upgrading hardware and activating windows xp

[Guest]

I've heard that recently Microsoft set it up that when you upgrade your
motherboard that you have to buy a new Windows XP, not just re-activate your
old one. Does anyone know about this?

 

[Andrew Murray]

No, you can reactivate Windows with the CD key you have. If you're lucky,
you could possibly reactivate over the internet, but such a major hardware
change might prevent this, in which case a call to Microsoft will enable you
to reactivate over the phone.

Explain you have a PC upgraded with a new motherboard.

 

[Phil Anthropist]

I've heard that recently Microsoft set it up that when you upgrade your
motherboard that you have to buy a new Windows XP, not just re-activate
your
old one. Does anyone know about this?

No. Sounds like rubbish to me.

 

[Pennywise]

I've heard that recently Microsoft set it up that when you upgrade your
motherboard that you have to buy a new Windows XP, not just re-activate your
old one. Does anyone know about this?

Yes, http://www.licenturion.com/xp/fully-licensed-wpa.txt
(Note the date)

Said lightly as it's depends upon the setup, but:
You can change 3 pieces of hardware before you have to reactivate XP
and the cpu counts as 2.

 

[Mistoffolees]

I've heard that recently Microsoft set it up that when you upgrade your
motherboard that you have to buy a new Windows XP, not just re-activate your
old one. Does anyone know about this?

Microsoft would certainly like you to buy a new copy of Windows
XP...under any circumstances. However, one must read the EULA
that comes with the particular version of Windows XP and what
is the definition of a computer in terms of the motherboard in
the text of the EULA. In general, a retail version of Windows XP
is transferrable. But there may be restrictions on the transfer
of OEM version of Windows XP from one system to another, by the
definition in the EULA, in which an "upgrade" might not be allowed
under the license but "repair" can be, for instance.

Play being a lawyer, read the EULA and follow the dictates of your
conscience.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

A motherboard is considered the heart of the system, not as a peripheral.
The XP license allows for upgrading of most hardware and peripherals on any
license. However, there is one major difference between an OEM and a retail
license. A retail license is transferable to other machines, an OEM license
usually is not. What this means is that a retail license can be transferred
to a new motherboard, but an OEM license usually cannot. Without knowing
what type of license you have, I cannot tell you if you can upgrade your
motherboard without purchasing a new license or not. In general, OEM
licenses are either sold as such (OEM full license, sometimes with a piece
of hardware) or are preinstalled on a machine (eg: HP, Compaq, Dell,
Gateway, Packard Bell, and numerous others).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[--Alias--]

Hi,

A motherboard is considered the heart of the system, not as a peripheral.
The XP license allows for upgrading of most hardware and peripherals on any
license. However, there is one major difference between an OEM and a retail
license. A retail license is transferable to other machines, an OEM license
usually is not. What this means is that a retail license can be transferred
to a new motherboard, but an OEM license usually cannot. Without knowing
what type of license you have, I cannot tell you if you can upgrade your
motherboard without purchasing a new license or not. In general, OEM
licenses are either sold as such (OEM full license, sometimes with a piece
of hardware) or are preinstalled on a machine (eg: HP, Compaq, Dell,
Gateway, Packard Bell, and numerous others).

This is true regarding a branded OEM XP (unless the replacement MB is
the exact same kind as the old one) but not a generic OEM XP. I have two
computers whose motherboards went south, replaced them with different
brands, QDI replaced by Asrock and both activated on line and passed all
the WGA tests. Nowhere in the generic OEM EULA is the word "motherboard"
mentioned.

Alias

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Nowhere in the generic OEM EULA is the word "motherboard" mentioned.

No it isn't, and (as you well know) there is no hard and fast rule that can
be applied to these types of questions, hence my use of the terms
"generally" and "usually". Regardless, one can legitimately argue both sides
of the equation: that the motherboard is just another piece of hardware, or
that it *is* the system (but let's be honest with ourselves here, it is the
defining part of the system, all other components are built around and are
dependent on it). The OEM versions are not *supposed* to be moved to a new
system, but once in a while they can be. For some it will work, for many it
will not. One can only try and hope. If it doesn't, at least they will know
why it doesn't.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[--Alias--]

No it isn't, and (as you well know) there is no hard and fast rule that can
be applied to these types of questions, hence my use of the terms
"generally" and "usually". Regardless, one can legitimately argue both sides
of the equation: that the motherboard is just another piece of hardware, or
that it *is* the system (but let's be honest with ourselves here, it is the
defining part of the system, all other components are built around and are
dependent on it). The OEM versions are not *supposed* to be moved to a new
system, but once in a while they can be. For some it will work, for many it
will not. One can only try and hope. If it doesn't, at least they will know
why it doesn't.

No hard drive, no computer. No power supply, no computer. No
motherboard, no computer. No video card, no computer. No case, no
computer. No screws, no computer. All of these, and more, are "defining
parts of the system". The SYSTEM is the computer, not one of its parts
and the motherboard is one part, not the whole thing. MS allows
upgrading/replacing defective parts if you are running a generic OEM XP.
Period, no "usually" or "generally" about it. What you can't do --
according to the EULA -- is move it to another system or have it running
simultaneously on two systems.

