Just finished my new computer Woot.
It locked up last night, playing Quake Wars, GAME IS FREEKING GOURGOUS THOUGH I don't think it was overheating becasue I felt the graphics card vent and all the otherones and the air wasn't really that warm, I've felt way hotter hair coming from my XBOX, PS3, and other PCs.
I will mention that my orginal and still intent is to have Windows Vista Ultimate 64 on this machine but my copy didn't work so I had to install XP instead.

I didn't update at all and this is a pre SP2 xp install so im thinking thats the culprit. (I really didn't give a hoot about updates I just wanted to play my game)
I think I just have to hook it up to the internet and download all my updates.

Lastly any body got any ideas on getting Vista Ultimate.
I refuse to pay $250-400 for an os, thats obserd, paying that much would make it the third to second most expensive component of my computer, my Vista disc works if you have an os allready installed but it just sits at the weird Vista screen with all the colors and the corsor if you pop it into a fresh computer.
I cant just install it over my XP either becase thats 32 bit, and the raid drivers have to be installed at 64 bit Vista.
I checked price watch, student discount stores, newegg, and tigerdirect.
Esentualy I need a standalone version of Vista Ultimate, go ahead and send me a pm if you have any ideas. or if you know how to get my Vista disc to work.
Thanks,

EDIT: this is the best i've found so far but i've hear oem OSs can't be installed more then once and thats B.S. if you ask me.

Since I'm asking the OS question whats the deal with running both XP 64 and Vista 64 on the same machine, I've been told they don't play well together.

OEMs can be installed as many times as you want as long as you don't make any significant hardware changes. from the machine you've built, I don't see you making any changes any time soon, so honestly I don't see why buying an OEM OS would be bad. I really don't think a 64 bit OS worth it at the moment, seeing alot of the hoops you have to jump through to use it (I.E. signed drivers and all that).

As for your lock up, This was happening with my GF's 8800GTS, I would say make sure you have the lastest nvidia drivers.

Drivers got it, I'll make sure I do a full system update. I'll have to see if i can get the drivers by way of flash drive onto the machine.

I do actualy intend to add a bit more to my machine, I got a pair of the Seagate Cheetahs from Fu3lman and I have yet to find a controller card for them. I really don't know a dam thing about SCSI so I've been doing my research. Not to mention I do swop out Optical drives like I'm playing hot potato with the dam things.

im running 64 bit vista ultimate righ tnow, and everythign works great. no driver issues at all. comp is in sig below.

as for vista.. you most likely do not need to buy the OS all over again. your CD key is good for BOTH 32 bit AND 64 bit verison of the OS you have. home, premium, ultimate.

sounds like you just need a copy of the 64 bit CD. if your CDs are legit, you can call MS or your comp manuf and have them replace your CD.

as for how many times you install the OS..

i have instaleld vista on the comp below about 7 times now, also on my laptop too. some times i had to call in and get the activation code from MS, other times i havent. and it isnt really hardware based from what i have seen. i went from my laptop to my desktop, and didnt get prompt to call. but then i reinstalled the next day and i had to call. it seems if you give it some time between your installs, you might be able to just actiavet online.

now.. if you end up buying the OS all over again, just buy the upgrade. you can do a fresh install of vista even with a upgrade CD key

Quote: Originally Posted by Spatha Drivers got it, I'll make sure I do a full system update. I'll have to see if i can get the drivers by way of flash drive onto the machine. I do actualy intend to add a bit more to my machine, I got a pair of the Seagate Cheetahs from Fu3lman and I have yet to find a controller card for them. I really don't know a dam thing about SCSI so I've been doing my research. Not to mention I do swop out Optical drives like I'm playing hot potato with the dam things.

I really don't think those would be considered significant changes. I mean if you dropped in a new mobo, cpu, video card, and memory I'm sure that would throw you. Honestly I would recommend getting yourself an OEM copy.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sk8forMaple I really don't think those would be considered significant changes. I mean if you dropped in a new mobo, cpu, video card, and memory I'm sure that would throw you. Honestly I would recommend getting yourself an OEM copy.

I dont know it vista is anything like xp its going to be stuborn as hell. I added two hard drives and changed cd rom and i had to re activate and it made me re activate when i added a sound card.
At this point id like to add how much I hate tool less design. (thumb screws are fine) I just sliced my fingtip off! with a stupid plastic clip, while removing a cd drive to use in my new computer. Man that stings somthing feirce.