quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35
Now wait a second here, You can disagree all you want but ask officials at ebay if it's legal to do so. eBay tries to monitor pirated software but they can't stop everyone.

quote:

windowx xp upgrade for with money paypack guarantee
link

Protections:
1. Returns: Seller accepts returns. 7 Days Money Back
2. Paypal - Up to $2,000 in buyer protection.

quote:


Secondly if you have a genuine windows xp disc you are free to use that as long as you install it on one computer, oem or not.
Gary, you may use that disk in your future build if you so choose.

quote:

Amazon.uk

Windows XP Home Edition SP2 OEM £54.98
Windows XP Home Edition SP2 £180.98

link

quote:

What is the difference between Windows OEM and Retail?
Well you can read your EULA at the following location.
c:\Windows\System32\eula.txt.

OEM
-- cannot upgrade over an existing Windows installation
-- must be installed on a "clean" drive
-- cannot be transferred to a new or different computer in the future
-- are not eligible for any free technical support from Microsoft
-- are cheaper because of the aforementioned limitations
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/partners/YourPC_do.mspx
Another common misconception is that you can transfer a preinstalled or OEM copy of Windows from an "old" machine to a new machine. An OEM software license may not be transferred from and old machine to a new machine—even if that machine is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines. Please advise your customers of this licensing rule. If they request a "naked" PC and are planning to transfer an old OEM operating system license to the new machine—they will not have a legal license to run Windows on this new machine.

Retail
Retail doesn't have the same limitations and as listed below is transferable.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/eula.mspx
13. SOFTWARE TRANSFER. Internal. You may move the Software to a different Workstation Computer. After the transfer, you must completely remove the Software from the former Workstation Computer. Transfer to Third Party. The initial user of the Software may make a one-time permanent transfer of this EULA and Software to another end user, provided the initial user retains no copies of the Software. This transfer must include all of the Software (including all component parts, the media and printed materials, any upgrades, this EULA, and, if applicable, the Certificate of Authenticity). The transfer may not be an indirect transfer, such as a consignment. Prior to the transfer, the end user receiving the Software must agree to all the EULA terms.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gary Childress
How do I tell if it's an OEM version? I bought it off the shelf. It didn't come with any computer. It's an upgrade version.

quote:

Oem-windows xp is locked to your motherboard. If you install it to a different mobo it ceases to work. Som have been lucky and got a new activation by calling microsoft and lying why their mobo was changed but it doesnt always work and its not legal.

quote:

Since when did you think all software in ebay is pirated? Ive bought lots from there and have never received any "pirated" stuff. You sound like paranoid or somthing. If you buy a new wrapped windows xp from ebay im sure its just as genuine as the one bought from store

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35

quote:

Oem-windows xp is locked to your motherboard. If you install it to a different mobo it ceases to work. Som have been lucky and got a new activation by calling microsoft and lying why their mobo was changed but it doesnt always work and its not legal.

Good grief the OP has a disk he may use on any computer he wishes. We don't need to start a "I am right and you are not" thread here.

quote:

As far as ebay goes, there are so many folks out there who are selling pirated software that the best thing to do is not buy these items from ebay. So, in that case, sure, you can say I am paranoid, I call it being smart.[;)]

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zakhal

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35

quote:

Oem-windows xp is locked to your motherboard. If you install it to a different mobo it ceases to work. Som have been lucky and got a new activation by calling microsoft and lying why their mobo was changed but it doesnt always work and its not legal.

Good grief the OP has a disk he may use on any computer he wishes. We don't need to start a "I am right and you are not" thread here.

It doesnt matter what you think - its not a matter or right or wrong its simply a fact. If you go to a shop and look what it clearly says on OEM windows - it says that once its hardware locked into a computer you CANT transfer it to another computer. Its simple as that.

