Reactivation Question re XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter JGM
  • Start date Start date
J

JGM

I want to change my motherboard and cpu and keep my old case and
peripherals....Any advice about re-activation of my OS and my MS Office I
want to keep everything else the same and the same HardDrive. My IP address
will be the same?

Thanks JGM
 
I want to change my motherboard and cpu and keep my old case and
peripherals....Any advice about re-activation of my OS and my MS Office
Click to expand...

Yes, do reactivate them unless you just want to try Linux
instead?

I
want to keep everything else the same and the same HardDrive. My IP address
will be the same?
Click to expand...

How is your IP address assigned?
If you're not on a lan, windows would randomly pick one in a
series, same as always. If you're on a lan with a DHCP
server, it would assign the IP, unless system is set to keep
a permanent IP already. You'd have to provide details of
your IP config now for us to know what if anything will or
needs changed.
 
JGM said:
I want to change my motherboard and cpu and keep my old case and
peripherals....Any advice about re-activation of my OS and my MS Office I
want to keep everything else the same and the same HardDrive. My IP
address
will be the same?
Click to expand...

If they are retail versions then simply call MS
If they are OEM versions then the licence is tied to the hardware they were
bought with and you can't change.
 
How is your IP address assigned?, blah...

As far as I know, the IP address of your machine is completely
irrelevant to MS's key generation mechanism. I will not pretend to know
everything about it, but I believe that there are 6 items that are
checked: the CPU, motherboard, amount of RAM, the HDD, the MAC address
of your network card (if you have one) and there is something else that
I have forgotten.

The MAC address is hard-wired into your network card and so will not
change if the IP is changed. Therefore you do not need to worry about
the IP address changing for re-activating it.

What I suggest you do is to phone MS up to activate it (as opposed to
automatically doing it over the net) and write down the configuration of
your system (including the order in which you installed things), the
number that you have to give them and the number that you get back. This
means that you should be able to re-install Windoze on your machine
without phoning them up again, provided you follow the exact same steps
and use the exact same components as before.

Don't forget to note the particular minutiae of your machine like which
cards go in which PCI/ISA/whatever slots, which BIOS revision you have,
which IDE devices are assigned to which channels (also master/slave
arrangements), the partitioning of your HDD(s) and other suchlike.

Possible tips would include not installing network cards/disabling
onboard LAN (so you are not tied to a particular MAC address) and having
the bare minimum of hard drives installed so that the key you get is as
general as possible. Be sure to test your system first to make sure that
it works well, as you may be activating a duff system otherwise. You can
then wipe the HDD and start again, activating 'doze on the most general
combination possible.

I have never tried this (haven't had the guts yet) but it is possible
that windoze will want to be re-activated upon adding a certain (don't
know how many) number of measured components. Therefore this method is
not entirely without risks.
Yes, do reactivate them unless you just want to try Linux
instead?
Click to expand...

Or that. In fact, go get Linux now and stick it on a secondary hard
drive. The worst that you will suffer is a bit of lost time installing
and configuring.
 
If they are retail versions then simply call MS
If they are OEM versions then the licence is tied to the hardware they were
bought with and you can't change.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be so sure about that. My XP is an OEM version, bought with
an HDD (I know of at least one place that allows that) and it is not
permanently locked into my hardware (this copy has gone through a
*complete* overhaul of the system with 2 activations in total).

If you mean OEM windoze as in one shipped with a Dell (or whatever),
then I have no idea as to what happens. It doesn't seem likely that
they'd tie a particular key to a set combination of parts for the
infinite future due to privacy issues, but anything's possible with MS...
 
I wouldn't be so sure about that. My XP is an OEM version, bought with
an HDD (I know of at least one place that allows that) and it is not
permanently locked into my hardware (this copy has gone through a
*complete* overhaul of the system with 2 activations in total).
Click to expand...

It's not a matter of being "locked" into hardware, rather
than an OEM license is tied to the hardware it is sold with.
For OEM whole-system, that is typically the motherboard
considered as "the" tied component. It's not that you
couldn't install Windows on another motherboard, but rather
(IF) the license disallows this, you're not licensed to use
WIndows on the new hardware. IF faced with this scenario
some have reportedly contacted MS and been able to get
reactivated, yet under that license MS is not obligated to
do so (if it's legal to license in this way which is a whole
'nuther sub-topic). Presumably if an OEM license is bought
with a HDD (as per your example) then the license is only
good with that HDD in the system... a bit of a grey area
there, since most other hardware is not necessarily a
singular foundation like a motherboard.
If you mean OEM windoze as in one shipped with a Dell (or whatever),
then I have no idea as to what happens. It doesn't seem likely that
they'd tie a particular key to a set combination of parts for the
infinite future due to privacy issues, but anything's possible with MS...
Click to expand...

