General Computer Questions

[OSUCowboy]

My new Summer/Fall project is bulking up my cumputer for better gaming. I'll admit I have limited knowledge when it comes to computers, but I'm learning. Before I get into my question, let me give some specs on my PC: I have 512MB of RAM with two open slots for more, a 120GB HardDrive, and a 2800+ AMD Athlon Processor. So, as you can see, my computer certainly isn't loaded with power.

My question is this: when I upgrade my HardDrive, is that something I just add to already existing parts or is it more complex than that? I know I can just buy RAM sticks and insert them in the open slots, but does the HardDrive work the same? And what about a better processor? How's it all work? Thanks.

Brian

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Welcome! In general, you can just add another hdd but, as with everything, there are caveats. Your ability to upgrade is dependant on your MB and PSU. If you can post your MB, PSU and OS we could be more helpful.

 

[boomerang]

You may also want to tell us what you do or intend to do with your computer.

Edit: Welcome to the forums!

 

[OSUCowboy]

Hmm, I'll have to get back to you as far as all that goes. I do know that one of the things I looked into upgrading was my PSU and, if I was super ambitious, my motherboard, but only time will tell.

 

[Okasa]

welcome to the forums!

i know this is long, i just kinda banged it out so its prob got some holes. i hope this helps you better understand some components of your computer...

well your question is so open-ended, but ill touch on a few basics. most things in a computer will work on a specific technology, a lot of times this is called a "socket" or "port". your processor for an example is probably a "Socket A cpu(central processing unit)" and your harddrive is probably PATA(parallel advanced technology attachment), and your ram is probably "DDR", the problem is that there are many new standards out for some of these items as what you are running on is fairly old.

now, onto specifics about the hd only. you have an IDE harddrive im sure, which you can still purchase and use (they are not obsolete). however, the new standard which is emmerging is SATA (Serial Advanced Transport Attachment), which uses a smaller cable and a different power cord(the power cord can be converted from your power supply, but the sata cable cannot be converted from IDE or PATA. If you were to purchase a IDE or SATA harddrive, the only hardware installation needed would be for you to put it in the computer, connect both cables, and set the jumper to master/slave (only if the harddrive is IDE). then, when you boot the comp to XP, right click on "my computer" and hit 'manage' then 'disk management' and then all you should have to do is right click on the new harddrive and hit format, once its finished you have another harddrive showing up in my computer and you are good to go.

 

[OSUCowboy]

Ok, so I found some more specs that might make it easier for your help.

Motherboard: ASUS A7V8X-LA
OS: Windows XP Professional

Hardware Specs

Motherboard Specs

Apparently I was misinformed. I thought I had two open memory slots with a maximum of 2GB, but this tells me I only have one slot with a max. of 1GB. Maybe a new motherboard?

Thanks for everything.