Re: new motherboard--must buy new copy of XP?!!

Greetings --

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM licenses are not
transferable to a new motherboard), unless your motherboard is
virtually identical (same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS
version, etc.) to the one on which the other WinXP installation was
originally performed, 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/direct...B;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.

Of course, by installing a 3rd-party motherboard into your
eMachine computer, voided your warranty, disqualifying yourself from
all eMachine support. Also, because your only WinXP license is an OEM
license that is valid _only_ on the computer with which it was
purchased, you're not really entitled to any support from Microsoft.

As for your contention that your purchase of an eMachines OEM
license "entitles" you to a free retail license from Microsoft: well,
not only do I not agree, but I find the very idea to be patently
absurd. An OEM license costs considerably less than the equivalent
retail license. As with all things in life, with that reduced cost
comes fewer features and fewer options. You get what you pay for.
TNSTAAFL.


Bruce Chambers
--
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having both at once. -- RAH

"Jim" <jamest571@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:63EF6E75-0A55-4944-B6A3-33971FF1B17B@microsoft.com...
> Hi!
>
> My name is Jim and I live in Colorado Springs, CO. Recently I
> bought a new motherboard to upgrade my, long-in-the-tooth, e-machine
> computer. I did consider resealing Windows XP before changing the
> board but I decided not to since my copy of XP is the upgrade
> version (at least I assume it is, it was loaded on to the system by
> the oem, of course) and I thought this could lead to trouble.
> Besides, I felt I could always explore that option latter if needed.
>
> I did expect the system to protest and perhaps make me call
> Microsoft for a code but what happened instead came as a complete
> surprise. After changing the motherboard I first just tried to
> reboot the computer into the safe mode however Windows XP refused to
> do this. So I inserted the e-machine recovery disk into the CD-ROM
> player. I was surprised to see the exact same message; something to
> the affect that Windows could not boot into the safe mode and this
> problem could be the result of hardware issues caused by hardware
> issues.
>
> Well, I first called e-machine support and was told that since I did
> not send the computer to them to put in a new e-machine motherboard
> (I doubt if this is even an option on my system) that they could not
> offer me any support. I explained that all I wanted was a way to
> get to the Windows XP files [I tried to boot directly from the
> recovery disk, this works but you really have no where to go from
> this point. I first booted from the recovery disk and then tried to
> install Win 98 from a CD-ROM but received the dreaded “incorrect
> COMMAND.COM” message.]
>
> I then called Microsoft and talked to a pleasant support specialist
> who gave me the number to get media copies. I have not called them
> yet (I work nights and they are closed by time I get home) but I
> will very soon of course. However I am very concerned that they
> will say that they cannot send me a copy of Windows XP since I DO
> have my copy from e-machine.
>
> You know I am a big fan of Microsoft. The people who argue that
> Microsoft has monopoly power in some of the market segments that
> they are in never bring up one very salient point. Microsoft makes
> GREAT products! This being said I have never cared for some of
> their policies concerning how many copies of the operating system an
> individual user (not a company or organized group of some kind but
> just an ordinary individual) has to buy. If I own five computers I
> still believe I should only have to buy one copy of the operating
> system, after all I cannot use all five computers at once. This
> goes hand in glove with my belief that Microsoft should go a little
> easier on the hobbyist user (who some might call a “power” user)
> since from the ranks of these hobbyists often emerge the new ideas
> that drive the industry. Also the hobbyist user will spend much
> more money on both hardware and software than just an ordinary
> user---why not give them a break?
>
> Another aspect of this policy that disturbs me (especially with the
> strong enforcement mechanism built-in to Windows XP) is that it is a
> policy that basically represents a death sentence for the white-box
> computing business (what I mean by “white box industry” is all of
> the small computer stores that you see in strip-malls etc.). After
> all the logic of using components is declining in the face of ever
> falling PC prices and if you are going to be forced to buy a new
> operating system just because you changed the mother board in your
> computer obviously this is going to be an unworkable situation very
> rapidly. With a low end computer the price of the operating system
> alone can represent 20-25% of the cost.
>
> But getting back to the issue at hand, I just want to know if other
> people have had the same issue to contend with and what kind of
> outcome did they experience. Also do you agree with my premise that
> since I did buy Windows XP when I purchased my e-machine computer
> that I am entitled to have new copies of the disks (separate from
> what is locked up in my e-machine recovery disks) just as if I had
> bought a copy in the store and for some reason I needed some new
> media? I would also like to hear from anyone who disagrees with
> this premise.
>
> Thanks,
> Jim
>
> Please CC to jamest571@yahoo.com
>