I Switched To Windows 7, Now My Computer Is A Nightmare!

[Jingthing]

OK, I very burned out on these problems for a few days so don't think it's all fixed. I want to do all I can myself and fix all I can myself before I get pro help to fix what I can't fix.

I was able to get a Windows 7 driver for my graphics card, and so far that seems to have greatly improved the problem I had before with slingbox streaming quality, so slingbox help was actually correct about that.

OK, now for a very stupid question. As I said before

-- two Kingston SDHC cards are now unusable, the system asked me to reformat, and then when I tried it asked for drivers, I can't find drivers for them. Previously they were readable and writable on the system. Now the cards are also not seen by my DVD player either.

OK, I found a SDHC reformatting application and downloaded it. It wouldn't format because it said the cards were write protected. I then started playing around with the lock/unlock physical switch on the two cards I have. It didn't help. That was silly to try anyway because I had never locked them in the first place. It's also a mystery why they lost the date in the first place, they aren't readable or writable and need reformatting. I even wonder if my DVD player has been corrupted somehow. Anyway, here is the very stupid question. On the Kingston SDHC cards, which side is locked and which is unlocked on the switch. On the cards, one side says locked and then there is a triangle kind of icon which is thick on the locked word side, and thin on the other side. So the side with the word locked is locked, correct? I just forget where I started playing with them and now aren't sure. Other than the driver issues, I suspect the mini card reader is broken. Also note, these were reading and writing fine on my new system for awhile before the cards got messed up. Its really strange. Also note that I had an external drive that had worked before but on the new system didn't read any data and need a reformat. I am of course flummoxed. What driver should I look for for the USB connection type thingies for these items? I also will probably buy a new SDHC reader to test that out, as those are rather cheap. However, I afraid if my system is corrupting storage devices, that I will end up buying a bunch of cards and breaking them testing different theories. (Yes I have checked for viruses and run a tool.)

Still no speakers, and no CD player read/write, one thing at a time ...

Edited March 22, 2010 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Jingthing, what motherboard and processor do you have? I don't hear you commenting on any overall slowness, so most likely you don't need to upgrade, but if your mobo/processor are *ancient* you might get different advice.

Do you have a Windows 7 DVD? If so, what type? OEM? Upgrade? Full? Is it a legitimate version or pirate?

Are you using 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7? (right-click on Computer on the Start Menu and choose Properties) Some older hardware is not compatible with 64-bit Windows.

I have a legit Win 7 Home Premium 32 bit.

Its a SE Asia OEM, must be activated in SE Asia.

The processing speed for everything that is working is very good for me. I understand a newer MB and newer memory may double that, but really the speed is plenty for me.

[Jingthing]

With brings up another issue. I bought a new W7. Its OEM SE Asia, supposed to be in new machines only. Will Windows allow me to reinstall it in a new computer? Is it based on the hard drive or some kind of machine code outside the hard drive? If I do get a new computer built, I reckon it would be good to do a fresh W7 install but I wouldn't want to lose the validity of the windows key.

If you already activated Windows 7 OEM, it is forever locked to the machine it was activated on. Unlike retail, an OEM license cannot be transferred to a different PC. You'll have to call Microsoft customer support to request a new product key.

Machine or hard drive? If I bought a new hard drive and used the same machine, would the key still work? If I called MS and told them I wanted to install it in a totally new machine at a later date, would they allow that? I had understood it was for one machine at a time only, not that you couldn't install it in a new machine (and stop using the old one). If I moved this HD with W7 to a new machine, it wouldn't work with my current key?

Edited March 22, 2010 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

I should say it is a three year old SATA motherboard, should I replace the motherboard, would that help?

Replacing the motherboard is like building a new system; not a viable option IMO. Besides, you don't need the latest and greatest hardware to run Windows 7. Computers built as far back as 2004/2005 can handle Windows 7 easily (provided you have 2GB memory) and a fairly decent graphics card (Geforce 6xxx or better for Aero).

Use the following utilities to obtain your system specs and list them here... It'll make it easier for people to help you.

