Product Key and Installing

[Carey Carter]

I have had a computer with xp pro on it for years--It died
so I swapped the HD into another computer given to me. The
computer now asks me for a product key and says it is
expired and must buy a new license! Its my hard drive and
my OS why cant I put in a new motherboard and run it
without problems!???

Help I dont have 269 bucks!!

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have had a computer with xp pro on it for years--It died
so I swapped the HD into another computer given to me. The
computer now asks me for a product key and says it is
expired and must buy a new license! Its my hard drive and
my OS why cant I put in a new motherboard and run it
without problems!???

Help I dont have 269 bucks!!

As far as Microsoft are concerned, you're trying to run
your OS in a different PC, hence the prompt. I believe
they will re-register you if you can make a credible case.
Give them a ring!

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Carey;
"expired and must buy a new license"?
Is that the exact words?
That sounds quite a bit different from the messages I have seen.

Is it actually referring to activation?
Choose the option to activate by phone.
Call the displayed toll free number, done in about 5 minutes.

Or you may need to perform a Repair Installation to properly detect
the new hardware:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/repaxp.htm

The above may not be possible if Windows XP is OEM and the motherboard
is from another manufacturer.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have had a computer with xp pro on it for years--It died
so I swapped the HD into another computer given to me. The
computer now asks me for a product key and says it is
expired and must buy a new license! Its my hard drive and
my OS why cant I put in a new motherboard and run it
without problems!???

Help I dont have 269 bucks!!

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations
and licenses are not transferable to a new motherboard - check yours
before starting), unless the new motherboard is virtually identical
(same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.) to the
one on which the WinXP installation was originally performed, you'll
need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at
the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

The "why" is quite simple, really, and has nothing to do with
licensing issues, per se; it's a purely technical matter, at this
point. You've pulled the proverbial hardware rug out from under the
OS. (If you don't like -- or get -- the rug analogy, think of it as
picking up a Cape Cod style home and then setting it down onto a Ranch
style foundation. It just isn't going to fit.) WinXP, like Win2K
before it, is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to
accepting any old hardware configuration you throw at it. On
installation it "tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. This
is one of the reasons that the entire WinNT/2K/XP OS family is so much
more stable than the Win9x group.

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will also probably require re-activation, unless you have a
Volume Licensed version of WinXP Pro installed. If it's been more
than 120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key,
you'll most likely be able to activate via the internet without
problem. If it's been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone
call.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Michael Stevens]

I have had a computer with xp pro on it for years--It died
so I swapped the HD into another computer given to me. The
computer now asks me for a product key and says it is
expired and must buy a new license! Its my hard drive and
my OS why cant I put in a new motherboard and run it
without problems!???

Help I dont have 269 bucks!!

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Move XP to new hardware.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Guest]

I notice NO ONE answers these posts, and Microsoft should
step up and realize most of the problems come from
reinstalling what we consumers have a RIGHT to have redone
without so many headaches. You can call 1-800-MICROSOFT
for free or check online on how to get a new product code.
Using keywords, there are articles on how to change your
own code in the registry.Good luck! Wendy

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Wendy;
The posts are answered.
If you do not see the answers, you or your newsreader are doing
something wrong.
Click the "+" by the post.

 

[NoNoBadDog!]

Since you are using the Web browser and not a News Reader, you cannot easily
locate the answers to your posts. All of your posts have been
answered...use a newsreader (Outlook Express), and you will find it easy to
locate answers to your posts.

Bobby