Author Topic: My Computer's motherboard. (Read 875 times)

Wordy · June 02, 2012, 07:08:19 AM

Today it has come to my attention that I need more than one operating system on my computer and therefore I took a look inside my computer to see what it had.

My computer has two SATA ports which are currently already being used.
One for my CD-ROM Drive and the other one for my 400GB Seagate Hard-Drive.

I am wanting to install another Hard Drive since I cannot be bothered to partition my system's current hard drive.

What could I do without loosing all my system? Am I able to replace my motherboard and have the same operating system running flawlessly or is there another port somewhere in my motherboard in which I can connect another hard-drive upto?

I am not great with hardware so I came to ask you guys.

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Fluff-is-back · June 02, 2012, 08:22:37 AM

I imagine you are running windows?
OEM Windows on a purchased computer is tied into the motherboard, if you change it, windows will think you are trying to install it onto another computer and therefore deactivate it's license.

Wordy · June 02, 2012, 09:08:17 AM

Quote from: Fluff-is-back on June 02, 2012, 08:22:37 AM

I imagine you are running windows?
OEM Windows on a purchased computer is tied into the motherboard, if you change it, windows will think you are trying to install it onto another computer and therefore deactivate it's license.

Yes I am running windows. At the moment I am using Windows 8 Final Beta thing but yeah, is their any way to get around it being tied to the motherboard?

Also it's my custom PC, nothing I have purcharsed pre-built

Rub · June 02, 2012, 09:49:36 AM

Just ditch the CD drive, who even uses those these days?

dorkdotdan · June 02, 2012, 10:14:46 AM

Quote from: Rub on June 02, 2012, 09:49:36 AM

Just ditch the CD drive, who even uses those these days?

Lots of people.

Wordy · June 02, 2012, 10:15:34 AM

Quote from: Rub on June 02, 2012, 09:49:36 AM

Just ditch the CD drive, who even uses those these days?

I would need it just incase I need to restore my PC.

Rub · June 02, 2012, 10:16:18 AM

Quote from: Wordy on June 02, 2012, 10:15:34 AM

I would need it just incase I need to restore my PC.

Fair enough, Mac does all that without a CD drive so I haven't experienced this problem.

steve5451 · June 02, 2012, 12:18:26 PM

Well, you can use an IDE Hard-Drive
no one uses them anymore and they are slower than SATA, but it works just fine.

Wedge · June 02, 2012, 12:31:18 PM

Yes, you can just swap out your motherboard. You could also purchase a PCI RAID controller card, like this. I'd recommend going with that instead of buying a new motherboard since it's a lot cheaper. You don't have to use a RAID configuration for the disks, it will also work as just a normal old SATA expansion card. Most new motherboards don't have IDE connections.