What's Wrong With This CPU?

[TooLFooL]

I think my next OS might be an upgrade version after looking at this.

now an UPGRADE version means it will upgrade an EXISTING windows install, ie. upgrade from XP to Vista. you CANNOT use an "upgrade" version to do a clean install. you use your existing licence for the new OS. this is probably the worst option IMO.

[Ethlred]

now an UPGRADE version means it will upgrade an EXISTING windows install,

No. Thats only right if you don't know how to install clean with an upgrade. You do NOT have to install over the old OS. Not even with Vista from what I have heard and definitely not with XP. With XP you don't have to have ME or 98 installed. You only need to swap in the qualifying installation CD when the installation process says it can't find a qualifying product. Vista however does require that the qualifying product is installed. It is supposed to give you the option of making a clean install. I hear that it doesn't always do so.

However there is a trick that I used with 98 and XP. Rename the Windows and Program folders. It was fairly easy with 98 I only needed to use a Dos boot disc but XP is trickier. I have done it two different ways. First and most time consuming was to install XP on my second hard drive, then I could rename the folders by booting off the new installation. Now I can do it with Knoppix. Or Bart's PE should I ever get around to setting up a disk.

The rename trick is what Vista is supposed to be using for the clean install. I first used it at least 8 years ago so surely MS must have figured it out by now. There is also a trick that doesn't even require anything but the Vista upgrade disk but maybe MS has blocked it with SP1 in the newer boxes.

Just googled it. Lots of sites have the trick. Apparently it still works with SP1.

[TBoneit]

Wel,l as I've read it previously changing the motherboard as a repair is OK, Changing it as a upgrade is against the EULA. If it was such a taboo subject why does Microsoft have instructions on their website telling what to do before changing so that the windows will run?

The thing to remember if you change the motherboard on a major brand is that the Windows disk they give you may not even install. As a part of the install it checks the bios branding and then if a Dell disc in a Dell computer it installs and doesn't need activation. One reason to go back to the maker for the motherboard.

[Video Head]

[quote="Ethlred"]

Sometimes when you replace an engine you are required to notify the authorities as the VIN is usually stamped on the engine block...sound familiar?

Actually in a PC the closest thing to a VIN number is from the Ethernet interface. If the Ethernet number changes its supposed to be an automatic re-activation requirement with Windows XP.

Are you talking about a MAC address? What about machines with multiple network cards?

[TooLFooL]

No. Thats only right if you don't know how to install clean with an upgrade.

well perhaps there is a 'trick' but still, as you yourself stated, you NEED a valid windows disk with a valid licence for upgrade version to work..

TooLFooL wrote:
Sometimes when you replace an engine you are required to notify the authorities as the VIN is usually stamped on the engine block...sound familiar?

(i didn't write that! lol!)

[Ethlred]

Are you talking about a MAC address? What about machines with multiple network cards?

I guess its the MAC address. Sometimes all the crap in my head get stirred into pudding.

As for multiple network cards, I had that for a while. Two wireless cars plus the motherboard's built in network interface. Wasn't a problem. I don't know the details I simply read that the network address was an automatic reactivation early on. That may have changed as XP was modified over time. I know MS said they made their rules more open. Maybe I benefited.

[Ethlred]

well perhaps there is a 'trick' but still, as you yourself stated, you NEED a valid windows disk with a valid licence for upgrade version to work..

For XP. For Vista there is that work around. I haven't done it myself since I am still using XP. I am NOT recommending that a person take advantage of it WITHOUT owning a qualifying product.

When people say MS overcharges for their operating systems I always remember just how bloody expensive CP/M was when MS was just making BASIC for Apple and S100 bus systems and no operating systems. I think it was around $500. In the early 80's. In comparison to Linux, Vista is pretty dear but in comparison to CP/M its pretty reasonable.

Well after doing some searching I found that CP/M-86 for the IBM PC was sold for $240 each. Sounds more reasonable . I might be remembering the Apple version that had hardware as well as software.

