looking for some advice--Motherboard and SSD replacement


Lou

Lou

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Good day-
Looking for some direction--
I've a 3-year old DELL XPS 8940 desktop that I'll be replacing the motherboard and SSD....
LONG story but I've a hardware issue that needs to be addressed.
I 've been advised by DELL that I need to flash a BIOS into this machine---that shouldn't be an issue. I have a USB stick with the BIOS executable on it.
Question-
I've a very recent IMAGE of my desktop (Macrium) and I was going to simply restore/clone that image to the new SSD...
Both the mother board and SSD are DELL OE parts for the XPS 8940---I was able to pick these up, from DELL, for some $84--God bless AMEX points!
Is this method of restoring my old IMAGE to the new SSD correct or do I need to approach this in a different manner....
NO laughing now---this is all very new to me
PS- the new SSD has the same capacity as the old but is the larger size--- 2280 verses 2230
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN11 HOME Version 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL XPS 8940
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11700 @ 2.50GHz 2.50 GH
    Motherboard
    Dell OE
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) DELL 2007FP
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 1200
    Hard Drives
    C: (OS and APPS) 512GB SSD
    D: (data) 1TB SATA
    PSU
    360W
    Case
    DELL OE
    Cooling
    Noctua NF-A9 PWM 92mm case fan and NH-D9L CPU Cooler with 92mm fan
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    500Mbps DWN 120Mbps UP
    Browser
    EDGE-- once in a while will use FIREFOX
    Antivirus
    MS
    Other Info
    The case fan and CPU cooler were after purchase upgrades...the i7 cpu runs hot and the OE solution can best be described as marginal when CPU intensive apps are used.
    ALSO added a VRM and SSD passive heatsinks.
The change of the hardware, mostly the motherboard, will make Windows and in turn Microsoft think it is a new computer and there may be issues with Activation after installing.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
AmericanPharaoh said:
There is a lot of confusion surrounding this Digital license. And a lot of users think because the license is tied to their Microsoft Account it has transfer rights, this is not the case, it just makes it easier to transfer, if the underlying license can be transferred.

This is the rule that matters:

Is your Windows 10/11 license based on an OEM license (came pre-installed on a PC) or Retail (purchased separately to a PC)

If it is a Retail license, then it will have transfer rights to a new PC, if it is OEM, it will not.

The license is tied to your Microsoft account and saved on Microsoft servers. So, you can easily reactivate your machine after hardware change or reinstall providing the license is retail.

Next, Dell Computer uses proprietary cases, motherboards and power supplies. You may have trouble fitting a store bought motherboard into one of the cases. Furthermore, the wiring and/ or wiring connectors on the proprietary power supply may be different and may not work with the new motherboard.

It would be best to start from scratch and build a new computer. You can get all the help you need with that process right here at Eleven Forums.
Click to expand...
The thread title may have mislead you.

"Both the mother board and SSD are DELL OE parts for the XPS 8940"
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
Lou said:
Good day-
Looking for some direction--
I've a 3-year old DELL XPS 8940 desktop that I'll be replacing the motherboard and SSD....
LONG story but I've a hardware issue that needs to be addressed.
I 've been advised by DELL that I need to flash a BIOS into this machine---that shouldn't be an issue. I have a USB stick with the BIOS executable on it.
Question-
I've a very recent IMAGE of my desktop (Macrium) and I was going to simply restore/clone that image to the new SSD...
Both the mother board and SSD are DELL OE parts for the XPS 8940---I was able to pick these up, from DELL, for some $84--God bless AMEX points!
Is this method of restoring my old IMAGE to the new SSD correct or do I need to approach this in a different manner....
NO laughing now---this is all very new to me
PS- the new SSD has the same capacity as the old but is the larger size--- 2280 verses 2230
Click to expand...
I'm not very knowledgeable about Windows licensing.

I believe that Dell codes a Windows license into their motherboard BIOSes.

If not, stuff I've read here over the past few years suggests that the distinction between retail and OEM licenses as regards the online digital license no longer exists.

