my motherboard broke, if i buy a new one, will windows xp freak ou

[dhi]

i've been having a number of strange graphics/memory issues, and i think i've
localized the problem to my motherboard.

i'm thinking of upgrading my motherboard (because the things i can do right
now are severely limited), and possibly my cpu and ram as well.

if i purchase the new hardware and plug it in, will windows xp freak out and
stop working?

 

[Jim]

i've been having a number of strange graphics/memory issues, and i think
i've
localized the problem to my motherboard.

i'm thinking of upgrading my motherboard (because the things i can do
right
now are severely limited), and possibly my cpu and ram as well.

if i purchase the new hardware and plug it in, will windows xp freak out
and
stop working?

You will at least need to do a repair installation and install the chipset
drivers for the new motherboard.
Jim

 

[Shenan Stanley]

i've been having a number of strange graphics/memory issues, and i
think i've localized the problem to my motherboard.

i'm thinking of upgrading my motherboard (because the things i can
do right now are severely limited), and possibly my cpu and ram as
well.

if i purchase the new hardware and plug it in, will windows xp
freak out and stop working?

Until you perform a Repair Installation - it very well might 'freak out and
stop working'. There is a possibility it won't - but chances are with it
not working until a repair install is done.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

 

[dhi]

so is the windows xp "secret code" linked to the harddrive then? this
colleague of mine is convinced that it's linked to the harddrive,
motherboard, and chipset.

 

[David B.]

There is no secret code, if you get a motherboard with the same hard drive
controller your XP install will likely boot up just fine, it is possible to
replace a motherboard with one that is completely different, even going from
Intel to AMD and get it to boot without a repair install, it's all in the
preparation.

 

[DL]

The only 'secret code' is if your winxp cd is an OEM version supplied by
certain PC manufacturers where it is locked to their hardware (motherboard)
If it is you would have to purchase the motherboard from the PC manufacturer

 

[smlunatick]

so is the windows xp "secret code" linked to the harddrive then? this
colleague of mine is  convinced that it's linked to the harddrive,
motherboard, and chipset.

Until you perform a Repair Installation - it very well might 'freak outand
stop working'.  There is a possibility it won't - but chances are with it
not working until a repair install is done.

 How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
 http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

As said, it is not a secret code. There are utilities which you can
read / see this "secret." This code is usually base several componets
(motherboard, video card, network etc.) and permits a small number of
"minor" changes. These changes are "tracked" and are added up. Once
the permitted changes passes a limit, the previous activation fails
and you will ned to re-activate.

Since the motherboard will be replaced, then activation "secret" code
will "bomb-out."