I have an old COmpaq Presario that I upgraded to XP Pro. At some point while the computer was opened something seemed to get damaged and now the coomputer turns on, but nothing is shown on the screen. I am not 100% sure what the problem is, but I am assuming that the motherboard was ruined at some point. SO my question is...if I rebuild this system with a new mobo, new cpu and ram, would there be a problem if i build it using an AMD chip as opposed to another intel chip??? THe reason I ask is because I am planning on salvaging the hard drives in the computer and all the data that's in them because it's basically my college life and the last 5 years of work and pictures, etc. So before I buy anything I wanted to double check to make sure what I should do. I am considering a really economic chip either a celeron or an AMD Duron (40$, can't beat that)... Thanks!

Can you give a better explanation? Why was the case opened to do a software upgrade? I have a feeling you're leaving something out of this story... Your Compaq may have a proprietary power supply...if so, you'd have to get a Compaq replacement board. Or you may be able to install "standard" PSU, then you could use a "real" motherboard. Don't jump to conclusions without doing some troubleshooting 1st. Buying parts is the WORST way to troubleshoot Asus A7N8X-X 1800+ @ 8 x 210MHz 512MB PC3200 Asus Ti4800SE 128MB WinME/WinXP Pro

The computer was opened to test my HDs in a new computer. After that was done, the problems started ocurring. It turns on but nothing shows on the monitor. It's an old computer so I was just going to build a new one and install the HDs on it. These are my concerns.... 1. Will my hard drives work on another computer with another chipset and a better processor? 2. Would the HDs work if I decide to purchase an AMD chip? Or would there be compatibility issues since the old computer had an intel celeron? Thanks for your help!

ok i kan answer these questions 1. if your hdds will work, but you will have to reinstall windows kuz xp won't boot if up in a new mobo. 2. as i said you will have to reinstall windows p4 at 3330mhz 512mb pc3200 dual channel 80gb wd hdd 8x agp geforce 6200 Audigy 2 ZS dvd and cd burner only 15 so i am tight on cash

SO if I use an AMD processor instead of an Intel, it will not affect the performance of my hard drives?

Simple answer is NO. However, as pheonix was saying....you WILL have to reinstall XP which means you will also have to format your hard drive and all the data on it will be lost. I suggest you backup your past five years worth and/or buy a new hard drive. The ONLY things in that compaq that you can use in your new build will be the hard drive(s) and optical drive(s). I doubt the PSU will be enough to juice the new build, and I wouldn't even chance it either. Compaqs have always used the bare minimum to get the machine on(out of box). And the RAM likely will not match your new build either. I suggest you do some serious homework on building a new rig from the ground up and be prepared for what it will cost. It's NOT a matter of just getting a new mobo/cpu combo. Having said that, it will be worth doing the upgrade. I never wish a store brought system on anyone. The satisfaction of your own build far surpasses any crap you got from compaq, hp, dell, sony etc....and you did it yourself! ASUS P5GD1 P-4 3.4 SOCKET 775 1G Corsaire PC400 ABIT RX600SE 256MB PCI-E

You could put your old HDD in another computer, new or old, as a slave and be able to access your work, pictures.