Can I use my old HP pavillion case to build a new desk top?

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44surf

44surf

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I want to try and build my own PC. Can I use my old 2008 HP Pavillion case? My system crashed...the motherboard is bad according to the repair tech. He said not to sink another penny into it. I am interested in learning how to build my own system and was hoping I could use the case. Any ideas out there?
 
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OK...I found it. However, what is the difference between OEM and a retail version of WIn 7? Never mind...I think I figured it out. But basically I guess i need to buy a new install for windows 7...$100.00 from newegg. Hopefully my current HDD won't crash during the install.
 
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P.S.
I agree with the computer guy who told you that your current OS and it's key might work once more..

with that being said, I'd still shoot for windows 7..
Click to expand...
Malmental is right on both statements. Win 7 would be better, but your old stuff might work one more time. I think malmental agreed earlier to help you off-line with how to do that. Your call, either way.
 
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Hey guys...OK...It seems at the very least I need to buy a new mouse and windows 7. The graphics card will have to wait a bit. Can I get a wireless mouse? Or should I stick with wired? Does my new mb even support wireless? I could not find anything about this in the manual that came with it. Is newegg the best place to get these things? I looked online at fry's and did not even see windows 7 for system builders...but I am thinking of going there to look at mice (LOL) after I pick my son up from school so I thought I would check it out. It's one of his favorite places...besides the apple store. He spends all his time playing on the macs which I refuse to buy...too expensive...although everyone I know loves them.

Also...can I try installing my new mb this weekend if I don't have the new mouse or OS yet? Or should I wait until I have everything?

One more thing...There is some type of port adapter card (?) in one of the adapter slots in the back of the case..it's atached to the mb. I have never used the port...it almost looks like an ethernet connection but is more square. The only words that I see on it are REVA Country of origin China. It also has HP and some codes and skews (sp?). Any ideas about what this is?

 
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That would be a modem and you probably don't need to migrate it to your new rig.
 
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Whooo. Thank goodness.

My son wants to contribute some of the money he got for Christmas to buy a graphics card. Is it a big deal to add the card after I put in the new MB, OS, etc.

ETA I can only take so much! 😱
 
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BTW...It's kind of embarrassing that I didn't realize that the outlet on the modem was a phone jack! :fou:

Newegg has win 7 on sale for $89.99 so I think I am going to just order it.
 
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OK....So I took out the old MB and installed the new. Had a couple snafus. For one, the system fan connector is on the opposite side of the new board and the cord won't reach. I am assuming that I can get an extension hopefully at Fry's this morning. Can you believe that I am braving that place on a Saturday?! Yikes! But I need thermal paste too...and a mouse since I never made it there during the week. I took the fan off...at the DH's suggestion to take with me so I get the right extender.

It was not so difficult taking out and replacing the MB's however, all the cords! I tried to match up from the old board which is color coded, but I have a few questions.

There are 4 SATA connectors...There are two SATA cords on my system...one coming from the HDD and one from CD/DVD drive...(I think this is the optical drive right? Maybe not. I know I should look things up before I ask for exact verbage...but I wanted to get my questions out before the Saturday madness!) so should I connect these to SATA 1 and 2 connectors? Or does it matter?

I am thinking I may have bitten off a little more than I can chew with this project...I will be shocked if this thing actually powers up when I get the CPU installed. The DH disagrees...He thinks it is a good challenge...although he has asked how much money I am spending and how much a new computer would cost...LOL. I told him this one will be better!

One more thing concerning the Front Panel Connector...I don/t have a cord which matches this. I did connect a cord coming from the front panel, but it is not an exact match up. There is also a cord coming from which is labeled on the front as HP pocket media drive bay that does not match up with any connectors on the new MB. I am not sure if it matters since the bay is empty...but it was connected to the old MB

OK...Lots of questions I know. I am sure I have more...Just give me a few minutes...LOL!
 
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Agreed. Any thoughts on the SATA connectors? I am thinking I should logically use one and two?

If that is the case...I am glad that I bought an HP!

Still a little...well a lot actually...about all the wires!
 
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Oops...somehow I missed that first message! Just got back from errand running and Fry's. It was craziness as I knew it would be. I bought a laser mouse...pretty cheap...$10.00, thermal compound and an extension cable for the fan.

I found the USB cords and have connected them...but the front panel connector on the MB seems to indicate (according to the Quick installation guide) that there should be a speaker, HDD LED, Reset, Power LED, On/Off cords/connectors. In addition to the Front Audio Connector cord I only have one other cord coming form the front of the case...from above the CD/DVD drive bay...and it does not use all the tines on the Front Panel Connector.

I guess I will see what happens when I install the CPU. I looked at the cases while at Fry's, and I did see the additional cords...reset, on/off etc. Maybe I should take off the front panel of the case and see whats there?
 
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From right above the CD/DVD bay 2 cords/cables come out. One is actually abut 6 or 7 thin cords bound together...the one which fits into the front audio connector on the MB. The other is a black cable which houses 4 thin wires with a 4 pronged attachment/connector. I am sorry if I am confusing. I am sure what to call the connectors at the end of the wires vs the connectors on the MB. This one does not match exactly with anything on the mb...but I attached it to the front panel connector.
 
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Just a thought...but am I going to get lead poisoning from handling all these wires? Am I supposed to be wearing gloves like when you hang Christmas lights? I think I remember reading somewhere that the wires contain lead.
 
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OK...time to tackle the CPU and fan. I have one question before starting. The CPU instructions say that the heat sink/fan already has pre-applied thermal interface material...So I am thinking that I don't need to apply more right?
 
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CPU and fan are in along with the new memory. I am afraid to power it up...because of my confusion with the on/off, LED light etc. Had one issue with the heatsink and fan...I touched the bottom and left my fingerprint in the paste..LOL! I used a little of what i had to smooth over. Is that ok? Or should I have wiped everything off and reapplied? The CPU fit right in as well as the fan on top. I expected it to be harder so I am wondering if I did something wrong!
 
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It seemed like it fit perfectly. The arming lever clicked right in. I did try turning it on...the cpu fan starts running than stops...but nothing else happens...no sound, no light on the on button...sigh. I cannot say I am surprised. Do you think I fried the MB? I tried it a couple more times...The CPU fan starts when I plug in the computer...I don't even turn it on...just plug in the power cord...and then stops. Not sure what to do. Maybe I should just buy a new case.
 
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OK...I just took it apart. I am sure that it is in correctly. It is very solid...does not move and the lever snaps down. There are also grooves (?) on the MB connector which map of with grooves on the bottom of the CPU. Should I apply more thermal paste now? It was pretty hard to get the fan off.
 
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