Embarassing: Help Needed

[Anogar]

I've done a ton of hardware tinkering, installing and replacing RAM, swapping out PCI cards and PCI-X cards, and the like.

However, I've never fully built my own system before. I still haven't, but basically what I've done is gutted my old system and gotten a new Motherboard (the Gigabyte DS3) a new CPU (the E6600) and new RAM (Corsair XM2 DDR800 - which is on the supported list.)

So, anyhow, that means that the Hard Drive, DVD Drives, Floppy Drive, and Video Card (nVidia 6800 GT) are all a bit older (like 12 months or so) but should all be entirely compatible.

I'm really nervous. I don't really know what I'm doing. I have everything figured out (I think) up until the point where I turn it on... I know that I'm going to want to update the BIOS, and I'm going to want to wipe the drives clean and reinstall Windows, but I have no idea what is going to happen when I turn the system on for the first time.

Do I have to fiddle with BIOS settings right off the bat, or should it recognize the Windows XP installation that is already on the connected harddrives? All of the drivers will be incorrect, so I imagine it'll be really unhappy - how will it react?

I guess my main question, when it comes down to it, is as follows: I just replaced my CPU, Motherboard, and RAM. What is going to happen, and what am I going to need to do, when I turn on my computer?

Thanks.

-R

 

[m21s]

Quick question.

Is your 6800gt a PCI Express card or AGP?


Best thing to do is have your Windows CD ready, boot from the disc and format your HD and reinstall windows.

Thats about it!

Then continue on like a normal reformat...Chipset drivers, Video Ect...

Double check Bios to make sure settings are up to par.

 

[gobucks]

that corsair is a good idea for memory, i bought some OCZ and got BSODs all over the place. Also, i can say from experience that the DS3 is an awesome mobo, even if it is finicky about RAM, but I've heard that for some reason Conroe cores (e6600 and up) can't seem to get past 367FSB, while the Allendales (e6300-e6400) are hitting FSB speeds in the 500+MHz range, so if you're a big OCer, you might actually have better luck with an e6400.

 

[loafbred]

Installing WinXP is very easy. Go into BIOS and set your boot sequence to boot from the optical drive first, then the HDD, then save and exit. It should prompt you to hit any key to boot from CD. It will boot from the Windows disk. If your system drive is SATA or SCSI, you'll need to watch for a message at the bottom of the screen to hit F6, as it will need to find a HDD controller driver on a floppy drive. If you have a PATA drive, this doesn't apply.

It will find your existing OS, and give you some options. You can change or add partitons if you want. I do a full format on the Windows partition.

**VERY IMPORTANT NOTE**: When the installation begins, it will reboot after a short period of time. DO NOT hit a key to boot from CD, or it will begin the setup process all over again.

Once the installation is finished, I do all of the Windows updates, and then install the latest device drivers. Of course, if your modem is connected to the ethernet port, you'll have to install that driver before you can connect. For the video driver, I recommend the 84.21 instead of the latest one.

 

[Anogar]

Great, thanks guys. I guess my one concern is that the Hard Drive still has my old drivers and my old Windows XP files on it. It also has some work files that would be quite advantageous to retrieve. My last motherboard died, that's why prompted my upgrade frenzy. Do you think that it will boot far enough to connect my iPod or something and get all the files off, then go about wiping the hard drive and reinstalling Windows and stuff?

Thanks.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

I would stick the HD in another machine as a secondary drive and retrieve the files you need, then wipe it clean.

You will definately not be able to boot up to the exsisting XP install, you will have to format the drive before you can install windows and operate the machine

 

[Henny]

IMHO the best way to build a new system is as follows:

1. Lay MB on a desk and install PSU, CPU, mim. memory, KB, and known good video card only.
2. Clear the CMOS, Power up system using BIOS defaults and see if it POSTS.
3. If it POST's and appears fine then flash the BIOS to the latest verison.
4. Now you can start adding more peripherals like HD, DVD-R, remaining memory, etc.
5. Format the HD and install the OS.
6. Now install the drivers from the MB's CD in the order listed in the MB's manual. (ie chipset drivers, ethernet, sound, etc)
7. Now install video card drivers.
8. Install any critical OS updates.
9. If everything appears stable and functional go ahead and complete the build by installing the components in your case.
10. Now you can install your apps and play around with any OC that you want to do. (don't OC up to this point - especially during BIOS flashing and building the OS).

 

[Anogar]

Ah, so you think it's probably not a good idea to have everything all plugged in in the beginning?

 

[gobucks]

you might be able to boot into knoppix (it's a linux distro that boots entirely from CD) and then use some burning software to backup your data to CD or DVD. I think knoppix includes K3B software for burning. that's assuming you have 2 optical drives, cause one obviously needs to hold the knoppix CD.

either that or just plug your HDD into a friend's computer, pull off the necessary files, and then put it back in your PC and wipe it clean for a fresh install.

 

[Henny]

Originally posted by: Anogar
Ah, so you think it's probably not a good idea to have everything all plugged in in the beginning?

No, not if you're doing a major upgrade. (just my opinion)

 

[loafbred]

I would try getting into safe mode with your old Windows install. Sometimes it will work, sometimes not. I've had good luck changing motherboards and using existing XP by removing all drivers and devices first... but, I haven't tried changing from one cpu brand to another. Since your old motherboard is dead, that's not an option.

If you can't get into safe mode, and you really want to save some old files, boot from the Windows disk and get to the point where it finds your existing OS and gives the options to install fresh or repair existing install. Select the repair option. It will reinstall the OS without removing programs and data.

 

[viramor]

don't forget about the power supply