upgrading mainboard

[Guest]

I would like to upgrade my computers mainboard, as this is a major upgrade,
will I encounter any problems when I restart win xp.

syd4444

 

[Kevin]

Yes. You will likely be required to activate Windows again if your copy is
a retail version. If you are running an OEM copy you may be out of luck.
OEM versions are tied to the system they are first installed and activated
on. Unless the upgrades are similar to the equipment they are replacing.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Kevin, I have a retail copy so re-activateing shouldn,t be too much of
a problem.

syd4444

 

[Jim Macklin]

More than just reactivating is required, you will have to do
a repair install and then reactivate. The new mobo will
probably include a new CPU and graphics card, so the repair
install is needed to install the correct drivers.

see
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q315341&ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341



--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


message
| Thanks Kevin, I have a retail copy so re-activateing
shouldn,t be too much of
| a problem.
|
| syd4444
|
| "Kevin" wrote:
|
| > Yes. You will likely be required to activate Windows
again if your copy is
| > a retail version. If you are running an OEM copy you
may be out of luck.
| > OEM versions are tied to the system they are first
installed and activated
| > on. Unless the upgrades are similar to the equipment
they are replacing.
| >
message
| >
| > > I would like to upgrade my computers mainboard, as
this is a major
| > upgrade,
| > > will I encounter any problems when I restart win xp.
| > >
| > > syd4444
| >
| >
| >

 

[jeffrey]

Hi,

Not always, I replaced the MoBo on my cousin`s computer, different maker and
I didn`t have to re-activate. Usually if its after 120 days of the first
activation, most won`t have to re-activate.

Jeff

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I would like to upgrade my computers mainboard, as this is a major
upgrade, will I encounter any problems when I restart win xp.

syd4444

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

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both at once. - RAH

 

[NobodyMan]

You couldn't be more wrong. Unless you are using a VLK version of
Pro, EVERY time you install you have to activate. It's just that
after 120 days, MS flushes it's database so you don't have to CALL
them. You should be able to do it over the internet again.