Freeware:

CPU-Z - Gathers info about processor, motherboard, ram...

GPU-Z - Gathers info about your video card.

Shareware:

Everest - A system diagnostics and information tool.

Thanks for those. I fixed the graphics card driver, my one success so far.

The bios is from 2006. Would updating it help my problems? I am unclear on how to update BIOS.

My current specs

EVEREST Ultimate Edition

Version EVEREST v5.30.1900

Benchmark Module 2.4.273.0

Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/

Report Type Report Wizard [ TRIAL VERSION ]

Computer USER-PC

Generator user

Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 6.1.7600 (Win7 RTM)

Date 2010-03-21

Time 05:54

Summary

Computer:

Computer Type ACPI x86-based PC

Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium

OS Service Pack [ TRIAL VERSION ]

Internet Explorer 8.0.7600.16385

DirectX DirectX 11.0

Computer Name USER-PC

User Name user

Logon Domain [ TRIAL VERSION ]

Date / Time 2010-03-21 / 05:54

Motherboard:

CPU Type DualCore Intel Pentium D 820, 2800 MHz (14 x 200)

Motherboard Name Asus P5LD2 SE (3 PCI, 2 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN)

Motherboard Chipset Intel Lakeport i945P

System Memory [ TRIAL VERSION ]

DIMM1: Power Quotient 2 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-18 @ 400 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)

DIMM2: Kingston 9905316-005.A04LF [ TRIAL VERSION ]

BIOS Type AMI (09/26/06)

Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)

Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:

Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GS (256 MB)

Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GS (256 MB)

3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce 7300 GS

Monitor ViewSonic VX2235wm [22" LCD] (QA5064800676)

Multimedia:

Audio Adapter Analog Devices AD1986A @ Intel 82801GB ICH7 - High Definition Audio Controller [A-1]

Storage:

IDE Controller Intel® 82801G (ICH7 Family) Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 27DF

IDE Controller Intel® 82801GB/GR/GH (ICH7 Family) Serial ATA Storage Controller - 27C0

Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive

Disk Drive Generic- Multi-Card USB Device (3 GB, USB)

Disk Drive WDC WD5000AAKS-00UU3A0 ATA Device (465 GB, IDE)

Optical Drive HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH22NP20 ATA Device (DVD+R9:16x, DVD-R9:12x, DVD+RW:22x/8x, DVD-RW:22x/6x, DVD-RAM:12x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)

SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:

C: (NTFS) [ TRIAL VERSION ]

D: (NTFS) 368.1 GB (318.3 GB free)

Total Size [ TRIAL VERSION ]

Input:

Keyboard Standard PS/2 Keyboard

Mouse Microsoft PS/2 Mouse

Network:

Primary IP Address [ TRIAL VERSION ]

Primary MAC Address 00-18-F3-B1-AD-67

Network Adapter Realtek RTL8168B/8111B Family PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC (NDIS 6.20) (192. [ TRIAL VERSION ])

Peripherals:

Printer Fax

Printer Microsoft XPS Document Writer

Printer Send To OneNote 2007

USB1 Controller Intel 82801GB ICH7 - USB Universal Host Controller [A-1]

USB1 Controller Intel 82801GB ICH7 - USB Universal Host Controller [A-1]

USB1 Controller Intel 82801GB ICH7 - USB Universal Host Controller [A-1]

USB1 Controller Intel 82801GB ICH7 - USB Universal Host Controller [A-1]

USB2 Controller Intel 82801GB ICH7 - Enhanced USB2 Controller [A-1]

USB Device C-Media USB Headphone Set

USB Device USB Composite Device

USB Device USB Input Device

USB Device USB Mass Storage Device

DMI:

DMI BIOS Vendor American Megatrends Inc.

DMI BIOS Version 0406

DMI System Manufacturer System manufacturer

DMI System Product System Product Name

DMI System Version System Version

DMI System Serial Number [ TRIAL VERSION ]

DMI System UUID [ TRIAL VERSION ]

DMI Motherboard Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer INC.

