I believe for someone to help another they must first understand the person situation, at least to some degree, I have many parts of old computers about 4 full sets, hp,2 dells, e machine. I wanted to put together something using what i could combine and wanted a fresh install of ubuntu 10.4. Now here is what i have so far The computer itself is a Dimension 2400 <- Looks like that Processor: Pentium 4 Motherboard:Unsure RAM: 1g (added from other computers) Hard Drive: 1st Drive: Jumpered as master DeskStar 80gb 2nd Drive: Jumped as slave Western Digital 60gb I don't know if the drives have anything on them but i would like to format them. This computer is old so its all in EIDE ribbons. When i plug it into an outlet it automaticly turns off and shuts off, then i turn it own and not even the BIOS turn up, and this is where i am stuff any help?
My recommendation would be to start with the basics on a project like this...then work your way up. Try finding a phonebook, and placing the mainboard on it so that when you put cards in, the metal brackets hang over the side of the phone book. Set it up with onboard video (if there is onboard; otherwise use a card), one stick of ram, the cpu & heatsink, and the power supply. If it turns on, start adding one part at at time until you have an issue. If it does not turn on, try swapping the ram with another stick, and then another stick, and then another. It sounds like you have a lot of mainboards, cpus, power supplies, and ram, so you should be able to make something that runs if you keep trying different combinations of parts in a systematic way...and worry about drives, front panel connectors, expansion cards, keyboard, and mouse later; once you get an image on the screen. Oh, and I would also reset the bios on each mainboard you try; they are probably already clear from sitting so long, but you never know. [edit] ALWAYS TURN OFF THE POWER SUPPLY BEFORE ADDING OR REMOVING COMPONENTS!!!
To be honest, nowhere near enough information here. You need to provide us with exact part numbers of the components for us to be able to tell you what's compatible with what. They'll all be printed on the components, no need to worry about finding paperwork.
