Resolved Will a HP boot with a different HP Motherbord?

I have an HP Desktop computer. I am looking at getting a Motherboard CPU Combo. If I use the original HD the OS and the BIOS is 'branded' so it will not boot up with a new (different) motherboard.

I'm wondering if I get a used HP motherboard, a slightly different then the original, since it's an HP, will it boot up, or will I have problems?

Thank you,
Chris.

 

You can put any MOBO in there that you want that fits the holes.

 

It should be pointed out that this is most likely illegal. The odds are, your current Windows license is an OEM license and therefore is inextricably tied to the "original equipment" and cannot be transfered to a new motherboard as that is considered a new computer. The ONLY time you can use an OEM license with a new motherboard is if the exact same make and model board is being replaced as part of a repair action because the original board failed.

Only the "boxed" full Retail license can be transferred to a new computer (or upgraded motherboard). It is illegal to use an OEM/System Builders license that came with or was purchased for one computer on another computer. A disk "branded" with a computer maker’s brand name, or is labeled with "OEM ", "OEM/System Builderâ€, "Upgradeâ€, "Academic Editionâ€, or "For Distribution with a new PC only ", is not transferable to a new PC (or upgraded motherboard) under any circumstances. These OEM licenses are inextricably tied to the "original equipment ". And most importantly, we, as users, agreed to the terms of the end-user licensing agreement (EULA) when we decided to continue to use the software on the original computer. And that makes it legally binding.

With that in mind, if you need to buy a new license I recommend 64-bit Windows 7 or one of the many free Linux alternatives.

Note I am just the messenger stating the facts. This is all in the EULAs we agree to abide by when we first use our OEM software, so PLEASE! - don't shoot the messenger or argue with me about this - it is not my policy I am just ensuring everyone is aware of it.

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.
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So bottom line is while it may technically work, it is not legal to move your HD with the current Windows installation to another computer.

 

OK, here is my situation.

The main desktop I'm using now is very old (Athlon XP 2400, 1.5GB RAM, 266 Bus, IDE, ect...), I need a new desktop computer, but can't get one right now because I bought a new laptop.

A friend got a HP Media Center Computer with all the bells and whistles. Has a nice TV Tuner Card and more, and is really nice. It went out 2 weeks after the warranty. He took it into almost every shop in town and none could find the problem (everything boots up like it's supposed to but nothing shows up on the screen-we did pause it and had the word BIOS with a bunch of symbols, so it might be corrupted BIOS).

He gave it to me. I thought I could get a cheap Motherboard/CPU Combo to get it running.

I figure this would be a good way to get upgrade to SATA stuff cheaper then waiting to buy a whole new one.

I've had the case sitting around for a year now and wanted to get it up and going.
I've taken old HD's out of computers and put them in different computers and they worked fine.
I was hoping to swap out the defected MB, and replace it with a new one. Boot up the computer and install the board drivers. I understood that HP stuff doesn't work like that. HP has the BIOS Branded to the OS.

I have a very, very nice computer that if I got a cheap upgrade, I'd have a good, more modern unit.
I did buy a Windows 7 Disc but wanted to use the original set up because it has all the software on it. I don't have the Discs that came with the computer. I was going to boot up and do a fresh install off the original OS on the drive for a fresh set up.

Hope I explained it so you can understand.

Chris.

P.S. The instant email notification didn't work with this post so I didn't know I received these answers.

 

The MOBO has nothing to do with HP. Any MOBO will do.

 

What about all the forums over the years that have people say it didn't work, then the answers are that HP makes it so it doesn't work?

Chris.

 

There was a big problem in the past where big companies like Dell and HP dinked with the ATX Form Factor standard and used proprietary motherboards and PSUs. This is a lousy, misguided, anti-consumer business practice designed to force consumers to use [expensive] proprietary (and often under-powered) replacement parts.

It also resulted in many fried motherboards as users replaced failed non-standard proprietary PSUs with industry standard ATX Form Factor PSUs.