DMI Motherboard Product P5LD2-SE

DMI Motherboard Version Rev 1.xx

DMI Motherboard Serial Number [ TRIAL VERSION ]

DMI Chassis Manufacturer Chassis Manufacture

DMI Chassis Version Chassis Version

DMI Chassis Serial Number [ TRIAL VERSION ]

DMI Chassis Asset Tag [ TRIAL VERSION ]

DMI Chassis Type Desktop Case

DMI Total / Free Memory Sockets 4 / 2

Computer Name

Type Class Computer Name

Computer Comment Logical

NetBIOS Name Logical USER-PC

DNS Host Name Logical user-PC

DNS Domain Name Logical

Fully Qualified DNS Name Logical user-PC

NetBIOS Name Physical USER-PC

DNS Host Name Physical user-PC

DNS Domain Name Physical

Fully Qualified DNS Name Physical user-PC

DMI

[ BIOS ]

BIOS Properties:

Vendor American Megatrends Inc.

Version 0406

Release Date 09/26/2006

Size 512 KB

Boot Devices Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP, LS-120

Capabilities Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD, BBS

Supported Standards DMI, APM, ACPI, ESCD, PnP

Expansion Capabilities ISA, PCI, AGP, USB

[ System ]

System Properties:

Manufacturer System manufacturer

Product System Product Name

Version System Version

Serial Number [ TRIAL VERSION ]

Universal Unique ID [ TRIAL VERSION ]

Wake-Up Type PCI PME#

[ Motherboard ]

Motherboard Properties:

Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer INC.

Product P5LD2-SE

Version Rev 1.xx

Serial Number [ TRIAL VERSION ]

[ Chassis ]

Chassis Properties:

Manufacturer Chassis Manufacture

Version Chassis Version

Serial Number [ TRIAL VERSION ]

Asset Tag [ TRIAL VERSION ]

Chassis Type Desktop Case

Chassis Lock Present

Boot-Up State Safe

Power Supply State Safe

Thermal State Safe

Security Status None

[ Memory Controller ]

Memory Controller Properties:

Error Detection Method 64-bit ECC

Error Correction None

Supported Memory Interleave 1-Way

Current Memory Interleave 1-Way

Supported Memory Speeds 70ns, 60ns, 50ns

Supported Memory Types SIMM, DIMM

Supported Memory Voltages 3.3V

Maximum Memory Module Size 1024 MB

Memory Slots 4

[ Processors / Intel® Pentium® D CPU 2.80GHz ]

Processor Properties:

Manufacturer Intel

Version Intel® Pentium® D CPU 2.80GHz

Serial Number To Be Filled By O.E.M.

Asset Tag To Be Filled By O.E.M.

Part Number To Be Filled By O.E.M.

External Clock 200 MHz

Maximum Clock 3800 MHz

Current Clock 2800 MHz

Type Central Processor

Voltage 1.3 V

Status Enabled

Socket Designation Socket 775

[ Caches / L1-Cache ]

Cache Properties:

Type Internal

Status Enabled

Operational Mode Varies with Memory Address

Associativity 8-way Set-Associative

Maximum Size 32 KB

Installed Size 32 KB

Supported SRAM Type Pipeline Burst

Current SRAM Type Pipeline Burst

Error Correction Single-bit ECC

Socket Designation L1-Cache

[ Caches / L2-Cache ]

Cache Properties:

Type Internal

Status Enabled

Operational Mode Varies with Memory Address

Associativity 8-way Set-Associative

Maximum Size 2048 KB

Installed Size 2048 KB

Supported SRAM Type Pipeline Burst

Current SRAM Type Pipeline Burst

Error Correction Single-bit ECC

Socket Designation L2-Cache

[ Caches / L3-Cache ]

Cache Properties:

Type Internal

Status Disabled

Maximum Size 0 KB

Installed Size 0 KB

Socket Designation L3-Cache

[ Memory Modules / DIMM0 ]

Memory Module Properties:

Socket Designation DIMM0

Type Parity, DIMM, BEDO

Speed 30 ns

Installed Size 2048 MB

Enabled Size 2048 MB

[ Memory Modules / DIMM1 ]

