Updating Older model Alienware Aurora

msg009 · May 31, 2014

Alright, so I got an older model Alienware Aurora Desktop. It is currently running Windows XP Home Edition. So I was thinking about saving up and updating to Windows 7, (or Vista if I knew how) and ran the update advisor. It said everything checked out EXCEPT my graphics card. Here are the motherboard and graphics card models:

M3A32 - MVP DELUXE <GREEN> (85M0AIE88377)
GeForce 9600GT SC, P/N: 512-P3 N862-BR

Is there a replacement I can buy for cheap?

unknownofprob · May 31, 2014

if your looking at replacing parts, it sometimes is not as easy as take out and put in. With pre-builts sometimes the manufacturer uses custom connections, making upgrades preventable unless you swap out multiple components.

Your motherboard appears to be a retail board with standard connections so an upgrade is doable. What exactly were you looking to replace (motherboard and graphics card?, why motherboard?)? and for what price?

msg009 · May 31, 2014

Well the only thing that I HAVE to replace is the graphics card. Everything else is compatible. I was wanting to see what card I could get for the 75-150 dollar range.

unknownofprob · May 31, 2014

what is your current power supply?

Best card for your price range is defiantly this;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202096&cm_re=R7_265-_-14-202-096-_-Product

msg009 · May 31, 2014

I don't know what power supply it is. Should I upgrade that as well? And how much would it cost?

unknownofprob · May 31, 2014

look inside the case and at the back bottom or top you will see a box, if you can tell us the model number we can work out what it is and if it is enough.

A good PSU will cost you $70+.

msg009 · May 31, 2014

Newton Power Ltd.
Model: N750E-00
Ref. No.: NPS-750AB-1 B
Input: 100-240V ~ 10A, 50-60Hz
Output: +12VA

msg009 · May 31, 2014

Right now, it's a small monitor, but I want to use my 42 in vizio as a screen, so I'll probably upgrade.

unknownofprob · Jun 1, 2014

power supply is not an issue, I'd stick to the R7 265, best choice for your budget.

Do you want a monitor suggestion?

msg009 · Jun 1, 2014

Sure. Also, I know this isn't graphics related, but the DVD drive is:
LG SuperMulti DVD Rewriter Model: GSA-H55N
Should I replace that too?

unknownofprob · Jun 1, 2014

DVD drives aren't really important, I would stick with it, Unless you want Blu-Ray.

I would preferably go for a Samsung PLS 1080p monitor, they just look the best visually for what you pay. What would be your budget?

msg009 · Jun 1, 2014

Well to tell the truth, I have two of these Aurora's. Paid $150. I'm going to keep one and give the other to my dad. I basically have everything done for mine, but I want to fix my dad's up too, for around $300, no more than $400 tho.

unknownofprob · Jun 1, 2014

does the other Aurora work? Or are you just looking at getting a monitor for it?

msg009 · Jun 1, 2014

It has an error on boot about "not enough memory". I bought the working one for $150 and he just gave me the other one. I figured it'd be an easy fix. Was gonna give it to my dad for fathers day and to thank him for helping me out with some things. I'll probably get him the Samsung monitor but I'll stick with my Vizio tv.

unknownofprob · Jun 1, 2014

well, maybe buying more memory might help, does the desktop have any ram installed at all?

msg009 · Jun 1, 2014

Yes it does, 3.2 gb of ram or something like that. Same as the other one, so idk why it wont boot unless someone screwed up the hardware. Thinking about upgrading the ram, but I looked up the Asus replacements and its $170 for 8 gb. Unless you know of others I can use for cheaper?

unknownofprob · Jun 1, 2014

what OS are you using?

You may have to take it to a repair shop and get them to test if it is the ram that's the issue and not something worse, otherwise you've just wasted money for no reason.

msg009 · Jun 1, 2014

Well that one was free, and I haven't done anything to it yet. I plan on upgrading from the current Windows XP home to windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit.

unknownofprob · Jun 1, 2014

I know, but that may be the only way to see where the problem lies, as most cases it takes trial and error of swapping out if it is hardware, and of you buy parts, that is very costly.

msg009 · Jun 1, 2014

Yeah, I know someone I can take it to. However my problem right now is that Windows xp won't boot from disk.

unknownofprob · Jun 1, 2014

it is probably because you have a hardware issue, if this is the desktop that says "not enough memory"

msg009 · Jun 1, 2014

It's the one that works, and I figured it out. I installed daemon tools lite and mounted the image. It's all installing now.

unknownofprob · Jun 2, 2014

update on the results, would be great to hear.

msg009 · Jun 2, 2014

Okay so it all works, and runs great. Just waiting on the new graphics card. However, the dvd drive won't ready any disk, even though the drivers are up to date.

unknownofprob · Jun 2, 2014

probably because it isn't working.

Updating Older model Alienware Aurora

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Honorable

Illustrious

Share this page