Change only motherboard, CPU and Ram??

Hello to all. My Opteron/ASUS A8N SLI DLX combo is getting tired. I propose to change my mainboard, CPU and RAM while leaving everything else untouched or original. Assuming that all of my compatabilities are not at issue (e.g.- my video card is a PCIe x16), will this be just a plug'n'play exercise or are there unseen pitfalls awaiting me??

Thanks.

 

Your hardware should be ok with the change, not so sure about your software. You might have to reinstall/repair Windows.

 

So, to sum things up, the repair install will leave all things untouched exc that it will update the needed drivers and I will have to go to Windows Update and re-install the seemingly zillions of XP patches that have been installed over the years?

Parts list should be:
1. Motherboard (with correct interfaces and form factor)
2. CPU and upgraded fan (prob Zalman)
3. RAM (at least 4Gb)

That is it?? This sounds pretty do-able!! Thanks for the guidance and link!!

 

Larry, if I were you, I would backup the data & do a complete clean install. Would make the computer faster & would remove all the muck that's been accumulated over the years.

 

Great info again!! Pretty sure my retail CD is SP2 so the slipstreaming would be necessary. It had slipped my mind about the 4Gb limit on 32-bit, though I wasn't contemplating any more than that. Thanks for the reminder. I will endeavor to get a matched pair like my current Corsair Twins.

I will consider a clean XP install but, honestly, that is what I am trying to avoid right now. But, it is something that could be done at anytime. Thanks for the more than valid suggestion. I have seen the benefits of a clean re-install. The memory of the extra work lingers with me, too (all that software, limited users setups, patches, iTunes, etc). Then there is the inevitable scream "DAD!!!!!! ".

 

The technical specifications are on the HDDs. Each new MB has a CD. Each HDD has to receive the instructions from that MB.
The problem sometimes is WINDOWS 2000 can be to old.

 

If you are upgrading your motherboard, for Windows licensing purposes, you are building a new computer. And according the EULAs for ALL OEM/System Builder versions of Windows, you cannot legally transfer these licenses to a new computer.

Therefore, if you existing XP license is an OEM version that came with your old computer/motherboard, you MUST buy a new license. If, and only if your current version is a "full Retail" version can you legally transfer the license.

Before anyone bulks, please do your research. I have. It is in your EULAs and is posted clearly at Microsoft. And note too, just because the disk allows you to install on a new computer, that does not make it legal.

Note I am just the messenger.

That said, if buying modern hardware, capitalize on their capabilities by using a modern OS designed to support them, and not an OS designed 11 years ago that designed to support DOS era hardware from 10 years before that! Go with Windows 7.

 

Like I said, it is a retail OS. Thanks for your thoughts. I will keep them in mind.

 

Hi Bill,

The last time I checked the information at the MS website, you can change up to four major pieces of hardware on a Microsoft OEM license before it is termed a "different" computer. They are the motherboard, CPU, HDD and I think the other was the Graphics Adapter. They (have to) allow you to do a certain amount of upgrading before it is termed a different computer.

Activation should soon tell you if you have stayed past the limits. Although I always use almost all of the 30 days before Activation so that any hardware changes can be made.

That is an Microsoft OEM version, as opposed to an MS retail (full) version, OEM manufacturers have a one computer/one OS system. On those PCs the system will viewed as the motherboard, they might supply a Graphics Adapter upgrade slot, you could change to a new/larger HDD, could should be able to upgrade to a more efficient CPU, but once you change to even a different model of motherboard it would be viewed as a different computer.

That's my messenger info. Read the Eula, yes, but find any details (plain language?) at the MS or OEM manufacturer's website. (Maybe you thought Larry was running a OEM manufacturer's computer.) It doesn't apply to Larry though, he is running a self-built system.

Matt

 

Hi LarryB,
So you are parting with your Optie 165, may I ask what you are gunning for??.
I am myself in the process of upgrading as well, I am retiring one of my Opteron 175's the motherboard has developed some hiccups.
I stumbled across a Phenom II X4 965, and now I am looking for a good motherboard for this CPU.

In regards to your thoughts about repairing or clean installing Windows, I was at that same crossroad the last time I upgraded one of my machines.
I had heaps of old stuff on there that I did not want to loose, since I either did not have install CD's or they where simply not available anymore.
But the XP SP3 that was installed had been many years old and I did not want to carry over a old grimed up OS.
So I had taken, mind you not the cheapest but for me the best option.
I bought a new bigger HD and a new clean install of Windows XP SP3 ( and yes a lot of updates to install, but with a better sucess rate on a new install without any programs on it), and then bought a copy of LapLink PC Mover and transferred all the stuff that I wanted to keep over to the new install, it worked a treat, all the old stuff on a new install. Nearly 12 month later still working great.
I just thought I mention that to you, as another option or another headache, take your pick.
Anyhow would like to hear about your upgrade.

hawk22

 

Thanks Matt. You are correct they have to allow you to do a certain amount of upgrading - and they do with no problems. But "upgrading" the motherboard is where they draw the line. And I think that is the appropriate place. We need to remember the motherboard, especially a newer motherboard, is not "a" device, but many devices that just happen to reside on the same circuit board. Virtually all have NICs and integrated sound and many have graphics too. How long before all motherboard have SSDs on them? My HTPC ITX board has a surface mounted (soldered - no socket) CPU running Win7 Home.

