Updating BIOS for Windows 7 install

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[Taccun]

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"

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[Taccun]

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.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[Taccun]

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.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[Taccun]

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.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

 

[Taccun]

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.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

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.

I'll retire from this thread.

Good luck.

 

[Taccun]

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.

I'll retire from this thread.

Good luck.

What's the problem man? I wasn't trying to sound rude, you've been very helpful..but I'm just saying the OS isn't a problem, but you keep replying as if it is. That's all I'm saying. So we can work on getting the OS ON the computer with the BIOS problem.

 

[Taccun]

Well...any takers on the rest of the problem?

 

[TVeblen]

The keyboard is the most basic component of a computer. It has been going all the way back to the inception of the PC.
Therefore it is just wrong to think that the non recognition of a keyboard would be because the BIOS needs to be updated. Any BIOS will recognize a keyboard.

More importantly, trying to flash a BIOS with a non functioning keyboard is very risky. You need to correct the keyboard issue before attempting any BIOS upgrade.

Removing and replacing the 3v battery will not reset the BIOS. It will reset the Clock and the BIOS Settings defaults.
To reset the BIOS you normally perform a Clear CMOS procedure. Most motherboards have a jumper on them for CLRTC or ClearCMOS.
The Procedure:

• Note all your current BIOS settings
• Shut down the computer > remove the power cord.
• Remove the 3v battery.
• Move the CLRTC jumper from pins 1-2 to 2-3.
• Touch a metal part of the case and Press and Hold the reset button for approx. 30 seconds to discharge all power from the board.
• Put the CLRTC jumper back on pins 1-2.
• Replace the 3v battery > replace the power cord > boot.
• Immediately go back into BIOS and reset all your preferred settings. If the CLRTC worked you will need to reset the date and time.

This procedure will force the system to "enumerate" all attached components and produce a new Checksum. This may reacquire the keyboard.

Otherwise you have a connection or port problem. If this is a PS2 keyboard, try it in USB. If USB, try it in PS2.
And of course, make sure the keyboard works in a known good PC.
There is a real possibility that the port is bad.

 

[Taccun]

The keyboard is the most basic component of a computer. It has been going all the way back to the inception of the PC.
Therefore it is just wrong to think that the non recognition of a keyboard would be because the BIOS needs to be updated. Any BIOS will recognize a keyboard.

More importantly, trying to flash a BIOS with a non functioning keyboard is very risky. You need to correct the keyboard issue before attempting any BIOS upgrade.

Removing and replacing the 3v battery will not reset the BIOS. It will reset the Clock and the BIOS Settings defaults.
To reset the BIOS you normally perform a Clear CMOS procedure. Most motherboards have a jumper on them for CLRTC or ClearCMOS.
The Procedure:

• Note all your current BIOS settings
• Shut down the computer > remove the power cord.
• Remove the 3v battery.
• Move the CLRTC jumper from pins 1-2 to 2-3.
• Touch a metal part of the case and Press and Hold the reset button for approx. 30 seconds to discharge all power from the board.
• Put the CLRTC jumper back on pins 1-2.
• Replace the 3v battery > replace the power cord > boot.
• Immediately go back into BIOS and reset all your preferred settings. If the CLRTC worked you will need to reset the date and time.

This procedure will force the system to "enumerate" all attached components and produce a new Checksum. This may reacquire the keyboard.

Otherwise you have a connection or port problem. If this is a PS2 keyboard, try it in USB. If USB, try it in PS2.
And of course, make sure the keyboard works in a known good PC.
There is a real possibility that the port is bad.

I guess I should have mentioned that I have heard to try the jumper, but mine doesn't have one. If it does, I can't see it anywhere. Also I should have said I am using the keyboard actively between these other computers (my pc and this laptop so I can type easier) It even works on the bad BIOS machine when in Windows.

So I know it's not a port problem at all. It works just fine even in the bad computer in Windows. BIOS is the only thing it's having problems with.

 

[TVeblen]

Is it a USB or PS2 keyboard?

Did you try a different port on the problem machine?

Dell may have a proprietary method of resetting the BIOS CMOS. You might check the manual.