Upgrading The Impossible
Yes, I am serious about this
Tuesday, March 14, 2006 by PoSmedley | Discussion: Personal Computing
My Brother-In-Law has asked me to see what I could do with his laptop. Let me rephrase that. he has asked me to see if I could do something other than throw it out. It's a Compaq presario 1245, about 7 years old. It has a 3GB 2.5" EIDE Internal hard drive and 32mb memory card. (I'll wait while you laugh.)
Okay...now I have found a 'refurbished' hard drive 20GB for under 40 ( I told him he wouldn't really need more than 20GB, and all the ones I found under 20 cost about as much), but know nothing about 'refurbished' drives. New ones for around 60. He will be running Win200, and not doing anything special, just surfing. He wants it for when he is out of town.
The memory is 32mb SyncDRAM. Now I have found memory from 17.99 for 128 to 39.99 for the same. Is there a difference between a memory card for a laptop and a notebook? As far as actaully 'fitting' it in the notebook?
Aside from the obvious...he needed me to put WIN2000 on it (it had 98 first version) so he could install an ethernet card and a wireless card. I told him there wasn't enough room with win200 to even add a virus program, let alone anything else. So he needs a bigger hard drive, and I told him upgrading the memory would be a good idea as well, though the memory upgrade max's out at 160mb.
Questions..
1. Is it worth the price of a 'new' hard drive (considering how old it is), or should I go with the refurbished?
2. Is it a SDRAM memory stick I want, and does it have to be 'notebook' specific?
3. Would an external harddrive or flashdrive (I don't know anything about flashdrives, so forgive me if that was stupid to ask) be a better option?
Basically, looking for the best way to do this for him.
Any help is apreciated. Thanks.
Po'
Okay...now I have found a 'refurbished' hard drive 20GB for under 40 ( I told him he wouldn't really need more than 20GB, and all the ones I found under 20 cost about as much), but know nothing about 'refurbished' drives. New ones for around 60. He will be running Win200, and not doing anything special, just surfing. He wants it for when he is out of town.
The memory is 32mb SyncDRAM. Now I have found memory from 17.99 for 128 to 39.99 for the same. Is there a difference between a memory card for a laptop and a notebook? As far as actaully 'fitting' it in the notebook?
Aside from the obvious...he needed me to put WIN2000 on it (it had 98 first version) so he could install an ethernet card and a wireless card. I told him there wasn't enough room with win200 to even add a virus program, let alone anything else. So he needs a bigger hard drive, and I told him upgrading the memory would be a good idea as well, though the memory upgrade max's out at 160mb.
Questions..
1. Is it worth the price of a 'new' hard drive (considering how old it is), or should I go with the refurbished?
2. Is it a SDRAM memory stick I want, and does it have to be 'notebook' specific?
3. Would an external harddrive or flashdrive (I don't know anything about flashdrives, so forgive me if that was stupid to ask) be a better option?
Basically, looking for the best way to do this for him.
Any help is apreciated. Thanks.
Po'
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tjesterb
Reply #3 Tuesday, March 14, 2006 9:47 PM
I wouldn't spend any more money on this than absolutely necessary.
You want SDRAM SODIMM, probably PC66, but you might be able to use PC100. Yes, you need memory made specifically for notebooks (SODIMM.)
A notebook/laptop that old very likely won't have any USB ports to use a flash drive in. You might be able to use external USB storage if you can find a USB to serial converter. If the lpatop is not going to be moved around much, you could try to find an IDE to USB converter with a 2.5" adapter, and then hook up a regular 3.5" IDE drive (they are much cheaper!)
Or....turn it into a firewall Link and put the money you're spending on second-hand parts into a newer machine.
Reply #3 Tuesday, March 14, 2006 9:47 PM
| 1. Is it worth the price of a 'new' hard drive (considering how old it is), or should I go with the refurbished? |
I wouldn't spend any more money on this than absolutely necessary.
| 2. Is it a SDRAM memory stick I want, and does it have to be 'notebook' specific? |
You want SDRAM SODIMM, probably PC66, but you might be able to use PC100. Yes, you need memory made specifically for notebooks (SODIMM.)
| 3. Would an external harddrive or flashdrive (I don't know anything about flashdrives, so forgive me if that was stupid to ask) be a better option? |
A notebook/laptop that old very likely won't have any USB ports to use a flash drive in. You might be able to use external USB storage if you can find a USB to serial converter. If the lpatop is not going to be moved around much, you could try to find an IDE to USB converter with a 2.5" adapter, and then hook up a regular 3.5" IDE drive (they are much cheaper!)
Or....turn it into a firewall Link and put the money you're spending on second-hand parts into a newer machine.
