Does changing motherboards require reactivation?

[Steven Celli]

I want to upgrade my system by changing out motherboards, etc. to newer
models. I thought I remembered something about the fact that if you change
motherboards, you must also reactivate WinXP Professional through an 800
number. Is this true?
I am not reinstalling the OS. I just want to change out the motherboard.
Thanks for any assistance!
--
Best Wishes,
Steven Celli
(e-mail address removed)

"Everyone can master a grief but he that has it."
William Shakespeare

 

[Steve C. Ray]

Changing motherboards will require a repair install and reactivation unless
the replacement board is identical to the original one.

 

[gezerglide]

I replaced my motherboard and did not have to call them but that depends on
several factors. I've done other things that did require a call but it was
very painless. Anyway a motherboard replacement does at the very least
require a "repair" install of windows. In my case the repair install left
some glitches behind and a full install was ultimately necessary. Here's
the official MS info.
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

 

[Steven Celli]

Thanks to both of you for your answers! I have another issue that may or may
resolve my having to install another motherboard, but I'll post in on
another thread.
--
Best Wishes,
Steven Celli
(e-mail address removed)

"Everyone can master a grief but he that has it."
William Shakespeare

 

[Michael Stevens]

I want to upgrade my system by changing out motherboards, etc. to
newer models. I thought I remembered something about the fact that if
you change motherboards, you must also reactivate WinXP Professional
through an 800 number. Is this true?
I am not reinstalling the OS. I just want to change out the
motherboard. Thanks for any assistance!

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Move XP to new hardware.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

Ah! But you "are" going to reinstall Windows XP to get the new motherboard
to function correctly!

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Normally, assuming a retail license, unless the new motherboard is
virtually identical to the old one (same chipset, same IDE
controllers, same BIOS version, etc.), 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

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will probably also require re-activation. 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

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