Memory Module Properties:

Socket Designation DIMM1

Type Parity, DIMM, BEDO

Speed 30 ns

Installed Size 1024 MB

Enabled Size 1024 MB

[ Memory Modules / DIMM2 ]

Memory Module Properties:

Socket Designation DIMM2

Type DIMM, SDRAM

Installed Size Not Installed

Enabled Size Not Installed

[ Memory Modules / DIMM3 ]

Memory Module Properties:

Socket Designation DIMM3

Type DIMM, SDRAM

Installed Size Not Installed

Enabled Size Not Installed

[ Memory Devices / DIMM0 ]

Memory Device Properties:

Form Factor DIMM

Type SDRAM

Type Detail Synchronous

Size 2048 MB

Total Width 64-bit

Data Width 64-bit

Device Locator DIMM0

Bank Locator BANK0

Manufacturer Manufacturer0

Serial Number SerNum0

Asset Tag AssetTagNum0

Part Number PartNum0

[ Memory Devices / DIMM1 ]

Memory Device Properties:

Form Factor DIMM

Type SDRAM

Type Detail Synchronous

Size 1024 MB

Total Width 64-bit

Data Width 64-bit

Device Locator DIMM1

Bank Locator BANK1

Manufacturer Manufacturer1

Serial Number SerNum1

Asset Tag AssetTagNum1

Part Number PartNum1

[ Memory Devices / DIMM2 ]

Memory Device Properties:

Form Factor DIMM

Device Locator DIMM2

Bank Locator BANK2

Manufacturer Manufacturer2

Serial Number SerNum2

Asset Tag AssetTagNum2

Part Number PartNum2

[ Memory Devices / DIMM3 ]

Memory Device Properties:

Form Factor DIMM

Device Locator DIMM3

Bank Locator BANK3

Manufacturer Manufacturer3

Serial Number SerNum3

Asset Tag AssetTagNum3

Part Number PartNum3

[ System Slots / PCIEX16 ]

System Slot Properties:

Slot Designation PCIEX16

Type PCI-X

Usage In Use

Data Bus Width 32-bit

Length Short

[ System Slots / PCI_1 ]

System Slot Properties:

Slot Designation PCI_1

Type PCI

Usage Empty

Data Bus Width 32-bit

Length Short

[ System Slots / PCI_2 ]

System Slot Properties:

Slot Designation PCI_2

Type PCI

Usage Empty

Data Bus Width 32-bit

Length Short

[ System Slots / PCI_3 ]

System Slot Properties:

Slot Designation PCI_3

Type PCI

Usage Empty

Data Bus Width 32-bit

Length Short

[ System Slots / PCIEX1_1 ]

System Slot Properties:

Slot Designation PCIEX1_1

Type PCI-X

Usage Empty

Data Bus Width 32-bit

Length Short

[ System Slots / PCIEX1_2 ]

System Slot Properties:

Slot Designation PCIEX1_2

Type PCI-X

Usage Empty

Data Bus Width 32-bit

Length Short

[ Port Connectors / PS/2 Mouse ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Mouse Port

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator PS/2 Mouse

External Connector Type PS/2

[ Port Connectors / PS/2 Keyboard ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Keyboard Port

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator PS/2 Keyboard

External Connector Type PS/2

[ Port Connectors / USB1 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type USB

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator USB1

External Connector Type USB

[ Port Connectors / USB2 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type USB

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator USB2

External Connector Type USB

[ Port Connectors / USB3 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type USB

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator USB3

External Connector Type USB

[ Port Connectors / USB4 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type USB

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator USB4

External Connector Type USB

[ Port Connectors / USB5 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type USB

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator USB5

External Connector Type USB

[ Port Connectors / USB6 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type USB

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator USB6

External Connector Type USB

[ Port Connectors / USB7 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type USB

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator USB7

External Connector Type USB

[ Port Connectors / USB8 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type USB

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator USB8

External Connector Type USB

[ Port Connectors / LPT 1 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Parallel Port ECP/EPP

