Re-install after motherboard replacement

C

CrunchyFrog

I looked, but haven't seen this question in the newsgroup or Google.

I built my system about six weeks ago. Since then, I found a motherboard I
like better than the one I have, and so I want to replace the old
motherboard with the new one which just arrived today.

The problem is, since it is a different manufacturer and completely
different chipset, I should re-install Windows XP Professional, but I expect
that the Product Activation process will look at the new motherboard and
THINK I am installing XP PRO on a new (i.e. a second) computer and therefore
will not activate.

Does anyone know and if so would you please tell me if replacing the
motherboard and re-installing XP Professional will in fact cause the XP
Professional product activation to fail in this scenario?
 
B

Bruce Chambers

Greetings --

I don't know why your searches found nothing; I've personally
replied to over 400 posts, in the last year alone, answering this very
question. Many other people have also provided answers to those
posts.

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM licenses are
not
transferable to a new motherboard), 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

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

This will also 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. You
shouldn't have to buy a new license.


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
 
M

Michael Stevens

CrunchyFrog said:
I looked, but haven't seen this question in the newsgroup or Google.

I built my system about six weeks ago. Since then, I found a
motherboard I like better than the one I have, and so I want to
replace the old motherboard with the new one which just arrived today.

The problem is, since it is a different manufacturer and completely
different chipset, I should re-install Windows XP Professional, but I
expect that the Product Activation process will look at the new
motherboard and THINK I am installing XP PRO on a new (i.e. a second)
computer and therefore will not activate.

Does anyone know and if so would you please tell me if replacing the
motherboard and re-installing XP Professional will in fact cause the
XP Professional product activation to fail in this scenario?


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
 

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