Pretty basic quesion for this group I'm sure but I've been away from
hardware for a bit of time. Appreciate the patience.
I have an old T4160 eMachine and I'm pretty sure the mainboard went bad.
Wondering if I can replace it for maybe 50-75 bucks.
No machine details because first I'm wondering what's gonna happen with the
Windows Xp license? The drive and data are all OK but isn't that Genuine
Windows check that happens on updates going to think it's been put on
another machine and lock it up?
On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:28:24 -0500, Red Green
<postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>Pretty basic quesion for this group I'm sure but I've been away from
>hardware for a bit of time. Appreciate the patience.
>
>I have an old T4160 eMachine and I'm pretty sure the mainboard went bad.
>Wondering if I can replace it for maybe 50-75 bucks.
Probably, assuming you find something compatible... best bet
is a board using same chipset and you should measure the
current board or even better the available space and
mounting holes in the case to determine acceptible
dimensions for the replacement. It's probably just a
standard mATX motherboard, but better to know for sure then
find out it won't fit at the last moment.
Another variable might be whether the front ports use a
standard pinout connector to the motherboard or something
more integrated, proprietary. Same goes for the front panel
power, reset, and indicator LEDs. Proprietary pinouts can
sometimes be easily worked around but other times it would
require making a new connector one way or another, or
abandoning use of some of the ports focusing only on bare
requirements like power switch (and probably LEDs are also
deemed necessary).
If you were able to find exact same board you might not even
need to contact MS. It would also remove questions of
compatibility with the case, but the large variable that
remains is why the current board failed and whether the
problem is present on all of them. For example failed
capacitors would be a problem you'd face again on a
replacement board unless the manufacturer changed cap brands
(and to a better rather than just equivalent budget cap
brand) between certain runs so the replacement has a better
chance of long term survival... or perhaps it's worthwhile
to consider the system's life *half gone* if you can get as
long a life with the replacement board as the original.
>
>No machine details because first I'm wondering what's gonna happen with the
>Windows Xp license? The drive and data are all OK but isn't that Genuine
>Windows check that happens on updates going to think it's been put on
>another machine and lock it up?
>
>Thanks,
>Red...
It will most likely prompt you for activation, may go online
to do it, and likely will not activate so you'll have to
call MS and read them your (case sticker?) certificate
installation key at which point they'll read back an
activation code you input.
When you call them the wording of your request might be
important, making it clear to them that this is not an
upgrade or chosen chanage to the system but rather a direct
repair scenario where an equivalent part was used for the
repair (if they ask at all, if they don't ask there's no
reason to stir the pot).
The reason for this is ambiguity in reuse of an OEM license
when the motherboard is replaced, because some would like to
go against the intention of the EULA and replace whole
system therefore creating a distinctly new, different
system, instead of the intent being to keep using what they
had within reason (still being allowed to upgrade minor
parts). IOW, I would say buying a motherboard that cannot
use the current CPU or at least same family of CPUs that
might've been upgradable on the old board, would be going
beyond the intent of a mere repair, but again there is some
grey area and disagreement about such things.
Red Green wrote:
> Pretty basic quesion for this group I'm sure but I've been away from
> hardware for a bit of time. Appreciate the patience.
>
> I have an old T4160 eMachine and I'm pretty sure the mainboard went bad.
> Wondering if I can replace it for maybe 50-75 bucks.
>
> No machine details because first I'm wondering what's gonna happen with the
> Windows Xp license? The drive and data are all OK but isn't that Genuine
> Windows check that happens on updates going to think it's been put on
> another machine and lock it up?
I just replaced a wonky motherboard in a machine with an OEM XP license.
Before doing so, I called Microsoft about the same said license
issue. I was careful to point out that the motherboard was a
replacement for one that had been flakey since the system build. They
had not problem with what I was doing.
When it came to activation, I telephoned, figuring that I would have to
talk to a rep anyhow. It turns out that the automated registration went
through fine.
"Red Green" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:Xns99D8563367229RedGreen@216.196.97.136...
> Pretty basic quesion for this group I'm sure but I've been away from
> hardware for a bit of time. Appreciate the patience.
>
> I have an old T4160 eMachine and I'm pretty sure the mainboard went bad.
> Wondering if I can replace it for maybe 50-75 bucks.
>
> No machine details because first I'm wondering what's gonna happen with
> the
> Windows Xp license? The drive and data are all OK but isn't that Genuine
> Windows check that happens on updates going to think it's been put on
> another machine and lock it up?
