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posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 2:48p
MikeS0
Addicted Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 4:28p
It's not out of the box yet.. I'm looking for a deal on memory. Any suggestions? I know BestBuy has 1G (2x 512) for $89. No rebates involved. I think I only need 512 though. Any good deals on 512MB?
fduvall
Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 4:37p
Check Microcenter. I got this 2x512 sticks (Ultra brand) for about $40.00 after rebate. You can buy one only on this deal.
MikeS0 said: It's not out of the box yet.. I'm looking for a deal on memory. Any suggestions? I know BestBuy has 1G (2x 512) for $89. No rebates involved. I think I only need 512 though. Any good deals on 512MB?
pedagogue35
Ancient Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 5:49p
I'm looking for a PCI-Express card to throw in my 1710. I'd LOVE to find a deal at Dell (since I have a concession coupon), but i'm not sure how good their selection is considered. The 6600GT seems like good bang for the $.
I there any way to make Compaq to send me a Windows installation CD or extract it from PC's recovery partition? I can't believe how much junk came preinstalled on the PC. I'd like to repartition and reformat and do a clean install. I have Dell Windows XP disk, would it install and accept Compaq license?
pedagogue35
Ancient Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 7:11p
I'm not sure about your XP problem, but I can help with the driver issue you will run into when you reformat....
I saw someone post in the 1710 thread that the drivers are in a hidden folder: C:\\HP\\drivers or something close to that. If you do a "show hidden /system files" you can get the drivers.
I want to put in my old harddrive in this system but this MOBO has a different connector. Does someone know how i can find an adaptor. thanks
macgeek
Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 7:34p
lucky777 said: I there any way to make Compaq to send me a Windows installation CD or extract it from PC's recovery partition? I can't believe how much junk came preinstalled on the PC. I'd like to repartition and reformat and do a clean install. I have Dell Windows XP disk, would it install and accept Compaq license?
This machine has installation image on harddrive. If you don't wipe entire harddisk out, you should be able to do a fresh install.
However, if you insist that you'll wipe out this drive, you must create recovery CDs/DVDs yourself. Go to Start -> All Programs -> PC Tools & Help -> Compaq Recovery CD-DVD Creator.
Now, have 12 CDs (or 2 DVDs, or 1 DVD DL) ready.
macgeek
Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 7:38p
lucky777 said: I have Dell Windows XP disk, would it install and accept Compaq license?
Sorry I didn't read your post carefully.
If your D3ll Windwos XP disk is NOT D3ll-specific (green XP Home CD), you can always use it to install and use Compaq product key.
But from what I did for my brother, just have some patience, unintall all the junks from Compaq seems good enough. I just hate to wait to reinstall everything.
thedealdude
Tired Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 7:40p
A word to the wise, the PCI Express slot is jammed right next to the RAM modules at a 90 degree angle. Look for a smaller form video card or else you will be in trouble.
thedealdude
Tired Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 7:40p
Can anybody list what things they uninstalled? Thanks.
macgeek
Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 7:40p
christiebaby said: I want to put in my old harddrive in this system but this MOBO has a different connector. Does someone know how i can find an adaptor. thanks
HDD that comes with this computer is SATA, from your old computer is probably PATA (IDE). If you cannot take an IDE cable off your old computer, you gotta buy a new one. This computer has 2 IDE ports available. All you need is an IDE cable.
macgeek
Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 7:46p
buyguy123 said: Should I run the system at least nce before upgrading DVD Writer, memory etc? What's everyone doing that was able to buy a system @ CompUSA today??
I took 256MB stick out, and put 512x2 sticks in. ($60AR from Fry's). Added 2 250GB HDDs ($50AR each from Fry's). Had to buy 5.25" mounting frame for 2nd HDD though.
Already got external DVD burner.
Yup, I think you should run the system at least once before upgrading.
thedealdude
Tired Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 7:52p
Were you concerned about the 250W power supply to run the extra hard drives?
I'm planning on adding an 1.) Extra hard drive 2.) ATI Radeon All in One 2006 PCIe card 3.) 2 sticks of ram 4.) Running various USB things like DVD Burner/External Hard Drive.
Do ya'll think I need to upgrade the power supply?
pedagogue35
Ancient Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 7:58p
Yes. Upgrade the PS.
I will be gutting the system and adding HDs, RAM, Video card, etc. I'd suggest getting at least a 400w to be safe. You can get by with a 300ish, but I'm not sure how much the video card will effect the power. I know the higher end cards suggest large PSs.
