New Motherboard, Win XP won't reactivate. Upgrade XP Home to Pro?

I have just changed my motherboard and done a "repair" re-install of Win XP
Home. Now my computer says I must reactivate before I can login. The
re-activation process never asked for the code on the WinXP sticker attached
to my computer - it just assigned me a number to call give the activation
center. When I entered that number, I was told that I couldn't complete the
activation.

My guess is that the original copy of XP Home was some sort of special OEM
version - they didn't provide a Windows disk, just a system restore disk
which would erase my hard drive if I used it.

I just got back from the store with the XP Pro upgrade but I haven't opened
it. Can I install the XP Pro Upgrade on this machine? Will the fact that XP
Home isn't activated prevent the XP Pro install?

Thanks,
Jeff

Jeff_C wrote:
> I have just changed my motherboard and done a "repair" re-install of
> Win XP Home. Now my computer says I must reactivate before I can
> login. The re-activation process never asked for the code on the
> WinXP sticker attached to my computer - it just assigned me a number
> to call give the activation center. When I entered that number, I
> was told that I couldn't complete the activation.
>
> My guess is that the original copy of XP Home was some sort of
> special OEM version - they didn't provide a Windows disk, just a
> system restore disk which would erase my hard drive if I used it.
>
> I just got back from the store with the XP Pro upgrade but I haven't
> opened it. Can I install the XP Pro Upgrade on this machine? Will
> the fact that XP Home isn't activated prevent the XP Pro install?
>
> Thanks,
> Jeff

You should be OK, but you really need to get a Windows 95/98/Me or XP Home
upgrd or full CD to use for a qualifer if you need to do a clean install.
You might be better off getting the full Retail Version of XP Pro.
Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Move XP to new hardware.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html
Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
xpnews@bogusmichaelstevenstech.com
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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Jeff_C outputte 't volgende:
> I have just changed my motherboard and done a "repair" re-install of Win XP
> Home. Now my computer says I must reactivate before I can login. The
> re-activation process never asked for the code on the WinXP sticker attached
> to my computer - it just assigned me a number to call give the activation
> center. When I entered that number, I was told that I couldn't complete the
> activation.
>
> My guess is that the original copy of XP Home was some sort of special OEM
> version - they didn't provide a Windows disk, just a system restore disk
> which would erase my hard drive if I used it.
>
> I just got back from the store with the XP Pro upgrade but I haven't opened
> it. Can I install the XP Pro Upgrade on this machine? Will the fact that XP
> Home isn't activated prevent the XP Pro install?
>
> Thanks,
> Jeff

if I understood right you may not change the mobo of an OEM machine
because this will break your license
so bad luck if you indeed did just that, everything else is allright
but not the mobo
they had to stop users somewhere due to the nature of an OEM license

a retail version or an upgrade or a full version doesn't have this
limitation

that's why I object to the sale of OEM licenses but try to get an
A-brand computer without it, good luck :/
but if we all push together, even the biggest walls will fall and
indeed the first cracks are a showing :')

grtz

--
for OE users:
http://home.in.tum.de/~jain/software/oe-quotefix/
just a suggestion ;-)

chriske911 wrote:
> Jeff_C outputte 't volgende:
>> I have just changed my motherboard and done a "repair" re-install of
>> Win XP Home. Now my computer says I must reactivate before I can
>> login. The re-activation process never asked for the code on the
>> WinXP sticker attached to my computer - it just assigned me a number
>> to call give the activation center. When I entered that number, I
>> was told that I couldn't complete the activation.
>>
>> My guess is that the original copy of XP Home was some sort of
>> special OEM version - they didn't provide a Windows disk, just a
>> system restore disk which would erase my hard drive if I used it.
>>
>> I just got back from the store with the XP Pro upgrade but I haven't
>> opened it. Can I install the XP Pro Upgrade on this machine? Will
>> the fact that XP Home isn't activated prevent the XP Pro install?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Jeff
>
> if I understood right you may not change the mobo of an OEM machine
> because this will break your license
> so bad luck if you indeed did just that, everything else is allright
> but not the mobo
> they had to stop users somewhere due to the nature of an OEM license
>
> a retail version or an upgrade or a full version doesn't have this
> limitation
>
> that's why I object to the sale of OEM licenses but try to get an
> A-brand computer without it, good luck :/
> but if we all push together, even the biggest walls will fall and
> indeed the first cracks are a showing :')
>
> grtz