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator LPT 1

External Connector Type DB-25 pin male

[ Port Connectors / COM 1 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Serial Port 16550A Compatible

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator COM 1

External Connector Type DB-9 pin male

[ Port Connectors / MIDI ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type MIDI Port

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator MIDI

External Connector Type DB-15 pin female

[ Port Connectors / Joy Stick ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Joystick Port

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator Joy Stick

External Connector Type DB-15 pin female

[ Port Connectors / Audio Line Out1 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Audio Port

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator Audio Line Out1

External Connector Type Mini-jack (headphones)

[ Port Connectors / Audio Line Out2 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Audio Port

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator Audio Line Out2

External Connector Type Mini-jack (headphones)

[ Port Connectors / Audio Line Out3 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Audio Port

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator Audio Line Out3

External Connector Type Mini-jack (headphones)

[ Port Connectors / SPDIF_OUT ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Audio Port

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator SPDIF_OUT

External Connector Type On-Board Sound Input from CD-ROM

[ Port Connectors / SPDIF_OUT1 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Audio Port

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator SPDIF_OUT1

External Connector Type On-Board Sound Input from CD-ROM

[ Port Connectors / GbE LAN 1 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Network Port

Internal Connector Type None

External Reference Designator GbE LAN 1

External Connector Type RJ-45

[ Port Connectors / SB_IDE ]

Port Connector Properties:

Internal Reference Designator SB_IDE

Internal Connector Type On-Board IDE

External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / SB_SATA1 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Internal Reference Designator SB_SATA1

Internal Connector Type On-Board IDE

External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / SB_SATA2 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Internal Reference Designator SB_SATA2

Internal Connector Type On-Board IDE

External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / SB_SATA3 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Internal Reference Designator SB_SATA3

Internal Connector Type On-Board IDE

External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / SB_SATA4 ]

Port Connector Properties:

Internal Reference Designator SB_SATA4

Internal Connector Type On-Board IDE

External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / CD ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Audio Port

Internal Reference Designator CD

Internal Connector Type On-Board Sound Input from CD-ROM

External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / FP_AUDIO ]

Port Connector Properties:

Port Type Audio Port

Internal Reference Designator FP_AUDIO

Internal Connector Type On-Board Sound Input from CD-ROM

External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / FLOPPY ]

Port Connector Properties:

Internal Reference Designator FLOPPY

Internal Connector Type On-Board Floppy

External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / CHA_FAN ]

Port Connector Properties:

Internal Reference Designator CHA_FAN

External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / CPU_FAN ]

Port Connector Properties:

Internal Reference Designator CPU_FAN

External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / PWR_FAN ]

Port Connector Properties:

Internal Reference Designator PWR_FAN

External Connector Type None

[ On-Board Devices / Onboard Ethernet ]

On-Board Device Properties:

Description Onboard Ethernet

Type Ethernet

Status Enabled

[ Miscellaneous ]

Miscellaneous:

OEM String To Be Filled By O.E.M.

OEM String To Be Filled By O.E.M.

OEM String To Be Filled By O.E.M.

OEM String To Be Filled By O.E.M.

[Jingthing]

True confessions. There was a user action that may or may not be related to my problem with the SDHC cards. This happened AFTER my external hard disk showed no data and I had to reformat (as opposed to the cards). I reformatted my external hard disk with FAT32 and put some video files there. Then I tested to see whether my DVD player (separate from my PC) hooked to a tv would read the hard drive (which of course has an external power supply). It did not. That may have been stupid but a friend told me it might work.

Anyway, AFTER that I was able to play video on my DVD player with USB input/tv with an SDHC card. Then that card showed as empty/not readable/not writable/not formatable on the PC (and now not working on the DVD/tv). A second card also not working at all, on the DVD/tv or USB on the PC. It's weird, huh? I only mentioned it because I wonder if DVD player was damaged by my attempt to try the hard drive on it.

Edited March 22, 2010 by Jingthing

[Supernova]

If I bought a new hard drive and used the same machine, would the key still work?

If I moved this HD with W7 to a new machine, it wouldn't work with my current key?

