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I teach computer use in the retirement village in which I live. I created a web site financed by our group (not very expensive these days) at SHADOW MOUNTAIN VILLAGE COMPUTER CLUBS In our "Tips" section I link to this site and suggest that they become members of this forum.

My question: I assist numerous people with there computers when they have problems and have noted that most computer solde by companys like HP, Gateway, IBM, Dell and others always seam to include things within the operating system that is not available if one would purchase an operating system from Fry's Electronics, Best Bye or other retail outlets. I allways build my computers from matched components and the OS from a retail source.

Is there anyway around some of the hardware and software requirements issue of the OS supplied by manufactures so that users can, if they choose to do so, to upgrade hard drives, video cards, sound cards, memory to name a few then purchase an operating system from a retailer and install it or reuse the original OS.

I have discovered numerous roadblocks some of which is drivers for motherboard intergrated hardware, hard drives that are recognized etc..

Hi Chas,

If i understand correctly, you're wanting to know if you can use an exsisting Windows install with a new hard drive, or other new bits of hardware?

The answer is yes - you can use the same copy - as long as it's the same motherboard.

If you're asking if you can use that cd key with other versions of windows - this is unable to be done, HP/Toshiba/IBM get a deal with Microsoft which only allows that key to be used with copies bought from those specific brands (hp/ibm/etc)

I probably did not make my self clear.

On the cases I have intimate experience with are those from Dell. A fellow wanted to update the hard drive to a bigger one, when we tried to use his restore CD that was created from the protected drive D on his original hard drive the message recieved was that the new drive was not recognized. After a call to Dell they said by the new drive from them and all will be OK.

Another case was with an IBM that was purchased with Windows ME, one of the latest one offered with ME. We added memory, 1G, a video card, sound card, bigger hard drive and left the intergrated Nic card as is. In bios we desabled the intergrated video and sound. Windows XP (buble pack) installed sort of but locks up after boot. We finaly called IBM tech support and for about $100 they would talk to us. We thought maybe the new video or sound card was defective, had them replaced same thing. So we concluded that something intergrated in the motherboard was preventing the install. He finaly gave up and purchased a new computer.

I have not EVER had a problem with purchasing computer components and buble pack OS's, of course the major components should be compatable but it appears that making changes to OEM computers is not desireable.

Have also had problems helping people that purchased those "E-Machines", even though the CPU and Memory are good enought, fast enought for XP usually does not work out.

Several of our group members have purchased HP computers of various kinds, and decided to contact HP for instructions in updateing hard ware components they are told to be sure and purchase the updates from HP.