Installing vista on new build question.

S

stuartwwillis

New Member
Hey guys
I posted my last issues on this forum and resolved some problems I was having regarding fitting a graphics card in a small case.
Here:

http://www.computerforum.com/147542-how-fit-9800-gtx-dell-e521.html

I have a Dell E521 as you can see from the previous post. My question is this...
I have a internal hard drive (Sata 350GB seagate), I have two DVD/RW optical drives. Ive got a 500Watt power supply and a 9800GTX Graphics Card. On my system I have currently got, it came with windows vista home basic. And I have the installation CD. If I go out and buy a new AmD Phenom x4 processor and AMD motherboard and put it all together will I need to re-install windows vista because it will think its on a new computer (which subsequently wont let me do as you can only install it on one computer), or is vista kept on the hard drive and it will all work perfectly when I plug it all together as normal?

Thanks in advance!
 
First, you need to find out whether or not that Dell case will allow a motherboard swap. Many of these cases have a proprietary design and do not conform to the standard ATX form factor. If you can swap the mobo, you will have to reinstall the OS and will likely run into activation issues. You may be able to call Microsoft and have them reactivate (which is what you would do with a system builders copy of Vista), but since this is a license tied to a Dell model, they might refuse the reactivation. Your best bet is to build a new machine with all your new components and buy a new Vista license, or download a copy of the Windows 7 Release Candidate when it's released May 5th.
 
As im am aware this is a BTX not ATX as dell dont want people messin with their systems. So i would start a new build, as my choice would be limited with BTX as its shite. I just wasnt aware when you install a new motherboard that you must also go out and buy a new copy of windows vista.
I was not aware of this... thats another £70 to the bill.
Cheers for the help
 
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