New Setup Questions

[TX_Renegade]

After posting issues with my mobo earlier, I went out and purchased a new rig to put together. I was going to get a mobo that used my current components (AMD 939 socket, DDR memory, IDE drives, etc) but Fry's didn't have any mobos that supported the DDR memory or the 939 socket anymore.

Therefore, I purchased a new case, mobo, PS, SATA HD, CPU Processor, 4 Gig DDR2 RAM.

My issue is trying to get the rig up and running with the new SATA HD and be able to access my old HD to pull data off. I'm not sure of the best method so I have a few questions:

1. I wish to format and install the OS on the SATA HD as this will be my only HD after I transfer data off my old IDE HD.
a. Will this be problematic since I only have one IDE to run both the old HD and my CD/DVD Roms?
b. I thought I read that SATA will not work unless Windows XP SP1 is installed. I assume this means I cannot use my installation CDs since they were pre-SP1. If this is the case, do I have to set the SATA as a slave drive and boot off the old IDE HD? If I do this, I lose the capability to run my CD/DVD ROMS.

I am guessing my only other choice will be to purchase SATA CD/DVD Roms?

2. Is it best to get the OS installed on the SATA HD before attaching my Graphics & Sound Cards to the mobo?

Any advice is appreciated.

BTW - Mobo is ASUS M3A / AMD A64 X2 Dual Core processor.

[hnzw_rui]

1. I wish to format and install the OS on the SATA HD as this will be my only HD after I transfer data off my old IDE HD.
a. Will this be problematic since I only have one IDE to run both the old HD and my CD/DVD Roms?
b. I thought I read that SATA will not work unless Windows XP SP1 is installed. I assume this means I cannot use my installation CDs since they were pre-SP1. If this is the case, do I have to set the SATA as a slave drive and boot off the old IDE HD? If I do this, I lose the capability to run my CD/DVD ROMS.

1a. Nope, not really, just disconnect one (or both, if you want) of the optical drives when you install your old HDD to copy files.
1b. Not sure if SATA doesn't work with WinXP w/no service packs, but you can slipstream SP2 or SP3 to create updated install CDs. Just do a google search on how to do it (Windows XP slipstreaming SP2/SP3). Do not boot from your old HDD. A clean install would be better.

I am guessing my only other choice will be to purchase SATA CD/DVD Roms?

It's not your only option, but it's a good choice to make. It should solve a bunch of cabling issues. Besides, prices for SATA optical drives aren't that far from PATA ones (maybe $1 to $3 diff).

2. Is it best to get the OS installed on the SATA HD before attaching my Graphics & Sound Cards to the mobo?

Sound card, yeah sure, install OS first to eliminate it as a problem source in case something does go wrong. Graphics card, you have to attach, otherwise, how are you going to install the OS without a display? I checked specs for your mobo on Newegg and it doesn't seem to have built-in graphics.

[TX_Renegade]

hnzw_rui,
Thanks for the input. I'll look into the slipstreaming. I'll probabaly go out tomorrow and get the sata optical drives anyhow. My case is black and my old drives are white. Is there any use to having the 3.5" floppy drives on PCs anymore? If not, I'll skip adding.

I was checking out some of the pictures of rigs posted on the forum. There are some very nice set ups. I'm most impressed with the cable management. I don't know how y'all hid all the cables but my case looks like someone threw spaghetti in there! Not sure what the hell you do with the extra cables on the PS.

[hnzw_rui]

Is there any use to having the 3.5" floppy drives on PCs anymore? If not, I'll skip adding.

None of my computers (at least the working ones) have 3.5" floppy drives, anymore. Not really much of a loss. If you've still got floppy disks floating around, it might be a good idea to copy all the stuff to your hard drive prior to scrapping the drive.

I don't know how y'all hid all the cables but my case looks like someone threw spaghetti in there! Not sure what the hell you do with the extra cables on the PS.

Extra power supply cables: does not exist? You'll find that a lot of people here are fans of modular power supplies which help eliminate cable clutter. I hear you on that, though. The inside of my case is a mess and I can't seem to find the time to clean it up. Thank goodness I have an Antec P182 or it would have been way messier than it is now.

[martini161]

as for cable management: Zipties are your friends! if you saw my rig than you saw i had a lot of zipties, thats the only way i hide cables. beenthinking of drilling some holes in the mobo tray though
/ramble
ive installed plenty of un slipstreamed xp discs on sata. wont be a problem

[InspectahACE]

Zipties = Salvation (cable management wise)

[pwcmed]

Nlite is a good FREE program to integrate drivers and slipstream service packs. It also does a lot of other stuff, check it out.

[DaIceMan]

what case do you have? Most of them offer, at least a little, space to hide the cables behind the motherboard tray or hard drive cages. I'm building a machine for a client in a $30 Gigabyte GZ-X5BPD-500 Case and it took some effort, but I was able to hide all the cables fairly nicely. Worst offenders right now are the front panel cables because I'm out of loom to cover them up.

[TX_Renegade]

Good news, no issues installing the OS on the new sata HD using the sata optical drive! Thx folks!

I bought a Centurion 590 made by Cooler Master. I did notice the space between the mobo tray and the side panel. Once I get done installing everything on it today, I'll tackle the cable management and post my pic on the forum.

I do have a question about the onboard surround sound versus my audio card. Is there a benefit to running one rather than the other? How good is the quality of the onboard system?

I currently have a Logitec Z-5300 THX 5.1 surround sound system for my PC.

My onboard system is supports up to 8 channels but I don't know if that will be enough plus I'm unsure about the quality.

The card I have to run the system is a Creative Audigy2 ZS. I'll probably put that card back in but I was curious about the differences between the two.

[Methious]

There's not much difference between the sound card and on board sound these days. I've got a Creative X-FI and don't use it because unless your an audiophile you'll be happy with on board.

I use Logitec 5.1 surround with on board and it'll rattle the windows.

[TX_Renegade]

Ok, my ASUS mobo installion disk comes with a plethera of software which I am usure if it is needed. Here's the list:

ASUS Cool 'n' Quiet Utility
Atheros Ethernet Utility
ASUS AI Gear2
ASUS AI Nap
ASUS PC Probe II
ASUS Update - This one I know I'll keep. It updates the Bios using a windows interface.

Any comments on the other is appreciated. I usually don't like loading additional software I don't need or will ever use.

[TX_Renegade]

I noticed the fans that came with my mobo plug directly into the PS. The processor fan plugs into the mobo as I am used to. If the fans are plugged into the PS connections, does that mean they are on full speed all the time and therefore are not affected by the Cool 'n' Quiet program? The only fan that is different is the extra 120mm fan I attached to the top of the case for exhaust. It has a PS connection and a plug for the mobo. I currently have both hooked up. (Not sure if that is correct and the fan didn't come with any documetation)

Anyone have any insight on this subject?

[martini161]

yes, unless you get a front panel thing with a variable resistor they will run at 100 percent all the time

[slugbug]

Ideally you should have one fan in the front of the case pulling in fresh air and one in the rear blowing out.