However, on my most recent new build, I just spent about $20US on one of those OEM licenses readily available online from sites that don't appear to be piratical. (Example: there are always links off of www.guru3d.com .) Activated just fine.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Amd Threadripper 7970X
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte TRX50 Aero D
    Memory
    128GB (4 X 32) Kingston DDR5 5200 (RDIMM)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 4090 OC
    Sound Card
    none (USB to speakers), Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27E1N8900 OLED
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Crucial T700 2TB M.2 NVME SSD
    WD 4TB Blue SATA SSD
    Seagate 18TB IronWolf Pro
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1600 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo XL
    Cooling
    Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 360, with 3 Phanteks T30 fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Internet Speed
    1200 Mbps
  • Operating System
    windows 11 22631.2861
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    homebuilt
    CPU
    Intel I9-13900K
    Motherboard
    Asus RoG Strix Z690-E
    Memory
    64GB G.Skill DDR5-6000
    Graphics card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX 3090 ti
    Sound Card
    built in Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus PA329C
    Screen Resolution
    3840 X 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB
    8 TB Seagate Ironwolf
    4TB Seagate Ironwolf
    PSU
    eVGA SuperNOVA 1300 GT
    Case
    Lian Li 011 Dynamic Evo
    Cooling
    Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX Liquid CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech M500s (wired)
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120 (wired)
@bobkn, thanks for the heads up. I've removed my comment.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL XPS 8960
    CPU
    i7-13700k
    Motherboard
    GENUINE DELL XPS 8960 DESKTOP MOTHERBOARD INTEL SOCKET LGA1700 XD433
    Memory
    (2 x 16 GB) 32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA FOUNDERS EDITION GEFORCE RTX 4060-Ti
    Sound Card
    ON BOARD 7.1 CHANNEL AUDIO
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL 27 MONITOR - P2722H
    Screen Resolution
    FULL HD (1080p) 1920 x 1080 at 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    512 GB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD (boot) + 1 TB, 7200 RPM, SATA, HDD (storage)
    PSU
    750W
    Case
    DELL
    Cooling
    DELL PERFORMANCE CPU LIQUID COOLING
    Keyboard
    AZIO
    Mouse
    LOGITECH M650
    Internet Speed
    INTERNET SPEED 100 MBPS
    Browser
    MICROSOFT EDGE AND GOOGLE CHROME
    Antivirus
    NORTON 360
    Other Info
    ALTEC LANSING SPEAKERS
Anyone---please
Is what I described a good approach or do I need to persue another method...
Again- This is all real new to me
TIA
LOU
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN11 HOME Version 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL XPS 8940
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11700 @ 2.50GHz 2.50 GH
    Motherboard
    Dell OE
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) DELL 2007FP
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 1200
    Hard Drives
    C: (OS and APPS) 512GB SSD
    D: (data) 1TB SATA
    PSU
    360W
    Case
    DELL OE
    Cooling
    Noctua NF-A9 PWM 92mm case fan and NH-D9L CPU Cooler with 92mm fan
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    500Mbps DWN 120Mbps UP
    Browser
    EDGE-- once in a while will use FIREFOX
    Antivirus
    MS
    Other Info
    The case fan and CPU cooler were after purchase upgrades...the i7 cpu runs hot and the OE solution can best be described as marginal when CPU intensive apps are used.
    ALSO added a VRM and SSD passive heatsinks.
Do you have an MS account on your current PC? You can reactivate windows by logging into your MS account after changing the hardware. Or simply type in the key.
Edit: Image restore will work. Just need to reactivate after hardware change.

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change​

 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    Motherboard
    MSI MPG Gaming Edge Wifi (X570)
    Memory
    32GB Adata XPG DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GTX 1070 8GB ROG
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Ultrawide 34"
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Main Boot Drive : 512GB Adata XPG RGB Gen3x4 NVMe M.2 SSD
    PSU
    EVGA 600 Watts Gold
    Case
    Deepcool Genome II
    Cooling
    Deepcool Fryzen
    Internet Speed
    1Gbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    "Moderna"
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-4790K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Xtreme6 Z97
    Memory
    16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI R9 290
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Ultrawide 34"
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung M.2
    PSU
    Thermaltake 475 Watts 80 Bronze
    Case
    Thermaltake Commander I Snow Edition
    Cooling
    Deep Cool Archer Air Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Keyboard
    Armageddon MKA-5R RGB-Hornet
    Internet Speed
    1Gbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Moderna :)
To clarify.....your motherboard needs replacing? You've acquired the same motherboard to replace it with? If so start with the motherboard replacement initially using all the original parts including the 2230 SSD. If it's the same motherboard a direct hardware replacement should be easy enough to get things up and running.
Then does the Bios update. Then do the SSD swap. If the updated parts are up and running it will be easy enough to simply clone the 2230 drive to the newer/larger 2280 one. If the Clone goes well all you'd need to do is swap the drives.

