Windows license

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pumpshot

I have a older computer with a generic OEM XP Pro license. I am considering
upgrading the mother board. Is there any circumstance that would allow me to
do that. I know there is probably issues with the OEM License but this is not
a Dell or any big box computer. It is however an old computer and if I ever
had problems with the motherboard the chances of finding an exact replacement
are not good.
 
Mike, if you got the OEM version with the computer, replacing the
Motherboard should not be a problem.
 
OK I guess I'm a little confused. I have read allot of good and bad
information on the internet about restrictions with an OEM license. Maybe a
little clarity would be good, or maybe I should ask the question in reverse.
Is there any circumstance that it would not work?
 
pumpshot said:
OK I guess I'm a little confused. I have read allot of good and bad
information on the internet about restrictions with an OEM license.
Maybe a little clarity would be good, or maybe I should ask the
question in reverse. Is there any circumstance that it would not
work?
Click to expand...

Here's the thing - the limitation is a paper one - not a technical one.
While it is plausible there are OEM installation CDs for WIndows XP out
there that are "BIOS Locked" - in most cases if you have a generic OEM
Windows XP CD and a proper Windows XP OEM product key - there is no
technical hurdle to you installing that on any machine you see fit.

People seem to shroud that all in mystery or come up with a lot of
mumbo-jumbo about things - but that is the basic reality. From an agreement
standpoint, OEM licenses are different. Otherwise, not much of a
difference. In fact - with Windows XP anyway - a retail installation CD can
be modified to accept OEM product keys and vice versa fairly easily (look
into setupp.ini <- not a typo.)

So I wouldn't over-analyze this. It's already been over-analyzed to a point
that things are obscured and people get confused.

If you have an OEM computer that came with Windows XP installed (*you did
not build this computer, you are not the OEM in question) and something
happens to that computer and the manufacturer cannot/will not repair
it/replace the problem parts - the OEM licensed Windows XP dies with the
computer from an agreement standpoint. Things get a little fuzzier when you
*are* the OEM and *you* built the computer and purchased an OEM licensed
Windows XP to install and something goes wrong. Being the OEM in question,
you can choose what parts are acceptable replacements. The question of what
constitutes a 'computer' have been going on since Windows XP licensing was
introduced and the subject was first breached. Some say the motherboard,
some the processor, others some combination of parts.
 
As has been said, technically you should not do that, but in practice it will
usually be OK. The issues you are likely to hit are that the key may not
work for a repair installation if this is needed to make it boot, or that it
will not work for re-activation.

Both can usually be solved by calling the activation hotline. When doing so
make it clear that you are repairing an existing computer, not duplicating
the licence.

A new mobo will probably be SATA, and in this case you should set Legacy
(IDE) access mode for SATA drives in the BIOS. Alternatively, you need to
slipstream an AHCI driver into the setup.
 
OK, this is good stuff in here. Sorry to reply so late. I don't always have
time in the week to look at this stuff. I did a little google with settup.ini
and AHCI driver. I will have to take some time to digest this. One last
question. I have XP Pro SP1. If I don't have the original SP1 install disk
will any SP disk work or dose it have to be the matching installation disk.
 
pumpshot said:
OK, this is good stuff in here. Sorry to reply so late. I don't
always have time in the week to look at this stuff. I did a little
google with settup.ini and AHCI driver. I will have to take some
time to digest this. One last question. I have XP Pro SP1. If I
don't have the original SP1 install disk will any SP disk work or
dose it have to be the matching installation disk.
Click to expand...

"setupp.ini", two p's, not t's.

If you are going to integrate the service pack/updates - any level of
Windows XP CD will work. RTM, SP1, SP1a, SP2, SP3. You can integrate
straight to SP3 if you like.

It's best that if you are going to do a repair installation (considering
this is about changing your motherboard, I assume the repair/in-place
upgrade is your goal) your CD match whatever you have installed in terms of
service pack level. If you have Windows XP Professional x86 OEM with SP3
installed, that should be the editiion, version/SP level and type of license
CD you attempt to use.
 
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