Kevin_C
Reply #4 Wednesday, March 15, 2006 9:34 AM
Absolutely!! You might even need to get memory specifically for that model of laptop depending on how it was built. I would go to http://www.crucial.com and put in the laptop specs, it will then show you the types of memory you can put in that computer. You don't have to buy it there but that's an easy way to see what it will support.
Details for the Compaq Presario 1245:
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?model=Presario+1245&tabid=AM
As far as the HDD is concerned, refurbished drives are typically just as good as brand new ones. They just got started out in life on a bumpy road!
Reply #4 Wednesday, March 15, 2006 9:34 AM
| 2. Is it a SDRAM memory stick I want, and does it have to be 'notebook' specific? |
Absolutely!! You might even need to get memory specifically for that model of laptop depending on how it was built. I would go to http://www.crucial.com and put in the laptop specs, it will then show you the types of memory you can put in that computer. You don't have to buy it there but that's an easy way to see what it will support.
Details for the Compaq Presario 1245:
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?model=Presario+1245&tabid=AM
As far as the HDD is concerned, refurbished drives are typically just as good as brand new ones. They just got started out in life on a bumpy road!
PoSmedley
Reply #5 Wednesday, March 15, 2006 10:58 AM
Reply #5 Wednesday, March 15, 2006 10:58 AM
Would these be what I am looking for. They have then at configurator.memorystock.com starting at a third of what the previous link listed them at.
32MB Module 4x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync (4x16)
32MB Module 4x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync (4x16)
64MB Module 8x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync
64MB Module 8x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync
128MB Module 16x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync
128MB Module 16x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync
128MB Module 16x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync
And these are the 3 Hard Drive's I am looking at. I saw smaller ones, but it's not much of a price difference. One is 16GB, which may be all he really needs, and the others are 40GB and 20GB, both selling for 57
Will any or all work?
Link
Link
Link
Thanks for the help Adamness, tjesterb and Kevin C
32MB Module 4x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync (4x16)
32MB Module 4x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync (4x16)
64MB Module 8x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync
64MB Module 8x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync
128MB Module 16x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync
128MB Module 16x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync
128MB Module 16x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync
And these are the 3 Hard Drive's I am looking at. I saw smaller ones, but it's not much of a price difference. One is 16GB, which may be all he really needs, and the others are 40GB and 20GB, both selling for 57
Will any or all work?Link
Link
Link
Thanks for the help Adamness, tjesterb and Kevin C
DJBandit
Reply #9 Thursday, March 16, 2006 2:07 PM
To be honest, for a computer that runs at 333 MHz I would just buy something better even though the price will be a few hundred more than upgrading it. But upgrading is OK. Memory must be specific for laptops, a refurbished can work just fine, just make sure you have a garantee of at least 30 days or something in case it doesn't work. I would only recomend an external hard drive for storage, if he likes to have his music collection, maybe a few movies when he travels and copies of his CDs for software that require CDs in the CD-rom so that he caries less things.
Give it a try and see what happens, judging by the prices you mentioned you have very little to lose and you could always resell them to someone who might find them useful.
Reply #9 Thursday, March 16, 2006 2:07 PM
| Questions.. 1. Is it worth the price of a 'new' hard drive (considering how old it is), or should I go with the refurbished? 2. Is it a SDRAM memory stick I want, and does it have to be 'notebook' specific? 3. Would an external harddrive or flashdrive (I don't know anything about flashdrives, so forgive me if that was stupid to ask) be a better option? Basically, looking for the best way to do this for him. |
To be honest, for a computer that runs at 333 MHz I would just buy something better even though the price will be a few hundred more than upgrading it. But upgrading is OK. Memory must be specific for laptops, a refurbished can work just fine, just make sure you have a garantee of at least 30 days or something in case it doesn't work. I would only recomend an external hard drive for storage, if he likes to have his music collection, maybe a few movies when he travels and copies of his CDs for software that require CDs in the CD-rom so that he caries less things.
Give it a try and see what happens, judging by the prices you mentioned you have very little to lose and you could always resell them to someone who might find them useful.
PoSmedley
Reply #10 Thursday, March 16, 2006 3:11 PM
Reply #10 Thursday, March 16, 2006 3:11 PM
Thanks DJBandit.
Still awaiting confirmation on #5 before I order the parts.
Still awaiting confirmation on #5 before I order the parts.
Tominated
Reply #12 Thursday, March 16, 2006 5:58 PM
Reply #12 Thursday, March 16, 2006 5:58 PM
just get a cheap new laptop. That thing must be a piece of junk.
PoSmedley
Reply #13 Thursday, March 16, 2006 6:27 PM
I thought I expressed the fact that I was aware of that in the beggining.
Not an option and I am trying to do a favor for a family member. Just want to upgrade it so he can run Win200 with an ethernet card (his old OS won't run the card) so he has something for when he is on the road.
I agree with tjesterb, and hopefully I may succeed. Just need to know if what I have posted in #5 will do the trick.