The particular license key is tied to the one, shipping
license for the system, for the infinite future. The
generated activation key will of course change, if/when
hardware changes. The key to OEM is that it is (AFAIK)
always tied to a particular piece of hardware the license is
sold with... or typically the motherboard when sold with
whole system.
 
If you change the motherboard then you MUST reformat the harddrive and do a
fresh install of the OS. Otherwise you will experience ongoing nasty
Registry errors and data corruption.
 
If you change the motherboard then you MUST reformat the harddrive and do a
fresh install of the OS. Otherwise you will experience ongoing nasty
Registry errors and data corruption.
Click to expand...


Not necessarily true but thanks for guessing.
 
Presumably if an OEM license is bought
with a HDD (as per your example) then the license is only
good with that HDD in the system... a bit of a grey area
there, since most other hardware is not necessarily a
singular foundation like a motherboard.
Click to expand...

I don't think so: go to
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=134166 and
read the red text, which is copied here:

--transcript start--

PLEASE NOTE : To qualify for this licensing you need to purchase either
a system, or a non-peripheral computer hardware component (which will be
an integral part of the computer system which the OEM software will be
installed) such as a motherboard, graphics card, hard disk, processor,
keyboard, mouse. At the SAME time as the Operating System.

--transcript end--

To tie in this license to any particular component would mean having an
immense array of CDs specific to every motherboard, CPU, keyboard,
mouse, HDD, graphics card and whatever that they sell.

It is not locked in, as the booting HDD used in my current system
(Seagate 200GB SATA) is not the same as the one used in my previous one
(Seagate 60GB IDE/ATA). I can remove the 60 and it will boot with no
complaints.


In short, I still stick by my theory that an OEM Windoze bought by you
in a shop along with key parts is not locked to that hardware.

I don't agree that an OEM license bundled with an assembled PC is
technically for that PC only; instead you ought be free to move that
license around to any computer that you own (since what you have is a
windows license, period, not a windows license for a particular
machine). Unless it says on the product documentation or terms of sale
that the WinXP included is specific to that particular machine and is
not to be moved around. If you can show me where it says that then you
have indisputable proof for your side.
 
BananaOfTheNight said:
I don't think so: go to
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=134166 and
read the red text, which is copied here:

--transcript start--

PLEASE NOTE : To qualify for this licensing you need to purchase either a
system, or a non-peripheral computer hardware component (which will be an
integral part of the computer system which the OEM software will be
installed) such as a motherboard, graphics card, hard disk, processor,
keyboard, mouse. At the SAME time as the Operating System.

--transcript end--

To tie in this license to any particular component would mean having an
immense array of CDs specific to every motherboard, CPU, keyboard, mouse,
HDD, graphics card and whatever that they sell.
Click to expand...

It is not tied to the components by technical means but it is tied to them
legally by the licencing agreement. MS can tell which is which by the
licence keys.
It is not locked in, as the booting HDD used in my current system (Seagate
200GB SATA) is not the same as the one used in my previous one (Seagate
60GB IDE/ATA). I can remove the 60 and it will boot with no complaints.
Click to expand...

That's right, its technically possible. But if the licence was purchased
with the 60Gb hard disk then it is illegal.
In short, I still stick by my theory that an OEM Windoze bought by you in
a shop along with key parts is not locked to that hardware.

I don't agree that an OEM license bundled with an assembled PC is
technically for that PC only; instead you ought be free to move that
Click to expand...

Some big PC manufactuers (ie Dell) technically tie it to their system so it
won't boot on a machine with a diferent BIOS. In doing so you are pretty
stuffed with regards to BIOS upgrades so I wonld never bother with buying
one of theirs.
license around to any computer that you own (since what you have is a
windows license, period, not a windows license for a particular machine).
Unless it says on the product documentation or terms of sale
Click to expand...

You can have a retail licence which you can legally install on different
machines (though only one at a time) or an OEM licence tied to particular
hardware that follows that hardware around to whichever PC it is installed
into.
 
In message <[email protected]> kony
Not necessarily true but thanks for guessing.
Click to expand...

As a general rule if you're changing chipsets, this is the wisest course
of action. You can get away without doing it, but when you get tired of
bluescreens and reformat you'll probably be much happier.
 
I don't think so: go to
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=134166 and
read the red text, which is copied here:

--transcript start--

PLEASE NOTE : To qualify for this licensing you need to purchase either
a system, or a non-peripheral computer hardware component (which will be
an integral part of the computer system which the OEM software will be
installed) such as a motherboard, graphics card, hard disk, processor,
keyboard, mouse. At the SAME time as the Operating System.

--transcript end--
Click to expand...

Scan.co.uk is not Microsoft are they?

Regardless, how does that conflict with what I wrote?
I was taking into account that nobody should be selling OEM
licenses without (some kind of) simultaneous hardware
purchase.

