biker9075 Posted October 25, 2007 CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 Hi guys, You may have remembered a few months back i got a compaq computer for an insanely cheap price. Well, i've done some upgrading and just ordered a new motherboard and processor. I will be keeping the same hard drive, but i've heard that the operating system will only work on the motherboard it was activated on. Is this true? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jared Posted October 25, 2007 CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 Nope. Not true at all. Just make sure that the motherboard supports the type of connection the hard-drive uses (Probably IDE). "... but i've heard that the operating system will only work on the motherboard it was activated on." That makes me giggle like a little school girl, I'm sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ExtremeFusion Posted October 25, 2007 CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 Hi guys, You may have remembered a few months back i got a compaq computer for an insanely cheap price. Well, i've done some upgrading and just ordered a new motherboard and processor. I will be keeping the same hard drive, but i've heard that the operating system will only work on the motherboard it was activated on. Is this true? Thanks If you are planning to use your old hard drive to your new mobo... Its ok as long as your old mobo is ATA/IDE and your new one supports ATA/IDE BUT If what you are trying to say is... You will use your old hard drive then plug it to your new mobo (without even formatting, whatsoever, thinking that what is installed in your hard disk will work when you try to connectit to your new mobo) this will not work.. Gets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlewis23 Posted October 25, 2007 CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 there is some truth to this, the OS will work, but you will have to reactive windows again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostmaster Posted October 25, 2007 CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 It depends on how different this new motherboard is. You may be able to hook it up, but that doesn't automatically mean that windows will load onto the machine without reinstalling. This is especially true if going to a completely different brand, chipset, etc. Make sure you back everything up that you intend to keep before trying this. Are you putting this new equipment in the same case as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker9075 Posted October 25, 2007 Author CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 It depends on how different this new motherboard is. You may be able to hook it up, but that doesn't automatically mean that windows will load onto the machine without reinstalling. This is especially true if going to a completely different brand, chipset, etc. Make sure you back everything up that you intend to keep before trying this. Are you putting this new equipment in the same case as well? No, I have also bought a new case because I wanted an ATX size instead of micro-atx. The motherboard I have now is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135051&Tpk=945gct And the motherboard that I am upgrading to is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127031 I also have disks from compaq that would reinstall the entire operating system if need be. Which isnt a problem, I just dont want to have to end up ordering Vista Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ExtremeFusion Posted October 25, 2007 CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 No, I have also bought a new case because I wanted an ATX size instead of micro-atx. The motherboard I have now is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135051&Tpk=945gct And the motherboard that I am upgrading to is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127031 I also have disks from compaq that would reinstall the entire operating system if need be. Which isnt a problem, I just dont want to have to end up ordering Vista If that is the case that you want to reformat, if ever needed... The hard disk will work providing that they are (Mobo) have the same connector or channel (Primary, Secondary), Identical to your hard disk... e.g. If your Hard disk is a ATA/IDE your Mobo should support ATA/IDE there is some truth to this, the OS will work, but you will have to reactive windows again. @ dlewis23 Hmmmm... I'm not sure... Have you tried this before or encountered it perhaps? My Experience is When I tried to connect my unreformatted (meaning it still has installations of windows, and eveyrthing on it) hard disk to my new mobo it didn't execute the OS properly, I even tried Safe Mode but none have work... I can see the Boot Screen but It can't continue further to make it even on the logON screen/welcome Screen The reason I think is that, My previous Board is an Intel then my new one is MSI In short say, totally different chipsets from my old board... It depends on how different this new motherboard is. You may be able to hook it up, but that doesn't automatically mean that windows will load onto the machine without reinstalling. This is especially true if going to a completely different brand, chipset, etc. Make sure you back everything up that you intend to keep before trying this. Are you putting this new equipment in the same case as well? Well Said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostmaster Posted October 25, 2007 CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 I also have disks from compaq that would reinstall the entire operating system if need be. Which isnt a problem, I just dont want to have to end up ordering Vista Those disks wll only work on a Compaq manufactured computer. If you tried to use them with the new motherboard, you'd be out of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker9075 Posted October 25, 2007 Author CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 Those disks wll only work on a Compaq manufactured computer. If you tried to use them with the new motherboard, you'd be out of luck. I was just talking to compaq, and they seem to think that they would work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostmaster Posted October 25, 2007 CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 If they are an actual XP disk, they may work, assuming you don't have to activate it. If they are system restore disks, they will not work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker9075 Posted October 25, 2007 Author CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 Well, the stuff will arrive tommorow, so I will find out then. If the OS will not load it looks like I will be spending another 95 bucks on Vista. