Is XP Pro fussy like XP Home is?

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Guest

I often switch my HDD to a new PC that I've built. It's a pain to reacitivate
each time. I realize there are other ways to solve this problem but If I
purchase XP Pro, Retail, Full will I eliminate this problem?
 
No, the os"marries" to the computer on which it is first activated , you can
use RockXP to extract the activation file and save it to a floppy
 
Shoe said:
No, the os"marries" to the computer on which it is first activated ,
you can use RockXP to extract the activation file and save it to a
floppy
Click to expand...

That's complete bollocks. You're thinking of the OEM version - that doesn't
apply to the retail.
 
That is ALL windowsXP flavors, if you change too much or try to activate on
another machine w/different hardware it's time to call Microsoft period!
 
***TominFL*** said:
I often switch my HDD to a new PC that I've built. It's a pain to
reacitivate each time. I realize there are other ways to solve this
problem but If I purchase XP Pro, Retail, Full will I eliminate this
problem?
Click to expand...


WinXP Home and WinXP Pro, being based upon the same kernel, would
be identical in this respect. And, fyi, it is just this "fussiness"
that makes WinXP so much superior to Win9x.

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations
and licenses 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

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:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having
both at once. - RAH
 
Shoe said:
No, the os"marries" to the computer on which it is first activated ,
you can use RockXP to extract the activation file and save it to a
Click to expand...


Which would do absolutely no good if the hard drive is moved into
a different PC.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having
both at once. - RAH
 
Bruce, I can't get the OS to load. It halts just after the POST. I set system
to go to
the CD for boot and when it does it goes to the point of showing the C: but
doesn't show the Windows on that drive. I'm affraid to go to setup because it
will probably try to load XP from scratch and I'd loose all my aps. Am I
missing something?
 
It sounds like the BIOS is not recognizing the presence of a CD
drive. Are the new hard drive and the CD drive on the same IDE
controller? If so, are they both jumpered correctly?

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH
 
Yes they are to both questions.
I gave up and bought another Win XP to use on the new HDD and started from
scratch. I will likely sell the old system with XP on it. Thanks so much for
trying to help me.
 
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