To tie in this license to any particular component would mean having an
immense array of CDs specific to every motherboard, CPU, keyboard,
mouse, HDD, graphics card and whatever that they sell.
Click to expand...

Nope, it means the Windows license is. ZERO CDs are. The
CD is not the license.

It is not locked in, as the booting HDD used in my current system
(Seagate 200GB SATA) is not the same as the one used in my previous one
(Seagate 60GB IDE/ATA). I can remove the 60 and it will boot with no
complaints.
Click to expand...

I already told you that.
It is never "locked".
In short, I still stick by my theory that an OEM Windoze bought by you
in a shop along with key parts is not locked to that hardware.
Click to expand...

Then stop using the word "locked".

Let me put it bluntly.
You can install windows on whatever you want, regardless of
where the windows license came from, BUT to do so legally,
not in violation of the license, you must use the hardware
that the license was tied to. You can't buy the license
with an OEM system then strip the thing down to a gutted
case with the certificate of authenticity on the back,
install all new hardware in that case and LEGALLY use it.
It'll install, it'll run (up until activation limit runs
out), but it's not legal to use the OEM license. You can of
course just buy another license for same exact OS distro and
then it's licensed.
I don't agree that an OEM license bundled with an assembled PC is
technically for that PC only;
Click to expand...

That's the beauty of it for Microsoft, you DON'T HAVE TO
AGREE. It is irrelevant whether you agree. Your options
are to accept the license or use something else.

Personally I think the license stinks and that one ought to
be able to reuse it on another system. "Ought to" and "can"
are two different things.

This is why retail licenses exist, and are accordingly
priced higher.
...instead you ought be free to move that
license around to any computer that you own (since what you have is a
windows license, period, not a windows license for a particular
machine).
Click to expand...

But you DO own only a "windows license for a particular
machine". That's what it is when "bundled with an assembled
PC".

Unless it says on the product documentation or terms of sale
that the WinXP included is specific to that particular machine and is
not to be moved around. If you can show me where it says that then you
have indisputable proof for your side.
Click to expand...


I"m a bit apathetic about proving it to you.
Microsoft has a website, your software should have a EULA.
I agree that ALL details of the license should be revealed
BEFORE the product is purchased, and there have been court
cases regarding this, but no real resolution beyond a
customer being allowed to insist on a refund and be pointed
at MS's website for terms.
 
Some big PC manufactuers (ie Dell) technically tie it to their system so it
won't boot on a machine with a diferent BIOS. In doing so you are pretty
stuffed with regards to BIOS upgrades so I wonld never bother with buying
one of theirs.
Click to expand...

When did they start doing that?
I have a Dell pre-SP1 Windows XP Home CD that will install a
working Windows XP Home on any system... but it still
legally requires a different license and to be activated.
 
In message <[email protected]> kony


As a general rule if you're changing chipsets, this is the wisest course
of action. You can get away without doing it, but when you get tired of
bluescreens and reformat you'll probably be much happier.
Click to expand...

<Sigh>
I guess I'll have to do a thorough writeup someday and then
just cut-n-paste it.

There was a time when many insisted Win98 couldn't be
plugged and play migrated well either, but today in
retrospect they were quite wrong, done correctly there is a
100% percent success rate doing it on any system that could
run a clean Win98 install. There are more issues with NT,
so someday I'll do a step-by-step and see if others can find
any flaws in it so the process can be refined as 100%
working.
 
kony said:
When did they start doing that?
I have a Dell pre-SP1 Windows XP Home CD that will install a
working Windows XP Home on any system... but it still
legally requires a different license and to be activated.
Click to expand...

On a supplementary note:

A Gateway system I purchased shortly before Windows XP was released,
contained a Windows 2000 Pro installer that would check the BIOS to
insure that it was, in it's own words, "a Gateway PC" The installer
does work, however, on a different (later) Gateway with a different BIOS
id than the first.
 
On a supplementary note:

A Gateway system I purchased shortly before Windows XP was released,
contained a Windows 2000 Pro installer that would check the BIOS to
insure that it was, in it's own words, "a Gateway PC" The installer
does work, however, on a different (later) Gateway with a different BIOS
id than the first.
Click to expand...

Was it a Microsoft CD though or a Gateway CD with a
parititon image or partition file-copy utility on it?
That's the difference I've seen with the OEMs, it matters
whether the system came with the windows CD or only a
"restoration" type of CD.
 
OK. This shows the signs of a holy war in the early stages, so I'll stop
here.
Click to expand...


Don't think that I'm an advocate of MS, I'd like to see
their license strategy declared void by the courts, but
until that happens...
 
If you change the motherboard then you MUST reformat the harddrive and do a
fresh install of the OS. Otherwise you will experience ongoing nasty
Registry errors and data corruption.
Click to expand...

Bull!


Have a nice one...

Trent©

Budweiser: Helping ugly people have sex since 1876!
 
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