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#1
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
Hi,
I find that, due to a lightning strike, my Dell Dimension 4500 motherboard and/or my CPU is bad. I bought the system nearly four years ago, and the warranty is expired. I have the original XP install disk that came with the system, and all the original drives, memory stick, video card, case, PSU, etc., all of which seem to work. If I buy a replacement motherboard and/or CPU from Dell or elsewhere, can I legally use the original copy of Windows XP? Is it going to be a nightmare getting past the WGA check so I can get updates? Thanks for your help. |
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#2
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
Matt wrote:
Hi, I find that, due to a lightning strike, my Dell Dimension 4500 motherboard and/or my CPU is bad. I bought the system nearly four years ago, and the warranty is expired. I have the original XP install disk that came with the system, and all the original drives, memory stick, video card, case, PSU, etc., all of which seem to work. If I buy a replacement motherboard and/or CPU from Dell or elsewhere, can I legally use the original copy of Windows XP? Is it going to be a nightmare getting past the WGA check so I can get updates? Thanks for your help. Unless the replacement motherboard is the same model as the original you would probably have Windows Product Activation issues. You might also have issues with the old Windows installation not being able to work properly without a repair installation or a clean installation. I would be surprised if installation media from a name brand like Dell would cooperate with attempts to repair or reinstall in a system that contains any motherboard other than a relatively narrow group of models from that manufacturer. Be VERY careful about Motherboard-PSU compatibility issues. SOME name brands use non standard power connector pin outs, despite having the same connector as the generic ATX connector. |
#3
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
"RobertVA" wrote in message ... Matt wrote: Hi, I find that, due to a lightning strike, my Dell Dimension 4500 motherboard and/or my CPU is bad. I bought the system nearly four years ago, and the warranty is expired. I have the original XP install disk that came with the system, and all the original drives, memory stick, video card, case, PSU, etc., all of which seem to work. If I buy a replacement motherboard and/or CPU from Dell or elsewhere, can I legally use the original copy of Windows XP? Is it going to be a nightmare getting past the WGA check so I can get updates? Thanks for your help. Unless the replacement motherboard is the same model as the original you would probably have Windows Product Activation issues. You might also have issues with the old Windows installation not being able to work properly without a repair installation or a clean installation. I would be surprised if installation media from a name brand like Dell would cooperate with attempts to repair or reinstall in a system that contains any motherboard other than a relatively narrow group of models from that manufacturer. Be VERY careful about Motherboard-PSU compatibility issues. SOME name brands use non standard power connector pin outs, despite having the same connector as the generic ATX connector. If you use the Dell supplied CD, it won't even go through activation. It's BIOS locked and will work fine. Tom |
#4
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
You absolutely have every right to use the CD (IMNSHO).
If you get the motherboard from Dell and boot from the CD, you should never see any prompt for a serial number or activation. Regards, Hank Arnold Matt wrote: Hi, I find that, due to a lightning strike, my Dell Dimension 4500 motherboard and/or my CPU is bad. I bought the system nearly four years ago, and the warranty is expired. I have the original XP install disk that came with the system, and all the original drives, memory stick, video card, case, PSU, etc., all of which seem to work. If I buy a replacement motherboard and/or CPU from Dell or elsewhere, can I legally use the original copy of Windows XP? Is it going to be a nightmare getting past the WGA check so I can get updates? Thanks for your help. |
#5
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
Matt wrote: Hi, I find that, due to a lightning strike, my Dell Dimension 4500 motherboard and/or my CPU is bad. I bought the system nearly four years ago, and the warranty is expired. I have the original XP install disk that came with the system, and all the original drives, memory stick, video card, case, PSU, etc., all of which seem to work. If I buy a replacement motherboard and/or CPU from Dell or elsewhere, can I legally use the original copy of Windows XP? Is it going to be a nightmare getting past the WGA check so I can get updates? Thanks for your help. Hank Arnold wrote: You absolutely have every right to use the CD (IMNSHO). If you get the motherboard from Dell and boot from the CD, you should never see any prompt for a serial number or activation. Regards, Hank Arnold Yes, but if you get a motherboard from someone else you not only MAY need to get a new PSU (the Dimension's 250W is a bit small anyway) the existing OS installation would probably be useless AND the setup on the installation/recovery media will probably refuse to work. This is one consequence of name brand manufacturers trying to lock you into depending on them for repairs and upgrades. It also protects them from the expense of customers wanting support when they have trouble getting systems with third party upgrades to work. In other words: Unless you plan to make SURE your new Dell MB is compatible with your existing installation media you may as well order a new case, PSU and Windows license with that motherboard. With voltage spike damage you may want to be prepared in case things like memory, the CPU and drives need replacing too. |
