oem license failed motherboard

[edavid3001]

I have a PC that has an OEM licenses of XP PRO. The motherboard has
slowly been failing. First one of the ide controllers, and now the
entire motherboard.

I can pickup a replacement refurbished motherboard for $65, $159 new,
or send it in for repair. I don't think this board is repairable and
it is not under warranty so I'd likely just replace the board with
another same model for $65.

The problem is the XP OEM license. Will the replacement motherboard
cause XP to require activation with a new license? In other words, am
I out the board cost and the cost of Windows? I am aware that the
motherboards have unique serial numbers which Windows can read, as
this is in the registry in hklm\hardware - so it is plausible that
Windows would know that while it's the exact same model mobo, it's a
different one.

Does a replacement for a failed motherboard invalidate the OEM XP
license?

 

[Rock]

I have a PC that has an OEM licenses of XP PRO. The motherboard has
slowly been failing. First one of the ide controllers, and now the
entire motherboard.

I can pickup a replacement refurbished motherboard for $65, $159 new,
or send it in for repair. I don't think this board is repairable and
it is not under warranty so I'd likely just replace the board with
another same model for $65.

The problem is the XP OEM license. Will the replacement motherboard
cause XP to require activation with a new license? In other words, am
I out the board cost and the cost of Windows? I am aware that the
motherboards have unique serial numbers which Windows can read, as
this is in the registry in hklm\hardware - so it is plausible that
Windows would know that while it's the exact same model mobo, it's a
different one.

Does a replacement for a failed motherboard invalidate the OEM XP
license?

You'll have to call for activation. Tell them the board failed, which it
did, and this is a replacement, which it is. They should activate it.

 

[Ron Martell]

I have a PC that has an OEM licenses of XP PRO. The motherboard has
slowly been failing. First one of the ide controllers, and now the
entire motherboard.

I can pickup a replacement refurbished motherboard for $65, $159 new,
or send it in for repair. I don't think this board is repairable and
it is not under warranty so I'd likely just replace the board with
another same model for $65.

The problem is the XP OEM license. Will the replacement motherboard
cause XP to require activation with a new license? In other words, am
I out the board cost and the cost of Windows? I am aware that the
motherboards have unique serial numbers which Windows can read, as
this is in the registry in hklm\hardware - so it is plausible that
Windows would know that while it's the exact same model mobo, it's a
different one.

Does a replacement for a failed motherboard invalidate the OEM XP
license?

Not necessarily and especially not if it is replaced with an identical
one from the same supplier that produced the original computer.

On the other hand if your OEM Windows XP is a BIOS Locked (SLP)
version then it is tied to the original motherboard, or at least to
the BIOS signature in it and you will need a replacement motherboard
with the same BIOS signature, which means one from the same OEM.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[edavid3001]

Ok, thank you. I can obtain an exact match for the motherboard - as
in the same exact model with the same BIOS. Obviously the serial
numbers for things like the onboard IDE and such will be different.
I'd upgraded the BIOS once to the latest version, which was last
updated in 2005. The motherboard is still manufactured, same BIOS as
in 2005. It's about $150. If it weren't for the OEM issue I'd just
replace it with a cheap $50 motherboard. But if I have to spend the
extra money I'd rather repurchase this high end motherboard than
another license of XP.