Reply #13 Thursday, March 16, 2006 6:27 PM
| That thing must be a piece of junk |
I thought I expressed the fact that I was aware of that in the beggining.
| just get a cheap new laptop. |
Not an option and I am trying to do a favor for a family member. Just want to upgrade it so he can run Win200 with an ethernet card (his old OS won't run the card) so he has something for when he is on the road.
| I wouldn't spend any more money on this than absolutely necessary. |
I agree with tjesterb, and hopefully I may succeed. Just need to know if what I have posted in #5 will do the trick.
scorpio-logic
Reply #15 Thursday, March 16, 2006 9:08 PM
Reply #15 Thursday, March 16, 2006 9:08 PM
Po, I have a thinkpad running at 366mhz. With only 228 mb of sodimm, and a 4 gig hdd. It has XP running onit, albeit slower than my desktop, runs very well. For WK2 I would get at least 128 mb of memory in that thing, try for more if there's a slot and upgrade what's in there if it ain't nailed it (soldered).
To answer your question that everyone is ignoring: 128MB Module 16x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync will do you. And if your friend is going to use it for a while, go with the new harddrive, better than loosing tons of info when the refurbished gets the lovely I/Odevice error.
Hope this helps. Happy day!
To answer your question that everyone is ignoring: 128MB Module 16x64-66MHz, 144p SO DIMM, 3.3v, Sync will do you. And if your friend is going to use it for a while, go with the new harddrive, better than loosing tons of info when the refurbished gets the lovely I/Odevice error.
Hope this helps. Happy day!
PoSmedley
Reply #16 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:52 PM
Reply #16 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:52 PM
Thank you, scorpio-logic. based on that, and after telling him what you said, he's going to have me install a 40gbHD that is new from Seagate and 128MB memory stick. And thanks for clearing up the memory thing. I wanted to be sure I would be trying to install the correct one so I didn't damage his notebook.
How do you run XP with only a 4GB HD. His is 3.2GB. I loaded WIN2000 on it, Office2000, and only had aprx. 500mb of space left. When I tried to do the MS update, I had to put in service pack3 so he could do updates at all. After that, there wasn't even room for a virus program and the Defragmentor said there wasn't enough space left to defragment.
My wife runs Win2000 at work on a 2GB HD and has all kinds of crap on her PC with no problems. I didn't forsee any when I put it on his notebook.
So, may I ask...when I install Win2000 on the new HD..
It's Win2000 PRO
WHich format...FAT32 or NTFS?
Should I install SP3 and SP4?
I know that IE will have to upgraded. I think it only has IE 5 on the disk.
Thanks again SL! I really needed that info! 
How do you run XP with only a 4GB HD. His is 3.2GB. I loaded WIN2000 on it, Office2000, and only had aprx. 500mb of space left. When I tried to do the MS update, I had to put in service pack3 so he could do updates at all. After that, there wasn't even room for a virus program and the Defragmentor said there wasn't enough space left to defragment.
My wife runs Win2000 at work on a 2GB HD and has all kinds of crap on her PC with no problems. I didn't forsee any when I put it on his notebook.
So, may I ask...when I install Win2000 on the new HD..
It's Win2000 PRO
WHich format...FAT32 or NTFS?
Should I install SP3 and SP4?
I know that IE will have to upgraded. I think it only has IE 5 on the disk.
Thanks again SL! I really needed that info!
PoSmedley
Reply #17 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:55 PM
Reply #17 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:55 PM
Thank you, scorpio-logic. based on that, and after telling him what you said, he's going to have me install a 40GBHD that is new from Seagate and 128MB (it has 32MB intergrated and can only be upgraded to 160MB..only one available slot) memory stick. And thanks for clearing up the memory thing. I wanted to be sure I would be trying to install the correct one so I didn't damage his notebook.
How do you run XP with only a 4GB HD. His is 3.2GB. I loaded WIN2000 on it, Office2000, and only had aprx. 500mb of space left. When I tried to do the MS update, I had to put in service pack3 so he could do updates at all. After that, there wasn't even room for a virus program and the Defragmentor said there wasn't enough space left to defragment.
My wife runs Win2000 at work on a 2GB HD and has all kinds of crap on her PC with no problems. I didn't forsee any when I put it on his notebook.
So, may I ask...when I install Win2000 on the new HD..
It's Win2000 PRO
WHich format...FAT32 or NTFS?
Should I install SP3 and SP4?
I know that IE will have to upgraded. I think it only has IE 5 on the disk.
Thanks again SL! I really needed that info!
How do you run XP with only a 4GB HD. His is 3.2GB. I loaded WIN2000 on it, Office2000, and only had aprx. 500mb of space left. When I tried to do the MS update, I had to put in service pack3 so he could do updates at all. After that, there wasn't even room for a virus program and the Defragmentor said there wasn't enough space left to defragment.
