Upgrading question. Resetting activation?

[SuperScot]

Hi, I'm going to be upgrading my PC soon (This is my first time, but
according to many people I've asked it's not too hard.) and I was wondering
how I'd go about reinstalling Windows XP Pro? I'm told I should reformat
since I'm upgrading the Motherboard/CPU.

Anyway, while reading through the XP booklet I came across the part for
activation and registration.
I was told by people I've asked that I need to phone up Microsoft and
"reset" the activation code and that it only takes 5 minutes.
Does this mean I can register fine as well?
Also, I was wondering if I can phone at any time to do this as I plan on
upgrading early morning (3-4am) and want to phone up at the time I'm
reactivating XP. Does anyone know if the call centre is 24H or not? (Also, I
live in the UK. I don't know if this will affect the call centre I'll get)
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[JS]

Most important thing is that you "Do Not Have an OEM Windows CD" as it's
tied to the old motherboard for all practical purposes.

Before you replace the motherboard:
Verify your CD Key code matches what Belarc Advisor reports for your
existing install.
Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
Note: OEM Windows Installs usually come with a sticker on the PC or laptop
and may not match the factory installed key.
Also a number of vendors now supply restore CD(s) or have a restore
partition on the hard drive
and usually do not supply a Windows XP CD.

Next if you have a Windows Retail CD (Full or Upgrade) you could try a
repair install, it just might work.
See my article on this subject: "Windows XP Repair Install - How extreme can
you go"
http://www.pagestart.com/repairinstall.html

If the Repair Install does not work then you can always fall back and do a
"Clean Install"

How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP:
Start by changing the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.
Make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard, video
card, sound card, Etc.

Then see below for instructions on performing a clean install:

From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

Windows Activation:
In most cases activating over the Internet will work just fine.
Use the phone call activation (it's automated) as a last resort.

JS

 

[SuperScot]

Thanks for the reply. I think my XP disc is the same as a retail one (It was
a custom built PC). And so far the GPU has been upgraded (In May, by the
person who built this) and the PSU (by me). And we were given the XP disc
with it when we got it built 4 years ago.

I looked for the sticker on the PC, the COA sticker. It says "Windows XP Pro
1-2 CPU OEM Software" (don't know if that matters) then gives the Product Key
underneath it. The key does match with the Key shown by Belarc. So I think
that's fine. But there was another number before the Product Key number. Do I
need to take a note of that?

Anyway, say I do need to do a clean install (I really think I will need to).
You said to go into the BIOS and making the PC boot from a CD. Is this after
I've put in the new motherboard/cpu? The BIOS is stored on the motherboard,
right? And will I need to set it up before starting/reinstalling windows?
And I'm guessing this has to be done the first time I switch on the PC with
the new motherboard/cpu?
Does it go straight into the BIOS when you switch on with a new motherboard?

Assuming I clean install and need to recreate all the users for the PC and
reinstall all the programs I guess I install the drivers for the motherboard
once Windows has started up and I'm logged in (And hopefully activated with
no problems)? And also drivers for all the other components such as GPU and
other PCI cards I will be taking from this motherboard and putting into the
new one.

 

[sandy58]

Thanks for the reply. I think my XP disc is the same as a retail one (It was
a custom built PC). And so far the GPU has been upgraded (In May, by the
person who built this) and the PSU (by me). And we were given the XP disc
with it when we got it built 4 years ago.

I looked for the sticker on the PC, the COA sticker. It says "Windows XP Pro
1-2 CPU OEM Software" (don't know if that matters) then gives the ProductKey
underneath it. The key does match with the Key shown by Belarc. So I think
that's fine. But there was another number before the Product Key number. Do I
need to take a note of that?

Anyway, say I do need to do a clean install (I really think I will need to).
You said to go into the BIOS and making the PC boot from a CD. Is this after
I've put in the new motherboard/cpu? The BIOS is stored on the motherboard,
right? And will I need to set it up before starting/reinstalling windows?
And I'm guessing this has to be done the first time I switch on the PC with
the new motherboard/cpu?
 Does it go straight into the BIOS when you switch on with a new motherboard?

Assuming I clean install and need to recreate all the users for the PC and
reinstall all the programs I guess I install the drivers for the motherboard
once Windows has started up and I'm logged in (And hopefully activated with
no problems)? And also drivers for all the other components such as GPU and
other PCI cards I will be taking from this motherboard and putting into the
new one.

Not to encroach on "DS's" help. Your motherboard should have an
install cd. Otherwise DS has that covered. ie: "Make sure you have the
drivers you need for your motherboard, video
card, sound card, Etc."
Good luck.

 

[DL]

You have an OEM cd, a generic one I believe. Strictly speaking it is tied to
the original hardware (mobo)
There is no need to clean install, a repair install should suffice
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
When you go to activate it you may have to use phone activation, and if so
you explain you are replacing a failed mobo (NOT upgrading) - Registration
is voluntary & meaningless
(replacing a cpu does not involve re activation)

 

[JS]

If you mean another number in the Belarc Advisor report, the number just
before the CD key code is the Product ID.
You should print a copy of the report for reference purposes, but it will be
the CD key code that you will enter during the install process and not the
product id.

JS

 

[Daave]

You have an OEM cd, a generic one I believe. Strictly speaking it is
tied to the original hardware (mobo)

If you read the *XP* EULA (Vista may be different), it says that it is
tied to the *computer*. Although there are those who believe that a new
motherboard constitutes a new PC, that is *not* what the EULA states.

