Hope this doesn't confuse you Cruise, but a tech told me about this some time ago (tattooing), it kind of explains the different kinds of OS (restore cd) you get with a package, like HP, Dell, etc. Here are two links, one is a forum, the other some sort of geek place. My desktop is a Systemax, not a brand name but built from components at CompUSA online. The stores didn't carry them, just brand names. It came with MB and OS cd's among others.

Links: http://www.geek.com/forums/topic/changing-motherboard-and-hard-drive-in-hp-computer

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-motherboard-tattoo.htm

If you want to learn more, Google motherboard tattoo. Pretty interesting.

Needing the MB drivers CD is making all this sound like a headache - what if I have to reformat the hard drive (malware infestation) and reinstall XP? Won't the computer be completely dead without the motherboard drivers if I have to reinstall the MB drivers, then this driver, that driver, install the OS, then install more drivers?

This is beginning to sound like an article for "MAD" magazine. Am feeling intimidated by all this in case I have to reformat and reinstall XP on this new PC.

EDIT - just skimmed over the links you gave me, Hawka - think it means I can't even upgrade this PC if need be?

With the massive amounts of advice you've been given about how NOT to ever get infested with malware ever again, you should not have to worry about that problem.

But should you ever need to reinstall your OS, you will now not have to worry about not having the drivers for your motherboard.

Cruise02 you worry too much.
Your computer will be fine, and if you ever need to reformat/reinstall, we'll help you through it. The only tricky part is the Intel Matrix Storage drivers -- and for all you know, Ecollege PC will send an XP disc where they've already been slipstreamed into the install. The rest of the drivers are installed after XP, and you'll have a disc for that that should make it easy.

There shouldn't be any problem with upgrading your PC if you decide to do so. EcollegePC wouldn't be doing any "motherboard tattooing." That's more of something you'd find with a Dell PC -- where the Windows disc from Dell only works on a Dell.

The Matrix Storage drivers are only an issue with XP - Vista and 7 have no problems what so ever (at least on the PC's I've set up recently).

Every OEM (that I've dealt with) has always provided the Mobo drivers on a separate disc - it's really not a problem (just remember to store it in a safe place).

Cruise, yes stop worrying and fretting about what "might happen". I personally have reformatted and reinstalled Windows XP at least five times on my desktop. I finally took the hard drive back as it tested bad and "knock wood" since it is has been fine. Mentioned the tattooing as to what you would not have in the computer you want. Any built computer is fully upgradeable, mine was and has been.

Yes Inland is right, don't misplace it, I keep all of mine in a ziplock bag near my computer. I also keep note of what is installed so I can put every thing back.

Found 2 at Office Depot -
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/146010/Lenovo-ThinkPlus-USB-Portable-Floppy-Drive/
This one's cheaper and the description says its for a Think Pad - it's for 3.5" floppies and is compatible with Win 98/ME/2000, so don't know if it'll work on that new desktop PC I'm hoping to buy next month though;

I'm leaning more towards this (in the above link) one than the one below (in the following link)

and here's another one but it costs a bit more
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/188770/IBM-USB-Portable-Floppy-disk-drive/
Will consider following your advice, Hawka - which external floppy drive should I get? I have a $25 reward card that I can use towards this drive.

Is the floppy drive in your 3 yr old PC defunct because you didn't use it much? And if I bought this external floppy drive I linked you to above, how would this be better than a built-in floppy drive considering I'll probably use it occasionally - I mean, even if I bought this external floppy drive and use this occasionally, won't this become defunct like the floppy drive in your 3 yr old PC did?

Those USB floppy drives from Office Depot are way overpriced.
Get one from Newegg or Amazon.
Paying more than $20 or $30 for a USB floppy drive is unnecessary.

Plus, ecollege will add one to your PC for $10.

Even better.

I don't have an external floppy cause I don't need it for anything now. The internal one on the desktop died from lack of use, again cause I don't use it. I suppose if I ever want to look at the pics I have on floppies I will buy one. At least an external can be used on more than one computer.

Anyway you don't live where it rains 50+ inches a year do you, dampness kills electronics. Maybe when used a lot they stay dry.

Thanks for enlightening me, Hawka - I didn't know that it rains a lot where you live.

I live in the Pittsburgh area - West Mifflin to be specific.

So, people, Hawka said that her floppy drive died from lack of use - will this happen to the one that I'm going to have put into my PC from EcollegePC considering I'll probably use it occasionally - rarely?

I doubt it.
If you're worried, just give it a little exercise once in a while.
Do you have many floppy games?

Yes - I have several -
Star Wars X Wing;
Where is Carmen Sandiego - USA;
" " " - World;
" " " - Space;
SimAnt;
Rex Nebular & Cosmic Gender Bender (don't know if I'll ever want to play this again, though);
MS Space Simulator;
and I never know if/when I'll order an old game (DOS/Win 3.xx) that comes on floppies, so I want to keep this option open.

I have a floppy in my 10 year old computer that still works like the day I got it. I wouldn't worry about it. Just have ecollege pc put one in for you and use it once in awhile.