Can these part work on an older computer?

[darsunt]

I need another computer (to set up a linux op system) but I want to save money. So I'm trying to match some new parts I have with an older computer.

The older computer is a Dell from 1999. I want to put in two 250M sticks of memory from a HP I bought in 2003 plus a Hitachi harddrive I bought this year (has both types of interface, including the old fat cable type). Can I safely assume the 1999 motherboard can handle the newer parts? Or do I need to do more research?

Also this mother board has 3 memory slots. An odd arrangment, isn't it?

 

[b1gapl]

I know Dell before, had proprietary parts. So download a program called CPU-Z, open it, go to the memory tab, and check the type of memory that it supports. The hard drive should be compatible.