Patent ID: 7219081
Filing Date: 2007-05-15
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of comparing hardware comprising: accessing a first manufacturer's storefront database, wherein accessing includes logging onto the first manufacturer's storefront database from a first computer network; requesting information about an old computer system using a first configuration request; receiving old system configuration data for the old computer system from the first manufacturer's database, wherein the old system configuration data includes old hardware configuration data; storing the old system configuration data as an old system configuration, wherein the old system configuration includes the old system configuration data: executing configuration utility software on the old computer system; highlighting any components of the old computer system identified by the configuration utility software as differing from the old system configuration data, altering the old system configuration to reflect any different components identified by the configuration utility software; accessing a second manufacturer's storefront database using a second computer network, wherein a new computer hardware catalog is stored in the second manufacturer's storefront database, and wherein accessing the second manufacturer's storefront database includes accessing the new computer hardware catalog; transmitting a new hardware inquiry second configuration request to the second manufacturer's storefront database, wherein the second configuration request includes a new hardware inquiry, and wherein transmitting the second configuration request includes transmitting the new hardware inquiry; receiving new hardware system configuration data corresponding to a new computer system from the second manufacturer; wherein the new system configuration data includes new hardware configuration data; electronically comparing the new hardware system configuration data and the old hardware system configuration data; determining a compatible component list indicating at least one components of the old computer system that is reusable in the new computer system; determining street prices of the old computer system with and without at least one component of the old computer system that is reusable in the new computer system; and determining prices of the new computer system with and without at least one component of the old computer system that is reusable in the new computer system.