OEM licenses is what makes entry level systems affordable, without OEM
versions of Windows, you can add $200 to $300 to the cost of every computer.
Do you think a OEM manufacturer is going to sell you a system for $400 and
not charge you $200 for retail Home or $300 for retail Pro?
So how much savings and satisfaction would you get if they sold you a
system without an OS [you supply the OS at the discounted prices of maybe
$50 less than retail] with hardware that was not tested and tweaked for what
ever OS you installed and no support.
Still think OEM isn't a big bargain even if it can't be transferred?
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
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http://michaelstevenstech.com
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Michael Stevens interrumpeerde het poetertje met volgende input:
> chriske911 wrote:
>> Jeff_C outputte 't volgende:
>>>
>>
>> if I understood right you may not change the mobo of an OEM machine
>> because this will break your license
>> so bad luck if you indeed did just that, everything else is allright
>> but not the mobo
>> they had to stop users somewhere due to the nature of an OEM license
>>
>> a retail version or an upgrade or a full version doesn't have this
>> limitation
>>
>> that's why I object to the sale of OEM licenses but try to get an
>> A-brand computer without it, good luck :/
>> but if we all push together, even the biggest walls will fall and
>> indeed the first cracks are a showing :')
>>
>> grtz
>
> OEM licenses is what makes entry level systems affordable, without OEM
> versions of Windows, you can add $200 to $300 to the cost of every computer.
> Do you think a OEM manufacturer is going to sell you a system for $400 and
> not charge you $200 for retail Home or $300 for retail Pro?
> So how much savings and satisfaction would you get if they sold you a system
> without an OS [you supply the OS at the discounted prices of maybe $50 less
> than retail] with hardware that was not tested and tweaked for what ever OS
> you installed and no support.
> Still think OEM isn't a big bargain even if it can't be transferred?

agreed that it is a bargain for some, but...

whatif I'm already an owner of an OS license? (Win98Se,WinMe and Win2K
are still in the running)
whatif I want to buy the OS license separately? (I have a small office
and prefer a corporate license or I am a student and OOPS or MSDN is a
lot cheaper for me)
whatif I just don't like the OEM license policy? (I don't agree that I
cannot transfer licenses)
whatif I tend to change computers every 2 years and I don't like paying
for the same thing over and over again? (I transfer my previous (not
OEM) license to my next computer)
whatif I like to replace certain components of my computer rather than
buying a new one? (as did the OP)

those are all choices I cannot make using an OEM license and so it
makes things actually more expensive for me as they should be

all of these options put together represent a lot of people for whom
the OEM license is not a bargain

and let's not forget the rising of the alternative OS's but that's OT
now

grtz

--
for OE users:
http://home.in.tum.de/~jain/software/oe-quotefix/
just a suggestion ;-)

chriske911 wrote:


Answered inline

> agreed that it is a bargain for some, but...
>
> whatif I'm already an owner of an OS license? (Win98Se,WinMe and Win2K
> are still in the running)
> whatif I want to buy the OS license separately?

You can easily do this by building your own system and purchasing a retail
full version of XP. But have you priced a similar OEM Vendor system compared
to a user built system?

(I have a small office
> and prefer a corporate license or I am a student and OOPS or MSDN is a
> lot cheaper for me)

I am sure you could negotiate a deal with a OEM system builder to
accommodate your needs, but don't expect a big savings over a system without
Windows installed. The big OEM's get deep discounts that make little
difference whether Windows is installed or not in comparison to you
supplying your own Windows software. A small office with MSDN or a corporate
license is not going to be a lot cheaper.
I don't think you have a realistic observation of how software is ;licensed.

> whatif I just don't like the OEM license policy? (I don't agree that I
> cannot transfer licenses)

Then do what I do, I only purchase OEM software for systems that have the
latest hardware. For older systems that I intend to upgrade, I purchase
retail.
If I just don't like the OEM license policy, then I DON'T purchase OEM
versions.

> whatif I tend to change computers every 2 years and I don't like
> paying for the same thing over and over again? (I transfer my
> previous (not OEM) license to my next computer)
> whatif I like to replace certain components of my computer rather than
> buying a new one? (as did the OP)
>

I see no problem, as you can transfer the retail version as often and to as
many systems as you want with the only restriction being it is installed to
one computer at a time.

