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jaggerman · 19-March-08, 04:39 PM

Hey Guys,

I need some critical advice. My family system is out. The motherboard failed and I need to replace it. I have three main options.

1. Replace motherboard with another 754 socket motherboard. Pro: Don't have to replace the processor and cheaper. Con: It doesn't leave me with much of a variety to choose from reliable manufacturers.

2. Replace motherboard and processor with a more up-to-date processor. Pro: Won't have to update later. Con: More expensive, and also there is no reliable motherboard I can locate that supports newer processors and DDR400 memory which is slowly becoming outdated.

3. Replace motherboard and processor and memory. Pro: It's getting the works. Con: More expensive.

Which route would you guys take and why?

My second question is this, if you could upgrade to Windows Vista would you (from Windows XP home)?

My third question is about SATA. We're currently using a 3.0Gb/s SATA hard drive and I know that when I would install Windows XP before, it required a floppy drive in order to load the driver so the drive could be recognized so I could install the OS. Well, I'm worried about purchasing a new motherboard because most of the new motherboards do support floppy drives anymore. So if I do wind up purchasing a new motherboard that doesn't support floppy, how can I load the SATA driver so the drive can be recognized?
Also, if I did upgrade to Vista, does vista automatically recognize all SATA hard drives unlike Windows XP?

Please help if you can. Thank you very much.

19-March-08, 04:39 PM		#1 (permalink)
jaggerman Apex Techie II	Microsoft Vista and SATA 3Gb/s Hey Guys, I need some critical advice. My family system is out. The motherboard failed and I need to replace it. I have three main options. 1. Replace motherboard with another 754 socket motherboard. Pro: Don't have to replace the processor and cheaper. Con: It doesn't leave me with much of a variety to choose from reliable manufacturers. 2. Replace motherboard and processor with a more up-to-date processor. Pro: Won't have to update later. Con: More expensive, and also there is no reliable motherboard I can locate that supports newer processors and DDR400 memory which is slowly becoming outdated. 3. Replace motherboard and processor and memory. Pro: It's getting the works. Con: More expensive. Which route would you guys take and why? My second question is this, if you could upgrade to Windows Vista would you (from Windows XP home)? My third question is about SATA. We're currently using a 3.0Gb/s SATA hard drive and I know that when I would install Windows XP before, it required a floppy drive in order to load the driver so the drive could be recognized so I could install the OS. Well, I'm worried about purchasing a new motherboard because most of the new motherboards do support floppy drives anymore. So if I do wind up purchasing a new motherboard that doesn't support floppy, how can I load the SATA driver so the drive can be recognized? Also, if I did upgrade to Vista, does vista automatically recognize all SATA hard drives unlike Windows XP? Please help if you can. Thank you very much.