Originally posted by Croaking_Toad:
Yes, it's time to throw the ancient pc away. I hope to salvage the cards. But with so many motherboards out there, which one is still able to support the graphics and sound cards. Or is it worth salvaging at all? Advice please.
the above posts by the mod and other members may help. but u must know if youhave the budget or is willing to spend on a new PC or upgrade. u must also know what u hav been using yr PC for all this while, was it plain light internet surf or what?
u could have isolated the PC system prob when u see a smoking PSU by replacing it but as NDMxiaomayi has written now allthe parts might have been affected including the graphics card and sound card. i am not sure how close u r in touch with music but with most modern P4 or A64 mobos there is hardly a need for your old soundcard at all unless you are in to music recording and need the legacy ports at the rear for music output and the ones at the soudn card for dubbing/ music input.
since u hav opt for the upgade path it will take a few more lengthy posts from ppl here to brief you on the history and models of the various parts of a PC but buying an OEM unit should solve your prob fast. after all most now costs less than S$1000/- (e.g Dell) with the OS bundled. moreover the year is coming to an end and many sales and promotion going on.