Need Help with Xp & Hardware Upgrades

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Mitchell
  • Start date Start date
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David Mitchell

I'm about to ugrade my system with new:
Motherboard
Memory
CPU
DVD R/W
and swing all other cards, Hard Drives, etc. over to the new box.
All XP configuration will be the same except for the new Motherboard
(chipset, bios, IDE, AGP,PCI,etc) and the DVD Drivers. (I could wait to
swing the DVD later)
I've heard about XP's limit of hardware changes where it won't function if
hardware changes are exceeded. I read where XP limits harware changes to
"marry" the OS to the computer. This apparently limits XP to run only on the
system in which it was initially inatalled.
I'm worried that my upgrades will exceed this limit and XP will see this new
hardware and won't run. I am also aware that you can get an 'unlock' key
from Microsoft.
Questions;
1) Am I correct on this assumption
2) What precautions should I take
3) How do I get this 'unlock" key from Microsoft if my new system won't run
and I can't get online.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
 
It also depends on the version of Windows XP installed on the Had drive that
is being moved moved.

Retail versions of XP
1.Retail versions of XP can be moved from and reinstalled as many times as
you want as long as it is in compliance with the EULA. The EULA states: You
may install, use, access, display and run one copy of the Software on a
single computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device
("Workstation Computer")

OEM versions of XP
1.OEM versions of XP preinstalled on systems according to the OEM EULA
cannot be transferred to another computer. This is defined in the EULA.
2.OEM versions sold with a piece of hardware are thought to be tied to the
original computer it is installed on and you will need to buy an XP Upgrade
retail version to complete the migration and repair shown below.

Repair Install to SET XP to New Motherboard
1.Do Not BOOT into Windows XP on first boot after Motherboard or Hard Drive
change! If booting from CD is not an option, return to BIOS and make sure
booting from CD is the first boot option. Booting into Windows is only an
option when you do a direct replacement of the Motherboard.
2.If your computer does not support booting from the CD, check your OEM or
Motherboard makers web site for updated BIOS.
3.Perform a Repair Install by following the step by step below.
When you see the "Welcome To Setup" screen, you will see the options below

This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft Windows XP to run on
your computer:

To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.

To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

Press Enter to start the Windows Setup.

Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows
installations.

Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R to
start the repair.

Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and reboot. Do not
press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue
as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will
remain intact.

Blaster worm warning: Do not immediately activate over the internet when
asked, enable the XP firewall before connecting to the internet. You can
activate after the firewall is enabled. Control Panel - Network Connections.
Right click the connection you use, Properties, and there is a check box on
the advanced page.

Reapply updates or service packs applied since initial Windows XP
installation. Please note that a Repair Install from the Original install XP
CD will remove SP2 and SP2 will need to be reapplied.

Activation
What happens when you change a motherboard or move a hard drive depends on
the accumulated changes made within a 120 day period since initial
activation. As a precaution the windows\system32\WPA.DBL and WPA.DBL should
be copied to a floppy before doing a repair install.

If activation is required, just follow the prompts.
 
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