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starship_troopers Posted October 25, 2007 CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 Well, the stuff will arrive tommorow, so I will find out then. If the OS will not load it looks like I will be spending another 95 bucks on Vista. vista....hmmm...i'd spend the 100 bucks on xp lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker9075 Posted October 25, 2007 Author CID Share Posted October 25, 2007 vista....hmmm...i'd spend the 100 bucks on xp lol Meh, I am so used to Vista now, its pretty good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starship_troopers Posted October 26, 2007 CID Share Posted October 26, 2007 im not against vista...i mean i am...but thats just my personal preference for xp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlewis23 Posted October 26, 2007 CID Share Posted October 26, 2007 It depends on how different this new motherboard is. You may be able to hook it up, but that doesn't automatically mean that windows will load onto the machine without reinstalling. This is especially true if going to a completely different brand, chipset, etc. Make sure you back everything up that you intend to keep before trying this. Are you putting this new equipment in the same case as well? Even if you put the same exact board in you would have to reactivate (unless it was a dell, HP, etc.) windows checks a few numbers that would be unique to each board if they don't match up it knows you have a new part and makes you reactivate when there is that big of a change. @ dlewis23 Hmmmm... I'm not sure... Have you tried this before or encountered it perhaps? My Experience is When I tried to connect my unreformatted (meaning it still has installations of windows, and eveyrthing on it) hard disk to my new mobo it didn't execute the OS properly, I even tried Safe Mode but none have work... I can see the Boot Screen but It can't continue further to make it even on the logON screen/welcome Screen I am 100% sure this happens because ive had it happen to me probably 12 times. When you change a number of components in a system windows makes you reactive. you can add more ram and wont make you reactivate, but if you add ram and a video card it may make you reactivate. When you make a substantial change to the system windows has you reactivate. the reason windows didn't work for you is because it doesn't have any drives for anything on the new motherboard. I have had it were it works sometimes when i change a mobo, but others it doesn't work. I never recommend anyone swap a motherboard and not reformat. its pretty stupid not to, windows just doesn't work right after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker9075 Posted October 26, 2007 Author CID Share Posted October 26, 2007 But, if I reformat, wont that wipe out the entire hard drive, including the OS? And I don't have the retail DVD's. Just compaq recovery disks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlewis23 Posted October 26, 2007 CID Share Posted October 26, 2007 But, if I reformat, wont that wipe out the entire hard drive, including the OS? And I don't have the retail DVD's. Just compaq recovery disks yes. and your compaq recovery disks are probably not going to work with the new motherboard unless its a compaq/hp branded motherboard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker9075 Posted October 26, 2007 Author CID Share Posted October 26, 2007 Ok, i didnt want to have to, but I guess I'll just order the retail OS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coknuck Posted October 26, 2007 CID Share Posted October 26, 2007 I'd go with OEM its a lot cheaper. http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=368&name=Operating-Systems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker9075 Posted October 26, 2007 Author CID Share Posted October 26, 2007 Ok. Well, the OS will be here monday. Do you suggest I reformat the hard drive on the computer I am using now, or wait until I transfer it into the new case, and then reformat it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostmaster Posted October 26, 2007 CID Share Posted October 26, 2007 Backup all of your important stuff now, and wait to reformat when you have the new setup put together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker9075 Posted October 27, 2007 Author CID Share Posted October 27, 2007 I just got done installing the motherboard, processor, heatsink, ram, and video card, thinking I would be able to access the bios to see if the cpu installed correctly, but all the does is beep at me and there is no display. Is this just because the hard drive wasnt hooked up you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coknuck Posted October 27, 2007 CID Share Posted October 27, 2007 Yep! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker9075 Posted October 27, 2007 Author CID Share Posted October 27, 2007 Thats what I love about TMN, you almost always get an answer I was beginning to worry that it was the processor because for some reason I thought you could access the bios without the hard drive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ExtremeFusion Posted October 27, 2007 CID Share Posted October 27, 2007 Even if you put the same exact board in you would have to reactivate (unless it was a dell, HP, etc.) windows checks a few numbers that would be unique to each board if they don't match up it knows you have a new part and makes you reactivate when there is that big of a change. I am 100% sure this happens because ive had it happen to me probably 12 times. When you change a number of components in a system windows makes you reactive. you can add more ram and wont make you reactivate, but if you add ram and a video card it may make you reactivate. When you make a substantial change to the system windows has you reactivate. the reason windows didn't work for you is because it doesn't have any drives for anything on the new motherboard. I have had it were it works sometimes when i change a mobo, but others it doesn't work. I never recommend anyone swap a motherboard and not reformat. its pretty stupid not to, windows just doesn't work right after. right.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts