OEM Motherboard Upgrade

[Guest]

I currently have an HP Pavilion PC, Running an OEM version of Windows XP Pro.
I'm planning on upgrading the Motherboard, and I've been looking through the
boards here and they say something about needing a full retail version of
windows XP for motherboard upgrades. Is there any way of upgrading my OEM
version of XP Pro to a Retail version (after buying from a store), or would I
have to do a complete format of my hard drive and install the new retail
version of windows to do the motherboard upgrade?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Eric,

The new motherboard will probably be seen as a new system, and OEM versions
do not allow for changing to another system once activated. You'll probably
need a retail disk, but it can't hurt to try - the worst that can happen is
that your activation is denied.

Regardless, you will need to do a repair installation. This will preserve
your system and can be done with either disk. Follow these steps to do a
repair install which should preserve your data, settings, and programs:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM
drive.
2. Restart your computer. If you have to, change the BIOS settings to start
from
the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer again.
3. At the "Welcome to Setup" page, press ENTER.
4. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.
5. Use the arrow keys to select the installation of Windows XP that you want
to
repair, and then press R to start the automatic repair process.
6. When Setup is completed, activate Windows XP.

Note that you will need your Product Key for this procedure, so have it
handy before you begin.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[joust in jest]

From real-world experience:

HP branded (OEM) Windows XP installation is tied to the HP branded
motherboard BIOS . You CAN_NOT install an HP branded Windows on a non-HP
motherboard.

My in-laws HP motherboard failed. The board was an ASUS micro-ATX. I
purchased a retail Asus micro-ATX motherboard as a replacement. The retail
ASUS motherboard, of course, does not have an HP branded BIOS. HP
installation fails with an error message that you are trying to install an
HP banded operating system onto a non-HP computer.

You will have to purchase a full retail version of Windows [or purchase a
generic OEM Windows disk when you purchase the motherboard.]

Also from experience: for HP computers past warranty, it is far less
expensive to purchase a retail motherboard and retail Windows than it is to
purchase a replacement HP motherboard. You can not purchase an HP
replacement MoBo direct from HP -- you have to purchase directly from HP
authorized repair center.

 

[Guest]

HP branded (OEM) Windows XP installation is tied to the HP branded
motherboard BIOS . You CAN_NOT install an HP branded Windows on a non-HP
motherboard.

You will have to purchase a full retail version of Windows [or purchase a
generic OEM Windows disk when you purchase the motherboard.]

so would just having an Windows Full or generic OEM version disk work(what's
the difference between the two?), or would I still need to wipe the hard
drive and if so, how do I get rid of both the C: and D: partitions (D: has
the HP restore data, and the webpage guides for installing XP imply that
formats will only do one partition to me)