05:31:10 PM
      First choice is the PSU. Check to see if the connectors are the same. What is the PSU power rating?
      Moving the hard drive to the 'new' PC means that it may not boot well until you get the motherboard drivers. And you don't want to copy them rfom an infected drive.

      Have you been to the Packard Bell User Forum?
      http://forum.packardbell.com/en/viewtopic.php?t=59832&sid=eb0dd073d7665be67eae45a724729926

      As I said, I have no idea of the computer specs, these will become available to me on Thursday when I collect the PC. My current PSU has the following specs:

      Quote
      FSP GROUP INC
      Model No: FSP315-60PNA-E (PF)

      AC Input: 22V-230V, 4A, 50-60Hz

      Max output power: 315W

      DC output: +3.3v 15.0A (ORG), +5v 25.0A (RED), +5Vsb 2.0A (PURP), +12V1DC 11.0A (YEL), +12V2DC 11.0A (YEL/BLK), -12V 0.4A (BLUE), +12V, 0.8A (DC-JACK), P.G. Signal (GRAY), Ground, (BLACK) (+3.3V & +5V = 150W max.)

      Fuse rating: 5.0A, 250V AC


      I need to find a identical PSU to this one, preferably with a higher wattage.

      Again, on Thursday I will know more.
      « Last Edit: September 04, 2009, 01:48:32 PM by manadude2 »
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      dahlarbear



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        Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
        « Reply #4 on: August 31, 2009, 07:31:51 PM »
        What operating systems are involved here?  The Windows XP operating system is designed to be setup on the machine it is to run on.  It doesn't transfer well from one machine to another.  (During Windows XP installation, setup chooses from among six different HALs and two different kernels depending upon the hardware it's built on.)

        Swap power supply units, not hard drives with Windows XP.

        I've heard it said several times on the Computer Hope forums; "A cheap power supply unit isn't worth the box it came in."  Buy a good one.
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        smeezekitty

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        Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
        « Reply #5 on: August 31, 2009, 08:04:26 PM »
        about the PSU
        even a cheap one should last sevrel years
        and i think it would be far better to have both computers working
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        manadude2

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          Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
          « Reply #6 on: September 01, 2009, 04:29:47 AM »
          The OS on both computers is Windows XP Home Edition.  I know that on my Packard Bell, I have SP2 installed but I'm not sure about my friends one.

          If I get another PSU, I will then have 2 working PCs and a laptop. That's 2 more computers than I need and 1 more than I really have room for. That's why I want to transfer the PSU or the hard drive.

          Is there not a Windows XP Repair disk or application that will then repair XP to run on a hardware-altered system?
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          squall_01



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            Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
            « Reply #7 on: September 01, 2009, 11:20:17 AM »
            Quote from: smeezekitty on August 31, 2009, 08:04:26 PM
            about the PSU
            even a cheap one should last sevrel years
            and i think it would be far better to have both computers working
            yeah, kill the thing why dont you  >:(
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            manadude2

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              Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
              « Reply #8 on: September 04, 2009, 02:43:58 AM »
              Right, I have the other computer now.

              I opened it up yesterday so see if I could remove the PSU or the insert my Packard Bell hard drive into it.

              1) The PSU does not have a 4 pin ATX connector.

              2) The MB does not have SATA connections.

              3) I also tried inserting my old 512MB DDR stick into it but the connector is the wrong shape.

              Looks like I'm stuffed.

              I could go out and buy a caddy, or a new PSU because right now I'm getting mad.
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              squall_01



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                Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
                « Reply #9 on: September 04, 2009, 04:00:55 AM »
                Quote from: manadude2 on September 04, 2009, 02:43:58 AM
                Right, I have the other computer now.

                I opened it up yesterday so see if I could remove the PSU or the insert my Packard Bell hard drive into it.

                1) The PSU does not have a 4 pin ATX connector.

                2) The MB does not have SATA connections.

                3) I also tried inserting my old 512MB DDR stick into it but the connector is the wrong shape.

                Looks like I'm stuffed.

                I could go out and buy a caddy, or a new PSU because right now I'm getting mad.


                Its probably an older machine then the one you have or a differnt model.  Some having the 24 an some haveing just 20.  That was probably expected an its not hard too get ide drives. Its not the wrong shape its right for that board an how they made that one, which suggest there not the same model.  You cant just get any psu, dells an compaq are all differnt an you have to get the one spefic too it.  ;)
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                BC_Programmer


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                Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
                « Reply #10 on: September 04, 2009, 09:47:07 AM »
                If this is the "new" computer then it's far worse then your Packard Bell... a 20-pin ATX connector, no SATA connections, and SDRAM slots suggest it is around the 1999-2000 era.
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                manadude2

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                  Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
                  « Reply #11 on: September 04, 2009, 09:55:10 AM »
                  That would be about right.

                  It's a TIME 560GB03G3 made in 1999, because the BIOS dates from back then.
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                  patio

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                  Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
                  « Reply #12 on: September 04, 2009, 10:03:38 AM »
                  You should edit your post so it fits the screen...
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                  manadude2

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                    Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
                    « Reply #13 on: September 04, 2009, 10:45:48 AM »
                    It does...
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                    BC_Programmer


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                    Re: Two computers, one dilemma.
                    « Reply #14 on: September 04, 2009, 11:36:46 AM »
                    Quote from: manadude2 on September 04, 2009, 10:45:48 AM
                    It does...

                    change the code tag in Reply #3 to a quote tag.

                    My res is 1440x900 and it does NOT fit the screen, and causes the entire page to look funky.
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