activation questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter John Pearson
  • Start date Start date
J

John Pearson

Hello. I bought a Dell Dimension 4100 about three years
ago, which came installed with Windows 98SE. I
subsquently upgraded to Windows ME and the Windows XP
Home. Recently I started having problems with the system
board, which Dell replaced for me. That didn't work, so
I want to take the working components and put them in a
new case with a new motherboard. This would mean the
hard drive, the two optical drives, the PIII CPU
(possibly!), and the memory modules.

So I have two questions: 1. Would I still be able to
activate Windows XP with these hardware changes? 2.
Once I have reactivated, can I make other changes to the
hardware configuration and be able to reactivate again if
needed? Thanks.
..
 
You mean a fresh install of XP with your new motherboard
right? I have re-installed XP several times throughout
the time I've had it (from fresh installs after changing
motherboards - virus' - or whatever), a few times I was
denied activation and simply called MS and spoke to
somebody. There is never a problem with this. It is
(maybe) possible to place a new motherboard into your
existing system and Windows XP may start, but I would
highly suggest that if you replace your motherboard
(especially one of a different manufacturer or model) to
do a fresh install of XP. If you place the hard drive
with an existing XP into a different motherboard config,
not only will you have major problems, but more likely
than not, you will have to reactivate. Hope this helps.

Eric
 
Don't wate time with the upgrade if you are keeping the
P3. You can usually get a MB and CPU bundled from many
places for little more than either would cost seperately.
Also, are you sure you want to try building this system?
You already have the OS, so all you need is a box to put
it in (and the fact that you posted the question about
activation tells me you are relatively inexperienced in
this area). You'd probably be better off buying a pre-
assembled system (w/o OS) and using your Os on that. Good
luck. For guides on system building try Directron.com.
 
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