HP Pavilion a250y (D7219V) Upgrade Q's: Fan & Harddrives

[Jhnjmn]

Hello,

I'm attempting to extend the lifespan of my HP Pavilion a250y. About 4 years ago I added more ram (should be just over a gig currently), added a new hard drive (300GB), and replaced the power supply (wasn't starting up.)

Currently the machine's fan is very loud at times. I know I can't keep this up much longer so I wanted to replace the cooling fan. I just can't find any concrete size/model types so I can pick up a new one.

So my questions are:

- Has anyone had experience with replacing the cooling fan on this machine? Do you have any types/models/sizes you'd reccomend? (I've never replaces a cooling fan before - but I have replaced/updated many other components - so not sure if there is anything I should be aware of before upgrading the fan)

- I'm also looking to add another hard drive. Is there any way I can have 3 hard drives inside the box? For instance - could I remove the CDRW drive and put in a drive there in it's place? Or would there not be enough slots on the motherboard to handle? If not - am I limited to having to get an external (or dock)?

- If the latter is the case (external drive/dock): Can anyone reccomend any eSata cards I could install?

- And one last one (thanks for bearing with me!) - I am also thinking of maxing out the RAM - which for this model I believe is 2 GB. I found this retailer who sells the entire RAM upgrade package. Any words of advice or suggested retailers?

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Pavilion%20a250y

I really appreciate you taking the time to answer (any of) my questions. Any advice you'd have to give would be great. Looking forward to what you all have to say!

Thanks in advance!

J

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

Look over the motherboard layout (b&w) at the sata ports.  Are these ports in your PC open?

If you have an empty optical drive bay then there are brackets available to install one 3.5" hard drive or two 2.5" hard drives.

Crucial, Corsair and Kingston are excellent memory suppliers.  I recommend that you use their memory tool and then follow-up with a call to sales or technical support to confirm that you have selected the correct memory.  Know what the return policy is before you buy.

[wb2001]

The standard case fan is 92mm, part #5188-3722.   You can measure yours to be sure:

http://db.sanyodenki.co.jp/product_db_e/coolingfan/dcfan/dc_fan_detail.php?master_id=1993

The max memory recommended by HP is 2GB. The max memory per the manuf of the motherboard is 4GB (ie four 1 GB modules. Do not mix speeds or spec, use the same throughout.

http://www.4allmemory.com/memory/compaq-hp-pavilion-a250y/ 

[Jhnjmn]

Thanks, Big Dave!

So you think it would be fine to house 3 hard drives inside the box? Perhaps removing the CDRW drive (which isn't functioning).

[Jhnjmn]

Thank you, wb2001

Do I have to purchase this exact model/brand? Or are there any newer/better/more efficient fans that I could get instead?

If so - any reccomendations?

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

You might need a bootable optical drive so if your current one is bad then replace it.

[Jhnjmn]

@wb2001 (or any other Fan experts)

Here are some 92mm options I found in a quick NewEgg search. Would these work in my casing?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999613

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999617

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186034

[Jhnjmn]

Hi Big Dave,

I have an optical drive that works on the machine. The secondary CDRW one is no longer functioning. So I was wondering if I could just lose that and house a new Hard drive there in it's place (SATA ports permitting).

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

Does your PC boot up from the existing optical drive if you insert bootable media?

Do you now have two optical drives in your PC?

Frankly,  If you start adding up all of the costs for parts, you might want to compare those costs and what you will end up with to a new PC.  An entry level HP PC is $299 and it will be far superior to existing PC.

[wb2001]

Jhnjmn,

My choice:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999617

The first is too loud ( at 21 db you notice it),and the third is too slow (rpm).

If your happy with the older machine, and  derive pleasure from the simplicity of XP, I see your point.

While a new machine is tempting, the new OS can be daunting. Your existing software works, if you have a printer, it may not be WIN7 compatible.