New Motherboard

[David Coyle]

I have an ABIT NF7-S (motherboard for AMD CPU) and want to replace it with a
ABIT AA8XE (Intel), and I am running an OEM Windows XP. My plan is to do a
repair installation, but I understand that with OEM Windows I will not be
able to get it activated with a new motherboard. My question: Does it work
to buy another OEM WinXP CD and use that CD Key when I do the repair
installation? Has anyone else done this? I really want to avoid
re-installing all of my programs again.

In fact, if the performance of the Intel P4 (Intel Pentium 4 HT CPU 3.6GHz
800 FSB Socket 775 SL7KN ) is not going to be a lot better than an AMD 2500+
(it does not overclock) then I might re-think the whole thing.

 

[Leonard Grey]

You cannot avoid reinstalling your programs when you reinstall your
operating system. Applications and OS are interwoven.

 

[AJR]

David - lots of "mis-information" out there - if you are required to
"reactivate" (not necessary to reinstall) and you receive a message stating
that product key is in use use the "activation by phone" option.

Microsoft does ot provide technical support for OEM supplied OS - BUT it
does provide activation/reactivation.

 

[David Coyle]

Thanks AJR,

I have read a lot of different opinions, information and "mis-information"
but right now I think your take on it is correct.

 

[David Webb]

Here's the official word on this subject (not good news for your situation):

How to replace the motherboard on a computer that is running Windows Server
2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;824125

The article states that M$ will allow the same OEM OS to be used for an exact
replacement mobo due to a defect in the original, but does not allow the same
OEM OS to be used for an upgrade or replacement mobo. The latter is considered
to be a new computer requiring a new OEM license.

To the contrary, I have read posts from users that claimed to have successfully
activated an OEM system, via telephone, after replacing the mobo with a new
type/version. May be best to call late afternoon on Friday, in this case.

Good luck!

 

[AJR]

More Information:

"Pre-activation" of Windows XP by the OEMs will be done in one of two
different ways depending on the OEM's own configuration options and choices.
Some OEMs may protect Windows XP using a mechanism which locks the
installation to OEM-specified BIOS information in the PC. This technology
works very similar to existing technologies that many OEMs have used over
the years with the CDs they ship to reinstall Windows on these computers. We
expanded and integrated the existing OEM CD BIOS locking mechanism with
product activation, and call this method of protection "System Locked
Pre-installation," or SLP.

Every single piece of hardware could be changed on a PC with SLP and no
reactivation would be required - even the motherboard could be replaced as
long as the replacement motherboard was original equipment manufactured by
the OEM and retained the proper BIOS. In the unlikely scenario that the BIOS
information does not match, the PC would need to be activated within 30 days
by contacting the Microsoft activation center via the Internet or telephone
call - just as in a retail scenario."

 

[David Coyle]

OK I think I know what to do. I will let you all know how it turns out.