New PC

I need a new PC, but am absolutely poor. I was thinking, is there a way I can just add another hardrive to the PC that I already have... so I don't have to buy a whole set up... Like, can I use this drive and connect my monitor and my keyboard and mouse and all to another piece of hardware.

Essentially, can I split the useage... not changing what I have now, but adding a whole new tower? Where can I find a new tower that is cheap and good...

Please help... I am starting college soon and would like to have this setup before I do.

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Edited in... I want to keep using the tower that I have because I am lazy and do not feel like transferring all my programs and data to a new tower... That's why I want a switcher.

 

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So, obviously you already own a computer. I constantly upgrade my PC and I have had the same case for six years, but every component has changed inside. Sure, you can keep the same case. It seems that you want more drive space, then buy a cheap drive off of eBay. It depends on what you want your computer for. You can add whatever you need to make it work with your old components.

If you want a whole new comp, there are cheap comps on eBay, and check out some local stores, they often have old 800s kicking around the back of the store, you can get one with 60Gb, 64MB DDR video and 256 RAM for $350 (I found one for my mom this way).

You can also buy components from Ebay and combine them with your old parts. I don't have much cash and the trick is to salvage old stuff and find the best deals an new stuff. Things like RAM, Hard Drives and even CPU's can be bought used. If you don't have many computer skills, there are online walkthroughs, really, it is easy, you just shove em in the slots and install drivers.
I hope I helped.

Or... you can steal one.

 

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Oh, I found stuff that you may be interested in for a new comp:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51139&item=4135965138&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51128&item=4135811013&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51123&item=4135617196&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51136&item=4135562165&rd=1

At this site, you can get super cheap parts or custom systems: http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv

personally, I would go with an AMD, but on a tight budget, choices are limited.

 

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CAn I hook both towers up to on monitor and switch between them. Is this possible. It would be like having two computers, but cheating on other hardware?

 

well, to hook them both up you'd need two videocards, and it seems all you are really looking for is just storage space? if you're gonna buy another tower and just place a harddrive in it with a power supply, that would be fine as long as you plug that bad boy in your old motherboard. that way from the computer's perspective it'll just be one computer spread out over two physical locations. but if you want to buy a whole new tower and just reuse keyboard, mouse, and monitor, then there are switches that will do that for you.

 

Actually, I love my computer now - but I'm running windows 98 and have all sorts of progs and files I want to keep. I don't want to lose anything or upgrade, because I am comfortable.

I want to but a new setup with more storage space and with XP but can't afford anything but the tower and the internal crap. I don't want to buy a new monitor, a new printer, mouse, scanner, etc...

I want to run two completely seperate sytems off of one moniter?

 

Well, I was going to give you two alternatives. Theres a switch that you can buy that will do it for you and there were plans on how to make your own. But, techtv was bought out by Comcast and now their website is crap just like the channel has become. Sorry.

 

just sho around www.pricewatch.com -- but read the reviews..

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also check out www.newegg.com

 

There are many possible solutions to your problem. You could buy a new drive, and Windows XP from www.newegg.com .
Partition the drive (easily done with the included software, or with Fdisk). Once you have three partitions (one for Win98, one for WinXP, and one for storage) install Win98, then install WinXP. Then you'll be able to choose to boot into XP or 98 when you turn on your computer. Install your present drive as a slave drive.

 

This sounds right... how can I learn more. I am a hardware moron.

 

How to partition the harddrive: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;255867

How to dual boot: http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...port/kb/articles/q306/5/59.asp&NoWebContent=1

 

Yeah. Techtv was great. Now it and its website are shit.

Anyway, if I had a penny for every minute I spent upgrading my computer using scrap parts, I'd have enough money for a great system. Computers are really cheap these days. A few months ago, Dell was "giving" away their base system for $250 CANADIAN!

Now: Dimension 2400, 2.4g Celeron for CA$389.

 

Dell offers you many choices that you can get and pay a very low monthly payment of 10.00 to 20.00 or so. I don't know if you can afford that little bit of payment but if I were you I would really look into it.

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://...4bgV3YAqLtz8xwAQ6EAAKeCBQgAYaBAAAAAAEAA&num=3

 

This is my favourite site. I buy stuff from here all the time.
Tigerdirect