Want To Re-Build My Old Computer, Help !

[mario299]

Okay, I've got an older Acer Aspire desktop PC that has "crashed", meaning it ain't the same as it used to be, probably got a virus. Can't run programs, can't do a System Restore, can't do anything without a lot of effort. I want to make it new, but don't want to spend/replace more than needed. How do I find out what is bad?

It has a Pentium 4 CPU, 3.06 GHz, 3.07 GHz, 1.43 GB RAM. There is no memory left. It uses the original pre-installed pirated version of XP Home, so I don't have a disc to start over again. What I need to know is how to determine if I need a new power supply and/or motherboard. I will want to upgrade a better CPU and then go to Windows 7 as an operating system, so will increase RAM at the same time.

I've been busy reading, searching, watching YouTubes etc trying to figure out how to build this thing back up right, so I turn to you guys for some help.

I have the case to start with, how do I know my power supply is adequate? Do I need to go to a different (newer) motherboard to work with a bigger/better CPU? My usage of the PC is primarily for files, word processing and web surfing, I am not a gamer, so I don't need much in speed.

I guess bottom line is : do I need to take this to a shop and have them do it, or is it something that a pretty handy guy with all the needed tools can do himself? Just looking for some help and some good advice, and thank you in advance for your input.

mario299

[Gary A]

I was having problems with my desktop and decided to trade it in on a new one. The local dealer didn't want it. The case is a good one and all the drives were fine. I had a new ASUS mother board, a new power supply, a new dual core CPU and since my old RAM wouldn't work in the new motherboard, three gig of new style RAM. It cost me a little over 8,000 baht including labor. Since I was basically starting over, I put legal Windows 7 Pro in it also. It hasn't missed a beat.

[mario299]

I was having problems with my desktop and decided to trade it in on a new one. The local dealer didn't want it. The case is a good one and all the drives were fine. I had a new ASUS mother board, a new power supply, a new dual core CPU and since my old RAM wouldn't work in the new motherboard, three gig of new style RAM. It cost me a little over 8,000 baht including labor. Since I was basically starting over, I put legal Windows 7 Pro in it also. It hasn't missed a beat.

Thanks Gary A, that's what I'm looking for. I'm not particularly stupid, just ignorant. I'll take it into the shop and see what they say.

[Darrel]

"I've got an older Acer Aspire desktop PC that has "crashed", meaning it ain't the same as it used to be, probably got a virus. Can't run programs, can't do a System Restore, can't do anything without a lot of effort. I want to make it new, but don't want to spend/replace more than needed. How do I find out what is bad?"

If it works at all there will probably be nothing wrong with any of the parts. Your problems will be coming from elsewhere.

If it has a virus or is just full of badly installed/un-installed software then reinstalling the operating system will restore it to the way it was when you first had it.

You say that 'there is no memory left". By this you probably mean the hard drive is full. If so, that alone could be causing most of your problems. Your hard drive should never be more than 90% full.

You then describe the spec of a machine that is more or less past it. It will not be economically viable to replace/upgrade individual parts as in most cases to change one will involve changing others.

Either make do with installing a bigger hard drive (this requires no other change) and reinstalling Windows, or bite the bullet and buy a new machine which will cost perhaps 10,000B. It will be much better than the one you currently have.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

My advice? It is much along the lines of Darrel's advice. That is to swap your hard drive and nothing else. Purchase an external HDD case for the old hard drive in order to access your old data at your leisure. Example here

What is the full model number of your machine?

Do not let the shop install XP for you. Do it yourself. I can send you the ACER XP disc and you can go to the ACER website for the Drivers and applications.

But before you do anything else, perhaps you should try to clean the PC of malware.

If you are running a 32 bit OS, download and save Hitman Pro to your Desktop(or USB drive if necessary).

For 64bit OSes, click here (Yours is likely 32 bit).

Once saved, hold down the Ctrl key situated on the left of the keyboard whilst double clicking on the Hitman Pro .exe file in order to start the program. Then follow the simple instructions.

Here is a video guide:

[mario299]

Many thanks for all the replies, gives me a good start on how to tackle this. You are correct Darrel, the RAM is just full, no space left, so that's a first thing to do...get a new hard drive.

I have no particular reason or need for Windows 7, very comfortable with XP so maybe I'll just get a new one and go with that. Did the Hitman as you suggested Jiu-Jitsu, already have been doing regular Malware scans, but I'll try getting the new hard drive and a new OS and see how it goes.

Again, thanks very much for your help!

[Darrel]

You are correct Darrel, the RAM is just full, no space left, so that's a first thing to do...get a new hard drive.

RAM is not the hard drive. RAM (active memory) is the 1.43GB you mentioned in your original post. Think of RAM as the table on which you work, and the hard drive as the drawers and shelves on which you keep your stuff.

Personally I wouldnt bother much with this old machine, if I had 10,000B to spare for a new one. If you are short of cash then a new hard drive (make sure you get a compatible one; yours is probably IDE) is probably the only thing you actually need.

[Darrel]

One other possibility, depending on what you actually use the machine for:

install Linux (Ubuntu) rather than Windows.

Pros: completely (and legally) free, unlikely to get viruses etc, very fast on old machines, very suitable for standard tasks like web-browsing, emailing, word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, av playback etc. That's to say 99% of what the average PC user does.

Cons: may not have drivers for the more unusual components, printers etc, and may not support all the software you want (only if you have some very unusual software)

You can test Ubuntu from a LiveCD without actually installing it. Well worth a try. If it doesnt work for you, no harm done.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Many thanks for all the replies, gives me a good start on how to tackle this. You are correct Darrel, the RAM is just full, no space left, so that's a first thing to do...get a new hard drive.

