Motherboard replacement

[barryware]

I'm not sure exactly where to post / ask this question..

I have an old HP m8200n desktop.. It has been giving me problems turning on and I suspect the motherboard is the problem.

That said, If I replace the motherboard with the exact same model (nettle2 MCP61PM-HM, ver 1.0B), and use the same processor, (meaning I will take the CPU from the old MB and install it into the new MB) will windows 7 run without having to re-activate it?

Should I also move the BIOS chip from the old to new MB?

 

[Megahertz07]

There are two major Win 7 licenses:
Retail - For customers - Can be transferred from one computer to another.
OEM - To be used by Computers builders. Valid only for that computer.

Under OEM license you have two types
- OEM SLP for big builders (HP, Dell, Lenovo etc). This license aren't for sale for customers (and is the one you have)
- OEM System Builder for small builders. This license are the one that you buy at Newegg etc

OEM computers like HP, Lenovo etc has a code in BIOS that is checked by Windows every time you boot.

In other words, the MB you buy must be from HP with a HP BIOS, even if is manufactured by others.

 

[file3456]

Have you considered the PSU as being the culprit?

 

[barryware]

Have you considered the PSU as being the culprit?

I have considered it..

I actually ordered a new PS that should be delivered tomorrow. Just planning ahead incase the problem persists.

It is odd.. The PC will restart via the restart command.. If you shut it down and then try to power it back up, sometimes it will start, sometimes it will just sit there.. Leave it alone for a bit, and then maybe it will start, maybe not.

 

[Ranger4]

I have considered it..

I actually ordered a new PS that should be delivered tomorrow. Just planning ahead incase the problem persists.

It is odd.. The PC will restart via the restart command.. If you shut it down and then try to power it back up, sometimes it will start, sometimes it will just sit there.. Leave it alone for a bit, and then maybe it will start, maybe not.

That certainly could indicate a faulty PS, as the demand from the PS is much greater with a cold start, than from just a restart.

 

[barryware]

That certainly could indicate a faulty PS, as the demand from the PS is much greater with a cold start, than from just a restart.

I replaced the PS and it seems that there are no longer any "intermittent" start issues (but it has only been a day and a few starts).

Funny thing... I took out the old PS so I could see what the HP part number was. It turns out that there was a Power UP PU550. I bought this PC right from the HP store years ago. I was amazed to find that an HP pc purchased directly from HP had a 3rd party PowerUp PS in it..

I replaced it with a Thermaltake 600W.

Another interesting tid-bit.. The new PS uses less power (watts) than the old PS according to my UPS that reports load in watts.

 

[Megahertz07]

HP is almost like a car manufacture. It doesn't manufacture all parts. Disks, CPU, Memory, PS and even MB may be manufactured by others.

New PS are more efficient than old ones. That explains why UPS reports lower load in watts.