H61 Motherboard and Sandy Bridge with Windows XP SP3?

[Smoolean]

Hello all,

I recently ordered parts for a computer with the belief I had access to a legal copy of Windows 7 through my work. This plan has fallen apart, so I have a few questions regarding versions of Windows.

I already have Windows XP SP3 I can place on my new build, but I'm not sure if XP will work with the new H61 motherboards and Sandy Bridge (i5 2500). I've seen various threads via Google, some saying it will work as long as SP3 is present, others saying it won't work, and others saying you'll need to "slipstream" certain elements to get it to work.

Does anyone know if XP SP3 will work with this mobo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=0&Pagesize=10

And this processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-073-_-Product

Now, I realize I will lose significant performance with XP vs Windows 7, but I'm looking to save money at this point, and if it will work, I will definitely go this route.

The $99 OEM version of Windows 7 seems affordable, but my worry is that if my motherboard ever dies, or if I ever want to upgrade to a better motherboard, I will have to re-purchase Windows 7 which seems completely ridiculous.

The retail version of Windows 7 is around $180 which is a bit steep, but if it is truly my only option... I have no choice and I will have to go that route...

Can anyone offer any feedback concerning XP on the new hardware, and also, if the OEM version of Windows 7 is as restrictive as I believe it to be?

Thanks!

 

[Matt1970]

ASRock lists plenty of drivers for XP for that board.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Windows XP 32-bit or 64-bit? If it is 32-bit, if 32-bit, you are not going to have all that much ram (start running into limitations at the mid-to-upper 3gb range)

You can get chipset drivers directly from Intel for that board. Driver support is a non-issue for xp 32-bit. Although, I am not sure if quad-cores will be used efficiently, dual core should be fine. I cannot access your links due to DynamiteData screwing them up

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=19596&ProdId=3301&lang=eng

 

[ConMac]

I just completed a Sandy Bridge build with the i5-2500K CPU with an ASUS P8P67 Deluxe MOBO, which I dual boot Windows 7 OEM and XP SP3. You will have to get the Intel SATA drivers from Intel, and a USB external floppy drive to load them onto a diskette. A thumb drive won't work. I researched the heck out of this, so take it from me - don't slipsteam the drivers onto the OS DVD. It's far easier to pay the $12 for the floppy drive and load the drivers manually. Re:Windows 7 as being restrictive, I don't know what you mean. As far as I know, it's identical to the box retail version.

 

[Nothinman]

Does anyone know if XP SP3 will work with this mobo:

They list drivers for 32-bit and 64-bit XP, so it should work although I'm betting it'll be a painful process to get XP running on there simply because it's so old.

The $99 OEM version of Windows 7 seems affordable, but my worry is that if my motherboard ever dies, or if I ever want to upgrade to a better motherboard, I will have to re-purchase Windows 7 which seems completely ridiculous.

It's not ridiculous at all. MS is giving you a very discounted license with a set of restrictions on that license's usage. If you don't like the restrictions then buy a full retail license which has less restrictions.

The retail version of Windows 7 is around $180 which is a bit steep, but if it is truly my only option... I have no choice and I will have to go that route...

How is that steep? Provided you use that license for 3 years it'll cost you about $5/mo and most people use a single license for 5+ years. Hell, XP is almost 10 years old now so if you bought that license when it was first release you've gotten double that out of it. Pretty cheap for something that's integral to you actually using the computer, eh?

But if you still think the licensing costs are too high, look at Linux. It'll easily do 99% of what Windows does for zero cost forever. The only thing you lose out on is games and anything else that's Windows-only, which luckily is almost nothing these days.

 

[ConMac]

How does the Win7 OEM version differ from the retail version. My OEM permits me to create a Repair Disk, which I heard the OEM's wouldn't do. I'm curious. I think it's just hype from MS to get people to shell out the extra $90.

 

[Nothinman]

How does the Win7 OEM version differ from the retail version. My OEM permits me to create a Repair Disk, which I heard the OEM's wouldn't do. I'm curious. I think it's just hype from MS to get people to shell out the extra $90.

OEM licenses are tied to the machine for which they were ordered and they're supposed to be limited to real OEMS, i.e. people building PCs to sell to other people. I believe the motherboard is considered the core component with which they should stay however places like NewEgg usually let you buy something as cheap as an SATA cable to qualify for an OEM license. Sadly, MS doesn't enforce it as much as they should so most people abuse the system. I'm guessing MS would rather get half the price of the license from you rather than have you pirate it completely.

It's not hype as much as jay walking and speeding are hype. They're real laws that exist, but most people are able to get away with breaking those laws a majority of the time.

 

[Matt1970]

OEM licenses are tied to the machine for which they were ordered and they're supposed to be limited to real OEMS, i.e. people building PCs to sell to other people. I believe the motherboard is considered the core component with which they should stay however places like NewEgg usually let you buy something as cheap as an SATA cable to qualify for an OEM license. Sadly, MS doesn't enforce it as much as they should so most people abuse the system. I'm guessing MS would rather get half the price of the license from you rather than have you pirate it completely.

It's not hype as much as jay walking and speeding are hype. They're real laws that exist, but most people are able to get away with breaking those laws a majority of the time.

Correct. They want the OEM to stay with the computer but do allow changes if needed. Retail is desined to stay with the user which is better if you upgrade quite a bit.

 

[ConMac]

Thanks for the info. guys!

 

[VirtualLarry]

I always get retail (except in cases where it's not available - like WHS).

 

[Smoolean]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I decided on the OEM version - hopefully my motherboard lasts, and even if it doesn't, I hear MS is fairly flexible.