A question I don't know if you can answer

[pyrate83]

Ok, I was wondering where I would go to find out how big my PSU is. I know almost all other specifactions but where do I have to go to find out something a bit more detailed as this.

Also, if I have 2 PCI slots available in my system...is there anything useful they can be used for??? Any suggestions of what I could add?

[Faustus]

PCI slot? Better sound card? Firewire? There is alot you could do.

It also should say how big your PSU is somewhere on the PSU itself. It "Should". Well unless its an OEM machine, then it might not, check the manual in that case.

[gmatov]

Pyrate,
Open the box again and look for the wattage on the label. It will be there.
I just replaced one in an HP micro, the label was on the top, can't see unless you pull it, it's on the back side.
An e-machine, it is out front. The replacements are on the same face, but in the HP are covered by the sheetmetal in front of it..
Most fullsize ones, you may, may not see it without pulling it, just a matter of 4 screws, don't even have to disconnect any but the power cord.
If you are thinking of replacing it, the bigger the better, if you are planning to add drives, both HDD and DVD burner. A good PSU, 400 watt or more will cost maybe twice what a cheap one does, at the same wattage.

[pyrate83]

Ok, thanks gmatov, I do have an HP and next time I open it I will check it out. I'm sure my current PSU is big enough to handle another HDD though and I already have a DVD burner installed.

As for the PCI slots, my system already has a sound card so if I wanted a better one wouldn't I just pull and replace the original??? I'm new with this so bear w/me.

[Faustus]

pyrate83:

Depends alot of standard sound cards these days are on the system board. If yours is not then your are correct it would just be a matter of swapping them. If it is onboard you'd want to disable the old one then install a new one.

[gmatov]

Pyrate,
Unless you're really into music, no need to change that.
If, however, you decide to cap some of your VHS tapes, one slot would take a decent cap card.
With a 2.53 Pentium, you may already have Firewire on board.
If you'd specify the model of your 'puter, I'll take a look at HP's site to check out the rest of the specs.
It looks like a good system, gig of RAM, only 80 gig of HDD space, now, but if you have an extra power connector, easy enough to add another, bigger one.

George

[pyrate83]

gmatov Posted: Jul 31, 2003 22:03

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pyrate,
Unless you're really into music, no need to change that.
If, however, you decide to cap some of your VHS tapes, one slot would take a decent cap card.
With a 2.53 Pentium, you may already have Firewire on board.
If you'd specify the model of your 'puter, I'll take a look at HP's site to check out the rest of the specs.
It looks like a good system, gig of RAM, only 80 gig of HDD space, now, but if you have an extra power connector, easy enough to add another, bigger one.

George



Hey George, yes I am into music but my current sound card is plenty up to the job. I have a pavilion 763n. I also do have Firewire already although I have nothing to use it with since my digital camera uses a USB. I do plan on adding another HDD this winter when I catch a good deal. I saw the connector right away when i was inside my tower the other day. I can give you more info if you need...i'll check back tomorrow. Thanks for the help man, appreciate big time.

[gmatov]

Pyrate,
This might be bad news. The HP site lists the power supply as 200 watt. It takes too much jumping through hoops to go much further.
It would be up to experts to say whether you will simply, eventually, burn out the PSU, or do collateral damage if you add enough to overload it. I personally don't think so, as I've replaced over a dozen, and the machine came back to life.
In fact I'm so inexpert that I only tonight found that you don't HAVE to use an HP style PSU on an HP board, though it has an additional connector not on a standard PSU. Tired of waiting for one to get here, I bought a standard PSU, plugged it in, and it fired up. How about that? I can give the lady her machine back.

With 200 watts, you know, everything doesn't run full draw at the same time.
The CPU will when you get to 100 % usage. I really don't know how much a DVD burner uses.
My 160 Max HDD draws about 15 watts, total, 5 and 12 volts combined.
One CD-ROM I just looked at draws 17 watts, total.

In summary, don't sweat it. If it burns out under warranty, get 'em to put in a new one. If it burns out after, put in a bigger one.

You're safe.

George

[pyrate83]

Well thanks for looking into it George. Actually I also went ahead and sent an email to HP tech team to find out about the PSU as well. Looks to be 200W though. Which poses a problem for me if I want to put in a higher-end graphics card since so many need a 250W PSU or higher to run. I guess the real Q now is how is how easy and inexpensive is it to buy a PSU either from HP or from someplace like Compusa and pull the 200W that's in there now??? I probably could do it if it won't require too much in wiring and electrical.

Thanks,
Grant

[flaninacupboard]

well, a new PSU will set you back maybe $20-40. as for ease? there's 4 screws holding it in, unscrew em. unplug the connector that goes into your motherboard, and the connectors in each of the drives. screw the new PSU in place, plug the connectors back in (they can only go in the right way round!) and you're done.

Don't buy one direct from HP, they -will- overcharge you. don't know who to reccomend as i'm in the UK, i'm sure someone else can help.

[pyrate83]

Yeah that really makes me mad when HP jacks the price up for something you can buy in a store for half the price.

[gmatov]

Pyrate,
I just bought a 300 watt ATX suitable for HP, etc., with the fan control connector, at CompUSA, on sale this week for 19.99. I think their shelf price is 40.
You gotta have a CompUSA nearby. You have a hundred small shops, also, as, at the shows out here, most of the vendors are from Ohio.
Flanina is right. Open the box, look at the wires, gently pull them aside ( not to not pull them loose, but to not dislodge the IDE cables, although they're pretty well seated, too).
In your HP, there will only be 2 wires connected to the board, the 20 pin Main, and a 3 pin Fan connector. That's the one referred to above that is not required, I just learned.
They go in one way, keyed, but the power has a latch on its side to press aas you pull straight up.
BTW, HP wants 66 bucks for the 200 you already have, double or more,than others.
Easy as pie. You should look for a mag on basic upgrading, I think the PCToday Learning series has one, 6 or 7 bucks. You'll see most of this is relatively simple.
This is not knocking you. You're here, you've opened yours ( a lot of people would never even attempt that ) and you're asking questions, and that IS the first step to learning. You do get stuck, someone's always here or at another site to answer questions.

Cheers,

George

Which side of Ohio you on? I'm about 60 miles into PA.

[pyrate83]

George, thanks, I think I may get a good manual on upgrading to just help me along. But you're right, opening my computer up was the hardest thing for me to overcome but I did it and am happy with the upgrade I made. Plus it told me how dusty my cpu fan was and I cleaned it...so it was all very good for me. Pluse I now have an idea of where everything is located. I'm beginning to really understand this stuff. I live right in the center of the state BTW, not too far from Columbus.

Thanks again and I'm sure we will see each other in future forum posts.


Grant