You may of course try but windows will stop working in 30 days unless its actived. And it wont activate if its an OEM version that has been used on another computer.

quote:

As far as ebay goes, there are so many folks out there who are selling pirated software that the best thing to do is not buy these items from ebay. So, in that case, sure, you can say I am paranoid, I call it being smart.[;)]

Well then we agree to disagree. :)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35
Ok, I'll be the bigger man and say you are right about oem software, feel better now?[8|]

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35

It's a micro ATX case, if you really want to use that case we can find a micro-atx motherboard to use that could work.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gary Childress

I like the idea of a built in sound card. My philosophy has always been graphics over sound.

Now the quad core that comes with heatsink and fan, that would be pretty close in cost to some dual cores in which you have to buy them seperately wouldn't it? Or do most CPUs come with heatsink and fan?

The 700 watt power supply looks pretty good. Someone over in Civfanatics pointed me to a 250 watt to start with and it costs almost as much. I figure I don't want to come up short when it comes to the power supply. Are there any disadvantages or dangers in power supply overkill?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35

Nice case, you can use this micro-atx motherboard that will utilize all of the hardware I posted earlier if you want.
There are many other motherboards to use as well.
Another advantage of using micro-atx is they usually have on-board graphics too.
Playing these matrix games with a micro-atx board with on-board video can work just fine if you choose, otherwise feel free to use a graphics card such as the one I listed.
No problemo.[:)]

quote:

Pros: Asus is known for quality. This product despite the fact it is made in China seems to work fine.

Cons: While the web site states that ""This motherboard supports the latest Intel® Core™2 processors in LGA775 package."" this is not true. After calling tech support to find out how to support the latest E7200 Core 2 Duo Processor everyone at the company stated that this processor is not supported. I asked them to ship me a board that would work as I used their site to influence my buying decision. Asus reps all stated that they do not stand behind their site and I should have dug very deep to find the cpu compatibility chart. I am sorry I believe when a company makes a statement like this, there is no reason to dig deeper.

Other Thoughts: I will make sure if I ever buy an Asus product again I am 150% certain that it will work before trying out anything new. The first time I called tech support in 10 years of buying their products has taught me an important lesson.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gary Childress

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35

Nice case, you can use this micro-atx motherboard that will utilize all of the hardware I posted earlier if you want.
There are many other motherboards to use as well.
Another advantage of using micro-atx is they usually have on-board graphics too.
Playing these matrix games with a micro-atx board with on-board video can work just fine if you choose, otherwise feel free to use a graphics card such as the one I listed.
No problemo.[:)]

I went to the link above and it said the following:

quote:

Pros: Asus is known for quality. This product despite the fact it is made in China seems to work fine.

Cons: While the web site states that ""This motherboard supports the latest Intel® Core™2 processors in LGA775 package."" this is not true. After calling tech support to find out how to support the latest E7200 Core 2 Duo Processor everyone at the company stated that this processor is not supported. I asked them to ship me a board that would work as I used their site to influence my buying decision. Asus reps all stated that they do not stand behind their site and I should have dug very deep to find the cpu compatibility chart. I am sorry I believe when a company makes a statement like this, there is no reason to dig deeper.

Other Thoughts: I will make sure if I ever buy an Asus product again I am 150% certain that it will work before trying out anything new. The first time I called tech support in 10 years of buying their products has taught me an important lesson.

I do probably need some pretty decent graphics because I would also be playing Civilizatioin III & IV on it and using some graphics intensive programs such as Poser and Bryce on it as well. I'm definitely thinking of going the route of a separate graphics card. I'd be surprised if I could get by with onboard graphics.

quote:



One thing about Newegg customer reviews is they are more than likely either young kids or folks who do not have a thorough understanding of computer hardware. I would take most of those comments with a grain of salt.
Micro-ATX boards are more or less a "compact" PC and have a little less flexibility in terms of add-ons and upgrading.
This isn't to say they don't do a nice job.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gary Childress

Will XP work with the latest processors, etc? Or do I need to upgrade to Vista in order to take advantages of the latest technologies?