#6
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
FYI, the Dimension 4500 and other Dell Socket 478 P4 systems use exactly the
same ATX-12v power connector as found in generic computers. However, many of the other connectors are proprietary... Ben Myers On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 01:30:45 -0400, RobertVA wrote: Matt wrote: Hi, I find that, due to a lightning strike, my Dell Dimension 4500 motherboard and/or my CPU is bad. I bought the system nearly four years ago, and the warranty is expired. I have the original XP install disk that came with the system, and all the original drives, memory stick, video card, case, PSU, etc., all of which seem to work. If I buy a replacement motherboard and/or CPU from Dell or elsewhere, can I legally use the original copy of Windows XP? Is it going to be a nightmare getting past the WGA check so I can get updates? Thanks for your help. Unless the replacement motherboard is the same model as the original you would probably have Windows Product Activation issues. You might also have issues with the old Windows installation not being able to work properly without a repair installation or a clean installation. I would be surprised if installation media from a name brand like Dell would cooperate with attempts to repair or reinstall in a system that contains any motherboard other than a relatively narrow group of models from that manufacturer. Be VERY careful about Motherboard-PSU compatibility issues. SOME name brands use non standard power connector pin outs, despite having the same connector as the generic ATX connector. |
#7
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
The only motherboard model guaranteed to install trouble free is another
Dimension 4500 motherboard. I ***THINK*** but I'm not perfectly certain that the Dimension 4550 motherboard is close enough in its chipsets that it will not cause Micro$oft WGA to belch, fart and throw up all over your system. The Dimension 4600 motherboard has an Intel 865 chipset, which is different than the Intel 845 family chipset in the 4500. To use a 4600 board would require some chipset driver software installation and may have WGA issues, too. All use the same chassis with the same connectors for front panel, audio, and cooling fan. In addition to WGA issues, a non-Dell motherboard would be extremely difficult to integrate into a Dell chassis because it has several proprietary connectors to which proprietary Dell cables attach... Ben Myers On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 04:35:07 GMT, Matt wrote: Hi, I find that, due to a lightning strike, my Dell Dimension 4500 motherboard and/or my CPU is bad. I bought the system nearly four years ago, and the warranty is expired. I have the original XP install disk that came with the system, and all the original drives, memory stick, video card, case, PSU, etc., all of which seem to work. If I buy a replacement motherboard and/or CPU from Dell or elsewhere, can I legally use the original copy of Windows XP? Is it going to be a nightmare getting past the WGA check so I can get updates? Thanks for your help. |
#8
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
See my earlier post about motherboard models. A Dell branded motherboard is
the only practical option for a replacement. Period. The Dell 250w power supply has proven to be perfectly adequate for a Dell 4000-series system, even if it is tricked out with more memory and more devices. Still, if a power supply replacement is in order (generally a good idea when lightning strikes), careful selection of a good brand (Antec for example) of generic power supply will work. The Dell P4 series 4000, 8000, 2000, tower Optiplex, and tower Precision all use power supplies with a standard form factor easily obtainable. You are 100% correct that a thorough check of all the other hardware is in order after a catastrophic failure. The value of the OP's data accumulated over four years is yet another consideration... Ben Myers On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 05:41:26 -0400, RobertVA wrote: SNIP Yes, but if you get a motherboard from someone else you not only MAY need to get a new PSU (the Dimension's 250W is a bit small anyway) the existing OS installation would probably be useless AND the setup on the installation/recovery media will probably refuse to work. This is one consequence of name brand manufacturers trying to lock you into depending on them for repairs and upgrades. It also protects them from the expense of customers wanting support when they have trouble getting systems with third party upgrades to work. In other words: Unless you plan to make SURE your new Dell MB is compatible with your existing installation media you may as well order a new case, PSU and Windows license with that motherboard. With voltage spike damage you may want to be prepared in case things like memory, the CPU and drives need replacing too. |
#9
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
Thanks for your informative post, Ben.
