Need some help

[AMB]

Ok I got a Compaq Deskpro computer that I want to fix up a bit and give to someone but dont know were to start.

The computer has A 9 GB hard drive and 128 mb memory and 700 mhz.

I don't see much detail on the computer other then the name Compaq Deskpro so how can I find out what brand of memory that I need ??

Also is there any certain brand of hard drive that i need ??

One other question,the computer grunts and makes funny sounds when it is booting and when i search the web..Is this from a weak hard drive ???

 

[JogaBonito1502]

Chances are you won't find the parts you need because it's a pretty outdated computer. You may find something here and there on eBay, but the prices may be expensive. If I were you, I'd toss that on eBay as is and see how much you get.

 

[eyeCpc]

Does it look anything like the one on the left at http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/compaq.html New editions for pc museum seen there.

The CompaQ DeskPro desktop series ran up as far as the P4 models. The model there is likely a P II or early P III where you would likely need to manually enter the cylinders, heads, sectors number in the bios for any newer larger hard drive or enable the LBA support there.

 

[AMB]

No,it looks nothing like that those..Here is a pic of it

http://i43.tinypic.com/54d279.jpg

Does it look anything like the one on the left at http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/compaq.html New editions for pc museum seen there.

The CompaQ DeskPro desktop series ran up as far as the P4 models. The model there is likely a P II or early P III where you would likely need to manually enter the cylinders, heads, sectors number in the bios for any newer larger hard drive or enable the LBA support there.

 

[eyeCpc]

The link posted earlier was to show the first I386 DeskPro models that proceeded the one you have there. Those belong in a museum somewhere.

If you still have the original user manual that would be a big help since the specifications would be seen in that.The information besides serial number on the label stuck on the back of the case could be a help there.

Once you have the specifications you can see what can be upgraded like adding more memory, a larger hard drive, maybe even a newer video card to give the old case a boost.

 

[rohan23]

Sometimes I think most of the people that post these computers are pulling a prank on us.

 

[eyeCpc]

The thing is you can still order PC100/133 dimms since some places still carry the older memory. AGP 8x/4x cards will still run on an old 2x/1x board. So it's not like you can't upgrade anything just being an old model.

 

[AMB]

The details on the back are below

One sticker says PID# 1155508 and then it says Audit# 15000803

and another sticker says 9540 MB IDE HDD

Sometimes I think most of the people that post these computers are pulling a prank on us.

It's no prank..It was a free computer and I want to try and make a buddy a free computer out of it but make a little more up to date then what it is.

 

[eyeCpc]

Those are customer and serial numbers for the system there. A free tool that will provide a good breakdown on what cpu, board, type of memory that has is the system info for Windows tool found at http://www.gtopala.com/

In the hardware section you can click on motherboard to see the make and model there which can be looked up. The free tool provides quite a bit of detail for each item.