"Old Values and New Technologies"

When is it time to upgrade?

Home Users - When your computer no longer does what you need it to do with the speed that you want it done.

Businesses Computers - Databases Grow, New applications are added or old ones are updated. So when do I know it's time for a upgrade? When your employees are starting to feel the effects of a slow computer. When they are slowed your business is slowed!, When your software vendors upgrade and your systems no longer meet the Preferred requirements.

Upgrade or Replace?

Many people have come to think that computers are throw away devices. With computer specials hitting as low as $299.99 after mail in rebate. it's hard to resist the urge to just toss out the old one and bring in the new one.

You get what you pay for in the computer world! If a computer is designed and built right it should be 100% upgradeable! This means there are NO proprietary parts within the system. We repair so many of those discount systems within a week it I should love them! They are great for business! but the end user is the one that ends up pouring out the repair fees... and that's not how we like to do business

A custom built system can almost always be upgraded to state of the art for far less then buying another computer.

Computer Hard Drives, CD-ROMS, NIC cards, Modems, Video cards, Sounds cards, DVD Players, memory, and many other parts can be used with a new Motherboard. For the average home user some of the above components come built into the new motherboard, we upgrade the motherboard we upgrade those parts as well!

In most cases an upgrade will consist of = Motherboard, CPU and Memory. (this will depend on your current system) but think about it. Why are we simply tossing aside 1/2 a computer. In many cases you can replace Motherboard, CPU and Memory for under 1/2 the cost of a new system.

Never let anyone tell you they can price out an upgrade without knowing what is in your current computer. Doing so will lead to you finding later that new parts were needed then were quoted. Lehigh Valley Computers offers 100% Free Evaluations for all upgrades and repairs. We don't like hidden cost any more then you do.

Moving from Your Old Computer to Your New Computer

If your main reason for buying a new computer is to replace an older computer, consider what really needs replacing. Quite a bit of the older computer's hardware may find a home inside or alongside the new computer. It all depends on the shape of the older system's component. The following sections illuminate what can, might, and shouldn't be moved to the new system.

Antiques: Don't bother

If your early computer is older than four years, then there's probably no hardware in the thing that would serve the new computer well.

If you've purchased any new peripherals or monitors for the older system, then they might be able to be passed on to the new system. Refer to the following sections.

So the hardware is crummy . . . but don't forget your data and software! That you'll likely want to transfer.

Honestly, computers never really go out of date as long as they work. The new computers are faster, but given the choice between using an old clunky IBM PC/AT with WordPerfect 4.2 or a typewriter, I'd take the old clunky PC any day of the week.

Monitors

Monitors tend to fade and fuzz out with time. If your older computer's monitor is doing well, you can consider moving it over to your new computer. Not buying a monitor can shave a few hundred dollars — or more, depending on the type of monitor you presently have — from the new computer's purchase price.

As long as the monitor is in good shape, use it!

Moving an older PC or Mac monitor to a new system can even save you money; there's no need to buy a new monitor when you can reuse your older computer's monitor.

Even if you already have a monitor for your new computer, you can add the second monitor to the system. PCs running Windows 98 and all Macintoshes (but not iMacs) can easily have two monitors installed. (You may need a second video adapter, though.)

Disk Drives

Removing older hard drives and installing them into new computers is not a good idea. The hard drive is one of the first things to go on an older system, so relying on it for a new computer would be risky. Even installing the older hard drive as a "backup" is questionable. No, you're better off just getting the information from the hard drive and using a newer unit.

External disk drives can easily be moved to a new computer, simply by plugging them in. Always make sure you have the original installation disks, which helps the new computer recognize your older hardware.

Some internal disk drives, CD-ROMs, or maybe a new DVD or CD-R you added can be moved over to the new system no problem. Again, remember the original software installation disk so that the operating system recognizes the new hardware.

Memory

Memory is something you generally cannot move from computer to computer. The reason is that older memory is probably a lot "fatter" than your new computer can handle. "Fatter" means the memory is probably of lower capacity and slower speed; a new computer probably needs higher capacity memory (say 64MB versus 16MB SIMMS) and faster access times. No, moving over memory is a waste of time.

Expansion Cards

Some expansion cards may work in the newer system; some may not. The best advice is that if you've recently purchased the expansion card for the older system and it offers some feature the newer system lacks, then consider the move.

As an example, suppose you just bought a USB expansion card for your old PC and the new PC also lacks USB ports. Then moving over the old USB expansion card could be a good move. Ditto for newer network cards and graphics adapters.

You'll have the best success moving plug-and-play expansion cards to a new system.

PCI and AGP cards are the best candidates for transfer to a new computer.

Also worthwhile are specialty cards: video input cards for any video editing software you own, sound synthesis, and special waveform cards, as well as anything else you need with your software.

Printers

The easiest thing to move from an older computer to a newer model is a printer. This makes total sense: There's no point in buying a whole new printer just because you have a new computer. As long as the printer is working just fine, keep it!

You might need a new printer cable. For example, new Macintoshes require USB printers, so a USB-to-Mac Printer adapter would be in order.

Don't forget your printer's original software disk! You may need it to install the software drivers for the new computer.

Modems & Network Cards

Just about all the new Motherboards come with Network cards today. so chances are you will not need your old one in the new computer- but should you have the need feel free.

Providing that the new computer doesn't come with a modem and that your old computer's modem is fast enough for you, yes you can move it over.

External modems are, obviously, easier to install on a new computer than internal modems. In fact, some internal modems are a real mess to install. And if you have any trouble installing the old internal modem, consider buying a newer model and save yourself some headaches.

Other Peripherals

Peripherals can easily be moved from an old computer to a newer model.

Scanners can also be passed from computer to computer, as can most other peripherals. Providing there is always a way to connect the device to the computer and that you still have the software and installation manuals, reinstalling the peripheral for the new system is a snap.

No, there is no reason to buy a new scanner for a new computer if your old scanner works just fine.

This peripheral keeping and sharing will become even more popular as USB devices take over the world.

As you get more adept at using and upgrading computers, you may find yourself ordering the bare minimum when you buy. Just transplant your favorite items from the old system to the new model and you're off and running in no time!