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Keep Using an Old PC


Best Answer phillpower2 , 19 October 2024 - 09:36 AM

OS - Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit (Non Genuine as I cannot find the original Licence Key)  You need either a legit key or format the drive and use something like Linux Mint. Even though... Go to the full post »


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#1
JonnyAlpha

JonnyAlpha

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Hi,

 

I have around several old PCs some running Windows, one has Windows XP on it  :yes: and another was setup as a NAS server using FreeNAS (a long time ago), using an old server motherboard. I don't want to throw any of them away and need to work out what I can do with them.

I have several old PC games that at some point I'd like to get out and use and one was setup to extract DV from a camcorder using a Firewire card and I never got around to finishing the task.

Anyway, the best one is on a lovely HTPC case and has a Mini ATX motherboard, specs are as follows:

 

Motherboard - ASRock FM2A75M-DGS 

CPU - AMD A6-5400K

Mem - 8GB Ballistix

Gfx Onboard - Radeon HD Gfx

Gfx PCiE - ASUS GTX 750Ti

OS - Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit (Non Genuine as I cannot find the original Licence Key)

 

The question is what can I do with it?

 

Can I keep it Windows 7 (reasonably safely) and play my old games?

Could I install a different OS such as Linux and still use the existing hardware?

Clearly any PC games wont work without an emulator - any suggestions?

 

 

 

 

 


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#2
phillpower2

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✓  Best Answer
OS - Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit (Non Genuine as I cannot find the original Licence Key)

 

 

You need either a legit key or format the drive and use something like Linux Mint.

 

Even though it is end of life forum rules do not allow assistance when illegal software is present.

 

One bit of advice that I will offer you, make sure that you have a decent brand PSU and preferably one that is at least Bronze efficiency rated and at least 350 but preferably 450W or above.


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#3
JonnyAlpha

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OS - Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit (Non Genuine as I cannot find the original Licence Key)

 

 

You need either a legit key or format the drive and use something like Linux Mint.

 

Even though it is end of life forum rules do not allow assistance when illegal software is present.

 

One bit of advice that I will offer you, make sure that you have a decent brand PSU and preferably one that is at least Bronze efficiency rated and at least 350 but preferably 450W or above.

 

 

Sorry did not want to break any rules - this is a genuine version of Windows 7 - I just cannot find the licence key for it anymore. Lost it years ago :-)

 

I am now trying the KDE Plasma Version of Ubuntu. Having problems booting from a USB stick. The same stick is working on my Windows Laptop, but the ASRock FM2 is having trouble recognising it?


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#4
phillpower2

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If it is the original OS as long as the drive has not been formatted and the computer will actually boot into Windows 7 you can use a free product key finder like the one here

 

Have you enabled legacy boot and set the BIOS to boot from USB first.

 

Make sure that any boot USB device is in one of the USB 2.0 ports and not one of the faster USB 3.0 ports.

 

You should also make sure that you have a keyboard hooked up and preferably one of the old wired PS/2 type.


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