Upgrading mobo and WinXP licence

[Guest]

The issue is this:
I have an Athlon 2100+ in a Via KT800 board. I produce music on the machine
and recently it's been getting very stressed as I increase the effects
processing (no surprise there). I reckoned the solution was to bung a better
CPU in, but have found that I already have the best processor for this board.

So, I'm contemplating a combined CPU / mobo upgrade.

All fine until I get to the WinXP licence I have. I understand that XP ties
itself to the hardware in ways that previous versions of Windows didn't,
which means I need to do a fresh install of the OS (already making me
nervous). However the real problem is that my licence for XP is an OEM
licence... I contacted the original supplier of the PC who told me that they
couldn't revalidate the licence: that replacing the mobo means I need to buy
a NEW licence for XP.

Is this true? Or is it true that Microsoft will allow me to revalidate an
OEM licence on a new mobo so long as I sign in blood to say that it is the
same machine...?

I'm confused, and a new XP licence will almost double the cost of the
upgrade. Advice very welcome...

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The license for an OEM version of Windows XP is tied forever to
the first computer it was installed and activated on. If you make a
major hardware change, such as installing an entirely different motherboard,
the license is no longer valid. That is one reason OEM versions cost less...
no support directly from Microsoft.

A "retail version" of Windows XP is what you need if future
hardware upgrades are anticipated.

Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with XP Installed
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| The issue is this:
| I have an Athlon 2100+ in a Via KT800 board. I produce music on the machine
| and recently it's been getting very stressed as I increase the effects
| processing (no surprise there). I reckoned the solution was to bung a better
| CPU in, but have found that I already have the best processor for this board.
|
| So, I'm contemplating a combined CPU / mobo upgrade.
|
| All fine until I get to the WinXP licence I have. I understand that XP ties
| itself to the hardware in ways that previous versions of Windows didn't,
| which means I need to do a fresh install of the OS (already making me
| nervous). However the real problem is that my licence for XP is an OEM
| licence... I contacted the original supplier of the PC who told me that they
| couldn't revalidate the licence: that replacing the mobo means I need to buy
| a NEW licence for XP.
|
| Is this true? Or is it true that Microsoft will allow me to revalidate an
| OEM licence on a new mobo so long as I sign in blood to say that it is the
| same machine...?
|
| I'm confused, and a new XP licence will almost double the cost of the
| upgrade. Advice very welcome...

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

1. If you have a BIOS locked OEM cd then you will need to buy a retail copy
of XP. A BIOS locked cd can only install on a board with the same BIOS ID
as the old board (essentially a defect/replacement scenario).

Buy the full edition of XP if you do not have a retail cd for a previous
version of Windows that is Windows 98 or later (left over from an old
computer). Do not do a clean install of XP. Do a repair install. That
will leave all of your software and files intact.

Otherwise, you can get by with the XP upgrade edition. Again, do not do a
clean install of XP. Do a repair install.

2. If you have a standard OEM cd then you may be able to simply do a repair
installation of Windows after the new mobo is installed. Again, do a repair
install of XP. If the OEM cd says "No way, Jose" then see (3).

3. Or you might find it advantageous simply to own a retail copy of XP full
so that you can deal with any contingency in the future. This has become my
preference over the years. Again, do a repair install.

A repair installation is necessary in order to correct the hardware
abstraction layer of the OS, but it will not harm your files and programs.
It will allow you to change the product key for the installed OS and
activation will be by internet or over the phone. Either way, Microsoft
will activate the product.

Final note, make sure you only buy a copy of XP that already has Service
Pack 2 included. Otherwise your system my refuse to let you do a repair
install.

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys - very useful answers.

I understand what's happening here.

1. If you have a BIOS locked OEM cd then you will need to buy a retail copy
of XP. A BIOS locked cd can only install on a board with the same BIOS ID
as the old board (essentially a defect/replacement scenario).

Buy the full edition of XP if you do not have a retail cd for a previous
version of Windows that is Windows 98 or later (left over from an old
computer). Do not do a clean install of XP. Do a repair install. That
will leave all of your software and files intact.

Otherwise, you can get by with the XP upgrade edition. Again, do not do a
clean install of XP. Do a repair install.

2. If you have a standard OEM cd then you may be able to simply do a repair
installation of Windows after the new mobo is installed. Again, do a repair
install of XP. If the OEM cd says "No way, Jose" then see (3).

3. Or you might find it advantageous simply to own a retail copy of XP full
so that you can deal with any contingency in the future. This has become my
preference over the years. Again, do a repair install.

A repair installation is necessary in order to correct the hardware
abstraction layer of the OS, but it will not harm your files and programs.
It will allow you to change the product key for the installed OS and
activation will be by internet or over the phone. Either way, Microsoft
will activate the product.