I note this has always been MS policy.

This comes up a lot so I created the following canned text with links to the sources to settle any questions (until the next unfamiliar person comes along ).

OEM (System Builder) licenses are not transferable. A new motherboard, as seen below, constitutes a new computer. Therefore, when you "upgrade" the motherboard, if your current Windows license is an OEM or Upgrade license tied to a qualifying OEM, you MUST purchase a new Windows license, or use one of the many free Linux alternatives. You can replace everything else (case, CPU, PSU, RAM, graphics card, HDs) and not require a new license. Just not the motherboard. This applies to OEM (System Builder) and Upgrade licenses. Only "full retail" licenses can be transferred to another computer, but only if all previous installations have been removed.

The only exception to this is if the original motherboard failed and you are replacing it as part of a repair action with an identical motherboard (or a suitable substitute as recommended by the original motherboard or PC maker if original board is out of production and no longer available). If it is not an identical replacement board for one that has failed (or a recommended substitute from the same maker), and it is not an official "full retail" license of Windows, then a new Windows license MUST be purchased! OEM (System Builder) Licenses are not transferable to another computer.

Note the following:

[color= "Navy"]Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 824125[/color], near the bottom under More Information (my bold added),

[color= "Navy"]Microsoft OEM Licensing FAQ[/color], under System Builder Licensing, 8th Q&A,

For more information about the differences between OEM and full retail licenses, see this [color= "Navy"]FAQ[/color] and note question 11.
​

I understand this is counter to what many have long believed, but it has always been this way - read your EULAs. OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturing - licenses are for just that, "Original Equipment ". It is important to note too that OEM versions are sold at substantial discounts. If transferability is important, you must buy a full retail version.

If you have purchased other software, it may not be transferable either. The exception for Windows is IF your current version is a "retail" full (not upgrade) copy, and you completely remove it from the old computer.

So, to be clear, if your current version of Windows is an OEM (also called "System Builders ") version of Windows that came with or was purchased for your old computer/motherboard, you cannot legally transfer that license to your new computer. This applies to Upgrade licenses too as they are directly tied to the license they are upgrading. This means you cannot install it (or the old drive it is currently installed on) on the computer with the new motherboard.

NOTE - While technically installing an OEM version on a new computer is possible, it is NOT legal and is considered stealing. "Intellectual Property" laws are universal. This means if you live in the United States, a member country of the European Union, and/or a member country of the United Nations, it applies to you. Check your [color= "Navy"]EULA[/color]. In all cases, it will say something similar to this seen for Windows 7 Professional, (their bold),

It is important to note you do not own the software, you own a license to use it. And by using it, you agree to the terms of the license.

Note this is an industry policy, not just Microsoft's. And please note, I am just the messenger!​

*****

 

Bill, this is most likely hijacking Larry's thread.

Looking around the MS website, the playing field has changed. Check this
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/licensing_for_hobbyists.aspx
so I expect these products are aimed at us "hobbyists "
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...r=BESTMATCH&Description=windows+oem&x=15&y=38

As I said "The last time I checked the information at the MS website... ".

Larry, I am sorry if I have sidetracked your questions, but this may apply to you. IF the computer relates solely/mainly as the motherboard, you had better choose a really, really good motherboard

Matt

 

Note sure what you want me to see on the MS site - it says the same thing I have been saying - only retail licenses are transferable. As it says on that link, the OEM System Builder Software, "Cannot be transferred to another computer once it is installed ".

 

How does this relate me if I have a retail OS?

 

As I noted above, if you have a full "Retail" license, you are perfectly legal to install Windows from that disk to a new computer, or with an upgraded motherboard. Your only restriction is that you must insure it was not used to install Windows on another machine. If you are moving your boot disk with the previous version over to the new machine, you can do that legally too, no problems - but again, only because it is a full "Retail" version, and not OEM/System Builders, or an Upgrade version.

However, if you are moving your boot disk, Windows and all the drivers already installed on that boot disk will be for that old motherboard. It may choke when you try to power up. Migrating the disk and all the files and configurations over to the new computer is certainly possible, and most often is done with no major problem. But for me, with a new motherboard, I like a fresh new install of Windows. As I noted before, the motherboard is not just one device, but many. If nothing else, you will not have all those old driver files orphaned all over your drive, and Registry.

 

Bill, have you seen the EULAs provided online? I don't want to buy a product that tells you what your rights are after you want to start using it.

Can you put the information in terms of Activations? Again, the last time I read the information, you could install a retail version on four computers (say the different computers in your home), so four activations for that license. If it is the same now, Larry will lose an activation by changing that hardware.

Matt