Replacing motherboard/processor

[Guest]

Need some help here...
I want to replace my video card, but in order to do that I need to replace
my motherboard also. I've alreay replaced my power supply. I have a new
motherboard on order and a new processor also. I was just told that If I
replace my motherboard I might need to purchase Windows XP again. I have a
copy of XP that came with my computer but it's an OEM version. I'd really
hate to replace XP since I paid $90 bucks for it. Any suggestions would be
helpful

Thanks
Dan Audette

 

[Yves Leclerc]

With OEM versions, you are out of luck! You will need to buy XP again since
the OEM version is tied to the old motherboard.

 

[Kerry Brown]

I want to replace my video card, but in order to do that I need to replace

my motherboard also. I've alreay replaced my power supply. I have a new
motherboard on order and a new processor also. I was just told that If I
replace my motherboard I might need to purchase Windows XP again. I have a
copy of XP that came with my computer but it's an OEM version. I'd really
hate to replace XP since I paid $90 bucks for it. Any suggestions would be
helpful

If it is a large OEM version like HP/Compaq or Dell it may be tied to the
motherboard and may or may not work with a new motherboard. If it is a
generic OEM version it will probably work. You will have to do a repair
install of XP once the new hardware is installed. In any case I would
install the new hardware and try a repair install before anything else. You
will probably have to activate Windows again which is where you may run into
some problems. If you have to activate you will probably have to phone
Microsoft and explain what you have done. You will be at the mercy of
whoever is on the other end of the phone. I have seen them accept and also
deny activation in similar scenarios.

Kerry Brown
KDB Systems

 

[Leythos]

I had a machine put together for someone by a local mom and pop computer
shop. They shop provided an OEM XP Home CD. The person decided to
switch to Pro, went out and bought Pro, installed it and then gave the
OEM Home CD to me. I installed it on an old (3yrs) machine with a
completely different MB and processor with no problems. That surprised
me for I had read many places that an OEM CD was tied to specific MB I
guess there are XP OEM CD;s of one sort and OEM CD's of another; those
supplied with 'manufactured' machines from companys like Dell, Hp, etc
and those provided with assembled machines by computer shops. Am I
right about that?

There are basically two types of OEM's - ones that use BIOS locked restore
CD's and ones that use regular OEM CD's that don't care what PC they are
installed on.

They are both bound to the same EULA where the can only be used with the
first computer they are installed on - and I'll leave it at that.

 

[Jack Gillis]

With OEM versions, you are out of luck! You will need to buy XP again
since the OEM version is tied to the old motherboard.

FWIW:

I had a machine put together for someone by a local mom and pop computer
shop. They shop provided an OEM XP Home CD. The person decided to
switch to Pro, went out and bought Pro, installed it and then gave the
OEM Home CD to me. I installed it on an old (3yrs) machine with a
completely different MB and processor with no problems. That surprised
me for I had read many places that an OEM CD was tied to specific MB I
guess there are XP OEM CD;s of one sort and OEM CD's of another; those
supplied with 'manufactured' machines from companys like Dell, Hp, etc
and those provided with assembled machines by computer shops. Am I
right about that?

 

[Opinicus]

I want to replace my video card, but in order to do that I
need to replace
my motherboard also. I've alreay replaced my power supply.
I have a new
motherboard on order and a new processor also. I was just
told that If I
replace my motherboard I might need to purchase Windows XP
again. I have a
copy of XP that came with my computer but it's an OEM
version. I'd really
hate to replace XP since I paid $90 bucks for it. Any
suggestions would be
helpful

Talk to the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and see
whether they'll support a motherboard change or not.
According to the OEM license, it's their call.

 

[Guest]

I am surprised that the Mobo needs to be replaced in order to change the AGP
card.

Most Mobos with an onboard video card still have an AGP slot for a plug in
card. One simply disables the onboard card in BIOS.

 

[Leythos]

Most Mobos with an onboard video card still have an AGP slot for a plug in
card. One simply disables the onboard card in BIOS.

Yea, it's always a pain when someone brings in a computer from a friend
that doesn't have an AGP slot and has onboard video and they want to add a
fast card to play online games.

 

[LVTravel]

The other problem you will note when you replace the motherboard even if you
can use the OEM CD (although it is likely to violate the EULA) is that an
OEM CD will not normally do an inplace upgrade for the new MB and video as a
retail Windows CD will do. You will have to totally reinstall the OS and
all programs and data currently on the computer.