Computer Died.....AGAIN

[Gimmie2]

well.... my power supply finally died on me.... over a year of continuous (or pretty close to it) operation @ peak capacity
now i am down to 2 parts from my computer that have been there from the beginning ( DvD drive and my 120GB hard drive)

[juneau]

well.... my power supply finally died on me.... over a year of continuous (or pretty close to it) operation @ peak capacity
now i am down to 2 parts from my computer that have been there from the beginning ( DvD drive and my 120GB hard drive)

Ouch. You do know that most PSU's start to fail at 70% capacity over all voltages right? I think if you were running at peak it would had died instantly.

I'd probably ditch the HDD too. HDD's have come along way since they were releasing 120GB models.

[Gimmie2]

Ouch. You do know that most PSU's start to fail at 70% capacity over all voltages right? I think if you were running at peak it would had died instantly.

I'd probably ditch the HDD too. HDD's have come along way since they were releasing 120GB models.

i would but windows wont install on my other drive it says that i need to re-register my copy of windows when i take the 120 out (too much of a hardware change) and the diagnostic i ran on it said it was running at "100% of safe voltage" lol

[juneau]

i would but windows wont install on my other drive it says that i need to re-register my copy of windows when i take the 120 out (too much of a hardware change) and the diagnostic i ran on it said it was running at "100% of safe voltage" lol

Windows ties itself to your mobo iirc. And considering you're just down to those two parts you'll have to install a fresh copy of windows when you get new parts anyway.

Just give MS a call and say your PSU blew taking your mobo with it and it's no longer made so it couldn't be a direct replacement. Then they'll let you activate it.

[Gimmie2]

Windows ties itself to your mobo iirc. And considering you're just down to those two parts you'll have to install a fresh copy of windows when you get new parts anyway.

Just give MS a call and say your PSU blew taking your mobo with it and it's no longer made so it couldn't be a direct replacement. Then they'll let you activate it.

i would but i dont have the CD anymore (maybe in my garage???).... and i just replaced my MoBo and CPU (thankfully both were the same brand and the mobo had a similar chipset as my previous one) and windows accepted them as viable replacements apparently.

[WalkinTarget]

That CD is not the important thing .. the COA sticker on your case is what is all important for you.

I can send you any copy of any MS Operating System you want, it doesn't do a THING without that 25 digit activation code.

Soooo, when do we get a budget amount so we can piece together a new rig for you ?

[juneau]

i would but i dont have the CD anymore (maybe in my garage???).... and i just replaced my MoBo and CPU (thankfully both were the same brand and the mobo had a similar chipset as my previous one) and windows accepted them as viable replacements apparently.

You're very lucky. Even slight difference in mobo specs can throw the OS installation off.

@WT: +1

[Gimmie2]

@WT atm i do not need an entirely new system, just a new PSU and case and i built the entire computer myself and dont have ANY stickers on anything (other than my monitors)
@Juneau yea i gathered as much from looking at the tech support forums on microsoft....

[WalkinTarget]

Hmmm, that COA (Certificate Of Authenticity) is the important piece to this puzzle. You need to come up with that or things go downhill fast (like in Olympic slalom downhill fast).
In regards to the PSU, you missed out on a sensational deal at the 'Egg two weeks ago (may still be going in some lesser form actually) which offered an OCZ 600w GameXstream unit (15a on each of the four +12 rails) for $80 - $30 MIR and an additional $12 off via a coupon code - and free shipping.

You cannot beat that deal.

To top it off, they tossed in an OCZ Diesel 4gb thumb drive for free.

Summary: After rebate and coupon code - $38 for a 600w PSU and a 4gb USB drive. Yes, I bought one

Case ? Dunno what the budget is, but might I recommend the Antec P182 at Newegg for $99 and free shipping (saves you at least $18 on this).

[juneau]

Hmmm, that COA (Certificate Of Authenticity) is the important piece to this puzzle. You need to come up with that or things go downhill fast (like in Olympic slalom downhill fast).
In regards to the PSU, you missed out on a sensational deal at the 'Egg two weeks ago (may still be going in some lesser form actually) which offered an OCZ 600w GameXstream unit (15a on each of the four +12 rails) for $80 - $30 MIR and an additional $12 off via a coupon code - and free shipping.

You cannot beat that deal.

To top it off, they tossed in an OCZ Diesel 4gb thumb drive for free.

Summary: After rebate and coupon code - $38 for a 600w PSU and a 4gb USB drive. Yes, I bought one

Case ? Dunno what the budget is, but might I recommend the Antec P182 at Newegg for $99 and free shipping (saves you at least $18 on this).

I recommend a Mountain Mods case.

[Savage_Hobo]

If you don't have your Windows Disk/License but your HDD still has a valid copy of Windows on it just image the drive and restore the image to the new hdd when you get it. You'll probably still need to reactive (if it's a new mobo) but I think Windows will generate the "numbers" that you tell the MS people... it's not your CD key but it's generated by your CD key.

[WalkinTarget]

Either way, its going to be an activation issue, in that he'd be lucky to get by with the automated activation, but I bet it will roll over to the human talking head on MS end to rectify the snafu at this point.

Ugly on so many levels ... good luck, gimmie !

I was waiting for Juneau to chime in with his MM case suggestion too

[juneau]

Either way, its going to be an activation issue, in that he'd be lucky to get by with the automated activation, but I bet it will roll over to the human talking head on MS end to rectify the snafu at this point.

Ugly on so many levels ... good luck, gimmie !

I was waiting for Juneau to chime in with his MM case suggestion too

Sometimes, i just can't help myself.

[Duke{CLR}]

When I built my rig I didn't want to put the sticker on my nice case so I put the sticker in the documentation that came with my OEM copy. It came in handy when I replaced my MB. I didn't have to talk to anybody from MS.

[Gimmie2]

its all good, my new PSU arrived and Microsoft didn't even notice....