The other replies have already given you the bad news about OEM versions of
XP, and you have figured out that E-machines is perhaps not the best place
to buy a PC, at least not in the long run. Here are a few related thought
to help you avoid future grief:
If you buy any PC with an OEM license for any software, it means that you
must see only the OEM (PC vendor) for help. OEM licenses are cheaper
primarily because the software vendor is relieved of all responsibility to
answer questions from users. For example, in this case Microsoft told you
to contact E-machines. That is fair form the point of view of Microsoft,
who got paid less form the OEM license than for a full retail license.
In is unfortunate that E-machines does not provide better support, but then
they make money by selling very cheap PCs not by providing free support. In
the future check a PC magazine, or Consumer Reports about the satisfaction
rating for various PC vendors, before you buy.
In contrast to E-machines, Gateway and Dell and other major PC vendors do
provide some support. On my last computer I downloaded four BIOS upgrades
directly from Gateway, plus many other patches. They also have FAQs that
are useful, and at least semi-helpful support people. I have also heard
good things about Dell support. They walked a friend through replacing her
hard drive and re-installing all software.
Still, even Gateway or Dell will often ask you to use the system restore
CDROM, rather than spend their time debugging your PC's problem. Of course,
if you use their CDROM, all your files will be erased and the PC will be
restored to the day it was purchased. This is not what most users want, but
it is often what they offer. **Hint** If you do not backup your personal
files, start doing it soon!
Thus, like many other users I decided to finally built a PC, rather than buy
one. It is really fairly easy, and there are many websites with general
instructions, cautions, hints, etc. Most non-OEM motherboards come with
extensive manuals. My ASUS manual is 144 pages! However, most of that was
not necessary, since I took the defaults and they worked fine. Just be sure
to get a motherboard and CPU and other hardware that is few months old, so
most of the patches are already available. If you do build your own PC,
avoid buying a "cheap" version of XP, since those are usually OEM licenses.
Consider what would happen if you called Microsoft and they told you to
contact your PC vendor for help (i.e., yourself).
If you do not feel up to building a PC yourelf, then find a small mom&pop
computer shop, who can build you one, and will support it, if necessary for
some fee. You could specify that they use retail licences for major
products, although OEM licenses would probably be fine for minor software.
Such a shop would probably install several demo and/or free programs; ask
about those, since some might be useful, but others just waste space; none
should be harmful. I have had a few friends that did well by this approach.
One guy even saved a few bucks by asking the local PC shop to re-using an
old 15 inch monitor he had lying around. Eventually he upgraded to a 17
inch flat panel, and it was litterally plug and play. I was there to help,
but he did the swap all by himself. For bigger changes, he will probably go
back to the PC shop, since he is timid about opening the box.
By the way, why did you upgrade the BIOS? The rule "do not fix it if it
ain't broke" definitely applies to BIOS upgrades. Going back to your
previous BIOS, the one from E-machines, might have been good idea bfore you
installed a new version of XP, unless there was a pressing reason for the
new BIOS. However, be warned that OEM motherboards often use slightly
different BIOSes than do the equivalent non-OEM motherboard. Mixing and
matching BIOSes and motherboards can lead to the PC becoming an expensive
paperweight.
denb46 said:
I Flashed a New BIOS on a Emachines I got a 1 1/2 yrs ago, and right after
I booted into windows I had to reactivate XP Home. but here's the
problem???? my copy of XP came w/ the emachines, so when I
had to talk to MS, they told me, to give them my product ID
when I did, they told me that your copy is not a real copy of XP it's an
Emachines OEM, so you will have to contact
Emachines for Help, or you will have to buy a copy of XP!
well I was lucky to have a retail copy of XP laying around, so I just
reformated and installed that, I guees
the Restore Disk that came w/ the Emachines, are TOAST!!! due to upgdating
the BIOS, I thought flashing the BIOS had nothing to do w/ windows, but Boy
, was I wrong!!!
BTW this new BIOS flash came form the mobo manufacture, & they have no
idea why the Restore CD's don't work, guess Emachines BIOS-Locks-it's
Restore CD's, but why does this suprize me!!!!
