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2006-06-17 03:36:09
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona
I'm being taunted by the very thing I don't have and that's a decent videocard and I'm being held back by my motherboard that's housed within this computer I've had and I'm wondering if a certain thing I can do to it can be done and that's to upgrade the thing from the inside out.

I'm currently using an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro but I have an ATI x700 Pro and a GeForce 6800 but my motherboard cannot support either of them which is very, very sad since that very thing is holding me back, and all that it's being held back by is the motherboard itself. I thought about something that I could possibly do and that's just replace the motherboard in the computer itself and MAYBE that could help the situation but I also considered the flaws that could happen to it, such as:

Since this is a stock computer made by HP themselves, would me tinkering with the insides itself hurt the build altogether?

Also, is it even possible? I don't even know what kind of socket it uses but I've come to know that it isn't a 939 Socket. It still uses the Athlon XP series CPU but I know I've seen other people run XP series CPU motherboards and still be able to use 6800's, even some other nearly high end, decent mark videocards that still use AGP.

I'd get another computer but I'm dreadly under budget and need to figure out how to compensate since I have good videocards available, but I JUST CAN'T USE THEM BECAUSE OF AN INCOMPATIBLE MOTHERBOARD!

So I'm asking you for help fellow Battlefield 2 brethren, can anyone help me answer the question:

Can replacing a motherboard in a premade factory computer like this Hewlett-Packard a420n be done for the sole purpose to run a much better videocard, and safely?
2006-06-17 03:37:57
[BBF*EF]Stuka
Junkers Ju 87
+58|7015|Phoenix, AZ
Short answer: No. I had the same problem, and just robbed the CPU and HDD and built a new comp from there.
2006-06-17 03:39:28
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona
Are you serious? You mean I can't just disassemble the thing, put a new motherboard in and try from there? Because I know all I need to do is use a much different motherboard besides the one that exists in it now to run it.
2006-06-17 03:40:42
*RIP*gonzo21
Member
+11|6962|Texas
In some cases you can change the board, but if you want to also upgrade the vid card, then u might as well build yourself a new system.
OS, mem, and p/s will more than likely not work with new mobo.
2006-06-17 03:40:53
[BBF*EF]Stuka
Junkers Ju 87
+58|7015|Phoenix, AZ
Believe me, the way HP and other comp manufactures make their mobo's (as fire as wireing and such) is to make it so you can't. Even if you got it all put together, good luck getting the Power On and Reset switches hooked up, because that's where they trick ya'
2006-06-17 03:42:11
[BBF*EF]Stuka
Junkers Ju 87
+58|7015|Phoenix, AZ

*RIP*gonzo21 wrote:

In some cases you can change the board, but if you want to also upgrade the vid card, then u might as well build yourself a new system.
OS, mem, and p/s will more than likely not work with new mobo.
Exactly. +1.

EDIT: Plus your mobo is more than likely a MicroATX board, and fitting a normal ATX mobo in that HP case won't work. HP cases suck as far as heat and airflow anyways. If you wanna upgrade, wait for vista, save up some money for a nice Dx10 card, and build a kickass system from there. I'm stickin' with my 9800SE till vista even

Last edited by [BBF*EF]Stuka (2006-06-17 03:44:08)

2006-06-17 03:43:15
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona
Well I was looking around in Newegg.com
Socket 462 Motherboards and come to find out that I'm pretty sure an a420n runs the same kind of socket here, I was thinking that I could just buy one of these, hook that up in the stock machine's frame and start from there, but... would that still not work?
2006-06-17 03:44:28
[FHF]MattyZ
What the Deuce?
+29|7099|Washington
You can use a new motherboard, but you will need to reinstall windows.  If you don't have the OS CD which I seriously think you don't, the image stored on the hard drive will only work for the current mother board.  If you have your own copy of XP which I am assuming you run, you can replace any equipment as long as the hardware will accept it.
2006-06-17 03:45:57
[BBF*EF]Stuka
Junkers Ju 87
+58|7015|Phoenix, AZ

Aardcore wrote:

Well I was looking around in Newegg.com
Socket 462 Motherboards and come to find out that I'm pretty sure an a420n runs the same kind of socket here, I was thinking that I could just buy one of these, hook that up in the stock machine's frame and start from there, but... would that still not work?
Yes, they run Socket A (462) boards for the most part, which is getting outdated faster and faster anyways. I'm running the same thing, and I currently have an Asus A7n8x with the same HP CPU I had (AMD Athlon Xp 3000+), and other new parts and case. It would all work together, but powering it on would be nearly impossible, since they are wired differently with the HP boards and case.

