Is it possible to upgrade too much for the activation?

[mccoyn]

I am about to install Windows XP Pro on my computer. In a
couple months I will be upgrading that computer
extensivly. I will be installing a new motherboard,
processor and memory. The new motherboard will have built
in video, sound and LAN. I know I will at least have to
reactivate Windows XP after these upgrades, but I'm
worried that I will be changing too much and won't be able
to reactivate it.

Should I be worried and wait until after the upgrades to
install/activate Windows XP? I'd rather do it now since
I've got the software already.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I am about to install Windows XP Pro on my computer. In a
couple months I will be upgrading that computer
extensivly. I will be installing a new motherboard,
processor and memory. The new motherboard will have built
in video, sound and LAN. I know I will at least have to
reactivate Windows XP after these upgrades, but I'm
worried that I will be changing too much and won't be able
to reactivate it.

Should I be worried and wait until after the upgrades to
install/activate Windows XP? I'd rather do it now since
I've got the software already.

In the worst case, you'll need to make a quick telephone call to MS. I
think the longest I've been on the phone for this is five minutes with a
toll-free number. Activation is seldom an issue - they are quite aware
that people upgrade or rebuild their systems. Go ahead and install XP.

However, this may not apply if you are using an OEM license, which may be
tied to the original hardware. In that case, wait. A retail license does
not have this limitation.

HTH
-pk

 

[frizzbee30]

It is, but you can contact microsoft repeatedly and plead your case.It has
happend to me several times,but beware,will they always believe its 'only an
upgrade'??

 

[John E. Carty]

You don't have to "plead" anything, you simple tell them what you've done
and receive your code to activate

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I am about to install Windows XP Pro on my computer. In a
couple months I will be upgrading that computer
extensivly. I will be installing a new motherboard,
processor and memory. The new motherboard will have built
in video, sound and LAN. I know I will at least have to
reactivate Windows XP after these upgrades, but I'm
worried that I will be changing too much and won't be able
to reactivate it.

Should I be worried and wait until after the upgrades to
install/activate Windows XP? I'd rather do it now since
I've got the software already.

There's nothing to worry about about. Worst case you'll have to
activate by phone and explain what you've done. It's quick and
easy, and they will believe what you tell them.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Normally, 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 may 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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[Alex Nichol]

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

This may 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.

If the changes have ben enough to force reactivation, this is detected
by the system at boot, and the '120 days' does not apply. You have to
do it by phone. The 120 days applies if you have formatted and
installed the system as a new instance - in that case you are starting
over and have to activate within 30 days - if *that* ends up being more
than 120 days since last time it was done, this will go through on the
net