to get around the that you call windows, and just tell them you had to re-install you OS. and they will unlock your key

Originally Posted by busdriver72

I just got to thinking about something.
Let's say your eMachine or Dell goes on the blink, but it is still under warranty. You take it into an approved service place for warranty service. Let's say it is the motherboard. How are THEY going to replace the motherboard and still have the computer work properly with Windows that would not (or should not) recognize the new motherboard (thinking it's on a different computer)? It would seem that there is some sort of work around....or is the maker going to provide a new install of Windows?

Dont think calling microsoft would work, theydont tattoo the hardware the companys do but its worth a try.

Its called tattooing, operating system identifies the cpu, m/board and hard drive etc and if any are changed for parts that are not tattoed os will not run saying a hardware change has occured, even if its same make and model m/board or cpu and hard drives it will not work with restore partitions or discs, but if you can get hold of genuine instal discs you can reinstall useing your original key.

What we could do with is if anyone has genuine windows discs or iso's (not downloads but genuine disks youve seen with your own eyes) sort of get a network to share them, no cracks no keygens, no corperate editions, ive got 32bit xphome xppro and vista all oem.

Popeye, the OEM versions of Windows that you buy. I know they're intended to just be used in the computer you build and then install it in. But with the OEM Windows, there is no "tatooing" that takes place, right? You could switch out motherboards, CPUs, etc. and the OEM version wouldn't care. Is this correct?

Correct bus.

yes thats right, with retail on say vista your allowed to install the os on upto three different computers but not at the same time, with oem your only supposed to be able to use them on one BUT, if you use the automated phone line thing when it doesnt activate you can force it to activate, just remember to punch in one when asked how many machines its installed on, but it will only run on one computer at a time install it on another and it will switch off (unless updates are turned off), ive installed on over a dozen computers for testing see if they will run vista never had a problem but then again i dont run the os on more than one computer at a time.

Thanks, guys.
I guess the next main question is what is the most affordable source for OEM Windows software?

Downloading them for free (not that i would advise you to you understand).

why what you after

Originally Posted by popeye67

(not that i would advise you to you understand)

lol, nice touch there....

Originally Posted by busdriver72

Had someone give me a non-working eMachine. Wouldn't power up.
Power supply doesn't come on.
Disconnected all cables except power connected to HD and CDROM.
Did the paper clip trick (I haven't received the tool kit yet...still waiting).
Power supply fan comes on, HD spins up and CDROM comes alive.
Okay, the power supply will at least do something.

Pull out paper clip. Connect to motherboard, yet I have everything else disconnected...no RAM, CPU, fans, HD...nothing else connected. Will not power up. I do the screwdriver trick on the pins on the MB just in case the power switch isn't working. Nothing. I hook up the power switch lead to the motherboard (which is the only thing connected to the mainboard.) Nothing works at all.
Add to all this....I find a little bit of black, powdery residue on top of a capacitor on the motherboard next to the ATX1 connection.
All this sounds like a bad motherboard.
Did I do this in a systematic way and is my conclusion logical?

My guess would be bad voltage regulator caps on the motherboard. EMachines are bad about this. An easy fix if you know how to solder on circuit boards. See Badcaps.net - Badcaps Home for parts & directions.

Too bad there isn't a way to test a capacitor.....is there?