Quote:
Very interesting. I have saved a copy as text for my own reference.
I apologize for some bad spelling in my post.I didn't spell check it or review my post closely before posting.
I have done this once before with a custom Vista desktop that had motherboard failure.Again I chose a motherboard from a different manufacturer but it had the same chip set and built in network chip (but different MAC address).On that first one, it didn't even require reactivation (don't know why though).That first replaced mobo without any reactivation required gave me the idea to try the second one with that emachines T6420.It actually took me 4 attempt dial ups on the phone modem to activate Windows on that emachines T6420 so it was very iffy (wasn't sure if it would work).Perhaps that dial up modem was old or perhaps Microsoft's servers were busy too.I am sure that it's a interesting methodology to try it on other PC's as well if one has motherboard failure.It sucks to lose software that one pays for.Kinda miss the older days before XP when there wasn't activation or other dreaded DRM schemes.DRM schemes hurts those legit owners who may have hardware failure.
I also question the 7 votes for successful activation.
like the NIC and same MAC address (3 votes). Does that mean that the exact make NIC must also have the same MAC address to get 3 votes all at once ( a big 3 vote count) or perhaps does the same MAC address get 1 vote and same make (model) NIC get 2?
It's an unknown to me.Perhaps I lost a vote on the MAC address but got votes on the same make NIC.
Again I just don't know.
Also the CPU make question; does it specify that it has to be the same exact CPU or could the model be different?
The Le-1600 is an Athlon 64 in classification.Then again perhaps even an Athlon II could perhaps pass (maybe?).
Yes right now I am posting from my revamped emachines T6420.Since it was off of the Internet for perhaps over a year (likely 1 1/2 years) I had a lot of updates for it.Anyway thanks for reading.
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I replaced the AM2 Athlon Le-1600 CPU ( December 2,2010) with a spare AM3 Athlon II X2 240 CPU (upgraded another PC's CPU with a Phenom II X3 740 CPU).On startup (which was a lot quicker) Windows again required activation (it said too many hardware changes).This time however it activated through the ethernet port and worked.Reactivation was completely successful.I noticed a substantial improvement in perfomance with this faster more powerful dual core budget CPU.Not absolutely sure if it would work with a Phenom II family one but it's possible (likely).
So my advice to emachines owners with these models would be for them to instead opt for that Biostar motherboard (if available),choose any Athlon II CPU (for a substantial improvement in performance) and get some compatible DDR 2 RAM instead of opting to get that replacement MSI motherboard (which could cost more or less than the alt Mobo,Athlon II and 1 stick of DDR2 depending of course on the choice of Athlon II whether X2,X3 or X4 and the number of DDR2 sticks and capacity).
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LoL another edit
Here is the latest compatible motherboard that will work as a alternative replacement motherboard with the emachines T6420.
Perhaps the last alternative motherboard available.
BIOSTAR MCP6P3 AM3 NVIDIA GeForce 6150 / nForce 430 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard<<<Yes an AM3 Motherboard !
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
It has the same chipset,IGP and especially the exact same network chip that the MSI MS-7207 motherboard (Socket 939) uses.
You must use a AM3 CPU for this like an Athlon II X2/3 or 4 or a Phenom II X2/3 or 4 or a Sempron Sargas single core CPU.
The CPU's chosen should be no more than 95 watts TDP for this board.
You must use DDR3 memory for an AM3 motherboard.
You can reuse your old Hard Drive with Windows on it from your dead emachines and make sure you use the same Optical Drive (DVD Burner) and put in the old dial up modem in it in case you have to reactivate Windows (reactivation with the ethernet will not be possible until the current drivers on the replacement motherboard are installed by CD in Windows (I tried it)).
Since the MS-7207 motherboard had 2 IDE controlllers one for the Hard Drive and One for the DVD Drive this replacement board only has one controller so you must slave the DVD Burner to the Hard Drive with this motherboard.
Note you must use the same memory amount as the emachines when first activated.Since changing the CPU represent a change in hardware only one more change in hardware will be possible without reactivation (which can be a big pain in the ass).
So your choice is really between adding a discrete graphics card OR upgrading the memory amount but not both.
At first just use the same amount of memory that the emachines had and use the on board IGP before attempting to restart the machine.
Plug in a telephone wire into the dial up modem just in case Windows needs to reactivate (it may or may not need to on restarting windows from your old hard drive).Once in Windows install the motherboard driver software from the CD.By doing this it will be possible to reactivate by your ethernet port next time should you need to do so.Shut down the PC
Afterwards make the additional change that you desire whether to add extra memory or whether to add a discrete graphics card.
Then restart and if using a discrete graphics card install the drivers for it.
I did some extra changes and had to reactivate which gave me several problems (a hung up activation script).I had to look this up at Microsoft's website and follow a complex manual procedure.You might not have this problem at all though as it doesn't happen too often.However I eventually was successful in changing to a dual core Athlon II X2 240,using 2 gigabytes of memory and using a discrete HD Radeon 3650 graphics card on my alternative replacement AM2+ motherboard which is now not available anymore.
Again the newest alternative replacement motherboard which is still available is the
BIOSTAR MCP6P3 AM3 NVIDIA GeForce 6150 / nForce 430 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Basically this trick could be used for other PC's or other eMachines,Gateway's,Acer models etc.The key (hint) to replacement IS that the alternative motherboard again has to be the same or of a very similar (I think) chipset,the same or of a very similar (I think) variation of the IGP (or discrete card if no IGP) and the network chip has to be the same exact model type.It's far more likely with AMD CPU type PC's using nVidia chipsets (though some AMD chipsets don't change as much often either but might vary and be improved upon (similar)) and far less likely with Intel CPU type PC's since their chipsets change often.The socket type itself does not matter as I went from Socket 939 (which is very old) to Socket AM2+ (around 2008) and Socket AM3 is likely too.