I have no particular reason or need for Windows 7, very comfortable with XP so maybe I'll just get a new one and go with that. Did the Hitman as you suggested Jiu-Jitsu, already have been doing regular Malware scans, but I'll try getting the new hard drive and a new OS and see how it goes.

Again, thanks very much for your help!

First of all, it is not the RAM that is full, but perhaps the HDD.

Again, What is the full model number of your machine? It is likely that you will need an IDE HDD, as opposed to SATA.

[metisdead]

A post suggesting the usage of pirated software has been removed as per forum rule:

16) Not to post about gambling, betting, pornography, illegal drugs, fake goods/clothing etc and other activities that are officially illegal in Thailand.

17) Not to post links to pages that contain objectionable material. This includes, warez, cracks, pornography, pyramid schemes, referral ID's, eBay listings and requests for donations. Discussion of file-sharing of pirated material is prohibited, however file sharing for legal purposes is allowed.

[mario299]

First of all, it is not the RAM that is full, but perhaps the HDD.

Again, What is the full model number of your machine? It is likely that you will need an IDE HDD, as opposed to SATA.

Jiu-Jitsu

The original information on this I have says

Model No.: Aspire Series.

We purchased it from one of the shops in Seri Center in about January, 2007. I will disconnect everything on it tomorrow and search for a better model number. Would it be on the back of the tower, or someplace similar ? The brochures I am looking at for model numbers also have part numbers, but I assume they are the part number of the particular brochure.

Again, thanks for all the help.

[Supernova]

SysInfo tool -

http://www.piriform.com/speccy

[atyclb]

Agree with Linux suggestion although CPU spec and ram is not too shabby and as long as hardware is intact it should run XP quite well with a fresh install and perhaps bigger hard drives.

I would go with sata hard drives even if you need an ide-sata adapter or pci sata card as ide drives are pricier and becoming extinct. sata is faster and works with slide out trays natively.

Linux is great for internet cause there are relatively few hijacks/trojans/viruses. Windows exploits gets more sophisticated and so does the solution/fix software.

You could use a slide out HD tray and swap sata HD's very easily to use either Linux or XP/MS

I still use a Dell PC circa 2003-4 and it runs XP very well. Also have a Linux box and a mac.

I have built/upgraded/repaired many computers.

Edited October 9, 2011 by atyclb

[mario299]

<br>Agree with Linux suggestion although CPU spec and ram is not too shabby and as long as hardware is intact it should run XP quite well with a fresh install and perhaps bigger hard drives.<br><br>I would go with sata hard drives even if you need an ide-sata adapter or pci sata card as ide drives are pricier and becoming extinct. sata is faster and works with slide out trays natively.<br><br>Linux is great for internet cause there are relatively few hijacks/trojans/viruses. Windows exploits gets more sophisticated and so does the solution/fix software.<br><br>You could use a slide out HD tray and swap sata HD's very easily to use either Linux or XP/MS<br><br>I still use a Dell PC circa 2003-4 and it runs XP very well. Also have a Linux box and a mac.<br><br>I have built/upgraded/repaired many computers.<br>

When I started looking into how to go about this, I started to learn a little about Linux. I am very impressed with what I have read so far and will probably go to it eventually. It does require quite a bit of new learning for me, which requires a lot of time, but I'll figure out how to get that done as well.

I do want to say thank you again to all for your help. This is what a forum should be, and it is quite nice to hear all of the suggestions.

Edited October 10, 2011 by mario299

[Jiu-Jitsu]

<br>Agree with Linux suggestion although CPU spec and ram is not too shabby and as long as hardware is intact it should run XP quite well with a fresh install and perhaps bigger hard drives.<br><br>I would go with sata hard drives even if you need an ide-sata adapter or pci sata card as ide drives are pricier and becoming extinct. sata is faster and works with slide out trays natively.<br><br>Linux is great for internet cause there are relatively few hijacks/trojans/viruses. Windows exploits gets more sophisticated and so does the solution/fix software.<br><br>You could use a slide out HD tray and swap sata HD's very easily to use either Linux or XP/MS<br><br>I still use a Dell PC circa 2003-4 and it runs XP very well. Also have a Linux box and a mac.<br><br>I have built/upgraded/repaired many computers.<br>

When I started looking into how to go about this, I started to learn a little about Linux. I am very impressed with what I have read so far and will probably go to it eventually. It does require quite a bit of new learning for me, which requires a lot of time, but I'll figure out how to get that done as well.

I do want to say thank you again to all for your help. This is what a forum should be, and it is quite nice to hear all of the suggestions.

Once you have reinstalled Windows, you can install Ubuntu(Linux) alongside it. So when you start the PC, you will be presented with the choice of Operating System....or you can run it within Windows using Wubi. Look here for more info.

You have a new PM.

[JSixpack]

To me, seems we're jumping the gun here, running out and buying parts.

First, do a comprehensive virus scan w/ up-to-date definitions.

Then delete all unnecessary files to free up as much space as possible. You can copy these over to an external drive if you need them.

(Of course the scan would go faster if you deleted the files first, but after all the scan may fix your problem.)

If still no joy, re-install Windows after backing up your important files. A software expert wouldn't need to do that, but since few exist in LOS, it's the fastest and easiest way to fix simple things like startup programs that suck up resources.

With your level of skill & knowledge, it'd be better to take the machine to a trustworthy tech. If you want to learn, you can ask to watch the repair; they don't mind.

That machine should still be adequate for office work, and fixing it for a couple thousand baht or less would be worth it. You might be able to solve this problem for only a few hundred baht.

Edited October 10, 2011 by JSixpack