Bob Harris said:
OEM versions of XP are almost NEVER able to be moved to new hardware. So,
unless your OEM does this for you, and handles the licensing/activation
issues, you will probably need to buy a new version of XP in order to (1)
perform the necessary repair installation of XP, (2) be able to
successfully activate after the repair. Without a repair, the PC will
likely not even boot into windows. Without the ability to activate, XP
will stop working in 0 to 3 days.
I update many computers with new hardware. Generic OEM versions of XP almost
always re-activate with no problems. In most of cases when I upgrade the
computer I was the original OEM so I am quite happy to keep supporting the
customer. I do insist that some part of the original pc is still there to
satisfy Microsoft's licensing policy. Even when I have had to phone to
activate it has never been a problem when I explain what I am doing. If I
was not the original OEM I explain to the customer that they will lose the
support of the original OEM. If it is not a generic OEM version e.g. Dell,
HP/Compaq, eMachines, etc. then you cannot change the motherboard to a
different brand. This is a limitaion of their version of XP and has nothing
to do with activations.
To answer the OP. Without a COA, key, and installation media you do not have
a license. You will run in to many problems trying to upgrade. You will most
likely have to do at least a repair install and then re-activate. You will
need a CD for the repair install and if you have to phone to activate they
may ask you to describe the COA, CD etc.
Kerry