What can I upgrade without breaking XP?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gary Leighton
  • Start date Start date
G

Gary Leighton

I want to upgrade my PC, but I don't want to buy a new O/S - I'm happy
with Windows XP Professional.

The main thing I want to upgrade is my graphics card, but I will also
need to change my motherboard to support it (since my existing mobo
only has AGP).

Will XP complain and force me to buy a new O/S?

If instead I upgrade the graphics card only (i.e stick with AGP) will
that be OK?

Is there a list somewhere that tells you what hardware upgrades are OK
before you need a new O/S?

Cheers,

Gary
 
Gary Leighton said:
I want to upgrade my PC, but I don't want to buy a new O/S - I'm happy
with Windows XP Professional.

The main thing I want to upgrade is my graphics card, but I will also
need to change my motherboard to support it (since my existing mobo
only has AGP).

Will XP complain and force me to buy a new O/S?

If instead I upgrade the graphics card only (i.e stick with AGP) will
that be OK?

Is there a list somewhere that tells you what hardware upgrades are OK
before you need a new O/S?

Cheers,

Gary
Click to expand...
No need to buy a new OS, but you may have to re-activate XP after your
changes.
 
Will need to do a repair install, then activate again IF he
has a retail version of XP.



|
message
|
| >I want to upgrade my PC, but I don't want to buy a new
O/S - I'm happy
| > with Windows XP Professional.
| >
| > The main thing I want to upgrade is my graphics card,
but I will also
| > need to change my motherboard to support it (since my
existing mobo
| > only has AGP).
| >
| > Will XP complain and force me to buy a new O/S?
| >
| > If instead I upgrade the graphics card only (i.e stick
with AGP) will
| > that be OK?
| >
| > Is there a list somewhere that tells you what hardware
upgrades are OK
| > before you need a new O/S?
| >
| > Cheers,
| >
| > Gary
| >
| No need to buy a new OS, but you may have to re-activate
XP after your
| changes.
|
|
 
Will need to do a repair install, then activate again IF he
has a retail version of XP.


|
message
|| >I want to upgrade my PC, but I don't want to buy a new
O/S - I'm happy
| > with Windows XP Professional.
| >
| > The main thing I want to upgrade is my graphics card,
but I will also
| > need to change my motherboard to support it (since my
existing mobo
| > only has AGP).
| >
| > Will XP complain and force me to buy a new O/S?
| >
| > If instead I upgrade the graphics card only (i.e stick
with AGP) will
| > that be OK?
| >
| > Is there a list somewhere that tells you what hardware
upgrades are OK
| > before you need a new O/S?
| >
| > Cheers,
| >
| > Gary
| >
| No need to buy a new OS, but you may have to re-activate
XP after your
| changes.
|
|
Click to expand...

Thanks very much.
 
Gary said:
I want to upgrade my PC, but I don't want to buy a new O/S - I'm happy
with Windows XP Professional.

The main thing I want to upgrade is my graphics card, but I will also
need to change my motherboard to support it (since my existing mobo
only has AGP).

Will XP complain and force me to buy a new O/S?
Click to expand...


No, of course not. Where'd you get such an idea? Do you have an OEM
license that the computer manufacturer bound to the motherboard's BIOS?

If instead I upgrade the graphics card only (i.e stick with AGP) will
that be OK?

Certainly.


Is there a list somewhere that tells you what hardware upgrades are OK
before you need a new O/S?
Click to expand...


The only time you'd need a new OS license would be if you originally
purchased your computer and OEM OS license from some bargain-basement
manufacturer (eMachines, HP, Compaq, etc.) that provided only a Recovery
CD or partition that will work only on that company's specific hardware.

In actuality, there's no limit to the number of times you can
reinstall and activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. Nor is
there ever a charge. Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an
evaluation license) ever expire. 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.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm



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I want to upgrade my PC, but I don't want to buy a new O/S - I'm happy
with Windows XP Professional.

The main thing I want to upgrade is my graphics card, but I will also
need to change my motherboard to support it (since my existing mobo
only has AGP).

Will XP complain and force me to buy a new O/S?
Click to expand...

Complain, maybe, it'll make you re-activate. You might have to do a
repair install, if you wind up with the "inaccessible boot device"
BSOD
If instead I upgrade the graphics card only (i.e stick with AGP) will
that be OK?
Click to expand...

No problemo.
Is there a list somewhere that tells you what hardware upgrades are OK
before you need a new O/S?

Cheers,

Gary
Click to expand...

I wish. Nothing formal that I've come across.
 
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