Trouble w/ Upgrading Motherboard.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave23503
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Dave23503

I have a computer that is running Windows XP Home. I am
trying to upgrade the Motherboard in my computer and I
need to find out if I do this will I run into problems
with the Windows Product Activation? Some people have
told me yes I will have problems and other people have
told me no I will not have problems.

Also, if I do encounter problems are there ways of dealing
with any problems that might come up?
 
You definitely will have problems! XP bases the activation, in a big part,
on the motherboard. Unless you change the motherboard to one that is 100%
the same (doubtful), the only solution is to do an XP repair re-install.
This will clear out the product activation code and re-set it so as the
activation can complete. You will also need to do all the WindowUpdates,
including SP1(a) if your XP install CD did not come with SP1(a).
 
I upgraded my motherbd and processor last week...yes you will need to reactivate windows. I put in the new hardware and the bios booted (check that bios settings are correct) then you will have to boot with xp disk loaded and select repair windows. This will load the required drivers...however i also noticed it reset windows to original and i had to redo all windows updates..that is a pain when on dailup like me. Otherwise i had no problems...but once again your OS WILL ask you to reactivate windows.
 
Greetings --

Normally, and assuming either a retail license or a generic
(non-branded) OEM license, unless the new motherboard is virtually
identical to the old one (same chipset, same IDE controllers, same
BIOS version, etc.), you'll need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place
upgrade) installation, at the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will probably also require re-activation. If it's been more
than 120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key,
you'll most likely be able to activate via the internet without
problem. If it's been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone
call.


Bruce Chambers

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having both at once. -- RAH
 
there is no problem activating xp again just tell
microsoft your problem and they will reactivate your xp
 
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