Swapping hard drives (on the same machine) shouldn't be a problem, the worse that can happen is you'll need to re-activate. On the other hand, moving the HDD with an activated copy of Windows to a new machine is no different from changing the CPU / motherboard and will invalidate the OEM product key.

If I called MS and told them I wanted to install it in a totally new machine at a later date, would they allow that? I had understood it was for one machine at a time only, not that you couldn't install it in a new machine (and stop using the old one).

I suppose you could persuade MS into issuing you a new product key by telling them you have a busted motherboard; this seems to work most of the time.

Both OEM and Retail copies of Windows can be activated infinitely, one key to one machine at any given time. You can activate over the internet up to five times; subsequent activations must be completed over the phone. The main difference between OEM and Retail keys is, OEM is locked to a single computer and will not activate on another machine. Whereas the boxed product or retail license is less restrictive and can be transferred from one computer to another.

[Supernova]

The bios is from 2006. Would updating it help my problems? I am unclear on how to update BIOS.

Difficult to say... If compatibility issues exist and are severe enough to cause problems, one way to address these issues is by flashing the BIOS. Updating your computer's BIOS to the latest release is a good idea, but be sure to read the notes accompanying the update. This will help you decide whether or not it's worth flashing to a specific version. Check your motherboard manufacturer website for more information.

If you're not familiar with the update procedure, I highly recommend you find someone who is and get them to do it for you. Better to be safe than sorry...

[Jingthing]

If I bought a new hard drive and used the same machine, would the key still work?

If I moved this HD with W7 to a new machine, it wouldn't work with my current key?

Swapping hard drives (on the same machine) shouldn't be a problem, the worse that can happen is you'll need to re-activate. On the other hand, moving the HDD with an activated copy of Windows to a new machine is no different from changing the CPU / motherboard and will invalidate the OEM product key.

If I called MS and told them I wanted to install it in a totally new machine at a later date, would they allow that? I had understood it was for one machine at a time only, not that you couldn't install it in a new machine (and stop using the old one).

I suppose you could persuade MS into issuing you a new product key by telling them you have a busted motherboard; this seems to work most of the time.

Both OEM and Retail copies of Windows can be activated infinitely, one key to one machine at any given time. You can activate over the internet up to five times; subsequent activations must be completed over the phone. The main difference between OEM and Retail keys is, OEM is locked to a single computer and will not activate on another machine. Whereas the boxed product or retail license is less restrictive and can be transferred from one computer to another.

So the machine ID is in the motherboard?

[Jingthing]

The bios is from 2006. Would updating it help my problems? I am unclear on how to update BIOS.

Difficult to say... If compatibility issues exist and are severe enough to cause problems, one way to address these issues is by flashing the BIOS. Updating your computer's BIOS to the latest release is a good idea, but be sure to read the notes accompanying the update. This will help you decide whether or not it's worth flashing to a specific version. Check your motherboard manufacturer website for more information.

If you're not familiar with the update procedure, I highly recommend you find someone who is and get them to do it for you. Better to be safe than sorry...

Thanks. I agree, probably too risky for me.

[Jingthing]

OK, an update on the USB SDHC issue. I had another mini reader around that has always worked before. I stuck it into the computer and got the usual successful message (LOADING DEVICE DRIVERS). BTW, on the failed reader, that message wasn't happening anymore. This time, the drivers NEVER loaded, and the machine never recognized the SDHC cards at all, even to attempt to format them (which probably wouldn't have worked anyway). So it seems something is going on with the USB ports. Any ideas how to fix it?

Of course this wasn't a pure test as the cards tested on the new reader were the same ones not working on the old reader.

Another question, these drivers it is trying to load when sticking in USB card reader, where are they coming from? The machine, the reader, or the card?

Edited March 23, 2010 by Jingthing

[Supernova]

So the machine ID is in the motherboard?

How Product Activation works in Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7

The answer you seek is about half-way down the page... If you have the time, read through the entire article.

[brianmarinus]

Hello!