-p
christiebaby
Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 7:58p
.. Ok..thanks
I guess I need Sata IDE cable.
macgeek said: christiebaby said: I want to put in my old harddrive in this system but this MOBO has a different connector. Does someone know how i can find an adaptor. thanks
HDD that comes with this computer is SATA, from your old computer is probably PATA (IDE). If you cannot take an IDE cable off your old computer, you gotta buy a new one. This computer has 2 IDE ports available. All you need is an IDE cable.
macgeek
Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 7:59p
thedealdude said: Were you concerned about the 250W power supply to run the extra hard drives?
I'm planning on adding an 1.) Extra hard drive 2.) ATI Radeon All in One 2006 PCIe card 3.) 2 sticks of ram 4.) Running various USB things like DVD Burner/External Hard Drive.
Do ya'll think I need to upgrade the power supply?
I haven't been upgrading PCs for years. But I would say this power supply should be able to handle an extra hard drive and a video card.
External stuffs shouldn't be something you should worry about. It generally comes with its own poer supply.
macgeek said: lucky777 said: I there any way to make Compaq to send me a Windows installation CD or extract it from PC's recovery partition? I can't believe how much junk came preinstalled on the PC. I'd like to repartition and reformat and do a clean install. I have Dell Windows XP disk, would it install and accept Compaq license?
This machine has installation image on harddrive. If you don't wipe entire harddisk out, you should be able to do a fresh install.
However, if you insist that you'll wipe out this drive, you must create recovery CDs/DVDs yourself. Go to Start -> All Programs -> PC Tools & Help -> Compaq Recovery CD-DVD Creator.
Now, have 12 CDs (or 2 DVDs, or 1 DVD DL) ready.
Windows XP Home install disk that I have says "For distribution with a new Dell PC". Got it some time ago with Dell 8400 crazy outlet deal. Guess will not work with compaq. I don't see a lot of sense to move all garbage from recovery partition to 12 CDs. None of this 12 CDs would have clean windows install disk. All 12 could be used to restore to factory condition only.
macgeek
Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 8:09p
lucky777 said: Windows XP Home install disk that I have says "For distribution with a new Dell PC". Got it some time ago with Dell 8400 crazy outlet deal. Guess will not work with compaq. I don't see a lot of sense to move all garbage from recovery partition to 12 CDs. None of this 12 CDs would have clean windows install disk. All 12 could be used to restore to factory condition only.
If that's written on the CD, then it probably doesn't work with Compaq.
Agreed that none of these CDs would have clean windows install disk. Definitely. They're "recovery disks" rather than install disks.
Unless I have XP Home CD handy, I wouldn't wipe out entire harddrive. Uninstall junks manually seems to be better choice.
To get rid of enormous amount of crud running in backround, easiest way is to run msconfig from the RUN spot on START menu.
Go to the Starup tab and disable whatever you want.
The NORTON program they give you is good for around 90 days only, and gets increasingly annoying as time goes by, asking you to upgrade to $$$ version. To uninstall Norton, you will probably need some software and directions available only at Norton's site.
BTW... IMHO, BEST if you make the "recovery" disks, when you eventually Fleabay this system in 2007 or maybe 2008, you can advertise freshly formatted disk, fresh Windows install, all the jazzy software, and it comes WITH recovery disks.
oklahomadanny
Senior Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 8:47p
Yes, I would be very interested if someone finds a site that can step you through a fresh install and also advise what Windows junk that is not needed can be shut off or deleted permanately. I understand there are a LOT of processes (A.K.A.) running in the background of Win XP that most people don't need or want. My brother has an HP with all the garbage that's loaded from the factory. He bought it about a year ago. He just installed another 512MB of ram (Christmas gift from wifey) for a total of 1GB. Said the extra 512MB ram didn't really help. Anyone know how to get this computer to act like a 2800+ Athlon SHOULD! TIA
pedagogue35
Ancient Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 8:56p
Appelski said:
The NORTON program they give you is good for around 90 days only, and gets increasingly annoying as time goes by, asking you to upgrade to $$$ version.
Do yourself a favor, and get AVG Anti-Virus. They have a free version for personal use. It is not a system hog, and it works great.
oklahomadanny said: also advise what Windows junk that is not needed can be shut off or deleted permanately. I understand there are a LOT of processes (A.K.A.) running in the background of Win XP that most people don't need or want. My brother has an HP with all the garbage that's loaded from the factory. Anyone know how to get this computer to act like a 2800+ Athlon SHOULD! TIA
does anyone know the model/brand of the hard drive that comes with this computer?
fduvall
Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 9:14p
I have an older HP computer (Athlon) and I have also replaced the HD once (about 6 months ago-Maxtor 120Gg. Wondering if I can remove the HD and put it into Compaq 1710 that I bought today?
