OEM Windows on new systems

Submitted by BZ on Tue, 08/04/2009 - 11:57am

Question?  So if what the Doc says is true about the OEM disk being tied to board it was origanally installed on, does this apply to all OEM windows copies?  I have an old PC that I installed media center on and I want to upgrade all the guts of the pc and get the Asus crosshair III/new hd/etc, but dont want to pick up any parts if I cant reuse my old windows copy as I dont want to be forced to buy another windows copy (esxpecially with 7 coming out soon).  Anyone have any thoughts or knowledge on this topic?  

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Gack

Submitted by Zazubovich on Fri, 07/31/2009 - 4:00pm

First check and make sure you have the latest bios flash.  Gigabyte got me with this one, and I returned the mobo to New Egg a couple times at my own expense before their technoclowns decided that the board needed a bios upgrade.  Foolishly I asked why a motherboard would ship in a package and with a manual that stated it would be compatible with the processor I bought with it.  Their suggestion was that I buy another processor and use that to flash the bios, then put in the new processor.  I took it to a local shop to have them do it so I didn't have to buy another proc, but the tech kid had a hissy and told a long story about how these boards catch on fire and he would NEVER do it, he had already had several of the model go bad.

I bought an asus board instead, and later bought an older processor to do the bios update, but I'm pretty disgusted with how the whole process worked out and not very enthusiastic about pc techs or motherboard manufacturers.

So bios first, then make sure your power settings are right in the bios.  Make sure no components are overheating on the board and that the power supply is adequate to the task and good, including the power strip/wall socket/cord/battery backup/circuit breaker or fuse.  Make sure the hard drive is good by doing the manufacturer supplied diagnostics.  Try booting with a linux disc, ten bucks at the grocery store with purchase of linux magazine or free download of ubuntu.  Most of the  time these steps will get you to where you can boot the machine and begin installation.  If possible try to slipstream your disk with SP3 to save time.  All the components should work at some base level for the installation phase; basic video drivers and drivers for other components should be enough to get you started, unless you have set up a RAID array; then you need the RAID drivers first so the hard drives will work.  XP has never in my experience crapped out from a new motherboard or given me licensing grief  Good luck!

 

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Reminds me of

Submitted by pastorbob on Fri, 07/31/2009 - 5:38am

The time I went into a local conputer store looking for a replacement heatsink fan. The guy behind the counter wanted to know if my processor was a Celeron, Pentium or Athlon, this after I asked specifically for a Socket A HSF.

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How old is the PSU

Submitted by DriZzLe on Wed, 07/29/2009 - 3:13pm

Make sure your psu is up to par with newer hardware. Also, make sure it has all the correct connectors for the motherboard. If the psu is older, it may not have a 6 or 8 pin connector that modern boards need.

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Yea the tech is doing a

Submitted by Tekzel on Wed, 07/29/2009 - 2:40pm

Yea the tech is doing a common thing they do when they don't know the answer: Try to baffle you will bullshit.  I have been working in that sector for 15 years and have found that they are the rule rather than the exception, unfortunately.  I will flat out tell the person I just don't know.  Why lie? They are going to find out eventually and then you just look like a dipshit.

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You might check that you

Submitted by wolf17 on Wed, 07/29/2009 - 1:40pm

You might check that you don't have an extra standoff shorting out the board, thou if that was the case i would image it wouldn't boot at all.

 Try running memtest86+ to test your ram perhaps.

"Life is about living, not stressing" - a very smart girl :)

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