My wife runs Win2000 at work on a 2GB HD and has all kinds of crap on her PC with no problems. I didn't forsee any when I put it on his notebook.
So, may I ask...when I install Win2000 on the new HD..
It's Win2000 PRO
WHich format...FAT32 or NTFS?
Should I install SP3 and SP4?
I know that IE will have to upgraded. I think it only has IE 5 on the disk.
Thanks again SL! I really needed that info!
PoSmedley
Reply #18 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:55 PM
Reply #18 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:55 PM
Thank you, scorpio-logic. based on that, and after telling him what you said, he's going to have me install a 40GBHD that is new from Seagate and 128MB (it has 32MB intergrated and can only be upgraded to 160MB..only one available slot) memory stick. And thanks for clearing up the memory thing. I wanted to be sure I would be trying to install the correct one so I didn't damage his notebook.
How do you run XP with only a 4GB HD. His is 3.2GB. I loaded WIN2000 on it, Office2000, and only had aprx. 500mb of space left. When I tried to do the MS update, I had to put in SP3 so he could do updates at all. After that, there wasn't even room for a virus program and the Defragmentor said there wasn't enough space left to defragment.
My wife runs Win2000 at work on a 2GB HD and has all kinds of crap on her PC with no problems. I didn't forsee any when I put it on his notebook.
So, may I ask...when I install Win2000 on the new HD..
It's Win2000 PRO
WHich format...FAT32 or NTFS?
Should I install SP3 and SP4?
I know that IE will have to upgraded. I think it only has IE 5 on the disk.
Thanks again SL! I really needed that info!
How do you run XP with only a 4GB HD. His is 3.2GB. I loaded WIN2000 on it, Office2000, and only had aprx. 500mb of space left. When I tried to do the MS update, I had to put in SP3 so he could do updates at all. After that, there wasn't even room for a virus program and the Defragmentor said there wasn't enough space left to defragment.
My wife runs Win2000 at work on a 2GB HD and has all kinds of crap on her PC with no problems. I didn't forsee any when I put it on his notebook.
So, may I ask...when I install Win2000 on the new HD..
It's Win2000 PRO
WHich format...FAT32 or NTFS?
Should I install SP3 and SP4?
I know that IE will have to upgraded. I think it only has IE 5 on the disk.
Thanks again SL! I really needed that info!
PoSmedley
Reply #19 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:56 PM
Reply #19 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:56 PM
Thank you, scorpio-logic. based on that, and after telling him what you said, he's going to have me install a 40GBHD that is new from Seagate and 128MB (it has 32MB intergrated and can only be upgraded to 160MB..only one available slot) memory stick. And thanks for clearing up the memory thing. I wanted to be sure I would be trying to install the correct one so I didn't damage his notebook.
How do you run XP with only a 4GB HD. His is 3.2GB. I loaded WIN2000 on it, Office2000, and only had aprx. 500mb of space left. When I tried to do the MS update, I had to put in SP3 so he could do updates at all. After that, there wasn't even room for a virus program and the Defragmentor said there wasn't enough space left to defragment.
My wife runs Win2000 at work on a 2GB HD and has all kinds of crap on her PC with no problems. I didn't forsee any when I put it on his notebook.
So, may I ask...when I install Win2000 on the new HD..
It's Win2000 PRO
WHich format...FAT32 or NTFS?
Should I install SP3 and SP4?
I know that IE will have to upgraded. I think it only has IE 5 on the disk.
Thanks again SL! I really needed that info!
How do you run XP with only a 4GB HD. His is 3.2GB. I loaded WIN2000 on it, Office2000, and only had aprx. 500mb of space left. When I tried to do the MS update, I had to put in SP3 so he could do updates at all. After that, there wasn't even room for a virus program and the Defragmentor said there wasn't enough space left to defragment.
My wife runs Win2000 at work on a 2GB HD and has all kinds of crap on her PC with no problems. I didn't forsee any when I put it on his notebook.
So, may I ask...when I install Win2000 on the new HD..
It's Win2000 PRO
WHich format...FAT32 or NTFS?
Should I install SP3 and SP4?
I know that IE will have to upgraded. I think it only has IE 5 on the disk.
Thanks again SL! I really needed that info!
PoSmedley
Reply #20 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:56 PM
Reply #20 Friday, March 17, 2006 6:56 PM
SON OF A NUTCRACKER!!!!!!
sorry about the multiple posts. I kept getting a timed out error.
sorry about the multiple posts. I kept getting a timed out error.
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Reply #1 Tuesday, March 14, 2006 12:33 PM
External and Flash drives connect with USB or Firewire, and probably wouldn't be a very good idea to have that as a primary drive.
I remember seeing on Cnet.com a video series about upgrading old laptop hardware. They seem to have a lot about upgrading.
Good luck.