I got an old computer sitting in my room, it has a whole bunch of ad ware on it, which is one of the reasons I don't use it anymore. Wondering if I could take the hard drive from it and stick it in the new one. Also would like to take the ram chip (I think that's what its called lol) and put it in my new one for more ram. How would I properly do that? Would I have to wipe the hard drive completely? Is there anything I should do to the ram chip thing? :D any help at all is extremely appreciated. ^.^

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Originally Posted by phooey

Wondering if i could take the hard drive from it and stick it in the new one.

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There can be a few issues with doing this:

• First, the age difference between the two computers may result in interface incompatibility. The older one likely uses parallel ATA drives, also known as IDE, and the newer one may use serial ATA drives (SATA). You may need an adapter to use the older drive in the new system.
• Second, if the old drive is going to be a second drive in the new system, you can simply install it and re-jumper the existing drive to play nice with the old drive. I usually wipe the old drive before installation to avoid any drive re-lettering that may occur in the operating system and then re-partition and re-format as desired.
• Third, if the old drive is going to be the only drive or replace the current system drive, it is best to wipe the drive and reinstall the operating system. The old drive's operating system installation will be setup for the old computer's hardware. If you install it and don't rebuild the operating system for the new computer's hardware, you may have issues.

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Originally Posted by phooey

also would like to take the ram chip...how would i properly do that?

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Again, the memory module interface may have changed given the age difference between the two computers. You would need to determine the types and speed of modules the old computer used and compare to what the new computer is capable of using. The memory specifications can be determined by the documentation that came with the computer or by reading the manual for the computer's motherboard available on the motherboard manufacturer's or system vendor's website. If both computers use the same type of memory, you simply pop the module out of it's socket (observing anti-static precautions) and move it to the new computer. There may also be other limitations as to minimum module size, installation in matched pairs, etc. with the new system.

Phew lol thanks for the answers, how can I/whats re-jumper-ing(?), how would I wipe the old drive, re-partition and reformat it? And I could also just get one of those adapters at a best buy right? Sorry! I no this is a whole lot to answer, but I barely know anything about computer guts.

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Originally Posted by phooey

how can i/whats re-jumper-ing(?)

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Parallel ATA drives (PATA) have a jumper block on the drive to configure the drive as a master/single or slave. When two drives are connected to the same cable, typically the one attached to the end connector of the cable will be jumpered as master and the one connected to the middle connector as slave. See Advanced Technology Attachment for all the exciting details.

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Originally Posted by phooey

how would i wipe the old drive, re-partition and reformat it?

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You use software utilities provided with your operating system. For example, with Windows XP, you can use the installation CD to re-partition and format a single drive as part of the Windows installation process. If you install a second drive to an existing XP system, you would use the Computer Management/Disk Management utility located in the Control Panel Administrative Tools.

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Originally Posted by phooey

And i could also just get one of those adapters at a best buy right?

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Maybe, I didn't find one on their website, but I didn't look real hard. Here's an example of one at Newegg.com. I've never used an adapter, preferring instead an add-in SATA controller card, so don't construe this as an adapter recommendation. Caveat emptor.