i'm upgrading from a p3 800, 128 sdram, gf2 mx200pci TO a p4 2.4G, 256 ddr pc2700, Ti4200 128MB. i bought a new asus mobo, processor, ram and gfx card.(would $475 b good?). BUT keepin HD, CD, Modem, CDRW, Floppy, speakers etc. etc. A few questions: 1. i got a fan with the pro, do i need to buy thermal grease(?) to stick them or are the clips ok? 2. i read the mobo book n it said to backup and flash old bios or sumthin? i don't want to overclock or nothin complicated like that - just keep it as it is - will i have to flash it or will it b ok? 3. as i said, i dont want to overclock, or add in ports, or change on-board sound etc. will i have to change jumpers(Don't b smart n tell me to put on a wolly 1 or sumthin!) or are they ok unless ur doin advanced stuff? 4. i'm guessin d bios is not on d HD, so d new 1 will pick up the AGP card n i'll only have to install drivers? 5. The mobo has "EZ plug" so i don't need a P4 power supply - i can us a spare CD plug to give the processor extra power - are these all the same voltage etc. i won't blow up sumthin? 6. Lastly, nething else i should no b4 i dismantle this baby? thanks, andy

With Win98 if you move your old HD to a new motherboard, you're asking for major problems unless you install 98 fresh. I don't think it would be wise for you do try flashing the bios at this time.

would it b ok to try get d drivers in, get it kinda workin n den re-install? or would i b better to stick in d stuff, n d windows cd at d same time? thanks

Unless you boot into safe-mode, and blast the Enum entries out of the registry first you're asking for a headache. If you don't know how to do this, I recommend backing up your saved files, wiping the hard drive, and install windows fresh.

No offense intended...but judging from your questions, you're not very knowledgeable about computers. I suggest you do some in-depth research on how to build a PC before attempting anything. Also, learn about the BIOS, what it is & how to set it up...otherwise, you're gonna end up building an awfully expensive paperweight. Better yet, just buy a new PC & forget about trying to build one altogether. To answer your questions: 1. YES, you need thermal paste...it's not used to hold the CPU in place, it's used to insure proper heat transfer between the CPU & heatsink. 2. If you don't know anything about BIOS flashing, don't do it...if it's done wrong, you'll be buying a new motherboard. If the flash is necessary, have it done by someone who knows how do it. 3. Your board may or may not have jumpers...read your manual! 4. NO, the BIOS is not on the hard drive, it's on a chip on the motherboard. Will it recognize your AGP video? Not unless you set your primary display setting in the BIOS to AGP. 5. NO, you can't use an extra plug to give the CPU more power...LOL! 6. Don't dismantle it at all...keep it as is for use as a secondary machine & buy a new PC off the shelf.

I've got to agree with huh? and add one more step before dismantling: Learn more about PC's before attempting to build from scratch. It's not hard, but if you don't know what you're doing, you're just asking for serious problems.