Can I move an OEM WinXP HDD to a new machine?

  • Thread starter Thread starter M Skabialka
  • Start date Start date
M

M Skabialka

We have a 2 1/2 yr old machine which came from the manufacturer with no copy
of Windows XP Home, only a restore disk. On the occasion that we had to use
it, there was no option to reinstall Windows, only to reformat and start
over.

We bought a really fast CPU and fan on sale and realized that it is not
compatible with the motherboard on this machine, so then went out and bought
a new case and motherboard. We would like to move everything else from the
first machine (NIC, RAM, HDD, CD-RW, Video adapter, fans, etc) and have a
new faster machine.

However, when we put the hard drive in (which works OK now) onto the new
machine, what will it do to the Windows XP Home that is on the HDD but
thinks it belongs to the other motherboard and CPU?

Will it let this happen or totally scramble everything?

We are going to ghost it first just in case, but does anyone else have
experience, good or bad, doing this?

Since we already own this copy of Win XP Home, we don't want to have to buy
it again. The other machine will be gutted and useless.

Thanks,
Mich
 
You cannot transfer the license for a preinstalled OEM
version of Windows XP to a different computer. The
license is directly tied to the original computer's hardware.

You'll need to purchase a conventional version of
Windows XP for your new computer.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| We have a 2 1/2 yr old machine which came from the manufacturer with no copy
| of Windows XP Home, only a restore disk. On the occasion that we had to use
| it, there was no option to reinstall Windows, only to reformat and start
| over.
|
| We bought a really fast CPU and fan on sale and realized that it is not
| compatible with the motherboard on this machine, so then went out and bought
| a new case and motherboard. We would like to move everything else from the
| first machine (NIC, RAM, HDD, CD-RW, Video adapter, fans, etc) and have a
| new faster machine.
|
| However, when we put the hard drive in (which works OK now) onto the new
| machine, what will it do to the Windows XP Home that is on the HDD but
| thinks it belongs to the other motherboard and CPU?
|
| Will it let this happen or totally scramble everything?
|
| We are going to ghost it first just in case, but does anyone else have
| experience, good or bad, doing this?
|
| Since we already own this copy of Win XP Home, we don't want to have to buy
| it again. The other machine will be gutted and useless.
|
| Thanks,
| Mich
 
You cannot replace the motherboard with a different motherboard
and use the original Windows XP license. You would have to use
the exact same motherboard.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Does it make a difference if I put the new motherboard and CPU in the old
| case?
 
M Skabialka said:
Does it make a difference if I put the new motherboard and CPU in the old
case?
Click to expand...

Carey, as usual, is wrong. You cannot, however, use the restore CD because
it was made for the previous motherboard and tied to its BIOS, not because,
as Carey says, it's a "different computer". Had the original seller of the
computer given you a generic OEM, yes, it would be an upgrade not a new
computer like the misnamed "MVP" Carey says. I would recommend you buy a
generic OEM, not a retail version if you want to save money and try a repair
install after backing up your data on the HD first and, if that doesn't
work, a clean install. As you live in Alabama, check out:

http://www.walmart.com/search/browse-ng.do?ref=125875.126122+500854.4293871607&path=0:3944:3951:3954

Alias
 
Q. Can a PC with OEM Windows XP have its motherboard upgraded and keep the
same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?

A. Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on
your customer's computer and the end user may maintain the license for the
original Microsoft® OEM operating system software, with the exception of an
upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is
considered to result in a "new personal computer" to which Microsoft® OEM
operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the
motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a
new computer has been created and the license of new operating system
software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective,
you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC.

The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the end-user license
agreement (EULA) and the support of the software covered by that EULA. The
EULA is a set of usage rights granted to the end-user by the PC manufacturer
and relates only to rights for that software as installed on for that
particular PC. The System Builder is required to support the software on that
original PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PC with
different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left
standing" that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard
contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard
is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created.
The original System Builder, therefore, can not be expected to support this
new PC that they in effect, did not manufacture.
 
What actually happens when you put the HDD on the new motherboard? Does it
look to the restore CD for new BIOS info, or scramble the XP installation?

I have a copy of Win XP Home upgrade that I am not using. Can you upgrade
from OEM XP to Win XP upgrade from older versions?

Also, what indication was there that I live in Alabama?
 
Carey Frisch said:
Q. Can a PC with OEM Windows XP have its motherboard upgraded and keep the
same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?

A. Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on
your customer's computer and the end user may maintain the license for the
original Microsoft® OEM operating system software, with the exception of
an
upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard
is
considered to result in a "new personal computer" to which Microsoft® OEM
operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If
the
motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then
a
new computer has been created and the license of new operating system
software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is
defective,
you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC.

The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the end-user
license
agreement (EULA) and the support of the software covered by that EULA. The
EULA is a set of usage rights granted to the end-user by the PC
manufacturer
and relates only to rights for that software as installed on for that
particular PC. The System Builder is required to support the software on
that
original PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PC
with
different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left
standing" that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard
contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the
motherboard
is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially
created.
The original System Builder, therefore, can not be expected to support
this
new PC that they in effect, did not manufacture.
Click to expand...

Why oh why do you insist on posting this that does not apply to an end user,
Carey? It's been pointed out to you numerous times yet you keep posting it.
Are you dense or what?

Alias
 
M said:
What actually happens when you put the HDD on the new motherboard?
Does it look to the restore CD for new BIOS info, or scramble the XP
installation?

I have a copy of Win XP Home upgrade that I am not using. Can you
upgrade from OEM XP to Win XP upgrade from older versions?

Also, what indication was there that I live in Alabama?
Click to expand...

