Power Supply

[ajdal]

Hello people
I have a late 90's Compaq Presario desktop model 7800 which I use rarely. Due to a power surge overnight the power supply is now toast.
Presuming that this is the problem & hopefully the only one, I was hoping that somebody here has advice on a cheap but compatible replacement.
I would just throw the dinosaur out but there are some files I need to retrieve off the harddrive first.
Thanks in advance of any helpful info'
Ajdal

[Braggy]

Could always throw it out and just keep the HDD?

[ajdal]

Not to sound completely dumb, but what do I do with the hard drive?
1. Remove & fit to another desktop.
If this is the case I only have a laptop now.
2. Take it somewhere I can download info required?
If so, where?
Thanks
Ajdal

[Braggy]

Its simple Dont worry mate you not dumb

First disconnect all the cables especially the power supple from the computer. Open it up. I am assume as you said its an old computer the HDD interface is IDE (a wide grey cable) if so simple remove this and the molex connection.

Now unscrew the HDD and carefully pull it out, store this safely.

Pull the grey cable out of the mother board incase you need it in the next computer.

Now open the next computer if it is IDE as well simple on the back of your HDD move the Jumpers (the little bit of plastic) to SLAVE (it will say on the HDD where to put it) once you have done that add it onto the IDE cable that is already in.

If the new HDD is SATA just plug the IDE cable into the mobo and plug the HDD in.

Dont forget to put power to the HDD :P via the molex.

now you have two harddrives boot up and into the new HDD and copy all your files from the second HDD into the new one and now u can dispose of it or keep it as a slave drive for extra storage

If this doesnt make sence please PM me! Becuase I know that was a terribly structured post.

[squirrel]

Hi Ajdal,

If I were you I would try eBay for things like this first of all. That is of course if you are confident replacing the components?

Regards


Squirrel
-------

Tecie.co.uk - Free I.T. Support - This month win 12 month's free web hosting!

[Tom]

I agree. I hate wasting computers regardless of the age...

If you had a company rescue data for you it'd probably cost the same as a second hand PSU anyway...

[ajdal]

Thanks for the reply Braggy but I'm not planning on another desktop. I've got used to the ASUS laptop I got last year. Don't think I'll ever buy a PC again.

[ajdal]

Squirrel & Tom
That's the plan. I've already removed the power supply (marked all the cables connections in the proces). I've searched the net & found this power supply. It's very reasonably priced.
Ezcool 550 Watt super silent power supply unit - Misco.co.uk
Can anybody tell me if it is compatible with my Compaq Presario 7800 power supply. All the connections & electrics seem the same (20 pin & 4 pin-inline sockets for HDD/DVD/etc) except for my unit has a small 4 pin-inline socket labelled P7. The EZ cool unit has a 4 pin Quadrant socket. Anybody know if this the same connection.
Thanks again guys. We're getting close....
Ajdal

[the100thmonkey]

That PSU should be fine, although 550W is overkill - an old PC like yours shouldn't need more than 350W.

Nevertheless, better safe than sorry.

Just an idea, but a cheaper option might be to buy an external HDD case like this one - it will allow you to just plug the drive into one of your laptop's USB ports, and will make the drive very portable, which a whole computer isn't.

[ajdal]

Thanks for the valued advice guys. plenty of options. I'll let you know how I go...............
Ajdal

[ajdal]

Hello people
Apologies for the delay in replying.
I purchased the EZ Cool 550W PSU, fitted it & the PC started up perfect first time. No other damage done by the power surge.
Thanks to all for their input on this thread.
Yours
Ajdal