Upgrading

xtbs · Apr 10, 2011

In the next few months I am planning to overhaul my pc put in a new motherboard ddr3 ram quad core processor, and more... I am still using my factory version of windows that came with my pc...

when I do all my upgrades will i still be able to do factory restores on my hard drive and still run the factory os, or will I have to get windows all over again?

The reason why I'm asking is because i heard that the os that comes with my pc is linked to my motherboard somehow... I have never heard of this but I want to make sure before I upgrade.

Bill2 · Apr 10, 2011

Yes, the oem windows is tied to the original mobo both legally and practically. Legally as per the EULA, if you change the mobo, you need a new license. Practically because oem windows uses a particular bios component to activate offline, if you switch to a non-oem mobo, that component will be lost and windows will not activate.

Digerati · Apr 11, 2011

Practically because oem windows uses a particular bios component to activate offline, if you switch to a non-oem mobo, that component will be lost and windows will not activate.

This is sometimes a problem with the big factory PC makers (Dell, HP, Acer) but most OEM versions are not "branded" by the PC maker. However, the license agreement stipulates you can NOT transfer OEM licenses to new computers and upgrading the motherboard is considered a new computer.

Therefore, unless your original Windows license is a full "retail" version, and yours is not, you will need to buy a new Windows license, or use one of the many free Linux alternatives.

Note this information is in your EULA.

pparks1 · Apr 11, 2011

Just factor in the cost of Windows on your new build. Based on what you are doing, the license dictates that a new license will be required.

Bill2 · Apr 11, 2011

Digerati said:
Practically because oem windows uses a particular bios component to activate offline, if you switch to a non-oem mobo, that component will be lost and windows will not activate.

Click to expand...

This is sometimes a problem with the big factory PC makers (Dell, HP, Acer) but most OEM versions are not "branded" by the PC maker. However, the license agreement stipulates you can NOT transfer OEM licenses to new computers and upgrading the motherboard is considered a new computer.

Therefore, unless your original Windows license is a full "retail" version, and yours is not, you will need to buy a new Windows license, or use one of the many free Linux alternatives.

Note this information is in your EULA.

OP says "factory version" of windows is installed on the PC which would mean large OEM unless he means a system builder.

Digerati · Apr 11, 2011

OP says "factory version" of windows is installed on the PC which would mean large OEM unless he means a system builder.

OEM and System builder are the same thing - as far as licensing is concerned. Though one may come preinstalled and with the disk branded with the PC maker's name and another may come as an official Microsoft disk, or with no disks at all, Microsoft considers builders are building the PC for an end-user other than for themselves. If you are building for yourself, the same rules apply - you must provide 1 year support to the end user. In other words, your own support, and the licenses are not transferable.

Note Windows licenses have always been transferable to another user - that is, you can give away or sell your computer with Windows, and the new owner is still legal as long as the new owner has all the original disks, and you have deleted or uninstalled all copies from any computers you still have.

Shootist · Apr 11, 2011

If you are getting a new motherboard, CPU, RAM (you will need a NEW power supply because most of the major manufacturer change certain connection so there PSUs can't be used on other system. And usually they are of a bare minimum of power output), Maybe a hard drive or 2. And you now know you will need to buy another copy of Win 7.
So why not just get a new case also. That way you can build a new system, take the old system and stick it in a corner, connected to your home network and use it as a file storage area.
And you will always have a second PC around if one of them fails.

Digerati · Apr 11, 2011

you will need a NEW power supply because most of the major manufacturer change certain connection so there PSUs can't be used on other system.

Computer makers have not done that for quite a few years. Though there may still be some proprietary PSUs around, if the computer is less than 5 or 6 years old, it should be standard ATX.

That said, most newer motherboards and many new graphics cards require additional power connections which an older supply may lack.

And usually they are of a bare minimum of power output

That is absolutely true. They are often not the best quality either.

Shootist · Apr 11, 2011

Haven't work on new ones. But I know the slightly older Dell PSUs had proprietary main connectors.

the OP also need to look at his present case. Some of them (read that most) will not take a standard mount board. They are manufactured, board and case, specifically for that model line. there are Dells that ope on the reverse side from any other case, right hand side comes off instead of left hand side, so the board is mounted kind of backward to all standard board.

xtbs · Apr 11, 2011

Shootist said:
If you are getting a new motherboard, CPU, RAM (you will need a NEW power supply because most of the major manufacturer change certain connection so there PSUs can't be used on other system. And usually they are of a bare minimum of power output), Maybe a hard drive or 2. And you now know you will need to buy another copy of Win 7.
So why not just get a new case also. That way you can build a new system, take the old system and stick it in a corner, connected to your home network and use it as a file storage area.
And you will always have a second PC around if one of them fails.

the power supply is being bought as well - i bought a nvidia geforce 9500 gt and it requires more power than what im using which is amazing because my system still runs...

WebMattR · Apr 11, 2011

I would honestly keep your old machine up and running, and build yourself a whole new one. That's going to be a lot more friendly than hybrid-ing the two together.

More advice: put a RAID card in the old machine, and use it as a backup file server running Raid 0. It's what I did with my old XP machine.

xtbs · Apr 11, 2011

to put this so that everything is clarified, i have upgraded so far... graphics processor and case... what i am upgrading AT THE SAME TIME: cpu motherboard ram power supply... so basically it is a different computer all together it just has the same hard drive...

Shootist · Apr 11, 2011

xtbs said:
to put this so that everything is clarified, i have upgraded so far... graphics processor and case... what i am upgrading AT THE SAME TIME: cpu motherboard ram power supply... so basically it is a different computer all together it just has the same hard drive...

Oh so you took the motherboard from your store bought (major/minor manufacturer) PC and put that in a new, different, case, changed out, upgraded, the video card and used the original power supply and hard drive. And you are now looking to replace the motherboard, CPU and RAM along with a new power supply. Reusing the video card you already upgraded and the original hard drive/s.

Yes you will need to buy another copy of Windows to install on this new motherboard.
As the one that came with your store bought PC is tied, by license and maybe by BIOS branding, to that original PC.

xtbs · Apr 11, 2011

Ok, yeah basically i bought a cheap $400 pc that was being used basically to run while i upgraded all the components, I have a copy of windows vista so ill install that and create an image disk so i can restore my system if need be (happens alot when my coding goes wrong =)) on this note i am wondering if this motherboard is good for server style usage (the upgrades are to run a alpha/beta server for games and applications that i am building...) ive never bought a motherboard before (the only pc part that i havent bought...) so im not sure what i should be looking for... keep in mind i have a limited budget so expensive motherboards are out of the question Buy the MSI 870-G45 Motherboard at TigerDirect.ca

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