Upgrading motherboard with Windows XP professional

[Mark Turner]

Hello,
I currently have a licensed copy (academic license)
running on an older AMD-based motherboard. The Windows
XP software has been activated.

I have purchased a newer Intel-based
motherboard/processor and some new memory and would like
to upgrade my PC with this hardware. However, I am
concerned that I will be locked out my system if I
attempt to upgrade the hardware. I have been unable to
find any information about the process to upgrade
hardware from any of the Microsoft website. Can anyone
help?

Thanks,
Mark T.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Normally, assuming a retail license, unless the new motherboard is
virtually identical to the old one (same chipset, same IDE
controllers, same BIOS version, etc.), 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 probably also require re-activation. 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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