Xp works great, I am running that OS and will continue to do so.[:)]
I would like to add that in my previous post concerning your old XP disc, as long as you have the authentification code(it might be on a sticker on the back of your old PC) you are free to use it on any upgrades and builds you have.
Good luck to you Gary and if I can be any help, don't hesitate to ask, Sir.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zakhal

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35
Now wait a second here, You can disagree all you want but ask officials at ebay if it's legal to do so. eBay tries to monitor pirated software but they can't stop everyone.

Since when did you think all software in ebay is pirated? Ive bought lots from there and have never received any "pirated" stuff. You sound like paranoid or somthing. If you buy a new wrapped windows xp from ebay im sure its just as genuine as the one bought from store. Hers an example:

quote:

windowx xp upgrade for with money paypack guarantee
link

Protections:
1. Returns: Seller accepts returns. 7 Days Money Back
2. Paypal - Up to $2,000 in buyer protection.

If you buy it and its pirated (missing the windows holodisk/sticker) you can report the seller to ebay and get your money back either by return or paypal. It wouldnt make any sense for anyone to sell it unlegal because they would automatically get caught.

quote:


Secondly if you have a genuine windows xp disc you are free to use that as long as you install it on one computer, oem or not.
Gary, you may use that disk in your future build if you so choose.

Oem-windows xp is locked to your motherboard. If you install it to a different mobo it ceases to work. Som have been lucky and got a new activation by calling microsoft and lying why their mobo was changed but it doesnt always work and its not legal. [:-]

If you want a windows that can be transfered to a new computer you need to buy a non-OEM retail version which costs quite a bit more:

quote:

Amazon.uk

Windows XP Home Edition SP2 OEM £54.98
Windows XP Home Edition SP2 £180.98

link

Also

quote:

What is the difference between Windows OEM and Retail?
Well you can read your EULA at the following location.
c:\Windows\System32\eula.txt.





OEM
-- cannot upgrade over an existing Windows installation
-- must be installed on a "clean" drive
-- cannot be transferred to a new or different computer in the future
-- are not eligible for any free technical support from Microsoft
Free? since when does microsoft offer free technical support. If you want real technical support you're gonna have to pay for it, I don't care how much you pay for you're computer. And don't even say the indians can do ot. They don't know a thing( they read everything from a script and you woll never get the answer you're looking for from those useless $2.00 an hour a holes that our stupid country outsources to)
Panzers. Sorry, don't know how to take a quote within a quote, Hope you got this








-- are cheaper because of the aforementioned limitations
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/partners/YourPC_do.mspx
Another common misconception is that you can transfer a preinstalled or OEM copy of Windows from an "old" machine to a new machine. An OEM software license may not be transferred from and old machine to a new machine—even if that machine is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines. Please advise your customers of this licensing rule. If they request a "naked" PC and are planning to transfer an old OEM operating system license to the new machine—they will not have a legal license to run Windows on this new machine.

Retail
Retail doesn't have the same limitations and as listed below is transferable.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/eula.mspx
13. SOFTWARE TRANSFER. Internal. You may move the Software to a different Workstation Computer. After the transfer, you must completely remove the Software from the former Workstation Computer. Transfer to Third Party. The initial user of the Software may make a one-time permanent transfer of this EULA and Software to another end user, provided the initial user retains no copies of the Software. This transfer must include all of the Software (including all component parts, the media and printed materials, any upgrades, this EULA, and, if applicable, the Certificate of Authenticity). The transfer may not be an indirect transfer, such as a consignment. Prior to the transfer, the end user receiving the Software must agree to all the EULA terms.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35


Asus P5B Solid board and has all the bells and whistles. Has on-board sound that is decent if you are not into the surround soud stuff.

Quad core Kentsfield 2.4 ghz. what can i say, one of the best cpu's on the market right now, tremendous workhorse for a few benjamins[;)]
Comes with it's own heatsink/fan

cheap cheap MSI 8400 GS I have the same card and it works great for any game you will need it for.

