Emachines 2210 switch wiring
- Thread starter PAVEE
- Start date
AlbertLionheart
Posts: 1,997 +3
Good point about the XP install CD - I tend to forget that people don't have these things lying around.......
Actually, TMagic650, we don't see any differences in the eMachines Recover disk sets when compared to Sony, HP, Compaq, Systemmax.... same service packs for the same time periods... None older than the others of the same dates, and their driver disks are also very up to date. Dell disks are quite different from eMachines though.
The choice is to use Service Pack 2 disks on older versions.
The problem is that eMachines recovery/install discs, just like ALL other computer manufactures, require the "tattoo" on the EEPROM of the motherboard in order to boot or install.
Microsoft officially considers the product ID/Key dead when the motherboard dies.
You can buy Windows XP Home for $64 if you know where to go... otherwise, they are $84 to $89 for OEM, and $130 for Full Version disk sets.
We have had people on this formum get Microsoft to accept their product ID upon occasion, but most cannot.
But it all balances out. You get rid of a bad board. To replace the board so you can use your recovery discs will cost you $159.95. To buy another board will cost as little as $39 for similar performance, then add the cost of Windows to get up to approximately $120... a slightly better deal.
The choice is to use Service Pack 2 disks on older versions.
The problem is that eMachines recovery/install discs, just like ALL other computer manufactures, require the "tattoo" on the EEPROM of the motherboard in order to boot or install.
Microsoft officially considers the product ID/Key dead when the motherboard dies.
You can buy Windows XP Home for $64 if you know where to go... otherwise, they are $84 to $89 for OEM, and $130 for Full Version disk sets.
We have had people on this formum get Microsoft to accept their product ID upon occasion, but most cannot.
But it all balances out. You get rid of a bad board. To replace the board so you can use your recovery discs will cost you $159.95. To buy another board will cost as little as $39 for similar performance, then add the cost of Windows to get up to approximately $120... a slightly better deal.
AlbertLionheart
Posts: 1,997 +3
Interesting remark about MS linking m/board life to OS. Most warranties expressly exclude software so if a board dies within its warranty period do you get the OS fixed for free too? Not that I've seen - ever. So it could be argued that a system that actually fixes the OS to a specific motherboard is an even worse deal for the poor consumer. The world should be told!
P
psychocandy
Tmagic650 said:
Really? So you are saying that if I purchase an identical motherboard and connect it all together then it wont boot?
Is this a windows activation thing or something emachines have done?
In our conversations with Microsoft, they believe this policy applies to all systems that provide recovery discs that seek authentication from the motherboard EEPROM... Acer, Alienware, Compaq, Dell, eMachines, HP, Sony, Systemax, and so on.
When you read the fine print, you find you were informed that the operating system is provided only for that "system".
Dell and HP both sell full versions of Windows as an alternative, and the purchase agreements give the details.
A review of the prices of these "systems" pretty much indicate you are not paying much for the operating system, and Microsoft has gone to a great deal of work to assure that piracy cannot take place.
Their weak link was in refurbished machines. Even store or on-line refurbs no longer provide machines that can be installed with another recovery disc.
It may not seem right, but there is disclosure. The problem comes when you have a crummy computer, where failure rates exceed 60 percent on some eMachines models. Can't blame that on Microsoft.
When you read the fine print, you find you were informed that the operating system is provided only for that "system".
Dell and HP both sell full versions of Windows as an alternative, and the purchase agreements give the details.
A review of the prices of these "systems" pretty much indicate you are not paying much for the operating system, and Microsoft has gone to a great deal of work to assure that piracy cannot take place.
Their weak link was in refurbished machines. Even store or on-line refurbs no longer provide machines that can be installed with another recovery disc.
It may not seem right, but there is disclosure. The problem comes when you have a crummy computer, where failure rates exceed 60 percent on some eMachines models. Can't blame that on Microsoft.