The 4500 was offered with either 400Mhz or 533Mhz (front-side?) bus. Is that just a property of the CPU? Is there just one 4500 motherboard that works with both of those CPU frequencies? Also, if my CPU is bad, can I just drop in a new Celeron such as Intel Celeron D 315 Prescott 533MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor Model BX80546RE2267C - Retail $39.49, free shipping http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/...82E16819112196 Dell wants over $160 for a new 4500 mobo taxed and shipped, but I am seeing refurbs recently on ebay for $65. Ben Myers wrote: The only motherboard model guaranteed to install trouble free is another Dimension 4500 motherboard. I ***THINK*** but I'm not perfectly certain that the Dimension 4550 motherboard is close enough in its chipsets that it will not cause Micro$oft WGA to belch, fart and throw up all over your system. The Dimension 4600 motherboard has an Intel 865 chipset, which is different than the Intel 845 family chipset in the 4500. To use a 4600 board would require some chipset driver software installation and may have WGA issues, too. All use the same chassis with the same connectors for front panel, audio, and cooling fan. In addition to WGA issues, a non-Dell motherboard would be extremely difficult to integrate into a Dell chassis because it has several proprietary connectors to which proprietary Dell cables attach... Ben Myers On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 04:35:07 GMT, Matt wrote: Hi, I find that, due to a lightning strike, my Dell Dimension 4500 motherboard and/or my CPU is bad. I bought the system nearly four years ago, and the warranty is expired. I have the original XP install disk that came with the system, and all the original drives, memory stick, video card, case, PSU, etc., all of which seem to work. If I buy a replacement motherboard and/or CPU from Dell or elsewhere, can I legally use the original copy of Windows XP? Is it going to be a nightmare getting past the WGA check so I can get updates? Thanks for your help. |
#10
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
The 4500 board is supposed to be the same, but Dell may have used an early build
that supported only 400MHz FSB. If so, the Dell web site does not indicate this. Any Dimension 4500 board should be capable of handling either 400 or 533MHz FSB, depending on the choice of CPU. Unfortunately, I do not think that the 4500 BIOS will recognize the newer Celeron D or Pentium D CPUs. For this one, you need the older Pentium 4 or Celery processor identified by its processor clock speed, designed and manufactured before Intel's marketing and PR folks decided to obfuscate true processor speeds with their new naming conventions. A refurb from a reputable eBay source is as good as anything. The computer is worth barely more than $160 in pristine operating condition. Dell's price is one paid by desperate corporate procurement departments and other ignorant types... Ben Myers On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 21:37:23 GMT, Matt wrote: Thanks for your informative post, Ben. The 4500 was offered with either 400Mhz or 533Mhz (front-side?) bus. Is that just a property of the CPU? Is there just one 4500 motherboard that works with both of those CPU frequencies? Also, if my CPU is bad, can I just drop in a new Celeron such as Intel Celeron D 315 Prescott 533MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor Model BX80546RE2267C - Retail $39.49, free shipping http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/...82E16819112196 Dell wants over $160 for a new 4500 mobo taxed and shipped, but I am seeing refurbs recently on ebay for $65. Ben Myers wrote: The only motherboard model guaranteed to install trouble free is another Dimension 4500 motherboard. I ***THINK*** but I'm not perfectly certain that the Dimension 4550 motherboard is close enough in its chipsets that it will not cause Micro$oft WGA to belch, fart and throw up all over your system. The Dimension 4600 motherboard has an Intel 865 chipset, which is different than the Intel 845 family chipset in the 4500. To use a 4600 board would require some chipset driver software installation and may have WGA issues, too. All use the same chassis with the same connectors for front panel, audio, and cooling fan. In addition to WGA issues, a non-Dell motherboard would be extremely difficult to integrate into a Dell chassis because it has several proprietary connectors to which proprietary Dell cables attach... Ben Myers On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 04:35:07 GMT, Matt wrote: Hi, I find that, due to a lightning strike, my Dell Dimension 4500 motherboard and/or my CPU is bad. I bought the system nearly four years ago, and the warranty is expired. I have the original XP install disk that came with the system, and all the original drives, memory stick, video card, case, PSU, etc., all of which seem to work. If I buy a replacement motherboard and/or CPU from Dell or elsewhere, can I legally use the original copy of Windows XP? Is it going to be a nightmare getting past the WGA check so I can get updates? Thanks for your help. |
