Is there an option?

[slake]

I was just wondering if there was an option where I could not include a primary harddrive on my build. I currently have two Harddrives that are working perfectly fine and don't really need a third nor do I want to spend the extra money.

Also since my Raptor already has Windows 7 installed onto it, I should be okay to just plug and play the Raptor into the new build once it gets here and everything will be working fine?

I won't need to do anything with the BIOS etc, except maybe set the Raptor as my primary boot up HDD?

 

[keynes]

I should be okay to just plug and play the Raptor into the new build once it gets here and everything will be working fine?

I don't think it will work, you would need specific drivers to be installed on the primary drive, you would probably need a clean installation of windows.

I was just wondering if there was an option where I could not include a primary harddrive on my build. I currently have two Harddrives that are working perfectly fine and don't really need a third nor do I want to spend the extra money.

From previous threads I think it is possible but for an official response it would be better to contact PCS directly.

 

[slake]

Really? What drives would need to be installed?

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Also in other words are you saying I needa buy a new Windows 7 in total... if so I really don't want Windows installed on a crappy cheap 500GB that they offer, I want it on my Raptor for speed, and I can't exactly afford to get a second 500GB Raptor lol.

 

[vanthus]

Don't think PCS will provide a computer without a hard drive if I remember right with previous posts,as they need to install a hard drive to test the computer,but best check with them about that.
If you want to install a hard drive with an OS already on it you will need to uninstall the drivers on the operating system first as some of them could cause the computer to be unbootable,even then there might still be problems,but it is possible.

 

[slake]

Argh, this is so much hassle and money -.-

All I need is a PSU, CPU, Mobo, Case and a new cooler obviously.. But I'm too nervous to put it all together myself in case I break something or go wrong.

 

[keynes]

Also in other words are you saying I needa buy a new Windows 7 in total... if so I really don't want Windows installed on a crappy cheap 500GB that they offer, I want it on my Raptor for speed, and I can't exactly afford to get a second 500GB Raptor lol.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I didn't mean you need to buy a 2nd HDD. I was planning to buy a mini-pc and I wanted to use an existing hard drive, I called the sales department and they told me it would be possible to deduct the price of the existing hdd and I just needed to send mine to them. You could try Vanthus's advice, I tried it myself (without uninstalling the drivers) and it was not working well.

 

[steaky360]

No graphics card?

You could just order the pc with the cheapest harddrive in it and no windows (if you have a copy already)

Or you could get in touch with PCS and see if you can send them one of your harddrives so they can build your PC.

 

[slake]

I have a Sapphire 7950 3GB, 640GB Caviar Green, 500GB Raptor...

Although now I'm thinking a third HDD may not be a bad idea, to store some of my more popular games on, and for future releases like *possibly GTA5*, BF4, Arma 3 etc...

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I currently have a copy of Windows 7 installed on my Raptor from the first PC I bought from PCS, would that work on this one too, if I just installed it again on the new hard drive?

 

[steaky360]

If you had windows installed on one of the newer hard drives it should just work as another drive when you put it into your PC

 

[vanthus]

I currently have a copy of Windows 7 installed on my Raptor from the first PC I bought from PCS, would that work on this one too, if I just installed it again on the new hard drive?

If the copy of windows you have was supplied by PCS it will be an OEM version of windows and can only be used on the computer it was supplied with.

 

[slake]

Well that brings the price down to £666.

But I'll have windows 7 installed on three hard drives lol.

@vanthus - I installed the same copy of windows on the new velociraptor I bought a few months back with no problems... Or does would the new motherboard have something to do with not allowing me to install the same Windows key to the new PC?

 

[vanthus]

Well that brings the price down to £666.

But I'll have windows 7 installed on three hard drives lol.

@vanthus - I installed the same copy of windows on the new velociraptor I bought a few months back with no problems... Or does would the new motherboard have something to do with not allowing me to install the same Windows key to the new PC?

Yes,a new motherboard can prevent a previously used OEM version from being activated.

 

[steaky360]

Well that brings the price down to £666.

But I'll have windows 7 installed on three hard drives lol.

You can format the harddrives to get rid of the duplicate copies of windows (just move stuff you want to keep around first). Really simple to do

 

[slake]

Thought as much, there goes the price back up to £745 -.-

Surely there must be a company out there that will assemble the PC if I give them my current parts and buy the news ones for a lot cheaper then this.

 

[steaky360]

Thought as much, there goes the price back up to £745 -.-

Surely there must be a company out there that will assemble the PC if I give them my current parts and buy the news ones for a lot cheaper then this.

Keynes has already pointed out PCS were willing to do this (take your old hard drive to use as primary) but you need to get in touch with them about it. But there is no getting away from purchasing a new copy of Windows I don't think.

 

[slake]

PCS are too expensive for that as I want my Memory, both Harddrives and Graphics card installed, not just the hard drives.

I mean a stand-a-lone company like a local computer shop or something... As the parts separately comes in at £500 with PCS it'll be in the £600-£700 easily.

 

[keynes]

If you think you can get it cheaper that way go for it. I would still get everything from one place for peace of mind in terms of warranty and technical support for the whole system not individual parts.

 

[steaky360]

I take it you've already spoken to PCS about this and confirmed they will not accommodate you?

If not then you're right, its probably cheaper to purchase the parts yourself and put it together yourself. I doubt a local PC shop will do that bit for free, certainly not if they offer any kind of warranty.

I would agree with Keynes though that the piece of mind offered by the warranty on both parts and labor (in my opinion) is worth the extra money you'd pay. But that's just my opinion.

 

[slake]

I really don't wanna be spending £745 though... maybe I'll leave it a few months and see if the prices come down.

Also I know there will be a cost involved to get it put together by a local computer store if I buy the parts separately etc.

 

[Grimezy]

I've only really glanced through the thread as I'm sure the other guys have said most of the things I was thinking anyway but is it possible for you to buy a small SSD just to install the OS onto? I know they're expensive (I don't have one myself) but everyone I've spoken to that's used one has said they'd never go back. That way, if you get a 60/120gb SSD, PCS will install the OS and then when your rig arrives you can plug your old raptor in and everything should be fine. Obviously this may be too expensive for you though.

It sounds like you may just have to build your own if you're trying to mix and match with existing parts.