EDIT: If you wanna do this, go get a copy of windows xp (pro or home), a new board from newegg, a new case, that new video card you want, and a new PSU to go with it all (NEVER GO CHEAP ON PSU!!!).

Last edited by [BBF*EF]Stuka (2006-06-17 03:47:32)

2006-06-17 03:46:57
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona

[FHF]MattyZ wrote:

You can use a new motherboard, but you will need to reinstall windows.  If you don't have the OS CD which I seriously think you don't, the image stored on the hard drive will only work for the current mother board.  If you have your own copy of XP which I am assuming you run, you can replace any equipment as long as the hardware will accept it.
Crap you're right... the only thing I have are these System Recovery discs which reinstall the OS from a state they already have... but then what's the point of the Windows XP CDKEY being labelled on my machine's case then? Is the motherboard that's in it now tied to that as well, restricting me from even trying that also?
2006-06-17 03:50:47
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona

[BBF*EF]Stuka wrote:

Aardcore wrote:

Well I was looking around in Newegg.com
Socket 462 Motherboards and come to find out that I'm pretty sure an a420n runs the same kind of socket here, I was thinking that I could just buy one of these, hook that up in the stock machine's frame and start from there, but... would that still not work?
Yes, they run Socket A (462) boards for the most part, which is getting outdated faster and faster anyways. I'm running the same thing, and I currently have an Asus A7n8x with the same HP CPU I had (AMD Athlon Xp 3000+), and other new parts and case. It would all work together, but powering it on would be nearly impossible, since they are wired differently with the HP boards and case.
Yeah I know but I'm saying I already have videocards that are AGP, the ATI x700 and GeForce 6800, which I bought in hopes that they would work because I tested them out, and the outcome ended up being the motherboard just wouldn't be able to house it, but I"m only looking for the quickest fix possible which I thought would be to change the motherboard and move the rest of the stuff I have on it from there.

I think about, whatever the motherboard's VIA chipset has, isn't sufficient enough to run these cards yet I've seen other people have the luck to still run them but still use Athlon XP series CPU's... and I haven't seen Athlon CPU's run on 939 sockets, so I'm assuming again that if I just change the kind of Socket 462 motherboard I have inside of it now, that could possibly fix the problem.

I'm sorry if I'm persisting but I REALLY want to try and do something about this, or fear that this really is a dead cause.
2006-06-17 03:54:27
[BBF*EF]Stuka
Junkers Ju 87
+58|7015|Phoenix, AZ

Aardcore wrote:

[BBF*EF]Stuka wrote:

Aardcore wrote:

Well I was looking around in Newegg.com
Socket 462 Motherboards and come to find out that I'm pretty sure an a420n runs the same kind of socket here, I was thinking that I could just buy one of these, hook that up in the stock machine's frame and start from there, but... would that still not work?
Yes, they run Socket A (462) boards for the most part, which is getting outdated faster and faster anyways. I'm running the same thing, and I currently have an Asus A7n8x with the same HP CPU I had (AMD Athlon Xp 3000+), and other new parts and case. It would all work together, but powering it on would be nearly impossible, since they are wired differently with the HP boards and case.
Yeah I know but I'm saying I already have videocards that are AGP, the ATI x700 and GeForce 6800, which I bought in hopes that they would work because I tested them out, and the outcome ended up being the motherboard just wouldn't be able to house it, but I"m only looking for the quickest fix possible which I thought would be to change the motherboard and move the rest of the stuff I have on it from there.

I think about, whatever the motherboard's VIA chipset has, isn't sufficient enough to run these cards yet I've seen other people have the luck to still run them but still use Athlon XP series CPU's... and I haven't seen Athlon CPU's run on 939 sockets, so I'm assuming again that if I just change the kind of Socket 462 motherboard I have inside of it now, that could possibly fix the problem.

I'm sorry if I'm persisting but I REALLY want to try and do something about this, or fear that this really is a dead cause.
Wait, what's exactly wrong with the video cards? I thought they were PCI-E or something, and that's why you needed a new board. The mobo can't "house" them? Your mobo is AGP...so what's keeping them from working? The chipset shouldn't matter, nor the socket type.
2006-06-17 04:00:36
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona
Nooo no the video cards are fine! I even searched on several forums and other sites online about this problem and for some reason or another the HP a420n's stock motherboard uses a A7V8X-LA chipset which conflicts with wanting to run videocards such as the ATI x700, GeFOrce 6800 and beyond, but most specifically, those two since I have them on hand and are sitting in my closet right now and have been for like... a year and a half now since I've gotten them and I want to know I can still use them but to a degree.

