Diane said:
Six months ago I bought a PC (white box dealer). I bought OEM versions
of Windows XP Pro & Office with my machine. I've since moved out of
town (he's not easily accessible) and my Intel motherboard died a few
days ago. I know, it is still under warranty but I've been thinking of
switching to an ASUS board and an AMD 64 Dual Core processor. My
question is, given that my original machine came with the install CDs
and license serial numbers, can I install these copies of WinXP &
Office on the new machine configuration?
You should be able to do so, yes.
According to its EULA, an OEM license may not be transferred from one
distinct PC to another PC. Nothing is said about prohibiting one from
repairing or upgrading the PC on which an OEM license is installed.
Some people mistakenly believe that the motherboard is the key component
that defines the "original computer," but the OEM EULA does not make any
such distinction. Others have said (tongue in cheek) that one could
successfully argue that it's the PC's case that is the deciding component,
as that is where one is instructed to affix the OEM CoA label w/Product Key.
Again, the EULA does *not* specifically define any single component as the
computer. Licensed Microsoft Systems Builders, who are allowed to distribute
OEM licenses with computers they build and sell, are _contractually_
obligated to "define" the computer as the motherboard, but this
limitation/definition can't be applied to the end user until the EULA is
re-written.
As you well know, Microsoft has, to date, been very careful _not_ to
*publicly* define when an incrementally upgraded computer ceases to be the
original computer. The closest I've ever seen a Microsoft employee come to
this definition (in a public forum) is to tell the person making the inquiry
to consult the PC's manufacturer. As the OEM license's support is solely
the responsibility of said manufacturer, they should determine what sort of
hardware changes to allow before the warranty and support agreements are
voided. To paraphrase: An incrementally upgraded computer ceases to be the
original computer, as pertains to the OEM EULA, only when the *OEM* says
it's a different computer. If you've built the system yourself, and used a
generic OEM CD, then _you_ are the "OEM," and _you_ get to decide when
you'll no longer support your product.
Another question, rather than having to reload everything from scratch,
could I install my "C" drive in the newly configured machine and would
Windows boot up and ask for and install the required drivers given the new
machine
configuration?
You really don't want to attempt to boot the computer from the existing
hard drive installation, though. Sometimes, such an action can render the
installation irreparable. And sometimes, it works: it's a crap shoot. When
it doesn't work (which seems to be most of the time), though, you'll need to
format the hard drive and perform a clean installation.
Normally, and assuming a retail or unbranded, generic OEM license (many
branded, factory-installed OEM installations are BIOS-locked to a specific
chipset and therefore are *not* transferable to a new motherboard - check
yours before starting), unless the new motherboard is virtually identical
(same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.) to the one on
which the WinXP installation was originally performed, you'll need to
perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at the very least:
How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341
Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with WinXP Installed
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html
The "why" is quite simple, really, and has nothing to do with licensing
issues, per se; it's a purely technical matter, at this point. You've
pulled the proverbial hardware rug out from under the OS. (If you don't
like -- or get -- the rug analogy, think of it as picking up a Cape Cod
style home and then setting it down onto a Ranch style foundation. It just
isn't going to fit.) WinXP, like Win2K before it, is not nearly as
"promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to accepting any old hardware
configuration you throw at it. On installation it "tailors" itself to the
specific hardware found. This is one of the reasons that the entire
WinNT/2K/XP OS family is so much more stable than the Win9x group.
As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.
This will also probably require re-activation, unless you have a Volume
Licensed version of WinXP Pro installed. If it's been more than 120 days
since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be
able to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you
might have to make a 5 minute phone call.
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you:
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin
Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