OCZ dual channel Platinum
I have the same set, works very well and again, it's cheap. You dont need more than 2 gb of ram right now. One thing to note when installing your RAM for the first time, you will need to load only one stick and set the voltage in BIOS to 2.1v in order for you to be able to boot up initially. BIOS may not be set to proper voltage.( more on this later)

Fortron Source 700w power supply
Simply one of the greatest power supplies on the market, good clean STABLE power output and again I use one in all of my PC builds.

SoundBlaster Xtreme Gamer Sound Card
If you don't want to use on-board sound on your motherboard this is the sound card to get, it does it all.

As far as computer cases, go to your local Frys and pick out an ANtec brand, they have plenty to choose from. Be sure it is ATX though. If you purchased a case online you will pay through the nose for shipping.

Here are plenty of choices for external enclosures It depends on certain connections you are looking for, e-sata, sata or usb. Some have one of the other or two of each of those three on average.
I like the AMS versions myself They have a cooling fan inside that helps dissapate the heat from the hard drive.

There are so many choices you can look at for your hardware but these I listed won't break your bank and are of the finest quality imho.

Totals around $510 plus another $91 if you choose that sound card and another $50 or so for the enclosure would put you around $675 or so shipped from Newegg.
If I were you I would use the on-board sound from your motherboard and use the sound card money for a case.
You can get a nice Antec case for around $100 at Frys.
You can go cheaper on the cpu but that is a heck-of-a deal on that quad core.[:)]

Good luck and have fun with your build, let me know if you need any help.

quote:

ORIGINAL: panzers

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gem35


Asus P5B Solid board and has all the bells and whistles. Has on-board sound that is decent if you are not into the surround soud stuff.

Quad core Kentsfield 2.4 ghz. what can i say, one of the best cpu's on the market right now, tremendous workhorse for a few benjamins[;)]
Comes with it's own heatsink/fan

cheap cheap MSI 8400 GS I have the same card and it works great for any game you will need it for.

OCZ dual channel Platinum
I have the same set, works very well and again, it's cheap. You dont need more than 2 gb of ram right now. One thing to note when installing your RAM for the first time, you will need to load only one stick and set the voltage in BIOS to 2.1v in order for you to be able to boot up initially. BIOS may not be set to proper voltage.( more on this later)

Fortron Source 700w power supply
Simply one of the greatest power supplies on the market, good clean STABLE power output and again I use one in all of my PC builds.

SoundBlaster Xtreme Gamer Sound Card
If you don't want to use on-board sound on your motherboard this is the sound card to get, it does it all.

As far as computer cases, go to your local Frys and pick out an ANtec brand, they have plenty to choose from. Be sure it is ATX though. If you purchased a case online you will pay through the nose for shipping.

Here are plenty of choices for external enclosures It depends on certain connections you are looking for, e-sata, sata or usb. Some have one of the other or two of each of those three on average.
I like the AMS versions myself They have a cooling fan inside that helps dissapate the heat from the hard drive.

There are so many choices you can look at for your hardware but these I listed won't break your bank and are of the finest quality imho.

Totals around $510 plus another $91 if you choose that sound card and another $50 or so for the enclosure would put you around $675 or so shipped from Newegg.
If I were you I would use the on-board sound from your motherboard and use the sound card money for a case.
You can get a nice Antec case for around $100 at Frys.
You can go cheaper on the cpu but that is a heck-of-a deal on that quad core.[:)]

Good luck and have fun with your build, let me know if you need any help.

Do you think that video card would be good enough for games like Witp or if he decided to get WiF in the future?
You have to always think of future games for they are only going to get more and more involved hence the constant upgrading of video cards.
I think you really have to take that into serious consideration for that is one of the most expensive things to get when you want to get as cheap a computer as possible. Unfortunately, that is a high cost item for a base computer, but it is something that is very essential to every computer.
That particular card won't get you a lot of today's games let alone future games. We have to look at the big picture here.