I'm still using an AGP and would still like to for as long as I can get it to go, knowing I'm on my limit here, it's the most I got since again, I'm on a budget and want the most possible fix to resolve this issue.

I say this because again, I've seen people with Athlon XP CPU's run x700's and GeForce 6800's so I'm assuming they're also still using Socket 462 CPU housed motherboards as well so that gave me that glimmer of hope that all I needed to do was switch the motherboard and that would be that.

But to bring it all back, again, the videocards just won't run up on this motherboard, I even replaced the PSU thinking that was the problem, updated the BIOS and chipset drivers to the most possibly updated version they could be and still nothing happened!
2006-06-17 04:02:45
[BBF*EF]Stuka
Junkers Ju 87
+58|7015|Phoenix, AZ
Hmm, never heard of that happening before, but in anycase replacing the mobo won't be all that simple, unless you have a CD of windows or you know a friend who does.
2006-06-17 04:10:15
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona

[BBF*EF]Stuka wrote:

Hmm, never heard of that happening before, but in anycase replacing the mobo won't be all that simple, unless you have a CD of windows or you know a friend who does.
This is the part that confuses me then, and why? I thought just switching a motherboard would be simple as it would identify in the system itself, but if that's the case, which I'm considering now, are you saying HP has hardwired itself into the motherboard itself, taking that degree THAT FAR as to make sure I couldn't possibly do anything to it?

The only thing I have on me are these system recovery discs which act as the OS themselves in any case I need to reformat my computer completely and wondered if I could use these in an attempt to do just that, though this being the extreme. The thing is, why would HP deliberately put a Windows CD Key sticker on the case itself if I didn't have the original OS disc to begin with?

Last edited by Aardcore (2006-06-17 04:10:31)

2006-06-17 04:15:20
[FHF]MattyZ
What the Deuce?
+29|7099|Washington
The operating system when installed gets instructions on using the motherboard.  If you replace the OS, it will still try and use the old board, you need to reinstall windows over top itself to read the new board.  Not a clean install where everything is wiped, just on top of itself.
2006-06-17 04:15:39
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona
I was also just reading reviews about some of these A Socket motherboards Customer Reviews Of BIOSTAR M7VIG400 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard and it shows they kind of did the same thing and replace the motherboard of EMachines... I don't have one but do EMachines come with Windows XP OS Installation discs with them? Or are they like HP and don't?
2006-06-17 04:17:47
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona

[FHF]MattyZ wrote:

The operating system when installed gets instructions on using the motherboard.  If you replace the OS, it will still try and use the old board, you need to reinstall windows over top itself to read the new board.  Not a clean install where everything is wiped, just on top of itself.
So let's say I did try it, got a new motherboard like... the BIOSTAR M7VIG400 Micro ATX which might be the most possible change for me to go with... I exchanged the CPU, the RAM, all the parts then comes down to the harddrive... the harddrive holding the OS would conflict with the motherboard?
2006-06-17 04:17:50
[BBF*EF]Stuka
Junkers Ju 87
+58|7015|Phoenix, AZ

Aardcore wrote:

I was also just reading reviews about some of these A Socket motherboards Customer Reviews Of BIOSTAR M7VIG400 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard and it shows they kind of did the same thing and replace the motherboard of EMachines... I don't have one but do EMachines come with Windows XP OS Installation discs with them? Or are they like HP and don't?
None of them, Dell, HP, Gateway, etc, come with the actual install CD's, since those companies just OEM them I believe. PS: Go with a good mobo, anything from ASUS is quality, along with a lot of other names. I wouldnt recommend Biostar though . Go get some sleep and worry about it in the morning bro, 4:17am and you are posting all this? Last post of the night for me. Good luck,
2006-06-17 04:20:53
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona

[BBF*EF]Stuka wrote:

Aardcore wrote:

I was also just reading reviews about some of these A Socket motherboards Customer Reviews Of BIOSTAR M7VIG400 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard and it shows they kind of did the same thing and replace the motherboard of EMachines... I don't have one but do EMachines come with Windows XP OS Installation discs with them? Or are they like HP and don't?
None of them, Dell, HP, Gateway, etc, come with the actual install CD's, since those companies just OEM them I believe. PS: Go with a good mobo, anything from ASUS is quality, along with a lot of other names. I wouldnt recommend Biostar though . Go get some sleep and worry about it in the morning bro, 4:17am and you are posting all this? Last post of the night for me. Good luck,
LOL I actually fell asleep pretty early and just woke up, this thing being the first thing that came to mind, but thanks man, hopefully we can talk more about this if you're up to it.

