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What you are describing isn't a Dell or HP issue, but just how Windows works. Windows ties its key to the ID of the motherboard (through the hard drive controller as you said). If you swap the hard drive or install that copy of Windows on another computer OR simply change the motherboard in the existing computer, it will flag the install as "unregistered" and require you to re-activate it. It doesn't matter if it's a Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus or a custom built system, it will kick it back. All you have to do then is call Microsoft and go through the activation process with a rep to get it fixed.
When you buy a built system or a copy of Windows you are purchasing ONE (or more depending on retail version you purchased) install licenses. These are not permanently tied to a particular system and you are free to move your license to another system. You just can't have more than one computer associated with a single license.
Not it doesn't matter if it's a Dell or HP, I was simplifying for the op, don't read into it. One thing that is different from a home build and an OEM like Dell, HP etc is the product key. those preloads use an OEM key, it isn't activated using the product key on the sticker, there are literally thousands of OEM PC's installed with the same OEM key. As long as the see the proper brand of motherboard and the age range of the board is ok then they'll remain activated.
We could go on and on about it, but that wouldn't help the OP much.
...I guess I was just confused by the fact you seemingly described it as an unrecoverable issue or something uniquely tied to OEM system builds as in "you can't use an HP/Compaq copy of Windoes on a Dell", which as I said is not 100% true...
That's definetly doable. You can use a Dell install disk on an HP, loads just fine, you'll just have to provide a valid product key. And as long as it doesn't BSOD the OP could get it reactivated, but for troubleshooting it's more trouble than it's worth.
That's definetly doable. You can use a Dell install disk on an HP, loads just fine, you'll just have to provide a valid product key. And as long as it doesn't BSOD the OP could get it reactivated, but for troubleshooting it's more trouble than it's worth.
Understood, I was reading more into it than I should have. I realize now you were just trying to keep it simple and not complicate the issue for the OP.
Been busy with the reinstallation of Windows Vista since I posted.
Got MES installed and now doing its initial system scan..... installing SP2 also (that'll take a while).... then there are a couple of hundred updates from Windows before it catches up.
You're running a 6 year old computer... Get a new $1200 computer if you want to go fast enough. Get an ssd as a boot drive too, then bootup would take 1.5 minutes vs 9 minutes for a regular hard drive.
It's about time for you to upgrade to a new computer! Or build yourself a new desktop!
You're running a 6 year old computer... Get a new $1200 computer if you want to go fast enough. Get an ssd as a boot drive too, then bootup would take 1.5 minutes vs 9 minutes for a regular hard drive.
It's about time for you to upgrade to a new computer! Or build yourself a new desktop!
Well, you could build a much faster PC than the one the OP has for about $500 as I've demonstrated to you in several threads. Of course, reinstalling Windows will probably do the trick in the OP's case and save them a good chunk of change. Not all of us are married to our computers...
It's been working great since I reinstalled Windows.
Jesse69's post got me curious about the actual amount of time to boot up (from time I press the power on button till time desktop is up and ready for use, including MSE being green and ready to go). It took it 1 min and 25 secs. I can live with that.
I use Ccleaner to manage the Startup. The only thing I have active at startup is MSE.
----------------
Another question.
The day that a hdd crashes and I have to replace it, can I just..
1. buy and install a new hdd.
2. and use my reinstallation disc that came with that pc to install the OS.
Or will I have to enter the product key, etc.
p.s. one other thing... The pc power cord was loose at the connection to the back of the tower. I cut a strip of electrical tape and wrapped it around the plug that connects in the tower to the power supply....holding fine now.
My i7 2600K Win 7 Prof OS install was 2.5 years old before a reformat due to a virus. Just before reformat it took me a 9 minute boot until I could get Google Chrome.
$1200 is CHEAP for a desktop. People in the 90's had to pay $2000 to $3000 for a decent desktop.
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