New EULA

[Guest]

I am tired of fighting City Hall on this issue, can I purchase a new EULA to
use on my locked up version of Windows XP that was supplied by HP in a
computer that I purchased 2 1/2 years ago. I just need a license agreement,
since the computer worked fine when I shut it off and tried to install a new
SATA hard drive and then damaged the fan assembly which caused the processor
to fail and also the motherboard. My computer now comes up to the enter the
product code screen, and will not accept the origianl product code shipped
with the computer. I just want to PURCHASE a new license so I can get back to
normal. I hope that one of the Microsoft MVP's will have a satisfactory
answer to this and let me get my computer operating again!!!!!!
Help!!!!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bob Harris]

The original XP license was tied to the original motherboard. Once you
replaced that, the license vanished. If HP replaced the motherboard, they
should ahve handled the XP license. If you did it, you are on your own.

The good news is that you an buy a full retail version of XP (home about
$200, pro about $300), then perform a repair installation. That wll update
drivers for the new motherboard, among other things. AND, it should also
give you the oppertunity to insert a new product code and then activate the
new version of XP. Thereafter you can replace the motherboard whenver you
wish, alhough you might have to talk to a Microsoft person to exchange codes
to make it happen on later major re-activations. (I have done this, and it
is no big deal, taking about 5 minutes.)

The better news is that if you have an old 98 or ME CDROM, you qualify for
the upgrade retail version of XP, which is about $100 cheaper. The XP
intaller, also used for repairs, will ask to "see" (i.e., read) the old
CDROM once, for a few seconds.

If you go this route, be sure to get XP with SP2 already installed to
minimize the number of updates required. Note that a repair installation
erases all Windsow updates. It does not erase other personal file, or
programs, or most settings. Also note that by default SP2 will enable the
windows firewall, wich you should leave enabled, unless you have some other
one. Antivirus protection is not enough by itself; be sure to have some
firewall.

 

[David R. Norton [MVP]]

The original XP license was tied to the original motherboard. Once you
replaced that, the license vanished. If HP replaced the motherboard, they
should ahve handled the XP license. If you did it, you are on your own.

Just an opinion, I think the OP should talk to HP.

It's possible he might sweet talk them out of another product key even
though the problem was of his own making.
Stranger things have happened and if they say "no" he's only lost a few
minutes of his time.

 

[Guest]

Just an opinion, I think the OP should talk to HP.

It's possible he might sweet talk them out of another product key even
though the problem was of his own making.
Stranger things have happened and if they say "no" he's only lost a few
minutes of his time.

I have spent too much time talking to HP now with no results. In my whole
life, I have never spent so much time talking to someone in India who knew
almost nothing about the problem and were no help at all. I have it in the
repair shop now and they are finishing up with it, and I may get it later
today, Oct 3. They were able to install Windows XP Professional, and with my
new motherboard< Intel 630 processor and 2 gig of ram, the computer should
really hum!!!!!Next computer that I purchase will be in a place where they
build it to my specs and they use a full retail version of Windows and give
me all the discs that go into getting it running. No more HPs, Dells,
Gateway, etal for me.

Ron