I apologize for the lack of information. It is a custom built PC, right
now I have a biostar 945P-A7A V8.X MOBO. Also its an OEM version of Windows XP
Home(Got it from Newegg). Since I only have 1 IDE slot and 1 PCI
Express x 16 Slot this is the main reason for wanting an upgrade so I
can run 2 graphics cards and more than 2 drives, which my case can
easily hold since I have a full sized Apevia X-Navigator. Also I
overclock my P4 3.4ghz chip to the MOBO's near max potential of 3.8ghz
which doesn't leave much to toy with.
Date: Fri, 28 Dec 2007 11:45:35 -0600
From: "Dean K. Kukral" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: New MOBO Installation
Ron, you
haven't told us much. You haven't told us what version of
Windows you are using, which is very important. Nor, anything about
the
computer.
I'll give you the basic gist of the matter. If you are actually able
to
install a new motherboard on your computer, then you may not
necessarily
have to install a new copy of Windows, depending on what your license
is. You will still be using the old hard drive, which is where Windows
is located, so the old copy of Windows is still there. The trouble is,
Windows will probably think that it is on a new computer and insist
that
you reactivate it. Whether or not you can activate it may depend on
whether it is an oem version or a full install retail version. OEM
versions of XP and VISTA are sold without license to move to a new
computer, but full versions, which cost more than twice as much, are
licensed to move to new computers. But, you still have to get
Microsoft
to agree to allow activation. I think that is enough detail for now.
You should also know that you cannot always put a new motherboard on
many brand-name computers as they have a proprietary form factor
(shape)
that will not let generic motherboards fit. These brand-name computers
also come with an oem license. Microsoft may or may not let you
reactivate the copy of Windows that you have been using even if you do
manage to successfully upgrade the hardware. You can always purchase a
new oem copy from a place like Newegg for under $100, and you can buy a
new case and power supply that will accept generic motherboards.
If you send us back full details on what you are trying to do, then
maybe someone can give you complete and accurate advice on your chances
of success. Include any information about the brand and model of the
computer or whether it is custom-built from generic parts. Also what
version of Windows you are using and whether it is oem or full retail.
(For Windows ME and earlier, it is not such a big issue.) Also, what
kind of a replacement motherboard are you thinking of installing? For
example, if you are trying to upgrade a Dell computer with a new Dell
motherboard that is assured to work in your current computer, than the
whole process might be simpler, albeit very expensive.
You could, instead, check the archives of PCBUILD where discussions of
the likelihood of activation approval have taken place. I believe that
Rick Grazier gave a pretty good description some time ago.
What you want to do is usually doable and not too difficult, but, in
the
end, you might need to buy a new copy of Windows, a new case and power
supply, and new accessories that are proprietary to the computer that
you now own. I think that most keyboards, mice, cd and hard drives,
monitors, etc are now generic, so that should not be a major issue.
Dean Kukral
PS: You didn't ask, but I suggest that if you do try to upgrade, be
sure to buy the motherboard, cpu, and memory all from the same source.
That way, if the combination does not work, it will lessen the chances
of finger-pointing.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Harris" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2007 7:25 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] New MOBO Installation
Hello I've been recently looking to upgrade my motherboard to something
a little more up beat, with a new MOBO I know I'll have to reinstall
windows but do I have to buy a new copy or will my old one work? I've
heard of calling Microsoft and they issue a new one from some people
but
that doesn't seem logical to me on their part.
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