Not a help request, but a review of the process...
I decided my aging computer (8+ years old) computer needed a rebuild to run windows 10 anniversary build properly (10 was using 3GB of the 4 GB of ram, and couldn't get any DDR2 memory to increase it to 8GB)
It's my 'general purpose' computer, not used for gaming, photo editing, etc... Just web browsing, email, etc.
I needed new MB, new CPU, 8-16 GB ram, and new PSU.
New MB is ASUS B150M-A
New CPU is Intel i5 6400 2.7GHZ LGA1151 4 core.
Ram is 16GB Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4 (4x4GB)
PSU is Cooler Master V-series 650 Gold fully modular.
Total cost $754 NZ$ from PB Tech.
Keeping the Cooler Master case, 2 SSD's and 2 HD's already installed.
Decided NOT to do any unboxing videos for You Tube.
Downloaded instructions on how to do clean install of Windows 10 anniversary edition after major hardware changes.
Downloaded and burned bootable DVD of Windows 10 for the reinstall.
Checked to make sure I had the valid/correct licence keys for Windows 10 (if needed), for Macrium Reflect, Avast Internet Security, and Malware Bytes.
Rebuild took about an hour to remove old hardware and install new hardware.
First Boot went OK, and opened the bios to configure it. All I had to do was update the date and time and disable the ASUS Logo screen.
Rebooted again, to see if it was OK.
It was, Bios Info screen listing hardware appeared, then disappeared to black screen for about 15 seconds.
Then a message popped up saying new CPU detected. WTF???? Whats this????
Then the Windows 10 "We're getting a few things ready screen appeared. Why is it doing that?????
Lots of HD activity....
Then the Windows 10 logo and spinner appeared.
Then the logon screen appeared. I decided to try and logon and see what would happen.
My Microsoft account password was accepted and it proceeded to log me on...
My desktop appeared, and **Everything** was there! all my programme shortcuts, desk top wall paper, etc, like I hadn't changed anything. No error messages, installing hardware, installing drivers, etc...
First check: Control Panel/Hardware manager: No conflicts, failed hardware, etc.
Started Speccy and it showed all the new hardware.
Avast had started as normal, started Macrium Reflect and it started OK with all my Backups listed. Malware bytes was running as well.
The only problems I had was no network, and Windows 10 needed to be reactivated. (both expected)
The network and Internet access problem was easily fixed by updating my router with the new MAC address for the new MB Gbit Lan.
Next step try to activate Windows 10 as per the instructions I had downloaded.
That failed with the Microsoft error message "None of our Activation Servers are available right now, please try again later." Tried later, same error message.
Went to the "More Help/Contact Us web page" and it had an option to request a call from Microsoft Support. Was advised I would be called back in one minute after entering my phone number.
10 seconds later my phone rang, automated voice said, "Please Hold for our service representative"
They came on the line and I explained why I was calling and about the activation error message. She then said OK I'll need to have remote access to your Computer to check some things. Gave her access, and she then ran some commands, then said OK, because of your hardware upgrades I'll need to generate, load, and activate a new licence key for you, you will not be charged for this call or the new Licence Key. Five minute later that had been completed, and she provided me with my new licence key with a reactivated OS.
So for me the rebuild of this computer was completely painless and trouble free.
I decided my aging computer (8+ years old) computer needed a rebuild to run windows 10 anniversary build properly (10 was using 3GB of the 4 GB of ram, and couldn't get any DDR2 memory to increase it to 8GB)
It's my 'general purpose' computer, not used for gaming, photo editing, etc... Just web browsing, email, etc.
I needed new MB, new CPU, 8-16 GB ram, and new PSU.
New MB is ASUS B150M-A
New CPU is Intel i5 6400 2.7GHZ LGA1151 4 core.
Ram is 16GB Kingston HyperX Fury DDR4 (4x4GB)
PSU is Cooler Master V-series 650 Gold fully modular.
Total cost $754 NZ$ from PB Tech.
Keeping the Cooler Master case, 2 SSD's and 2 HD's already installed.
Decided NOT to do any unboxing videos for You Tube.
Downloaded instructions on how to do clean install of Windows 10 anniversary edition after major hardware changes.
Downloaded and burned bootable DVD of Windows 10 for the reinstall.
Checked to make sure I had the valid/correct licence keys for Windows 10 (if needed), for Macrium Reflect, Avast Internet Security, and Malware Bytes.
Rebuild took about an hour to remove old hardware and install new hardware.
First Boot went OK, and opened the bios to configure it. All I had to do was update the date and time and disable the ASUS Logo screen.
Rebooted again, to see if it was OK.
It was, Bios Info screen listing hardware appeared, then disappeared to black screen for about 15 seconds.
Then a message popped up saying new CPU detected. WTF???? Whats this????
Then the Windows 10 "We're getting a few things ready screen appeared. Why is it doing that?????
Lots of HD activity....
Then the Windows 10 logo and spinner appeared.
Then the logon screen appeared. I decided to try and logon and see what would happen.
My Microsoft account password was accepted and it proceeded to log me on...
My desktop appeared, and **Everything** was there! all my programme shortcuts, desk top wall paper, etc, like I hadn't changed anything. No error messages, installing hardware, installing drivers, etc...
First check: Control Panel/Hardware manager: No conflicts, failed hardware, etc.
Started Speccy and it showed all the new hardware.
Avast had started as normal, started Macrium Reflect and it started OK with all my Backups listed. Malware bytes was running as well.
The only problems I had was no network, and Windows 10 needed to be reactivated. (both expected)
The network and Internet access problem was easily fixed by updating my router with the new MAC address for the new MB Gbit Lan.
Next step try to activate Windows 10 as per the instructions I had downloaded.
That failed with the Microsoft error message "None of our Activation Servers are available right now, please try again later." Tried later, same error message.
Went to the "More Help/Contact Us web page" and it had an option to request a call from Microsoft Support. Was advised I would be called back in one minute after entering my phone number.
10 seconds later my phone rang, automated voice said, "Please Hold for our service representative"
They came on the line and I explained why I was calling and about the activation error message. She then said OK I'll need to have remote access to your Computer to check some things. Gave her access, and she then ran some commands, then said OK, because of your hardware upgrades I'll need to generate, load, and activate a new licence key for you, you will not be charged for this call or the new Licence Key. Five minute later that had been completed, and she provided me with my new licence key with a reactivated OS.
So for me the rebuild of this computer was completely painless and trouble free.
