XP Home and XP Professional query

[singularity2006]

Look on the back of the computer for the ethernet port. Practically all new computers have that so you won't need to worry. As for the CPU, you could swap them or upgrade them. And as for networking, there is no problem going between Home and Pro.

Btw, the ethernet port looks just like a phone jack with 8 pins instead of 2 or 4.

[salmonmoose]

XP Home can connect to fewer computers on a network than XP-Pro - I'm not sure of the number - Personally, i'd swap the licences and put Pro on the good machine, home on the other.

If you want to network the 2 computers, you will need a hub/switch/router or just a crossover/uplink cable, you can't just wire one to the other.

You possibly already have a router built into your broadband modem.


You may have difficulty upgrading the CPUs, not all P4s are equal, and the motherboard may not support the newer chips voltages, frequencies, multipliers or even some features, check your motherboards manual before buying anything.

depending on the software you're using, I'd suggest using the larger faster machine as your workstation, and the smaller machine as the render server / render node - that way when you hit "render" you can keep working without waiting for a render. Also, the larger case will allow you more freedom in selecting flash video cards, etcetera. Your render node just needs a giant hard drive, and a lot of ram. You can probably remove any optical media for extra storage space.

[singularity2006]

True: Be careful when you upgrade the CPU by making sure the voltages and such are all compatible. However, if they are, smash all the RAM into one system and CPU to one system. Max it out!

As for networking, if u want to save money and boost network render bandwidth, get 2 1Gb network cards and string the two computers through those cards with a CAT6 (not 5) crossover cable. Then just wire one computer to the net directly through your modem. If your modem has built in routing, then u can connect both to the net using the built in ethernet port. But doing it this way saves the hassle of buying a separate router and setting it up as well as gives u more bandwidth to network render over.

[jademcquade]

Thanx for the suggestions.

I have not got the 1.8Ghz PC yet. However I do know it is about 3 years old. It does have an Ethernet Network card which was just installed.

I will have a look at it tomorrow as I want to see how much Ram it can house and what type of Ram it takes.

I dont think there is any manuals or anything with it. What could I use to determine the upgradability of the system in terms of Ram and newer Processor. Maybe a computer program or something?

[singularity2006]

For processor, look at the CPU serial or model number and check intel's website. As for RAM, just look at the number of pins and u should be okay. careful w/ the CPU because that could fry the system if u install it incorrectly or put a CPU that is not compatible. Normally not the case, but I've done it to older systems before. RAM is no problem as if u put in RAM that is not compatible, u get no post. Just take it out and undo.

[lots]

Judging by the speed of the slower P4, it is either a first or second generation P4. This also means that it is not compatible with the P4 3.4GHz. I doubt they even use the same socket. The 3.4GHz is probably on the LGA 775 socket that modern P4s use.

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