As mentioned there is a possibility of Windows griping around activation. Hopefully you've got the key on the case somewhere? If it's imbedded in the bios then you might need to do a telephone activation workaround.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7/10/11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    I'm a computer enthusiast so have quite a few systems that I run. More like an advanced hobby.
Restoring the image will be fine. Presumably it the same model mobo, just a replacement.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    2x8gb 3200mhz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    benq gw2480
    PSU
    bequiet pure power 11 400CM
    Cooling
    cryorig m9i
  • Operating System
    win7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    pentium g5400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    1x8gb 2400
    PSU
    xfx pro 450
The replacement Motherboard is an OE Dell part(from Dell) and its the same as the one presently in the machine...
This is per the Dell sales person--I've yet to receive the parts
THANKS folks for the input---you folks are GREAT!
I'm feeling more comfortable with doing this
PS- Yes- I do have an MS account---- used it to get the machine up and running when first purchased...Presently do everything with a Local Account....
Got to try and find that account log in info---oops!
I'll post a follow-up once I get the parts installed and have the desktop up and running
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN11 HOME Version 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL XPS 8940
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11700 @ 2.50GHz 2.50 GH
    Motherboard
    Dell OE
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) DELL 2007FP
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 1200
    Hard Drives
    C: (OS and APPS) 512GB SSD
    D: (data) 1TB SATA
    PSU
    360W
    Case
    DELL OE
    Cooling
    Noctua NF-A9 PWM 92mm case fan and NH-D9L CPU Cooler with 92mm fan
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    500Mbps DWN 120Mbps UP
    Browser
    EDGE-- once in a while will use FIREFOX
    Antivirus
    MS
    Other Info
    The case fan and CPU cooler were after purchase upgrades...the i7 cpu runs hot and the OE solution can best be described as marginal when CPU intensive apps are used.
    ALSO added a VRM and SSD passive heatsinks.
OK- JUST found my MS account log in info and tested it---just waiting for parts now
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN11 HOME Version 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL XPS 8940
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11700 @ 2.50GHz 2.50 GH
    Motherboard
    Dell OE
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) DELL 2007FP
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 1200
    Hard Drives
    C: (OS and APPS) 512GB SSD
    D: (data) 1TB SATA
    PSU
    360W
    Case
    DELL OE
    Cooling
    Noctua NF-A9 PWM 92mm case fan and NH-D9L CPU Cooler with 92mm fan
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    500Mbps DWN 120Mbps UP
    Browser
    EDGE-- once in a while will use FIREFOX
    Antivirus
    MS
    Other Info
    The case fan and CPU cooler were after purchase upgrades...the i7 cpu runs hot and the OE solution can best be described as marginal when CPU intensive apps are used.
    ALSO added a VRM and SSD passive heatsinks.
Being the motherboard is a OEM replacement from Dell I don't think you'll have any problems with activation. Do you know if you can use both drives on the motherboard? If you can, you can use one for the OS and the other for your data. If not you can buy an external enclosure and use it as a USB drive.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Follow-up
I'm doing this from my desktop with it's new motherboard and SSD.....Life is good!!!!!
A real big THANK-YOU to the good folks here!!!!!
NO issues with the motherboard, BIOS or the restore of my system image to the new SSD
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WIN11 HOME Version 23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DELL XPS 8940
    CPU
    11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11700 @ 2.50GHz 2.50 GH
    Motherboard
    Dell OE
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio (on board)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    (2) DELL 2007FP
    Screen Resolution
    1600 X 1200
    Hard Drives
    C: (OS and APPS) 512GB SSD
    D: (data) 1TB SATA
    PSU
    360W
    Case
    DELL OE
    Cooling
    Noctua NF-A9 PWM 92mm case fan and NH-D9L CPU Cooler with 92mm fan
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech M705
    Internet Speed
    500Mbps DWN 120Mbps UP
    Browser
    EDGE-- once in a while will use FIREFOX
    Antivirus
    MS
    Other Info
    The case fan and CPU cooler were after purchase upgrades...the i7 cpu runs hot and the OE solution can best be described as marginal when CPU intensive apps are used.
    ALSO added a VRM and SSD passive heatsinks.
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