Do a clean install using your XP Home. You can do a clean install with
an upgrade; early in the install you'll be asked to supply a cd of an
older operating system to prove you're qualified for an upgrade.

Qualifying Media -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/upgrading/matrix.mspx

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install

I'm not sure why Alias thought you were in Alabama; a Whois of your IP
shows Qwest in Denver. The IP shows in your headers and isn't anything
to be concerned about. Naturally you have a firewall installed to
protect your computer anyway.

Malke
 
M Skabialka said:
What actually happens when you put the HDD on the new motherboard? Does
it look to the restore CD for new BIOS info, or scramble the XP
installation?

I have a copy of Win XP Home upgrade that I am not using. Can you upgrade
from OEM XP to Win XP upgrade from older versions?
Click to expand...

You can try a repair install with your upgrade CD. See these two links:

Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with XP Installed
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
Also, what indication was there that I live in Alabama?
Click to expand...

Your IP address.

Alias
 
It certainly applies to an end-user! You have no clue as
to the licensing stipulations of OEM versions of Windows
XP. Please refrain from responding to questions regarding
OEM licensing since your replys are purely non-sense,
mis-leading, confusing, and do more harm then good
to the OP who is seeking trustworthy advice!

Direct quotes from the Resourc Guide to Windows Licensing:

"OEM Windows Desktop operating systems preinstalled on a PC
CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED or reassigned to another machine.
The license is ALWAYS TIED to the ORIGINAL SYSTEM in which it
was installed, even if the PC is no longer in use. The software
media, manuals, and Certificate of Authenticity may only be
transferred to another end user if the PC on which it was installed
is also transferred."

"OEM versions are intended for system builders only and cannot be
transferred to another PC once it is installed. Purchasers of this software
are required to comply with the terms of the System Builder License,
including responsibility for providing all end-user support."

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
 
Carey Frisch said:
It certainly applies to an end-user! You have no clue as
to the licensing stipulations of OEM versions of Windows
XP. Please refrain from responding to questions regarding
OEM licensing since your replys are purely non-sense,
mis-leading, confusing, and do more harm then good
to the OP who is seeking trustworthy advice!

Direct quotes from the Resourc Guide to Windows Licensing:

"OEM Windows Desktop operating systems preinstalled on a PC
CANNOT BE TRANSFERRED or reassigned to another machine.
The license is ALWAYS TIED to the ORIGINAL SYSTEM in which it
was installed, even if the PC is no longer in use. The software
media, manuals, and Certificate of Authenticity may only be
transferred to another end user if the PC on which it was installed
is also transferred."

"OEM versions are intended for system builders only and cannot be
transferred to another PC once it is installed. Purchasers of this
software
are required to comply with the terms of the System Builder License,
including responsibility for providing all end-user support."
Click to expand...

Um, who said anything about transfering the OS to another PC? He is
upgrading his PC by replacing a few components and that's perfectly kosher
and you know it. Do you get some kind of vicarious thrill from scaring
newbies into buying a retail version of Windows? Upgrading or replacing a
motherboard is not mentioned in the END USER'S -- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH
SYSTEM BUILDER THAT YOUR COPY AND PASTE ADDRESSES, EULA. Period. I have
three OEM EULAs, two in Spanish and one in English and NONE of them say
ANYTHING about a motherboard being the defining hardware that constitutes a
computer and, if I want to upgrade from a Mobo that can only take 2x AGP to
one that can take 8x, I can. Or if I want to upgrade to one that can take
333 memory instead of 266, I can. Essentially, over time, I could upgrade
the computer's components completely except for one screw and it will still
only be installed on ONE computer and not transferred to another. Yaknow, a
PC, not a MAC.

Alias
 
I guess we are going to take the plunge and try this out. The PC was bought
with Windows XP installed - and it is going to be moved, not copied. The
hardware on the original PC has been upgraded already over the years, adding
a new video card, another HDD, fans, memory, DVD writer - how is that
different from upgrading the motherboard and CPU? I haven't bought a new PC
ever since my Commodore 64 that wasn't upgraded as much as possible until it
outlived its usefullness, and Microsoft has a lot of my money!

Mich
 
You have confirmed how little knowledge you have of
the restrictions of OEM licensing agreements.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
 
You may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on
your computer and maintain the license for the
OEM operating system software, with the exception of an
upgrade or replacement of the motherboard.

An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer"
to which Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be reused.
If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a
defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system
software is required.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I guess we are going to take the plunge and try this out. The PC was bought
| with Windows XP installed - and it is going to be moved, not copied. The
| hardware on the original PC has been upgraded already over the years, adding
| a new video card, another HDD, fans, memory, DVD writer - how is that
| different from upgrading the motherboard and CPU? I haven't bought a new PC
| ever since my Commodore 64 that wasn't upgraded as much as possible until it
| outlived its usefullness, and Microsoft has a lot of my money!
|
| Mich
 
Carey Frisch said:
You have confirmed how little knowledge you have of
the restrictions of OEM licensing agreements.
Click to expand...

Really? Can you respond to content or merely hurl a childish ad hominem?

Alias
 
Carey Frisch said:
You may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on
your computer and maintain the license for the
OEM operating system software, with the exception of an
upgrade or replacement of the motherboard.
Click to expand...

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT Wrong.
An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal
computer"
to which Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be reused.
Click to expand...

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT Wrong.
If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a
defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new
operating system
software is required.
Click to expand...

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT Wrong

Not doing too well, Carey. Nowhere in the end user's generic OEM EULA does
it mention a motherboard and you know it. Why do you lie?

To Mich: read the one on your computer if you don't believe me. I have read
mine. Why Carey wants to scare newbies into paying extra for a retail copy
when it is not necessary is beyond me.

Alias
 
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