Could save the original HD for later and not have to change all the other stuff. Also, my existing HD has Windows XP Pro installed.
Thanks for any feedback.
fduvall
caball88
Senior Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 9:16p
wu4607 said: does anyone know the model/brand of the hard drive that comes with this computer?
I got XP Pro for 20bucks from my university!! Is it a good idea to format the hard disk and install the XP pro or should I just run the XP home edition. Suggestions pl.
I got 54Mbps netgear wireless USB 2adaptor for 20bucks AR from CompUSA ... I am planning on getting 512MB RAM from microcenter. Looking for DVD burner deals ...
fduvall said: I have an older HP computer (Athlon) and I have also replaced the HD once (about 6 months ago-Maxtor 120Gg. Wondering if I can remove the HD and put it into Compaq 1710 that I bought today? Could save the original HD for later and not have to change all the other stuff. Also, my existing HD has Windows XP Pro installed.Thanks for any feedback
Thanks for the link. I may do this, but still interested to know if I can just move my HD to the new computer so I don't have to reinstall XP Pro. Then I will still have a spare HD if I need it.
fduvall
robby69 said: fduvall said: I have an older HP computer (Athlon) and I have also replaced the HD once (about 6 months ago-Maxtor 120Gg. Wondering if I can remove the HD and put it into Compaq 1710 that I bought today? Could save the original HD for later and not have to change all the other stuff. Also, my existing HD has Windows XP Pro installed.Thanks for any feedback
Anyone else notice that the DVD-ROM drive included in the 1710 is picky about what disks it reads? I have a bunch of burned DVDs that it refuses to read. They read fine in my other systems, just not in that drive. I'm installing a DVD burner tonight/tomorrow so it isn't a big deal, I was just kind of suprised.
-p
pr0pht133
Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 11:33p
hi, will pc2-4200 ram work on this computer or is the highest this computer can go is pc3200?
ioio
Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 11:51p
can someone please post a summary of "to do list" in priority order on first page? that would help greatly. TIA.
dczyz
Happy Member
posted: Jan. 15, 2006 @ 11:52p
I have a prepaid on the 1710, my quesiton has anybody had any luck replacing the Compag Bios with Asus Bios instead. (hopefully to get some OC options)
ioio said: can someone please post a summary of "to do list" in priority order on first page? that would help greatly. TIA. and someone else posted I'm planning on adding an 1.) Extra hard drive 2.) ATI Radeon All in One 2006 PCIe card 3.) 2 sticks of ram I think RAM is a priority.
My know-how is outdated, but do RAM slots have to be loaded in pairs these days? Or can you just plug in any configuration of compatible RAM? Please correct the following if I'm wrong: The 1710 can take a total of 4 DDR-SDRAM chips; slot 1 has the preinstalled 256 Mb. I won't go through all the combinations, but the following are OK or not OK (where - is an empty slot)?
ships as: 256 - - - add 1 x 256: 256 256 - - add 1 x 512: 256 512 - - add 2 x 512: 256 512 512 - if that's no good, remove the 256, then 512 512 - - etc.
Thank you.
And a general request for this and other forums, ESPECIALLY very active ones: PLEASE QUOTE a portion of the post you are referring to or include the Q you are answering. Without threading, replies can be well separated from the post or Q to which they refer and end up making no sense.
51PEG
Broke Member
posted: Jan. 16, 2006 @ 12:47a
Here's my "what did i do" post:
First, uninstalled most of compaq/HP softwares. (i would've just reformated but that seemed like a hassle to deal with the recovery partition.
2) Installed 3 more sticks of 256mb of ram because the original 256 was too slow. Seriously... too slow. UP to 960mb now(32mb gone to video). Side note, video memory cannot be changed, FSB cannot be changed, ratio cannot be changed. Basically no overclocking.)
3) Repartitioned free space for a logical partition. that way when winxp craps out, i can jsut reformat without losing vital things like pictures/songs/documents.
4) Try to figure out how to dismount the purple plastic that covers the screws on the bays. I know the plastic is to help keep the drives in, but what if you want to install new ones?
5) take out the 56k modem because it's utterly useless in these days of broadband.
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