Alias

 

[Ken Blake]

I've heard that recently Microsoft set it up that when you upgrade
your motherboard that you have to buy a new Windows XP, not just
re-activate your old one. Does anyone know about this?

You heard wrong. That's false.

The only sense in which there's any possible truth in it is with OEM
versions, not Retail ones. The license for OEM versions restrict them to the
first computer they are ijstalled on, and they can never be legally be
transferred to another. Unfortunately the license does *not* make it clear
exactly what constitutes a another computer. There are some people who claim
that changing the motherboard makes it a different computer, but there are
others, like me, who say that unless the EULA (the license) explicitly
states that, it's not binding on the customer. And it's never been tested in
court.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Like I said, one can argue both sides of the equation with equal fervor.
There's nothing wrong with or illogical about your arguements, nor do I
dispute them. The problem is the definition of an OEM installation, it's too
braod and no one rule applies hard and fast. I'm not talking about the
intent or wording of the EULA, but rather what can actually work or not work
regardless of those factors. A generic one can sometimes (and I use that
term because I *have* run into generic versions that cannot be reactivated
on new hardware) be moved to a new motherboard, and a branded OEM version
usually cannot (conversely, I have been able to migrate some of these even
though it's not supposed to work). I offered the response as an explanation,
not to debate legalities or definitions.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I've heard that recently Microsoft set it up that when you upgrade your
motherboard that you have to buy a new Windows XP, not just re-activate your
old one. Does anyone know about this?

Never, ever listen to that source again. You've been lied to.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Guest]

I've heard that recently Microsoft set it up that when you upgrade your
motherboard that you have to buy a new Windows XP, not just re-activate your
old one. Does anyone know about this?

Hello,
Recent experience ( last week) with a individual built unit and WindowsXP
Home generic oem installed 30 months ago.
Changed: Motherboard - Processor - power supply.Clean reinstall, Windows XP
Home generic oem, original disc. Time to activate 20 seconds online, no
problems encountered. Installed security updates and free Microsoft programs
without problem.
Most of the posters are stating all the different permutations that make
life "interesting" using Microsoft products.
Try activation, see what happens.

take care.
beamish.

 

[GHalleck]

Never, ever listen to that source again. You've been lied to.

Of course, Microsoft could make the clarification but it dares
not. In this context, Microsoft should scrap its EULA as being
unworkable and unenforceable. Perhaps Microsoft is praying that
no court will hear a challenge to its position and let business
continue along so haphazardly. Or, IOW, every user is fair prey.

 

[Plato]

I've heard that recently Microsoft set it up that when you upgrade your
motherboard that you have to buy a new Windows XP, not just re-activate your
old one. Does anyone know about this?

Seems you're hanging out in the wrong bars.

 

[Frank]

No. Sounds like rubbish to me.

This is in no way completely rubbish. Some if not all preinstalls are locked to specific
hardware. If there is a hardware change they will not activate with the restore DVD.
The product code will come up as invalid. I just this week went through this scenario
with a preinstalled Toshiba Laptop.

 

[Frank]

This is true regarding a branded OEM XP (unless the replacement MB is
the exact same kind as the old one) but not a generic OEM XP. I have two
computers whose motherboards went south, replaced them with different
brands, QDI replaced by Asrock and both activated on line and passed all
the WGA tests. Nowhere in the generic OEM EULA is the word "motherboard"
mentioned.

Alias

Alias you would have to use the product key that came with the XP CD/DVD.
The one pasted on the machine will not work anymore. Just went through
this mess.

 

[--Alias--]

Alias you would have to use the product key that came with the XP CD/DVD.
The one pasted on the machine will not work anymore. Just went through
this mess.

Um, I only use generic OEM XPs and there is *nothing* pasted on *any* of
my machines' cases.

Alias

 

[Nada Tapu]

Alias you would have to use the product key that came with the XP CD/DVD.
The one pasted on the machine will not work anymore. Just went through
this mess.

Frank;

Were you denied an activation by phone? If so, please elaborate on
the circumstances involved.

NT

 

[cuba]

I've heard that recently Microsoft set it up that when you upgrade your
motherboard that you have to buy a new Windows XP, not just re-activate your
old one. Does anyone know about this?

The answer is Yes and No and Maybe. (Assuming by "upgrade" you mean
different.)

There are Retail, OEM and Pre-Installed OEM versions of Windows XP.

Retail versions will just require re-activation if it detects
significant hardware changes like a new motherboard.

OEM versions, like when you buy an OEM version from Newegg, will also
require re-actiavtion but might not auto-activate over the Internet and
will require you to call them. (Although I have not gone through this
myself for a purchased OEM version.)

Pre-Installed OEM versions might work as above or might just not work
at all; most likely you will need to purchase another copy of XP.

Microsoft sucks.