Changing case

Hi
I have a compaq pressario 8100 (i think that is the model number)
it has a 2.8 ghz p4 .128 radeon 900 and i also have about 6 hard drives that is the problem they dont all fit so i want to get a new case.

I have never done this before so i have a few questions.

1.I have 2 usb's a firewire port a mic in and a headphone socket on the front panel, When i get my new case how do i swap those over?

2.How do i know what form factor my motherboard is?

3.I want to get a case with a lcd temp/fan monitor on the front how do i make that work?

4.I want to get a case with a blue light inside (sad i know) and 2 fans where do i plug those in?

5.I also want to change my power supply at the same time , how do i know whitch one to get?

Also if you have any other tips for doing this they would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you

 

Let me preface by saying that the manual for your motherboard would be a tremendous asset in this undertaking. I couldn't find any info on your model number. This was the best I could find on HP. If I were you, I would run EVEREST to find out the make and model of your motherboard, and google for a manual.

For this, you will need to make sure that the new case has these built in. From there, it should be as simple as connecting the wires on them to the correct jumpers on the motherboard. You can make a note of how they are currently connected, and this may help, but it is possible that the connections on the new case are labelled differently, so the mobo manual would help...

EVEREST will tell you that! Most cases will supply stand-off locations to fit the variations of the form factor (ex, my case supports micro-ATX, mini-ATX, ATX, etc)

You will have to make sure that your motherboard will support this. The manual will be your best reference. Make sure that the mobo has outputs to match the LCDs inputs.

Most lights that I've seen use a 4-pin molex power adaptor. This is a connection standard on almost every power supply. Fans you will have to be careful with. Your motherboard will provide either 3 or 4 (or is it 2 or 3 ) pin power connectors for your fans. These will connect where your current fans are connecting, but you should check the motherboard manual for more, or in case you lose these places.

While you may not need it for your current system, a forward-thinking machine builder would get at least 500W or more. Antec, Kingwin and OCZ are names I would recommend.

 

I just remembered reading a post where you said that you ran SANDRA. This will do instead of EVEREST.

 

Is this the info i need?

 

As far as the case goes, check out the Raidmax X-1. It has everything you mentioned: front LCD with temp sensor, hdd monitor, and fan monitor (cant control th fan with it tho) It also has a blue LED fan on the case window, a nice tiouch. Downside is it wont fit all 6 of your drives. Check out the CM Stacker series cases for tons of storage bays.

 

Not quite enough, I'm afraid. See this link for a list of MSI motherboards. We'll have to determine which one matches your own system board.

 

i dont really understand what im looking for .

I'm sorry im stupid.

 

does anyone know how else to find out what my motherboard is?

 

i think this is your mobo...well one of em - Intel 845

funky, do u know whether ur mobo is red or green?

 

its a green one

 

I have found a case that is universal so i can get the case.

Do i just get a 500w p4 power supply?

 

well if u cant fit the original power supply in, then yea get a p4 500W PSU....

 

Kick ass thanks for your help guys i hope i can do this without it ending in an explosion

 

Right im only gonna put 4 hard drives into the case.
Before i got this case i was switching between 3 of them on the same ide plug and had them all 3 set to slave and the one with windows on i assum is set to master.

Now i want to put all 4 in the same case how do i set up the jumpers on the hard drives?

 

also this is the last about this hopefully.

i found my mobo's diagram could you guys tell me on it where the power button jumper goes the front usb's jumper goes , the front mic in and headphones out. and also if it is possible to put a reset button on there?

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=c00100539

thanks guys

 

I'm half way through do i need to put any thing behind the motherboard?
or do i just put it straight on the tray

 

put the motherboard onto the tray....thats all u need to do...

 

Right ive done it now thanks for all your help especialy mada.

I'm sorry for so much posting but im so glad ive done it now i am so sad.

 

ummm actually you cant just screw the motherboard DIRECTLY onto the tray, you need those riser things. If its touching the back it could short the mobo

 

well yea obviously

 

well he asked if he needed to put anything behind it, didnt want him to hurt sumthin

 

I didn't know that i had to put it on those risers at the time as i said at the top of the thread this is the first time i have done it therefore im not gonna be an expert on it.

That is why this site is here.


Thanks viper.