In recent years (and after much, very loud consumer uproar) they use standard ATX power configurations so you no longer need to buy a more expensive proprietary PSU.

Another problem was the method used to mount the motherboard to the case. Some used tines punched out of the case sheet metal to clamp the board in place. Unbending the tines to remove the old board often resulted in broken tines and thus, no way to securely mount the new board.

My advice? Buy a new ATX case (I like Antecs), new ATX PSU, and start over.

 

If they use "standard ATX power configurations so you no longer need to buy a more expensive proprietary PSU," why advice to, "buy a new....ATX PSU?

I can get a Motherboard, a 3.60 GHz Quad Core Unlocked Processor, and 4GB of DDR3 RAM for under $200. Not sure I can "start over" with that good of machine for under $200.

Chris.

 

If the motherboard used a proprietary power design that required a proprietary PSU, then if you replace the motherboard with an ATX compliant motherboard, you would need to buy a new PSU that was also ATX compliant.

 

I looked at everything and it's all standard stuff. The plug is 24 pin for the PSU.
It's a Micro ATX. Been looking at newegg and tigerdirect. Anyone know of a good place to get a good deal on a motherboard/cpu/ram combo?
I could get a board for $58 (ASRock A785GM-LE) and use my old ram and cpu, but if I could get a mb, cpu, ram combo cheap enough I'd go for that.

Chris.

 

That was not the problem. The problem was these makers changed the pin-out of the connectors. That is, the "standard" ATX connector may have the +5VDC on pin 12 but the Dell may put it on pin 14. So looking at the board or PSU would not provide any information - so researching specific part numbers would be essential (though not really a problem if replacing both motherboard and PSU).

And again, if you replace the motherboard (the heart and soul of any computer) that is considered a new computer and requires a new OS license if your original is OEM purchased with or for current board.

I note Newegg has some good deals on Windows 8 today.

 

License is good with new motherboard. Don't want Windows 8. When Vista came out, I used XP. I will stick with Windows 7 for awhile.

 

B.I.N.G.O.!!!!!!
Fry's has a Micro ATX Motherboard/CPU Combo Special this week. It's a AMD A4-3300 & Gigabyte GA-A55M-DS2 Motherboard for only $79.
This board/cpu with Integrated Radeon HD 6410D Graphics and 7.1 Sound and ram for around $100.

Thanks for the heads up on the PSU. Any way to figure it out before hand? I see it's a Lite On PSU.

Chris.

 

What a rip-off!!!
I got the board A55M-Ds2 Rev 2.2.
The "HD Video" is not HD. Fact I'm not sure it has video? I was told the HD Video is the name of the chip on the board, not that it HAS HD. I showed the person at Fry's the DVI interface on-board and he told me it doesn't work without a video card?
I looked up on the internet and found this. Can someone translate it?

APU:

* To use the on-board graphics, you must install an AMD APU with integrated graphics.
1 x D-Sub port
1 x DVI-D port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200 (Note 2)

(All integrated graphics ports do not support Hot plug. If you want to change to another graphics port when the computer is on, be sure to turn off the computer first.)

Thank you,
Chris.

 

Onboard Graphics

Integrated in the APU: 1.1 x D-Sub port
2.1 x DVI-D port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200
3.(All integrated graphics ports do not support Hot plug. If you want to change to another graphics port when the computer is on, be sure to turn off the computer first.)
4.* The DVI-D port does not support D-Sub connection by adapter.
5.* To use the onboard graphics, you must install an AMD APU with integrated graphics.

 

I have an AMD A4, Accelerated Processing Unit CPU.

I've been looking at an AM3+ board, but got the FM1. I wasn't familiar with them at all. I guess the video is on the CPU? Since I got the processor I have, I don't have to worry about it?

Chris.

 

Wow, this looks like a crappy CPU. The much faster, 2.9GHz A8-3850, "TechReport spotted that pure CPU performance per dollar was actually lower than what you'd get from a lowly i3.
That's for the A8 3850, where mine is a A4 3300. Didn't realize it was such a low performance processor.
Chris.