I cant tell you what is wrong whit your pc but I and my freind have alot of problems and we go to a shop-dont remember the name,but you can have the number to the man who come home to me and fix it-and I have never had problems sins.

I gave 300 baht for this,so it is very cheap,I think.

0861874892-I think he is the man who can fix it for you.

Brian

[Jingthing]

Hello!

I cant tell you what is wrong whit your pc but I and my freind have alot of problems and we go to a shop-dont remember the name,but you can have the number to the man who come home to me and fix it-and I have never had problems sins.

I gave 300 baht for this,so it is very cheap,I think.

0861874892-I think he is the man who can fix it for you.

Brian

What city is he in?

[Jingthing]

Just a semi ironic/semi serious thought -- anyone want to buy my nightmare? I just spent 7170 baht on authentic Win 7, new 500 gig hard drive, and new RAM. The motherboard is 3 years old (SATA) and has D processors, decent graphics card, and the non-functioning stuff you can read about on this thread. Would be glad to unload this dream for 7K baht, basically what I just spent on upgrade. The windows key is clean, not associated with any name. (In Jomtien.)

Edited March 23, 2010 by Jingthing

[spacemunk]

after searching the problem here is that there is no official win7 drivers for the Asus P5LD2 SE motherboard.

You can actually call microsoft and get a new key by using the automated voice system , so u dont really have to sell ur windows 7.

[Jingthing]

after searching the problem here is that there is no official win7 drivers for the Asus P5LD2 SE motherboard.

You can actually call microsoft and get a new key by using the automated voice system , so u dont really have to sell ur windows 7.

Could you give me a scenario for that attempt?

For example, install new motherboard. Then what? Reinstall Win 7 and get an error message or leave the current hard drive as is, and wait for an error message that my computer has changed too much. Or get the new key BEFORE I made major changes to the machine? I really don't get it, thanks for any help.

Edited March 23, 2010 by Jingthing

[SnS]

Check if they did an update from XP to 7 or a new installation

Sounds like they might have just taken the update option

Im no expert though

Edited March 23, 2010 by SnS

[Jingthing]

Check if they did an update from XP to 7 or a full installation

Sounds like they might have just taken the update option

Im no expert though

This was a fresh Win 7 install on a totally virgin new HD.

[spacemunk]

just ensure everything is plugged in before doing anything else.

call microsoft and get a new key just give them the excuse that ur hard drive crashed along with ur motherboard so u bought new hardware , if u intend to talk to the customer service.

if u dont need anything from ur hard drive and nothing is important in it , do a fresh install.

once windows 7 is installed just have all ur driver cds ready.

Graphic card driver

motherboard driver and anything else which needs drivers , the rest of the drivers will be auto installed by windows 7.

[Jingthing]

But I will probably use my current HD and Microsoft can see that. MB driver is different than BIOS, correct? So get the key before I start with the new hardware is what I think you are saying.

[Jingthing]

Let this be a lesson to people. My pain, your lesson. I naively assumed/trusted the tech person would have warned me about lack of compatibility and told me I needed new hardware.

Edited March 23, 2010 by Jingthing

[spacemunk]

But I will probably use my current HD and Microsoft can see that. MB driver is different than BIOS, correct? So get the key before I start with the new hardware is what I think you are saying.

MB drivers is in the cd/dvd which comes along with your motherboard and yes its totally diff from BIOS.

Get the key b4 u start with the new hardware

[Supernova]

after searching the problem here is that there is no official win7 drivers for the Asus P5LD2 SE motherboard.

This shouldn't be a problem. It is likely that Windows 7 will have proper driver support for the P5LD2 SE out of the box... Any missing chipset drivers will be offered through Automatic Updates. If not, Vista drivers should also work. This is from my own experience setting up Windows 7 on older computers. Your mileage may vary...

[Jingthing]

So it is not hopeless to use my computer with current MB? If not, how can I fix the other problems? No sound. No use of USB for SDHC. On the CD drive, I am still not sure if it was user error that busted it, would have to install a new one to test it.