#11
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 04:35:07 GMT, Matt
wrote: Hi, I find that, due to a lightning strike, my Dell Dimension 4500 motherboard and/or my CPU is bad. I bought the system nearly four years ago, and the warranty is expired. I have the original XP install disk that came with the system, and all the original drives, memory stick, video card, case, PSU, etc., all of which seem to work. If I buy a replacement motherboard and/or CPU from Dell or elsewhere, can I legally use the original copy of Windows XP? Is it going to be a nightmare getting past the WGA check so I can get updates? Thanks for your help. If you manage to locate the same board (good luck for a 4 year old box!) it should work fine. Replacing it with anything else violates Microsoft's interpretation of the OEM license and you probably won't be able to make it work. |
#12
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
Thanks again, Ben.
Trying to figure what parts I need. The suspects seem to be the power supply, the motherboard, and the CPU. Right after the lightning strike, I turned the system on, and it reported some failure in the POST and gave a choice to go into the BIOS or continue or so. I seem to recall that I was able to enter the BIOS, but I didn't know what to do there anyway. Subsequent attempts to boot gave beep codes only---nothing on the screen. I have lightly tested the video card and drives in another computer and I think they are going to be okay. The RAM passes memtest-86 in another computer. Now I test it with all PCI cards removed, just one RAM stick and the video card. I press the power button and I hear two quick little beeps, a pause, then six longer beeps, all the beeps together taking about three seconds. The following page documents the POST beep codes and the diagnostic lights on the back of the motherboard: http://support2.jp.dell.com/docs/sys...0/advanced.htm The diagnostic lights are lit as follows: A,B,D: green C: yellow The beep code for six beeps (or should I also count the two quick little beeps?) indicates "8042 Gate A20 cannot be toggled" and "The keyboard controller failed its test". The lights indicate "Microprocessor has failed a BIOS test." Any ideas about what parts are bad? Ben Myers wrote: The 4500 board is supposed to be the same, but Dell may have used an early build that supported only 400MHz FSB. If so, the Dell web site does not indicate this. Any Dimension 4500 board should be capable of handling either 400 or 533MHz FSB, depending on the choice of CPU. Unfortunately, I do not think that the 4500 BIOS will recognize the newer Celeron D or Pentium D CPUs. For this one, you need the older Pentium 4 or Celery processor identified by its processor clock speed, designed and manufactured before Intel's marketing and PR folks decided to obfuscate true processor speeds with their new naming conventions. A refurb from a reputable eBay source is as good as anything. The computer is worth barely more than $160 in pristine operating condition. Dell's price is one paid by desperate corporate procurement departments and other ignorant types... Ben Myers On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 21:37:23 GMT, Matt wrote: Thanks for your informative post, Ben. The 4500 was offered with either 400Mhz or 533Mhz (front-side?) bus. Is that just a property of the CPU? Is there just one 4500 motherboard that works with both of those CPU frequencies? Also, if my CPU is bad, can I just drop in a new Celeron such as Intel Celeron D 315 Prescott 533MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor Model BX80546RE2267C - Retail $39.49, free shipping http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/...82E16819112196 Dell wants over $160 for a new 4500 mobo taxed and shipped, but I am seeing refurbs recently on ebay for $65. Ben Myers wrote: The only motherboard model guaranteed to install trouble free is another Dimension 4500 motherboard. I ***THINK*** but I'm not perfectly certain that the Dimension 4550 motherboard is close enough in its chipsets that it will not cause Micro$oft WGA to belch, fart and throw up