Tranferring memory from newer PC to older PC

[Lizbeth]

Hi:

I have a Gateway Tower PC; bought in '01, just as XP was being put on new
computers. It has WinXP Home / SP2 and all my updates, Intel 1.8 GHz
Pentium 4 Processor, 80 GB HD, 256 MB RDRAM, and EV910 19" Monitor (which is
one heavy son of a gun).

My son recently got a Mac laptop, is moving to Oz and no longer needs the
Gateway PC we got him when he left for college in '02.

Son's Tower PC has WinXP Pro w/ Office XP Pro, Intel 2.4 GHz Pentium 4
Processor, 80 GB HD, 512MB SDRAM (2-256MB Modules).

My question: Can I use his memory in MY computer? I'm always getting a
popup about my memory being low. I don't think I'd have need for his HD as
I try to back up files on CDs, and not sure I could even use it.....but,
that would be another question, could I also use his HD? AND, could I hook
his 15" LCD BLK Flat Panel Monitor to my computer?

Thank you for advice anyone can give me. Have a lovely day!!

Lizbeth

 

[John John]

Doubtful. If your pc came with RDRAM it most likely only accepts RDRAM.
Consult the Gateway support documents for more information or check
with RAM suppliers, they have that information and can tell you what
kind of RAM the pc accepts.

John

 

[John John]

PS. Why not simply take your son's old tower? It has twice as much RAM
as yours and has a faster CPU, it would be faster than the machine you
have now. Being that both of the machines are from the same
manufacturer placing your drive in the faster pc and doing a repair
install on it should work fairly well.

John

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi:

I have a Gateway Tower PC; bought in '01, just as XP was being put on new
computers. It has WinXP Home / SP2 and all my updates, Intel 1.8 GHz
Pentium 4 Processor, 80 GB HD, 256 MB RDRAM, and EV910 19" Monitor (which is
one heavy son of a gun).

My son recently got a Mac laptop, is moving to Oz and no longer needs the
Gateway PC we got him when he left for college in '02.

Son's Tower PC has WinXP Pro w/ Office XP Pro, Intel 2.4 GHz Pentium 4
Processor, 80 GB HD, 512MB SDRAM (2-256MB Modules).

My question: Can I use his memory in MY computer?

Highly unlikely. When you add memory to a Windows XP computer, you
need to be very careful that the new memory matches the old in all
respects. Since yours is RDRAM and his SDRAM, it would appear that you
can't do this. Other issues are whether your machine has free memory
slots available, and whether they are appropriate slots for SDRAM.

I'm always getting a
popup about my memory being low.

Memory or disk space?

I don't think I'd have need for his HD as
I try to back up files on CDs, and not sure I could even use it.....but,
that would be another question, could I also use his HD?

Yes, assuming that you have a free drive bay to put it in and that you
are not presently using more than 3 IDE devices (you can have four
with the standard controller on your motherboard).

Another choice you might want to consider is to use the second drive
as an external backup device (*much* more satisfactory than CDs, in my
view). Just buy an external USB enclosure (around $25US) and mount the
drive in it. It's extremely easy to do and takes under five minutes.
That's what I would probably do in your shoes.

AND, could I hook
his 15" LCD BLK Flat Panel Monitor to my computer?

Sure, but assuming you mean as a replacement, why would you want to go
from a 19" to a 15"? Flat panel or not, that's a step backward.

You can also use both monitors at once, if your video card supports
that (or you can change video cards or add a second one).

Thank you for advice anyone can give me. Have a lovely day!!

Since his seems like the more powerful machine, rather than
cannibalize it, why not do it the other way around: use his instead of
yours, and replace or add anything better that yours has.

 

[JS]

Use you son's PC, It's faster.
Install your applications and move the data over to the newer and faster PC
and your all set.
I don't think you would like the smaller Flat panel display, so stick with
the EV910 (which I have) as it's easier on the eyes.

JS