Updating BIOS for Windows 7 install

Passmark score for AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ is 1674.

Passmark score for Intel Core 2 Duo CPU E4500 is 1324.

Passmark is a pretty good indicator of overall CPU strength.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/midlow_range_cpus.html

That's a low-end Core 2 Duo. The mid and higher end models easily outperform the AMD.

I doubt if you'd notice the difference between them.

Personally, I wouldn't bother investing time or money in getting the AMD running since the machines are so close.

You might be able to rob some other usable parts, such as RAM. I didn't check---they may use similar RAM.

Other than that, I'd ignore uncle's machine, unless you simply want another complete and running PC for some purpose.

ignatzatsonic said:

Passmark score for AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ is 1674.

Passmark score for Intel Core 2 Duo CPU E4500 is 1324.

Passmark is a pretty good indicator of overall CPU strength.

PassMark CPU Benchmarks - Low Mid Range CPU's

That's a low-end Core 2 Duo. The mid and higher end models easily outperform the AMD.

I doubt if you'd notice the difference between them.

Personally, I wouldn't bother investing time or money in getting the AMD running since the machines are so close.

You might be able to rob some other usable parts, such as RAM. I didn't check---they may use similar RAM.

Other than that, I'd ignore uncle's machine, unless you simply want another complete and running PC for some purpose.

So you don't think that processor would be much difference than my current? Damn. So much time spent on this lol.

But I actually already harvested the RAM. I mentioned it in my OP. It noticeably helped my current computer. It made my 2gb into 3.25. (4 gb installed, 3.25 usable for some reason) I think it went to video. Not sure.

but I also want the harddrive in working order because I want it and I want this computer to work separately. My current computer has a 120gb HD. It had a 500gb but it failed. But I got this computer so I wanted to put the 500gb in mine, and the 120 in uncles since it won't be used as the "best"

I assume you have a valid Windows license for your own PC, with product key?

If so, you can put the 500 GB drive in your PC. Then you'd have to decide if you want to do a clean install to the 500 or instead try to clone or image the 120 to the 500. Clean is preferable if you are willing to take the time to reinstall your apps. Cloning or imaging can work, but can fail and cost you hours of troubleshooting.

Then you'd have to come up with an OS for uncle's machine when you put the 120 in it. He apparently has no OS other than the trial version of Windows 8, so you may have to spend money on a new OS for that PC. I'd get Win 7 rather than 8 if I had a choice.

ignatzatsonic said:

I assume you have a valid Windows license for your own PC, with product key?

If so, you can put the 500 GB drive in your PC. Then you'd have to decide if you want to do a clean install to the 500 or instead try to clone or image the 120 to the 500. Clean is preferable if you are willing to take the time to reinstall your apps. Cloning or imaging can work, but can fail and cost you hours of troubleshooting.

Then you'd have to come up with an OS for uncle's machine when you put the 120 in it. He apparently has no OS other than the trial version of Windows 8, so you may have to spend money on a new OS for that PC. I'd get Win 7 rather than 8 if I had a choice.

Why does the product key matter?

This was how I was going to do it, but the problem remains for his computer with the OS. If I can't operate the BIOS. I can't do a clean install.

Taccun said:

Why does the product key matter?

This was how I was going to do it, but the problem remains for his computer with the OS. If I can't operate the BIOS. I can't do a clean install.

Product Keys are what you pay for when you buy Windows.

Windows installation discs are a dime a dozen.

If you do a clean install to a hard drive, you cannot activate it without a product key.

Dells ship with a Product Key on a sticker. Your Dell probably came with something other than Windows 7. If you are going to install Win 7, you need a Win 7 product key.

Which I assume you have, if your Dell now has Windows 7.

ignatzatsonic said:

Taccun said:

Why does the product key matter?

This was how I was going to do it, but the problem remains for his computer with the OS. If I can't operate the BIOS. I can't do a clean install.

Product Keys are what you pay for when you buy Windows.

Windows installation discs are a dime a dozen.

If you do a clean install to a hard drive, you cannot activate it without a product key.

Dells ship with a Product Key on a sticker. Your Dell probably came with something other than Windows 7. If you are going to install Win 7, you need a Win 7 product key.

Which I assume you have, if your Dell has Windows 7.

I know what it IS. I just wondered why it mattered. My Windows 7 is secured. There are no problems with my OS situation. The only problem is with what I said in my previous post.

Without BIOS control, I cannot clean install windows. Unless I can do the clean install from the OS. Though I'd like to clear all partitions.

I don't know why you are having keyboard or BIOS access issues on the Dell.

Can you boot the Dell from a Windows 7 installation disc through any method---menu, F key, whatever?

If your Windows 7 license is not OEM, you can install Windows 7 on uncle's PC.

If you clear all partitions, you will need to reactivate with your product key.

ignatzatsonic said:

I don't know why you are having keyboard or BIOS access issues on the Dell.

Can you boot the Dell from a Windows 7 installation disc through any method---menu, F key, whatever?

If your Windows 7 license is not OEM, you can install Windows 7 on uncle's PC.

If you clear all partitions, you will need to reactivate with your product key.

No no no. I've not having BIOS problems on my Dell. The BIOS problem is on my uncles. That's what this whole thread has been about.

Like I said, Windows 7 is covered. There's no problems there.

Taccun said:

No no no. I've not having BIOS problems on my Dell. The BIOS problem is on my uncles. That's what this whole thread has been about.

That's what I originally thought. But as the thread went on, I got the feeling maybe you meant keyboard/BIOS issues on uncle's.

So, connect uncle's 500 GB drive to the Dell and do a clean install and activate with your Product Key.

Or if you want to take a chance on imaging, image the 120 GB drive and restore the image to the 500 GB drive.

Worry about uncle later, when you have an OS for it.

ignatzatsonic said:

Taccun said:

No no no. I've not having BIOS problems on my Dell. The BIOS problem is on my uncles. That's what this whole thread has been about.

That's what I originally thought. But as the thread went on, I got the feeling maybe you meant keyboard/BIOS issues on uncle's.

So, connect uncle's 500 GB drive to the Dell and do a clean install and activate with your Product Key.

Or if you want to take a chance on imaging, image the 120 GB drive and restore the image to the 500 GB drive.

Worry about uncle later, when you have an OS for it.

Man..I've already said a few times now that I have the OS and that it's not a problem. I can do it now.