Message Edited by rustymt on 05-15-2003 01:04 PM

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@Blitzzer wrote:
I've purchased 3 Dimension 4550s in the last six months, and recently purchased a new case, power supply, and motherboard that supports the 800mhz fsb and dual channel ddr.  I'm going to strip all the components (cpu, memory, cdrw, hdd, etc) that I can from one of the Dell machines and added them to this new platform.  Normally, when you upgrade hardware components on a non-dell version of windows, you just have to simply re-activate.  Seeing as how a microsoft license was included in the purchase price of the Dell system, and all I'm doing is upgrading the motherboard and putting it in a new case, my windows license should still be valid - right?  However, one of my friends told me that my Dell operating system will not install onto a non-Dell machine because of a bios issue or something.  Is this true?  Will this new system boot if I simply install the hard drive with already installed from my Dell and hit the power button?  Do I have to reinstall?  Can I reinstall?  If not, is it possible to reinstall by copying files from the installation disk to "c:" and booting from the hard drive?  What about if I where to remotely install from one of my other Dell machines?  Any help/advice/suggestions would be enormously appreciated.  Thanks.      

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Blitzzer

I dont think you will get the Dell CD to work, with the motherboard change.

I was unable to with my  Dell Dim 4100 major (mobo) upgrade below.

I had to buy a new copy of win's XP. The win's XP install CD maps installed hardware,,,,and detects  major hardware changes,,,,,,appearently,,,, As  a different machine"...and on line activation will fail.

You may be able to call, Microsoft, and explain what you have done, and get them to give you a new activation  ID number.

Dell Dimension 4100 (incase upgrade) Intel(R) 2.4(oc 2.8) specs

Message Edited by rustymt on 05-15-2003 01:35 PM

The fact is, I shouldn't have to spend as much as a nickel to buy another license b/c all I'm doing is simply ugrading my motherboard.  Dell doesn't make windows, Microsoft does, and I purchased a microsoft windows xp license when I purchased my 4550.  Microsoft allows you to upgrade whatever you want and doesn't require you to go out and buy another operating system so long as you reactivate the one you've got.  It's not the money, it's the principle.

No, you purchased an OEM license - i.e. one that was licensed to Dell to sell to you along with the computer. 

Steve

I agree with Volcano.  The software costs less when purchased from Dell... they buy at a volume discount, then pass those savings on to you when you purchase the machine.  As a result, they can impose any limits they want.

Had you paid full price (say, bought a retail box version of Windows from Dell Accesssories) you would have every right to complain.  Unfortunately, that's the price you pay to pay the lower price.

I popped the hard drive in, hit the power button, typed in the product key on the back side of my 4550, activation accepted, downloaded sp1 and all other updates, works like a charm.  

Thanks anyway!!!

LOL... I'm happy I was wrong... and glad that worked out for you.  You learn something new with every post.

On the other hand, this does raise the question of why folks post  questions asking "can I..." when it might be easier to try it and find out for themselves.  That's how I learned, after all. 

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@Blitzzer wrote:
Well, guess what guys, hehehe, YOU ARE ALL WRONG!!!

I popped the hard drive in, hit the power button, typed in the product key on the back side of my 4550, activation accepted, downloaded sp1 and all other updates, works like a charm.  

Thanks anyway!!!

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Well guess what,,,,,,,,,,,NO THEY ARE NOT!!! ,,,,,,,,,,,cause it didnt work for me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,on line activation failed............so there IS more to it than that,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,