Please help me with Motherboard/Processor Upgrade

[wildting88]

Hi.

I currently have a Dell Dimensions XPSB800r and it will not work with Windows XP because the Dell is not going to make anymore Bios updates for the Dimesions series. I've already been to Mrbios.com and other like websites and they have told me (on the phone) that only Dell can help me with this.

Anyway, it turns out that in order to have WinXP up and running correctly, I need to buy a new motherboard. I've never done this before. I would like to make it as cost effective as possible. The Dell Tech said that I should upgrade my processor while I'm at it... and possibly my power supply.

I think it's gonna cost a lot. But I know anandtech is the place where people get good deals and sound advice. So here are the current specs of my computer. Dell PIII 800 / 256 RDRam (running at 800Mghz) / 3 Hard Drives (20 Seagate, 40 IBM, 45 Maxtor) / Gforce3 Ti200 Video / SB Live Value! Sound / ATI TV Wonder TV Tuner Card / some US Robotics 56K modem / Firewire Card / and I want to put my ethernet card in there if I have room. I have a DVD Rom and CDRW and floppy. AND, I have some external crapppp... lots. Some USB stuff.

SSSOOOOO, I wanted help on what I need to buy in terms of a new motherboard and processor and how much it would all cost me? Would it be more effective to buy a brand new system? And any thoughts on my situation. I would really like Windows XP just because my house is wirelessly networked and I don't really like using the anypoint software to network because it messes up some of my other programs.

Jason

Thanks in advance and thanks for taking the time to actually read this.

Also, do i need a more powerful power supply (currently mine is rated at 200Watts)


This was posted in another forum too... Tech Support

 

[Grendel99]

Well, it would probably be easier to get a whole new case while your at it. The Antec SX830/840/1030/1040 are good ones. It comes with either a top quality 300 or 400 watt powersupply. That case will run you around $100-$120. You could get something like Abit KR7A-Raid(also get non raid version), Soya Dragon Plus, or Iwill XP333. The mobo will be around $100-$150 depending on which one you get. Those mobos are just for AMD based systems btw. Then you could grab a Retail Athlon XP1800+ for $159. www.newegg.com and www.mwave.com are great websites to get your stuff from. Look on Anand (there KT266A roundup and Intel i845D round up if you want P4) and other hardware sites. Hope that helps ya some.

 

[o1die]

You can also go with a "pc kit" from pricewatch. In pricewatch, select "pc kit" and choose your cpu speed. You'll get a case with power supply, cpu, and heatsink. Then, you can just transfer your hardrive, floppy, video card, etc. over to the new case. You may have to do a fresh install (format hardrive) of windows, and your "recovery disk" from dell won't work anymore with a different mobo. Be sure to select a kit with a quality motherboard such as abit, asus, msi, etc. If you want to use your old case, you will have to upgrade your power supply. I found a codegen (amd approved P4 ready) 350 watt at 800pc for only $24 plus shipping. Good luck.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

<< Hi. I currently have a Dell Dimensions XPSB800r and it will not work with Windows XP because the Dell is not going to make anymore Bios updates for the Dimesions series. I've already been to Mrbios.com and other like websites and they have told me (on the phone) that only Dell can help me with this.

Anyway, it turns out that in order to have WinXP up and running correctly, I need to buy a new motherboard. I've never done this before. I would like to make it as cost effective as possible. The Dell Tech said that I should upgrade my processor while I'm at it... and possibly my power supply.
>>

did you even run the XP compatibility utility?? Download it here 50MB file tho... CompUSA was giving away free(sp?) CDs of it back when XP first released.