Assuming you can get a new board...
Don't worry about the XP license. As you have a genuine license, then even
if the installation flags up a PC change, you get around 10 fresh
installations on an XP license before you have to call Microsoft. Even if
you do have to call them, you are not doing anything wrong, so there
shouldn't be a problem.
> Pretty basic quesion for this group I'm sure but I've been away from
> hardware for a bit of time. Appreciate the patience.
>
> I have an old T4160 eMachine and I'm pretty sure the mainboard went bad.
> Wondering if I can replace it for maybe 50-75 bucks.
>
> No machine details because first I'm wondering what's gonna happen with
> the Windows Xp license? The drive and data are all OK but isn't that
> Genuine Windows check that happens on updates going to think it's been put
> on another machine and lock it up?
>
> Thanks,
> Red...
i use my xp disk from my laptop and installed it on a amd xp cpu/motherboard
and registered it. then i upgraded to a amd x2 64 bit cpu/motherboard and
used the same xp disk and registered it all i told them was that the
motherboard went bad and had no problem as long as they know it is being
install on one machine they have no problem. Needless to say i use the
system restore disks on the laptop that's when you got restore disk and xp
install disks in one package with laptops.
"GT" <ContactGT_remove_@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:0197df05$0$31966$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com:
> "Red Green" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
> news:Xns99D8563367229RedGreen@216.196.97.136...
>> Pretty basic quesion for this group I'm sure but I've been away from
>> hardware for a bit of time. Appreciate the patience.
>>
>> I have an old T4160 eMachine and I'm pretty sure the mainboard went
>> bad. Wondering if I can replace it for maybe 50-75 bucks.
>>
>> No machine details because first I'm wondering what's gonna happen
>> with the
>> Windows Xp license? The drive and data are all OK but isn't that
>> Genuine Windows check that happens on updates going to think it's
>> been put on another machine and lock it up?
>
> Assuming you can get a new board...
>
> Don't worry about the XP license. As you have a genuine license, then
> even if the installation flags up a PC change, you get around 10 fresh
> installations on an XP license before you have to call Microsoft. Even
> if you do have to call them, you are not doing anything wrong, so
> there shouldn't be a problem.
>
>
It's genuine but I failed to mention it's one of those OEM eMachine OS
restore CD's. Those restore CD always say it will only restore on their
machine. I have no experience on that validity.
Was just curious about availability and cost so I contacted eMachines. They
pointed me to a link with all the MBs they have. They do not show a Dublin
MB. So even at their inflated prices, an OEM is unavailable.
I Googled the MB and even have a p/n of 127760 that was printed on the
board. No luck.
If anyone has any suggestions I'm listening.
The 1.6 was fine for what I do. Few weeks to Thanksgiving mega sales.
Hopefully can pick up a sufficient cheapie. All I need is the system unit.
Embarrassingly I looked in WalMart. They had an fairly equivalent eMachine
system unit only for $300. I think that's overpriced for what it is.
Ovbiously, I have a machine until I get whatever.
"Red Green" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:Xns99D95E2986D37RedGreen@216.196.97.136...
> "GT" <ContactGT_remove_@hotmail.com> wrote in
> news:0197df05$0$31966$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com:
>
>> "Red Green" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
>> news:Xns99D8563367229RedGreen@216.196.97.136...
>>> Pretty basic quesion for this group I'm sure but I've been away from
>>> hardware for a bit of time. Appreciate the patience.
>>>
>>> I have an old T4160 eMachine and I'm pretty sure the mainboard went
>>> bad. Wondering if I can replace it for maybe 50-75 bucks.
>>>
>>> No machine details because first I'm wondering what's gonna happen
>>> with the
>>> Windows Xp license? The drive and data are all OK but isn't that
>>> Genuine Windows check that happens on updates going to think it's
>>> been put on another machine and lock it up?
>>
>> Assuming you can get a new board...
>>
>> Don't worry about the XP license. As you have a genuine license, then
>> even if the installation flags up a PC change, you get around 10 fresh
>> installations on an XP license before you have to call Microsoft. Even
>> if you do have to call them, you are not doing anything wrong, so
>> there shouldn't be a problem.
>>
>>
>
> It's genuine but I failed to mention it's one of those OEM eMachine OS
> restore CD's. Those restore CD always say it will only restore on their
> machine. I have no experience on that validity.
I have a Dell laptop that came with an OEM XP restore disk. I used this disk
in another PC and the only problem was that it tried to install drivers for
hardware that I didn't have - the XP operating system part was fine.
