When a new desktop is built all the components start together and work together. What happens when one of the components is replaced in the system assuming that it is replaced with a component with the same manufacturer and part number. I've heard you can't change one of the components without causing big trouble, but I'm not sure if that is true
Thanks
You should have no problem changing components.
The only problem you might run into could be activation of Windows 7 if you change the motherboard.
All except Windows 7 Retail the activated install must stay with the motherboard it was first installed and activated on, unless Microsoft gives permission to do otherwise.
I RMA a motherboard and had to call Microsoft to get activation back again.
Just took a few minutes and I was back to happy computing.
**What hardware do you intend to replace?**
Thanks for responding. I will give you the short version. My MB was replaced under warranty after 18 months by a computer business. It was replaced with the same asus part number. Now it will not boot. He thought there wouldn't be a problem but there is. His suggestion, is to put a third HDD into the tower and install win7 on it. Then use the two existing drives as data drives. I picked the machine up from him when I heard his suggestion. So, your thinking is that the MB can't be switched out of a system without big problems even if it is replaced ed with the same part number?
I got the exact opposite impression from his post.So, your thinking is that the MB can't be switched out of a system without big problems
If you bought the computer as a complete system (including Windows) then I'd suggest you take your business elsewhere in the future, because in that case he should have taken responsibility for the problem.
Anyway, what exactly do you mean by "it will not boot"? Without more information, it could simply be a BIOS configuration issue for all we can tell.
It was built as a unit in June 2014 and has been working fine till now. It will not "power on" much less boot as it doesn't reach that point. I believe it was a power supply issue that was mistaken for a defective MB
A system that does not boot has nothing to do with Windows 7 activation. If it does not boot it hasn't even got to the operating system to know whether it is activated properly or not.
If I replace a motherboard with the exact same motherboard and the system would not boot the first thing I would check is the bios for proper boot order and if the drive was seen by the bios.
I would also not have any drives hooked up except the drive with Windows 7 installed. You can add the other drives later and adjust the boot order as needed.
If I understand correctly, your machine still isn't powering up at all? If that's the case, you need to fix that before worrying about anything else...
I am a true novice when it comes to computers. Understanding boot order is beyond me. While I absolutely appreciate the help with my problem I've decided for now to do nothing with the system. Sometime this summer ill haul it all in to a shop and have it fixed.
Good call.
Their is nothing wrong with being a novice.
Just keep reading threads on this forum and you will pick up some basic knowledge and understand things better.
Whoever told you you can`t change parts is batty, we do it all the time.
Without knowing what you`re doing a same make motherboard may boot the system that was on the old board, it may not.
Just because you replace your Sabertooth Z170 with another one means nothing, a motherboard is totally different from any other part of the system.
But it`s always best to reinstall windows on a new board.
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