[Insert foulest language here]

[cormac]

First, a recap my computer repair exploits over the past couple of weeks. I opened up my box for the first time in a looong tme and dusted it out with air. I then replaced the DVD-ROM drive which hadn't functioned in two years. While I was in there, I noticed that I was a quart low on RAM and resolved to upgrade. Then the headphone jack incident and this weekend happened (see previous post).

I went to Staples and picked up a $30 sound card. I placed the card into a free SDI port and fired up the machine. Nothing showed up on the monitors. I did a quick shut-down before Windows booted and pulled the audio card. Still no video. I then pulled the video card and plugged directly into the motherboard. Still, no video. Out of options, I've resigned myself to the fact that the bell has tolled for this computer. Now the goal is to transfer the hard drives over to a new box without losing my apps. How difficult is this process? Will I need to hire a professional, or can an end-user do it? The computer is 6 years old, running XP.

Comments

[aeddie.livejournal.com]

Speaking as a former pro, it can be done. XP isn't as persnickity as Vista about hardware changes. If you are building the system yourself you need to make sure the motherboard has the proper hard drive connector. Older drives used a 40 pin IDE cable and new systems use a 7 pin SATA connection. With the price of hard drives and the increase in speed I would recommend copying the data over to a newer faster drive and keeping the older drive as a backup.

[fosveny.livejournal.com]

I would, in fact, recommend the same. Also, with the ever-increasing space requirements for everything, a new disk will also be larger, which may be important down the road.

[I feel your pain - I had to replace the house server this past week. It died a week ago Thursday]