"GT" <ContactGT_remove_@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:0199368e$0$31981$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com:
> "Red Green" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
> news:Xns99D95E2986D37RedGreen@216.196.97.136...
>> "GT" <ContactGT_remove_@hotmail.com> wrote in
>> news:0197df05$0$31966$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com:
>>
>>> "Red Green" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
>>> news:Xns99D8563367229RedGreen@216.196.97.136...
>>>> Pretty basic quesion for this group I'm sure but I've been away
>>>> from hardware for a bit of time. Appreciate the patience.
>>>>
>>>> I have an old T4160 eMachine and I'm pretty sure the mainboard went
>>>> bad. Wondering if I can replace it for maybe 50-75 bucks.
>>>>
>>>> No machine details because first I'm wondering what's gonna happen
>>>> with the
>>>> Windows Xp license? The drive and data are all OK but isn't that
>>>> Genuine Windows check that happens on updates going to think it's
>>>> been put on another machine and lock it up?
>>>
>>> Assuming you can get a new board...
>>>
>>> Don't worry about the XP license. As you have a genuine license,
>>> then even if the installation flags up a PC change, you get around
>>> 10 fresh installations on an XP license before you have to call
>>> Microsoft. Even if you do have to call them, you are not doing
>>> anything wrong, so there shouldn't be a problem.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> It's genuine but I failed to mention it's one of those OEM eMachine
>> OS restore CD's. Those restore CD always say it will only restore on
>> their machine. I have no experience on that validity.
>
> I have a Dell laptop that came with an OEM XP restore disk. I used
> this disk in another PC and the only problem was that it tried to
> install drivers for hardware that I didn't have - the XP operating
> system part was fine.
>
>
>
Thanks for the reply. Of course, every mfgr is different depending on how
much effort they want to put into it. A crapshoot.
On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:26:04 -0000, "GT"
<ContactGT_remove_@hotmail.com> wrote:
>"Red Green" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
>news:Xns99D8563367229RedGreen@216.196.97.136...
>> Pretty basic quesion for this group I'm sure but I've been away from
>> hardware for a bit of time. Appreciate the patience.
>>
>> I have an old T4160 eMachine and I'm pretty sure the mainboard went bad.
>> Wondering if I can replace it for maybe 50-75 bucks.
>>
>> No machine details because first I'm wondering what's gonna happen with
>> the
>> Windows Xp license? The drive and data are all OK but isn't that Genuine
>> Windows check that happens on updates going to think it's been put on
>> another machine and lock it up?
>
>Assuming you can get a new board...
>
>Don't worry about the XP license. As you have a genuine license, then even
>if the installation flags up a PC change, you get around 10 fresh
>installations on an XP license before you have to call Microsoft. Even if
>you do have to call them, you are not doing anything wrong, so there
>shouldn't be a problem.
>
OEM licenses often authenticate based on a BIOS string so
this may be the first time the activation has to determine
validity and could cause a phone call to be necessary. I'm
sure I've had to call them before when replacing a board,
but as you said it shouldn't be a problem, UNLESS you get
ahold of a CSR that decides new motherboard constitutes a
"new" system... and some do which is why it is important to
omit this or if necessary, stress that it is a direct
replacement of a failed part, not an upgrade.
On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:51:49 -0000, "GT"
<ContactGT_remove_@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> It's genuine but I failed to mention it's one of those OEM eMachine OS
>> restore CD's. Those restore CD always say it will only restore on their
>> machine. I have no experience on that validity.
>
>I have a Dell laptop that came with an OEM XP restore disk. I used this disk
>in another PC and the only problem was that it tried to install drivers for
>hardware that I didn't have - the XP operating system part was fine.
>
I suspect you are confusing terms, and that what you had was
an OEM XP Windows Installation disc, not a restoration disk.
The typical restoration disc holds an image of the hard
drive partition(s) and uses a bios string (once I had
fiddled around with one and found it did something like that
that string, use it (or a derivative of it) as a password to
decompress the files on that restoration CD... and it would
simply state it wasn't valid (or words to that effect) if it
was not a very similar model, same make of motherboard (an
OEM restore CD may work for more than one model # if they're
similar enough).
It is possible the restoration disc has a separate store of
windows installation files but I doubt it as that is going
to take up a lot of space on a CD... if it were multiple CDs
it might seem more likely but if there were separate XP
installation files already it would seem most likely it was
just on a separate OEM XP disc.
Mainboard Replacement & Xp License 
Linear Mode
