If it is stated as retail, it's the same retail package as elsewhere (includes heatsink and fan).
I showed you the VNF3-250 earlier, and last it was going for $71 shipped on a deal from Newegg. It uses the nForce3 250 chipset, which is arguably the best chipset for the Athlon 64 (well, aside from like the Gbe and Ultra versions, but those just add gigabit ethernet and support for 1000MHz HTT, for much higher prices - you'll be fine with the regular 250).
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-152-043&depa=0
Unfortunately up to $79 shipped now; apparently the deal ended. Oh well, it may still be on sale somewhere else reputable. It's hard to compare the specs of motherboards other than what kinds of features they have on them (if you -need- stuff like firewire and gigabit ethernet, etc.) and what chipset they have on them. Again, the nForce3 250 is regarded as a better chipset than older nForce chipsets and Via chipsets. That's really all there is to it. Most people seem to say the VNF3-250 is also pretty good, so...*shrugs*
Ok, on XP: Let's get the least important thing out of the way, first. 4. - OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and usually includes the bare item, with no manual, free software, or cables. An OEM copy of XP is what is shipped with computers built by large companies in order to cut costs (retail versions are more expensive, because you can use their license keys on an unlimited (?) amount of computers. OEM copies are just limited to 5 or so activations, is what I've been led to. You can try Googling it for more info.). OEM hardware is usually just the piece of hardware in an anti-static bag, in a white or brown box. Retail versions are slightly more expensive, often come with longer warranties, more colorful packaging, more accessories (read: free software and cables), a manual, and other random stuff.
Anyway, I was just suggesting trying the CD on your old computer to see if it detected it or not, to see if it made a copy fine. The CD won't format anything until you tell it to. All you need to do is see if the computer enters Windows setup, and if it does so, the CD works (like it should). You can just exit it then; don't bother installing XP on an old computer. To get the CD to work, you can first try putting it in the CD drive, and then rebooting. If it reboots to the desktop, reboot again. When you see the Compaq screen when it first turns on, try hitting F10, which lets you access the BIOS. I think F10 is the BIOS key for Compaqs. Anyway, look around the menus using the arrow keys on the keyboard to find anything about boot sequence. Try and change it to boot from the CD drive first instead of your hard drive (the floppy drive may also be set to boot). When you restart, check to see if it prompts you to boot from CD. Continue , and see if you enter Windows setup. You can just exit then. You can also try this on your newer desktop, too, just make sure you don't actually start formatting or installing.
If this works (like it should), you could just write down the serial key on the bottom of the laptop and use that. Otherwise, the only other really legitimate way is to order a new OEM copy for ~$70, giving you a new serial key. I say that you may as well try to use your current serial key first. If it doesn't work, just order a new copy and be done with it.
I showed you the VNF3-250 earlier, and last it was going for $71 shipped on a deal from Newegg. It uses the nForce3 250 chipset, which is arguably the best chipset for the Athlon 64 (well, aside from like the Gbe and Ultra versions, but those just add gigabit ethernet and support for 1000MHz HTT, for much higher prices - you'll be fine with the regular 250).
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-152-043&depa=0
Unfortunately up to $79 shipped now; apparently the deal ended. Oh well, it may still be on sale somewhere else reputable. It's hard to compare the specs of motherboards other than what kinds of features they have on them (if you -need- stuff like firewire and gigabit ethernet, etc.) and what chipset they have on them. Again, the nForce3 250 is regarded as a better chipset than older nForce chipsets and Via chipsets. That's really all there is to it. Most people seem to say the VNF3-250 is also pretty good, so...*shrugs*
Ok, on XP: Let's get the least important thing out of the way, first. 4. - OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and usually includes the bare item, with no manual, free software, or cables. An OEM copy of XP is what is shipped with computers built by large companies in order to cut costs (retail versions are more expensive, because you can use their license keys on an unlimited (?) amount of computers. OEM copies are just limited to 5 or so activations, is what I've been led to. You can try Googling it for more info.). OEM hardware is usually just the piece of hardware in an anti-static bag, in a white or brown box. Retail versions are slightly more expensive, often come with longer warranties, more colorful packaging, more accessories (read: free software and cables), a manual, and other random stuff.
Anyway, I was just suggesting trying the CD on your old computer to see if it detected it or not, to see if it made a copy fine. The CD won't format anything until you tell it to. All you need to do is see if the computer enters Windows setup, and if it does so, the CD works (like it should). You can just exit it then; don't bother installing XP on an old computer. To get the CD to work, you can first try putting it in the CD drive, and then rebooting. If it reboots to the desktop, reboot again. When you see the Compaq screen when it first turns on, try hitting F10, which lets you access the BIOS. I think F10 is the BIOS key for Compaqs. Anyway, look around the menus using the arrow keys on the keyboard to find anything about boot sequence. Try and change it to boot from the CD drive first instead of your hard drive (the floppy drive may also be set to boot). When you restart, check to see if it prompts you to boot from CD. Continue , and see if you enter Windows setup. You can just exit then. You can also try this on your newer desktop, too, just make sure you don't actually start formatting or installing.
If this works (like it should), you could just write down the serial key on the bottom of the laptop and use that. Otherwise, the only other really legitimate way is to order a new OEM copy for ~$70, giving you a new serial key. I say that you may as well try to use your current serial key first. If it doesn't work, just order a new copy and be done with it.
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