How do I reinstall XP if

[Guest]

I may have to replace a defective motherboard and OR the hard drive that has
a registered installation of WinXp Pro. IF I only have to replace the MOBO,
will XP give me a problem on seeing a new(although same model/make) MOBO? If
it turns out the drive crashed, how do I reinstall WinXP that is registerd
already in my name on same computer

 

[Jerry]

If you replace the motherboard you will have to boot from the XP CD and do a
repair install.

If you replace the hard drive you will have to boot from the XP CD and
reinstall it and all other software. Registration/activation will be done as
before.

 

[Guest]

Will Microsoft allow me to reinstall XP on same machine? I thought you could
only install once. Or do they "look" at the machine its going onto and
compare with before?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Will Microsoft allow me to reinstall XP on same machine?

Certainly. There's no limit to the number of times you can reinstall
and activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. Nor is there ever a
charge. Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an evaluation
license) ever expire. 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.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm

I thought you could
only install once.

I can't imagine where you got that idea. Granted, a single license can
only be legitimately installed on one computer at any given time.
Perhaps that's what you were thinking of?


--

Bruce Chambers

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