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Replacing the motherboard in Aurora

post #1 of 12
2/18/06 at 3:31pm
Thread Starter 
Hello. It'll be 2 years from September when I bought my Alienware Aurora. It's still got top of the line parts (FX-53 processor and 2 gigs of PC-3200 ram). The only not so great part is the AGP slot. The only way around this is motherboard replacement. I have Windows Home that came with my system. Would I have to buy another copy if I replaced the motherboard? How about a clean install?
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post #2 of 12
2/18/06 at 3:37pm
YOu would not have to buy another copy. You may have to validate your activation with Microsoft (I just had to do so since I changed teh mobo in my ALX). It is easy and can be done either via the net or via the phone.
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post #3 of 12
2/18/06 at 4:10pm
yea you just call and tell them you formatted they will give you a code to validate. also dont forget your antistatic wrist strap JK...
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post #4 of 12
2/18/06 at 8:12pm
You may want to make a ghost image of the drive once you get it set up. I had a mobo replaced, and since then every time I reinstall windows, it won't verify on line, so they make me call in and wait on hold, then they ask if I've changed any hardware... I say yes, then they give me a huge verification number to plug in. It's not hard, but it's a pain in the butt.

If you do that once, then load windows and make an image of the drive, you can just reinstall the image instead of calling every time to get a new code for windows verification.
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post #5 of 12
2/18/06 at 10:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hammerhead
You may want to make a ghost image of the drive once you get it set up. I had a mobo replaced, and since then every time I reinstall windows, it won't verify on line, so they make me call in and wait on hold, then they ask if I've changed any hardware... I say yes, then they give me a huge verification number to plug in. It's not hard, but it's a pain in the butt.

If you do that once, then load windows and make an image of the drive, you can just reinstall the image instead of calling every time to get a new code for windows verification.
Hammer is right. Hell, you should do so when you first receive your rig from AW and then do it periodically if your system is in good running order. What works well is to make an image on a secondary (internal) drive since a DVD can be limiting. I recommend using Ghost 9 or later but do not use 2003 or the old school version used for the AW respawn. I think there is another program called Acronis True Image that works well if you want to avoid Symantec.
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post #6 of 12
2/19/06 at 5:11pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info! Alienware is replacing my powersupply for the 2nd time soon, so I'll see about it after that. I may do it now or wait for the next "latest and greatest" video card releases.
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post #7 of 12
2/19/06 at 8:24pm
http://www.aviransplace.com/index.ph...d-new-licence/



It seems M$ is requiring new license purchse with motherboard replacements.
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post #8 of 12
2/20/06 at 1:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by maxrule
http://www.aviransplace.com/index.ph...d-new-licence/



It seems M$ is requiring new license purchse with motherboard replacements.
That is for the OEM version of Windows and I think Alienware uses the $$$ version. I should be ok.
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post #9 of 12
2/20/06 at 1:41am
AW doesnt use retail XP, all pc manufacturers use OEM copies.
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post #10 of 12
2/20/06 at 3:43am
Make a video of you destorying your old mobo.
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post #11 of 12
2/22/06 at 5:06am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by maxrule
AW doesnt use retail XP, all pc manufacturers use OEM copies.
You're right. I just contacted Alienware and they said I'd need an new copy of Windows if I replace the motherboard.
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post #12 of 12
2/22/06 at 8:03am
and there it is.... the reason people pirate windows

to me you have windows it is yours not the motherboards but thats the money grabbing world we live in
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