Dwayer wrote:

Once upon a time, I purchased an IBM Netvista computer with a socket
423 P4 1.4ghz CPU. Then, just after the warranty expired, the
motherboard went belly up. By that time the socket 478 processors
were out, so I had the local shop scavenge the drives and build a new
computer for me. The old CPU and my 256MB of RDRAM have moldered
away since. IBM has a parts list here
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=0&uid=psg1MIGR-4U8KVY&loc=en_US

Recently, I read about the Linux-based MythTV software, and thought I
might try and put the old P4 to use. Unfortunately, I've not built a
PC from the ground up before, so I could really use some advice, as I
have a number of (probably really dumb) questions.

I've bought a ECS P4VMM3 micro-ATX motherboard of Ebay. The board is
a socket 423 board, with 2 PCI slots and 1 AGP slot, plus onboard LAN,
Sound, VGA.

The new mobo says that it "accommodates 2 DDR (184 pin 2.5V) + 2 SDR
(168 pin 3.3v) DIMM sockets...." Does this mean that I cannot use my
old RDRAM in the new board?

Correct.

Secondly, do I need to remove the heat sink and fan assembly from the
CPU before moving it to the new board?

Yes.

And, if I do, do I need to
look for a new heat sink, etc., for the new board.

No, but you'll need to remove the existing thermal compound and apply new
before reinstalling the heatsink.


Thirdly, I can't find anything in the new mobo manual to say if it has
a maximum size for the hard drives. It only says that the chipset
supports "ATA 100" drives. I'm looking at one (initially) 160gb drive
for the computer.

You should check ECS's website for FAQs and BIOS information.

Fourthly, when I bid on the board, I didn't notice that it was
micro-ATX. Will a bigger case, like one for a standard ATX board have
the appropriate mounting holes, or do I need to stick with a smaller
micro-ATX type case.

mATX is the same hole pattern as ATX, just not as big, and fits in standard
ATX cases as well as mATX cases.


Thanks, in advance, for your help.

Cheers,
Will