Reinstalling XP Home on an HP computer with new motherboard

[Guest]

Hello! I need to reinstall XP Home on my HP Pavillion. The on-board video has
broken and the machine is out of warrany. I have gotten a new motherboard
that will fit the case, but the hard drive-based system restore will not work
since the drivers are incorrect for the new motherboard (HP's was an ATI
chipset, my new one is a nVidia chipset).

The best way to do this (I think) is to reinstall with a non-vendor-specific
Windows XP CD and use the product key from the sticker on my case. I can
install the drivers from the CD Gigabyte provided with the motherboard. Is
there a place I can download a Windows XP Home CD image for this? If not, can
I use an XP Home CD from a friend? Would that work and am I entitled to do
this? I am not aware of what Microsoft allows me to do in this situation (or
what will and won't work).

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The problem with your restore CD has little to do with drivers and
everything to do with the BIOS on the motherboard.
The HP CD will only work with an HP motherboard so if the motherboard is
from another manufacturer, it probably will not work.

There is no legitimate source for you to download Windows for your computer
and Product key.
A friends CD may work if it is a generic OEM CD.
A retail or other version will not work with your Product Key.

If you want Windows XP, your solution may need to be to buy it so you can
use it with the new motherboard..

 

[Galen Somerville]

Hello! I need to reinstall XP Home on my HP Pavillion. The on-board video
has
broken and the machine is out of warrany. I have gotten a new motherboard
that will fit the case, but the hard drive-based system restore will not
work
since the drivers are incorrect for the new motherboard (HP's was an ATI
chipset, my new one is a nVidia chipset).

The best way to do this (I think) is to reinstall with a
non-vendor-specific
Windows XP CD and use the product key from the sticker on my case. I can
install the drivers from the CD Gigabyte provided with the motherboard. Is
there a place I can download a Windows XP Home CD image for this? If not,
can
I use an XP Home CD from a friend? Would that work and am I entitled to do
this? I am not aware of what Microsoft allows me to do in this situation
(or
what will and won't work).

Thanks for your help in advance!

Use the friends CD and Product key
As long as you have the Genuine product key sticker you can use the "Product
Key Update Tool".

It worked for me on an HP where I replaced the motherboard with a non HP.
The program ends up giving you a long string of numbers. You have to call MS
to activate with the number. The program even gives you the number to call.

Just tell them the situation.

Use
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detai..._Windows_Product_Key_Update_Tool/1155742141/1

and click on large Download icon.

There used to be a direct download from MS but I can't find it now.

Galen

 

[Guest]

Thank you Galen.

I was worried that Microsoft would want me to pay for XP again, even though
I already did as part of the cost of my HP computer, and have the legitimate
product key to prove it. Jupiter Jones' post seemed to say I would need to do
just this! This would cost an additional $100-120 Canadian which I can't
really afford at this point.

I appreciate the informed response - I will report back when I can get my
hands on the OEM XP Home CD and have the opportunity to try your solution

 

[Tim Slattery]

Thank you Galen.

I was worried that Microsoft would want me to pay for XP again, even though
I already did as part of the cost of my HP computer, and have the legitimate
product key to prove it. Jupiter Jones' post seemed to say I would need to do
just this! This would cost an additional $100-120 Canadian which I can't
really afford at this point.

That's exactly what they want. Your OEM copy of XP is licensed *only*
for the first computer it was installed on - even if that machine
ceases to exist. And since you bought it from HP, it's up to HP to
decide what constitutes the "first machine". Generally, replacing the
motherboard does it.

You're probably screwed.

 

[Galen Somerville]

You don't need an OEM version. I used my MSDN version (and Product key) to
install then used the "Product
Key Update Tool".

Galen

 

[Gordon]

. And since you bought it from HP, it's up to HP to
decide what constitutes the "first machine". Generally, replacing the
motherboard does it.

Don't think so Tim. Don't know about HP but my Acer OEM EULA makes no
mention of motherboards at all.....

 

[Galen Somerville]

That's exactly what they want. Your OEM copy of XP is licensed *only*
for the first computer it was installed on - even if that machine
ceases to exist. And since you bought it from HP, it's up to HP to
decide what constitutes the "first machine". Generally, replacing the
motherboard does it.

You're probably screwed.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP (Shell/User)
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
(e-mail address removed)

As I understand it, MS came up with the Product Key Update Tool for those
people that paid for a valid XP and now can't reinstall it. The sticker on
the side of the computer shows they paid for a valid copy even if OEM.

Galen