If not, I think I'll just by one of these motherboards, ASUS as you insisted, and try it out for myself and see where it goes from there... I could talk all I want, as we could all as well, but I think I just need to try, so thanks.
2006-06-17 04:22:43
[BBF*EF]Stuka
Junkers Ju 87
+58|7015|Phoenix, AZ

Aardcore wrote:

[BBF*EF]Stuka wrote:

Aardcore wrote:

I was also just reading reviews about some of these A Socket motherboards Customer Reviews Of BIOSTAR M7VIG400 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard and it shows they kind of did the same thing and replace the motherboard of EMachines... I don't have one but do EMachines come with Windows XP OS Installation discs with them? Or are they like HP and don't?
None of them, Dell, HP, Gateway, etc, come with the actual install CD's, since those companies just OEM them I believe. PS: Go with a good mobo, anything from ASUS is quality, along with a lot of other names. I wouldnt recommend Biostar though . Go get some sleep and worry about it in the morning bro, 4:17am and you are posting all this? Last post of the night for me. Good luck,
LOL I actually fell asleep pretty early and just woke up, this thing being the first thing that came to mind, but thanks man, hopefully we can talk more about this if you're up to it.

If not, I think I'll just by one of these motherboards, ASUS as you insisted, and try it out for myself and see where it goes from there... I could talk all I want, as we could all as well, but I think I just need to try, so thanks.
Anytime bro, and if you have xfire add me up: stuka12. Just IM me on there tomorrow and I can help you out.
2006-06-17 04:23:07
[FHF]MattyZ
What the Deuce?
+29|7099|Washington
Correct.  The windows program will conflict.  If you replace the mother board, you need to reinstall windows.  I have done that with HP, Compaq, and my e-machine which I am currenly trying to find audio drivers for now.
2006-06-17 04:26:29
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona

[FHF]MattyZ wrote:

Correct.  The windows program will conflict.  If you replace the mother board, you need to reinstall windows.  I have done that with HP, Compaq, and my e-machine which I am currenly trying to find audio drivers for now.
Ahhh that definitely puts the horse in the trench now then! So I couldn't use the System Recovery discs even if I wanted to, to reinstall the OS?

So much for that since the System Recovery discs all say WinXP Home Edition on them, laaaame.
2006-06-17 04:35:48
max
Vela Incident
+1,652|7005|NYC / Hamburg

ok ... first download cpu-z to get all the info on your hardware.

check the internals of your case, will a standard ATX or m-ATX board fit? otherwise you need a new case.

Also check your PSU, the ones that come with factory pcs tend to be maxed out. if that is the case you need a new PSU.

The CPU, RAM, HD, .... you schould be able to reuse with either of your graphics cards. Then you only need a new mobo (and possibly a new case and psu). You will also defenetely need some thermal paste.

Also except if you are tech savy i would not recommend a motherboard change since with the Athlon xp the HSF is put directly on the core of the cpu (in comparison to modern cpus where you have the metallic heatspreader thingies) which can easyly cause damage if you make a tiny mistake while mounting the HSF

Last edited by max (2006-06-17 04:37:09)

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2006-06-17 04:39:31
Aardcore
Member
+60|7150|USA, Arizona

max wrote:

ok ... first download cpu-z to get all the info on your hardware.

check the internals of your case, will a standard ATX or m-ATX board fit? otherwise you need a new case.

Also check your PSU, the ones that come with factory pcs tend to be maxed out. if that is the case you need a new PSU.

The CPU, RAM, HD, .... you schould be able to reuse with either of your graphics cards. Then you only need a new mobo (and possibly a new case and psu). You will also defenetely need some thermal paste.

Also except if you are tech savy i would not recommend a motherboard change since with the Athlon xp the HSF is put directly on the core of the cpu (in comparison to modern cpus where you have the metallic heatspreader thingies) which can easyly cause damage if you make a tiny mistake while mounting the HSF
Nah it's fine, thanks for the help though but I've come to the realization that an a420n just isn't going to cut it for any kind of upgrade, as far as it goes here on out for performance, the ATI 9800 Pro is as far as it's gonna take me and I'll just have to settle this out till I get a new computer all together.

 

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