all over your system. The Dimension 4600 motherboard has an Intel 865 chipset, which is different than the Intel 845 family chipset in the 4500. To use a 4600 board would require some chipset driver software installation and may have WGA issues, too. All use the same chassis with the same connectors for front panel, audio, and cooling fan. In addition to WGA issues, a non-Dell motherboard would be extremely difficult to integrate into a Dell chassis because it has several proprietary connectors to which proprietary Dell cables attach... Ben Myers On Mon, 21 Aug 2006 04:35:07 GMT, Matt wrote: Hi, I find that, due to a lightning strike, my Dell Dimension 4500 motherboard and/or my CPU is bad. I bought the system nearly four years ago, and the warranty is expired. I have the original XP install disk that came with the system, and all the original drives, memory stick, video card, case, PSU, etc., all of which seem to work. If I buy a replacement motherboard and/or CPU from Dell or elsewhere, can I legally use the original copy of Windows XP? Is it going to be a nightmare getting past the WGA check so I can get updates? Thanks for your help. |
#13
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
Matt wrote:
I press the power button and I hear two quick little beeps, a pause, then six longer beeps, all the beeps together taking about three seconds. The following page documents the POST beep codes and the diagnostic lights on the back of the motherboard: http://support2.jp.dell.com/docs/sys...0/advanced.htm The diagnostic lights are lit as follows: A,B,D: green C: yellow I just noticed that before the lights go into the pattern above, they briefly (1/2 second) show the following pattern: A,B: green C,D: yellow which has the meaning "Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred." As I mentioned previously, the RAM sticks passed memtest-86 in another computer. The beep code for six beeps (or should I also count the two quick little beeps?) indicates "8042 Gate A20 cannot be toggled" and "The keyboard controller failed its test". The lights indicate "Microprocessor has failed a BIOS test." |
#14
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
My first try would be to replace the motherboard. Next, the power supply. Some
people might try a new power supply first... Ben Myers On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:20:21 GMT, Matt wrote: Matt wrote: I press the power button and I hear two quick little beeps, a pause, then six longer beeps, all the beeps together taking about three seconds. The following page documents the POST beep codes and the diagnostic lights on the back of the motherboard: http://support2.jp.dell.com/docs/sys...0/advanced.htm The diagnostic lights are lit as follows: A,B,D: green C: yellow I just noticed that before the lights go into the pattern above, they briefly (1/2 second) show the following pattern: A,B: green C,D: yellow which has the meaning "Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred." As I mentioned previously, the RAM sticks passed memtest-86 in another computer. The beep code for six beeps (or should I also count the two quick little beeps?) indicates "8042 Gate A20 cannot be toggled" and "The keyboard controller failed its test". The lights indicate "Microprocessor has failed a BIOS test." |
#15
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WGA: replace motherboard but keep my copy of XP?
So you think there's a decent chance the CPU is okay?
Ben Myers wrote: My first try would be to replace the motherboard. Next, the power supply. Some people might try a new power supply first... Ben Myers On Tue, 22 Aug 2006 17:20:21 GMT, Matt wrote: Matt wrote: I press the power button and I hear two quick little beeps, a pause, then six longer beeps, all the beeps together taking about three seconds. The following page documents the POST beep codes and the diagnostic lights on the back of the motherboard: http://support2.jp.dell.com/docs/sys...0/advanced.htm The diagnostic lights are lit as follows: A,B,D: green C: yellow I just noticed that before the lights go into the pattern above, they briefly (1/2 second) show the following pattern: A,B: green C,D: yellow which has the meaning "Memory modules are detected, but a memory failure has occurred." As I mentioned previously, the RAM sticks passed memtest-86 in another computer. The beep code for six beeps (or should I also count the two quick little beeps?) indicates "8042 Gate A20 cannot be toggled" and "The keyboard controller failed its test". The lights indicate "Microprocessor has failed a BIOS test." |
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