Im doing the same thing most people are doing, buy 1 peice at a time as money is available. But that creates a valid argument that the computer will not be useable until you have the enitre thing put together, which could take many months.

So here's my question:

Buying The CPU/Motherboard/Case only--- Then  Taking my current Computer's  Hard Drive with windows on it, and all my personal files - Using the Power Supply - the RAM - the Graphics Card.

I should be able to run it right? Putting in my current Hard drive in a new mother board, it should just boot up like normal? or will doing this create problems I did not anticipate.

Then just getting new parts as I go, but still having a working computer along the way?

Probably not.  Windows needs appropriate drivers for the hardware it uses.  In some cases, it can install the right driver for new hardware that you plug in.  But a Windows license is typically tied to the motherboard, so even if it could just install the right driver if Microsoft wanted it to, it wouldn't, because Microsoft doesn't want it to.  Their basic stance is that replacing the motherboard is replacing the computer, and that requires a new license.

If you're going to replace everything, then I'd just get a new computer and leave the old one functional.  Or is there some hardware that you were planning on not replacing at all in the near future?

Sry i cant help ya im completely clueless when we talk about computer config stuff

well i was planning on replaceing every peice eventually. but i was HOPING that I could atleast use it with just the new mother board and cpu., with all the old stuff thrown into it.

But sounds like you are saying that the new mother board would reject windows unless i bought a new copy?

If your version of Windows is a full retail version you should be able to install it into a "new" system.  Even if you encounter problems, as long as it's a legit retail version you should be able to call up microsoft support and explain to them you are upgrading your old system and need the license moved over.  If you aren't sure how to do that a quick Google search will give all the answers you need.  If it is however the standard OEM version this is not an option and is the reason OEM versions are cheaper as they write to the motherboard they are initiall installed on and can no longer be use on another MB (legally).

Originally posted by WellzyC

 

Im doing the same thing most people are doing, buy 1 peice at a time as money is available. But that creates a valid argument that the computer will not be useable until you have the enitre thing put together, which could take many months.

 

So here's my question:

Buying The CPU/Motherboard/Case only--- Then  Taking my current Computer's  Hard Drive with windows on it, and all my personal files - Using the Power Supply - the RAM - the Graphics Card.

 

I should be able to run it right? Putting in my current Hard drive in a new mother board, it should just boot up like normal? or will doing this create problems I did not anticipate.

 

Then just getting new parts as I go, but still having a working computer along the way?

 

I'm sorry to be the bringer of bad news but what your planning is not gonna work.

The hardware is working because of the software, if you change hardware like CPU and motherboard on your window system, restarting the PC will not work.

The registry bind your hardware to window has your hardware bind window by the registry.

If you change the cpu and the motherboard, you will have to reinstall window has well.

ps : to upgrade your old system, in microsoft eyes you need , 1 cpu, 1 motherboard and 1 hard drive at least.

thanks for the info.

Sucks that they have to be such nazis about the software. Would save a lot of money and hasle that way.

The basic idea is that if you get a new computer, then you need a new OS license for it.  Otherwise, people would buy one OS license and use it for a zillion different computers (share with friends, etc.), and Microsoft would make no money.

What pc do you have, specs and parts?

Originally posted by WellzyC

thanks for the info.

 

Sucks that they have to be such nazis about the software. Would save a lot of money and hasle that way.

What Microsoft is doing is very much a monopoly business decision, and it's pretty disgusting. They should have the tech to say that you can buy an OS and then use it on one machine, and thats that, not their business if you upgrade motherboard.

Seeing as they come out with new OS in a pretty quick timeframe they would still be selling new OS.

If they had a competitor they would have to be more userfriendly, unless the two of them decides to shake hands beneath the table.