Final note, make sure you only buy a copy of XP that already has Service
Pack 2 included. Otherwise your system my refuse to let you do a repair
install.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

The issue is this:
I have an Athlon 2100+ in a Via KT800 board. I produce music on the
machine
and recently it's been getting very stressed as I increase the effects
processing (no surprise there). I reckoned the solution was to bung a
better
CPU in, but have found that I already have the best processor for this
board.

So, I'm contemplating a combined CPU / mobo upgrade.

All fine until I get to the WinXP licence I have. I understand that XP
ties
itself to the hardware in ways that previous versions of Windows didn't,
which means I need to do a fresh install of the OS (already making me
nervous). However the real problem is that my licence for XP is an OEM
licence... I contacted the original supplier of the PC who told me that
they
couldn't revalidate the licence: that replacing the mobo means I need to
buy
a NEW licence for XP.

Is this true? Or is it true that Microsoft will allow me to revalidate an
OEM licence on a new mobo so long as I sign in blood to say that it is the
same machine...?

I'm confused, and a new XP licence will almost double the cost of the
upgrade. Advice very welcome...

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You're welcome.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Thanks guys - very useful answers.

I understand what's happening here.

1. If you have a BIOS locked OEM cd then you will need to buy a retail
copy
of XP. A BIOS locked cd can only install on a board with the same BIOS
ID
as the old board (essentially a defect/replacement scenario).

Buy the full edition of XP if you do not have a retail cd for a previous
version of Windows that is Windows 98 or later (left over from an old
computer). Do not do a clean install of XP. Do a repair install. That
will leave all of your software and files intact.

Otherwise, you can get by with the XP upgrade edition. Again, do not do
a
clean install of XP. Do a repair install.

2. If you have a standard OEM cd then you may be able to simply do a
repair
installation of Windows after the new mobo is installed. Again, do a
repair
install of XP. If the OEM cd says "No way, Jose" then see (3).

3. Or you might find it advantageous simply to own a retail copy of XP
full
so that you can deal with any contingency in the future. This has become
my
preference over the years. Again, do a repair install.

A repair installation is necessary in order to correct the hardware
abstraction layer of the OS, but it will not harm your files and
programs.
It will allow you to change the product key for the installed OS and
activation will be by internet or over the phone. Either way, Microsoft
will activate the product.

Final note, make sure you only buy a copy of XP that already has Service
Pack 2 included. Otherwise your system my refuse to let you do a repair
install.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

The issue is this:
I have an Athlon 2100+ in a Via KT800 board. I produce music on the
machine
and recently it's been getting very stressed as I increase the effects
processing (no surprise there). I reckoned the solution was to bung a
better
CPU in, but have found that I already have the best processor for this
board.

So, I'm contemplating a combined CPU / mobo upgrade.

All fine until I get to the WinXP licence I have. I understand that XP
ties
itself to the hardware in ways that previous versions of Windows
didn't,
which means I need to do a fresh install of the OS (already making me
nervous). However the real problem is that my licence for XP is an OEM
licence... I contacted the original supplier of the PC who told me that
they
couldn't revalidate the licence: that replacing the mobo means I need
to
buy
a NEW licence for XP.

Is this true? Or is it true that Microsoft will allow me to revalidate
an
OEM licence on a new mobo so long as I sign in blood to say that it is
the
same machine...?

I'm confused, and a new XP licence will almost double the cost of the
upgrade. Advice very welcome...

 

[Robert Moir]

The license for an OEM version of Windows XP is tied forever to
the first computer it was installed and activated on.
Yes.

If you make a
major hardware change, such as installing an entirely different
motherboard, the license is no longer valid.

Not sure I agree with this. The OEM could have chose to have the OEM install
bios-locked of course, but actually we all know its the same machine so I'm
not personally quite so sure the licence would be "no longer valid".

That is one reason OEM
versions cost less... no support directly from Microsoft.

--

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Yeah, I guess the question is when does an old computer become a new
computer. I suppose once the mobo, cpu, primary hard drive, memory sticks
and video card are all replaced it just isn't the same anymore.

 

[Robert Moir]

Yeah, I guess the question is when does an old computer become a new
computer. I suppose once the mobo, cpu, primary hard drive, memory
sticks and video card are all replaced it just isn't the same
anymore.

Its a very good question and one I would love to see settled with lawyers
rather than intimidation, as well as the other question-marks surrounding
"OEM" software licences too.

If the COA sticker is stuck to the case, I'd be happy to argue that it was
enough of the "original" computer to count as long as that was still in
service. If Microsoft want the motherboards to be licenced then I suggest
they force OEMs to affix the sticker to that.

And as for OEM software purchased with a mouse or hard-drive - I've seen
people state that OEM software is linked to the hardware it was purchased
with, so I'd again argue that the OEM software was tied to the hardware it
was purchased with, so if i moved my "OEM mouse" from one machine to another
then I'd expect to *have* to transfer the software with it. Which is just
silly.

--

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

It can't be the latter because the hardware doesn't even have to work. It
can be a dead memory card. My thought is if the BIOS will still start it,
it is the same machine.