[jagabo]

When people say MS overcharges for their operating systems I always remember just how bloody expensive CP/M was when MS was just making BASIC for Apple and S100 bus systems and no operating systems. I think it was around $500. In the early 80's. In comparison to Linux, Vista is pretty dear but in comparison to CP/M its pretty reasonable.

Well after doing some searching I found that CP/M-86 for the IBM PC was sold for $240 each. Sounds more reasonable . I might be remembering the Apple version that had hardware as well as software.

But hardware was more expensive and the market much smaller then. You can buy all the hardware to run Windows for less than the cost of Windows (retail) now. That wasn't true in the CP/M days. The cost of CP/M was less than 1/10 the cost of the hardware to run it.

[TBoneit]

No. Thats only right if you don't know how to install clean with an upgrade.

well perhaps there is a 'trick' but still, as you yourself stated, you NEED a valid windows disk with a valid licence for upgrade version to work..

TooLFooL wrote:
Sometimes when you replace an engine you are required to notify the authorities as the VIN is usually stamped on the engine block...sound familiar?

(i didn't write that! lol!)

Not a trick as it is something the software is designed to do. And to clarify you only need a qualifying disc of the right type there is no license check. And if you didn't have a Valid Windows Disc then you shouldn't have been running windows.

Example Windows 2000 Pro can not be upgraded with XP Home, You have to use a XP Pro upgrade. As MS feels that XP Home would be a downgrade from Windows 2000 Pro.

[Video Head]

Are you talking about a MAC address? What about machines with multiple network cards?

I guess its the MAC address. Sometimes all the crap in my head get stirred into pudding.

As for multiple network cards, I had that for a while. Two wireless cars plus the motherboard's built in network interface. Wasn't a problem. I don't know the details I simply read that the network address was an automatic reactivation early on. That may have changed as XP was modified over time. I know MS said they made their rules more open. Maybe I benefited.

The only time I have ever had to do a reactivation is when doing a clean install. I have changed out NIC's and processors with no problems. Even when changing the mobo with a new processor and integrated NIC, XP Pro reactivated online with no issues. I do use an NFR version and that may be the difference.

Microsoft does offer training for resellers. You can take a simple instructional course to better understand the different levels of products and licenses. You can also take more involved training to become a Microsoft Certified Professional. You may wish to check with your employer about what is available to you. Any of the licensing courses would assist you in providing informed information to your customers and an MCP is never a bad thing to have.

[Ethlred]

You can buy all the hardware to run Windows for less than the cost of Windows (retail) now. That wasn't true in the CP/M days. The cost of CP/M was less than 1/10 the cost of the hardware to run it.

Don't remember what the IBMediocre cost when it started. About 2 grand maybe so THAT would be close to 10 to 1 for CP/M. So you have a bit of a point but there is more to it. The OEM editions of are still cheaper than the hardware. And the software takes far more man hours than it did then while the hardware far less, and man hours is the main factor in cost.

Now for the Apple ][ Plus, that was just under $1,000 in 1979 so CP/m for it was 1/2 the cost of the computer though it wasn't availible until later for the Apple][. Not counting a monitor and many used their TV. My brother and I used a green screen monitor. Oops almost forgot the floppy drives since we didn't have one to start. IIRC the first one was $200. Memory was pretty dear as well. But not enough to bring the cost of hardware close to 10 to 1. Maybe 3 to 1.

[Ethlred]

[quote="Video Head"][quote="Ethlred"]

Microsoft does offer training for resellers. You can take a simple instructional course to better understand the different levels of products and licenses. You can also take more involved training to become a Microsoft Certified Professional. You may wish to check with your employer about what is available to you. Any of the licensing courses would assist you in providing informed information to your customers and an MCP is never a bad thing to have.

I take it you don't have any idea how much (little) retail pays. And how little most salesmen know. I am already way overqualified technically in comparison to my peers. I have been using PC's of various types for 30 years.

Frankly I am still somewhat amazed when people ask for advice from me for the first time (the second time they know about me). Why the heck ask someone who's job is to sell the item with the most profit and usually is completely ignorant of even that. Only the commissioned salesmen really care about the profit. People really need to learn about Google or at least read a bloody magazine. What ever happened to buyer beware. Yes I tell people that. I am a really weird salesman.