[Supernova]

^ Getting a new MB isn't going to do you much good and may even introduce more problems. Your current system is capable of handling Windows 7. It's just a matter of getting all the proper drivers installed.

About your SDHC not working, I've been doing some reading and it looks to be a common problem for many folks. Do you know what brand/model the card reader is?

No sound -- I will look into this later...

ImgBurn (freeware) is my preferred cd/dvd writing application I use in Windows 7. Works like a charm.

[Jingthing]

^ Getting a new MB isn't going to do you much good and may even introduce more problems. Your current system is capable of handling Windows 7. It's just a matter of getting all the proper drivers installed.

About your SDHC not working, I've been doing some reading and it looks to be a common problem for many folks. Do you know what brand/model the card reader is?

No sound -- I will look into this later...

ImgBurn (freeware) is my preferred cd/dvd writing application I use in Windows 7. Works like a charm.

Yes, but what drivers do I need?

I tried two different kinds of mini card readers. They both were working before on my old XP system. One was working before on my Win7 system and now doesn't. I asked this again, but when you stick the card in the USB slot and you see the message Loading Drivers, when it is working, WHERE are the drivers coming from for the USB card reading thing -- the card, the reader, or the machine?

I also use imgburn for DVD burning. DVD read and burning is working. For CDs, the drive doesn't even recognize the existence of any CD I put in there, full, blank, different brands.

I wonder if this thread will still be going a year from now, ha ha.

Edited March 23, 2010 by Jingthing

[Supernova]

I tried two different kinds of mini card readers. They both were working before on my old XP system. One was working before on my Win7 system and now doesn't.

What is the brand name and/or model of the card readers? Need to have this bit of information in order to find compatible drivers.

I asked this again, but when you stick the card in the USB slot and you see the message Loading Drivers, when it is working, WHERE are the drivers coming from for the USB card reading thing -- the card, the reader, or the machine?

Did you install ANY third-party drivers or was everything configured automatically?

Win7 has a vast device driver library which is stored locally on your hard drive in C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository.

[Jingthing]

Card readers? OK, I can't see any brand on either. One is an All in One style that accepts most types of cards and the other is SD only type of stick. Both are USB 2.0. The one that is a stick (the fresh one that I found), maybe it doesn't support SDHC (bigger memory cards)? The cards I have are both Kingston Type 4 SDHC cards (4 and 8 meg). When these have worked in the past you see a message saying Loading Drivers when you stick the readers in. Again, loading drivers from WHERE?

The All in One always worked on XP and was working for a little while with Win 7 and then wasn't working. Well the in the All in One, the cards were showing up, but needed reformat, and then would not all reformat. The other one never gets passed Loading Drivers. Are you maybe suggesting I get a higher end reader?

As far as my windows install I let a tech guy do it and trusted him (my mistake). I did mention my concern about graphics driver and watched him work on it and saw the message there was no compatible with my hardware from NVIDIA. Later I found a fit from NVIDIA. As far as other non-automatic drivers, I doubt it. On the other hand, aren't most things supposed to be plug and play? For example the CD/DVD drive, I don't think there are any drivers for it.

When I check for drivers on things like sound on my Win 7 system, it scans, and returns the message working fine and drivers up to date. It even did this on my graphics driver before I found a fit, so like another poster said, those system messages are questionable.

Edited March 23, 2010 by Jingthing

[Supernova]

BTW, have you checked for / installed any Windows updates so far? Configure Windows 7 to notify or receive important updates if you haven't already done so. Several important functionality and performance updates (like the one below) should be installed on your system. Who knows? Operating system updates may be just what the doctor ordered.

On to sound issues...

I couldn't find any AD1986A drivers for Windows 7, so either keep what's already on there or use the Vista drivers. Before you do the latter, download and install the Application Compatibility Update first.

DVD read and burning is working. For CDs, the drive doesn't even recognize the existence of any CD I put in there, full, blank, different brands.

I don't what to say about this one. Definitely a problem with the device, not Windows.

[Jingthing]

Yes I have done all Windows 7 updates.

I found a USB card reader drivers thing from Realtek (windows 7 support) and installed it. Didn't help at all.