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i have a compaq 5000 that im using. i also have an energy star proteck that i dont use. the energy star has a samsung hard drive in it. i want to know if i can put the samsung drive into my compaq. if so how do i go about doing that?

Hello lexterphate,

Welcome to PCHF.

Energy Star Proteck?

Energy Star are not a PC manufacturer. They do make parts for PC's that are normally quieter and more importantly, more energy efficient. Proteck normally make Printing and Pressing machinery. Have a look around your PC to see if you can find the actual make and model of your PC?

It's normally quite easy to move HDD's from PC to PC, or from laptop to laptop, but what you will have problems with, is if you want to keep and run the operating system on that HDD. The hardware is normally so different, that after moving your HDD across, you will need to reinstall Windows afterwards. What version of Windows are you using?

i have windows xp. i want to use the samsung hard drive as extra storege in my compaq. there is also a 128mb memory stick in the other computer i wasa wandering if i would be able to use that also?

Extra storage is normally very easy.

All you need to do is take out the HDD from your other PC, there is normally 2 screws either side of the HDD and two plugs at the front.

Find a place in your compaq where your additional HDD will slide into, and use the same 2 screws either side to hold it in place. If your lucky enough, there is normally a spare power socket and socket on your IDE ribbon cable.

The only configuration you will need to do to the drive itself, it change the jumpers. If your using the socket on the ribbon cable at the very end, you will need to set your HDD to master. If your using the socket on the ribbon cable in between, set your jumper to Slave.



The configuration of which jumper is normally demonstrated on the front of your HDD. After installing your HDD, you may need to enter BIOS to pickup your HDD, but in most cases, it will pickup any new drives automatically during bootup.

RAM is a completely different matter. The development of RAM has increased dramatically over the years, and there are many many different sizes, types and speed. If you remove the RAM from both PC's (RAM is quite delicate, so you will need to handle with care, try to hold the edges or use an anti-static wrist band if possible). If you can give me as much information as you can see on each chip, I will tell you if you can use them both.

ok cool i have a socket in the middle of the ribbon and i located the slave jumper. so all i have to do id plug in the ribbon and switch the jumper to slave right? im not sure if i should take the memory stick out of my computer im using cause i dont have the right equipment so if i just add the other one will it mess up my computer or will it just not do anything?

There's normally only two clips either side holding the RAM in place, you don't need tools. The risk is minimal as long as your careful, you could potentially cause more damage by attempting to add RAM we know nothing about at this point.

ok i will need to turn my computer off and look and then i will come back and let you know what i saw on both of the memory sticks.