> those are all choices I cannot make using an OEM license and so it
> makes things actually more expensive for me as they should be
>

Yes, I do agree with you that using a retail versions when OEM versions are
not suitable is more expensive "as they should be" 8-)

> all of these options put together represent a lot of people for whom
> the OEM license is not a bargain
>

I agree, OEM versions should only be used on new systems that are not built
with the intention of upgrading for at least 2 years. In 2 years, I am sure
replacing the complete system rather than upgrading would not only be
cheaper, but the end results for the same expenditure would favor
replacement of the entire system.


> and let's not forget the rising of the alternative OS's but that's OT
> now
>

I am certain Microsoft has not forgotten there is alternatives to Windows.

> grtz


--
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http://michaelstevenstech.com
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Michael Stevens outputte 't volgende:
> chriske911 wrote:
>
> Answered inline
>
>> agreed that it is a bargain for some, but...
>>
>> whatif I'm already an owner of an OS license? (Win98Se,WinMe and Win2K
>> are still in the running)
>> whatif I want to buy the OS license separately?
>
> You can easily do this by building your own system and purchasing a retail
> full version of XP. But have you priced a similar OEM Vendor system compared
> to a user built system?
>
that's just the reason why I loath OEM licenses,
it makes a good bargain going sour when you want to upgrade from an
already decent system to a kickass system

as (apparently) you and I know the A-brand systems are pretty decent
machines for their price and with just a bit of hardware tweaking they
could be more than decent but then there are the OEM license
limitations
>
> (I have a small office
>> and prefer a corporate license or I am a student and OOPS or MSDN is a
>> lot cheaper for me)
>
> I am sure you could negotiate a deal with a OEM system builder to accommodate
> your needs, but don't expect a big savings over a system without Windows
> installed. The big OEM's get deep discounts that make little difference
> whether Windows is installed or not in comparison to you supplying your own
> Windows software. A small office with MSDN or a corporate license is not
> going to be a lot cheaper.
> I don't think you have a realistic observation of how software is ;licensed.

well, I actually tried this for a major project wich involved several
1000's of Compaq Deskpro systems
and nada, I couldn't get the systems without an OS because it would be
a breach of contract with their supplier (rara who that is ^^ )

they where all reimaged with OS/2 as soon as we got them and the media
just got thrown away, the sticker was left on for sake of future resell
value
don't you think it would have made a huge discount without the
licenses?

and what about a student?
they have the ability via OOPS or MSDNA to achieve all licenses they'd
ever want for just a few dollars a year
alltogether even cheaper than 1 OEM license

>> whatif I just don't like the OEM license policy? (I don't agree that I
>> cannot transfer licenses)
>
> Then do what I do, I only purchase OEM software for systems that have the
> latest hardware. For older systems that I intend to upgrade, I purchase
> retail.
> If I just don't like the OEM license policy, then I DON'T purchase OEM
> versions.
>
>> whatif I tend to change computers every 2 years and I don't like
>> paying for the same thing over and over again? (I transfer my
>> previous (not OEM) license to my next computer)
>> whatif I like to replace certain components of my computer rather than
>> buying a new one? (as did the OP)
>>
>
> I see no problem, as you can transfer the retail version as often and to as
> many systems as you want with the only restriction being it is installed to
> one computer at a time.

yes, but the OP got stuck with the OEM license wich would require him
to pay twice for the same machine only because he upgraded one part of
it

>> those are all choices I cannot make using an OEM license and so it
>> makes things actually more expensive for me as they should be
>>
>
> Yes, I do agree with you that using a retail versions when OEM versions are
> not suitable is more expensive "as they should be" 8-)
>
:')
>>
>> all of these options put together represent a lot of people for whom
>> the OEM license is not a bargain
>>
>
> I agree, OEM versions should only be used on new systems that are not built
> with the intention of upgrading for at least 2 years. In 2 years, I am sure
> replacing the complete system rather than upgrading would not only be
> cheaper, but the end results for the same expenditure would favor replacement
> of the entire system.
>
>> and let's not forget the rising of the alternative OS's but that's OT
>> now
>>
>
> I am certain Microsoft has not forgotten there is alternatives to Windows.
>
>> grtz

--
for OE users:
http://home.in.tum.de/~jain/software/oe-quotefix/
just a suggestion ;-)