It is certainly possible to reinstall Windows, using the same OEM CD and
license, even when putting in a new motherboard. Arguably it is the OEM
that decides what constitutes a new PC. I am aware that with certain
branded OEM versions of Windows, they are tied to a particular mobo. But
if we are talking about a generic OEM, then the person who built (or who
currently owns) the PC is effectively the OEM. And if that person
chooses not to accept the notion that a new mobo means a new PC (nothing
unethical about this at all IMO), then there is nothing wrong with
upgrading a mobo.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi, I'm going to be upgrading my PC soon (This is my first time, but
according to many people I've asked it's not too hard.) and I was wondering
how I'd go about reinstalling Windows XP Pro? I'm told I should reformat
since I'm upgrading the Motherboard/CPU.

Only in rare instances is a complete re-installation necessary.

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many factory-installed OEM
installations are BIOS-locked to a specific motherboard chipset and
therefore 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

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

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.

Anyway, while reading through the XP booklet I came across the part for
activation and registration.
I was told by people I've asked that I need to phone up Microsoft and
"reset" the activation code and that it only takes 5 minutes.

Yes, 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.

Does this mean I can register fine as well?

There's no need to register, at all. And, if you've already registered
that particular license, there's certainly be no need to do so again.
Registration is *always* optional, provides very little benefit to
licensees (a couple free support calls within the first 60 to 90 days of
the initial installation, if I remember correctly), mostly just
marketing data for Microsoft.

Also, I was wondering if I can phone at any time to do this as I plan on
upgrading early morning (3-4am) and want to phone up at the time I'm
reactivating XP. Does anyone know if the call centre is 24H or not? (Also, I
live in the UK. I don't know if this will affect the call centre I'll get)
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Hopefully, one of the many UK readers od this newsgroup will know the
answer to this.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Bruce Chambers]

You have an OEM cd, a generic one I believe. Strictly speaking it is tied to
the original hardware (mobo)

Not so, according to the EULA.

Some people mistakenly believe that the motherboard is the key
component that defines the "original computer," but the OEM EULA itself
does not make any such distinction. Others have said (tongue in cheek)
that one could successfully argue that it's the PC's case that is the
deciding component, as that is where one is instructed to affix the OEM
CoA label w/Product Key. Again, the EULA does *not* specifically define
any single component as the computer. Licensed Microsoft Systems
Builders, who are allowed to distribute OEM licenses with computers they
build and sell, are _contractually_ obligated to "define" the computer
as the motherboard, but this limitation/definition can't be applied to
the end user until the EULA is re-written.

Microsoft has, to date, been very careful _not_ to *publicly*
define when an incrementally upgraded computer ceases to be the original
computer. The closest I've ever seen a Microsoft employee come to this
definition (in a public forum) is to tell the person making the inquiry
to consult the PC's manufacturer. As the OEM license's support is
solely the responsibility of said manufacturer, they should determine
what sort of hardware changes to allow before the warranty and support
agreements are voided. To paraphrase: An incrementally upgraded
computer ceases to be the original computer, as pertains to the OEM
EULA, only when the *OEM* says it's a different computer. If you've
built the system yourself, and used a generic OEM CD, then _you_ are the
"OEM," and _you_ get to decide when you'll no longer support your product.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[SuperScot]

Thanks again for all the replies.

As I've said this was a custom built PC, so I don't think my XP is tied to
the motherboard. I phoned the person who built the PC a few weeks ago and
told him I plan on upgrading the motherboard/CPU/RAM. He didn't make any
mention that XP was only going to work with the motherboard he put in.
He fixed the PC in early 2007 when the old HDD died, so he must've had to
reinstall. The other major thing he's done to this PC was upgrade the GPU
from an x800xt to a geforce 8600gts in May.
He runs a PC shop and I think they only do custom builds anyway, so I don't
think XP will only work on this motherboard anyway. I could just phone and
ask to make sure though, I suppose.

Anyway, when I've put in the new motherboard/cpu/ram and switch on, should I
have the Windows XP disc in? Or will the PC boot up into the BIOS since it's
a new motherboard? And from there I have to set the BIOS to boot from the CD,
then I can do my repair/clean install from there on?

I'm just unsure of the order to this in. Do motherboard drivers need to be
installed before or after XP?

I think I should mention the motherboard right now is an ASUS P5GD1 and I'll
be upgrading to an ASUS P5N-E SLI 650. The CPU will be upgraded from a P4 to
Q6600 and 2GB DDR RAM to 4GB DDR2 RAM. I don't know if this will help with
the BIOS question.

 

[SuperScot]

Hi again. I just talked with the person who's helped me so far and with the
help from you guys I've managed to get the jist of what I'm doing.
Is this essentially all correct in order:

1. Upgrade parts.
2. Enter BIOS and set to startup from CD.
3. Start up from CD and install windows.
4. Install mobo drivers.
5. Install PCI drivers.
6. Install programs.
7. Recreate all the users.
8. Enter BIOS and change to start from HDD.

That's it, right?

 

[JS]

Some changes:
1. Upgrade parts.
2. Enter BIOS and set to startup from CD.
3. Start up from CD and install windows.
4. Install mobo drivers.
5. Install PCI drivers.
6. Test PC for 24 hrs.
PassMark BurnInTestT is a software tool that allows all the major
sub-systems of a computer to be simultaneously (or independently) stress
tested for endurance, reliability and stability. (Has 30 day free eval, you
will need to restart the testing about every 15 minutes during the eval).
http://www.passmark.com/products/bit.htm
7. Activate Windows.
8. Recreate all the users.
9. Install AV software/Firewall, Programs and apply updates.
10. Windows Updates (Turn off Automatic Updates, Use Custom option, don't
install any MS Driver updates)
http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us
11. Enter BIOS and change to start from HDD.

JS
www.pagestart.com

 

[SuperScot]

Thanks, that should really help out!
One last thing, do I have to make sure no usb devices are plugged in and
have only the keyboard/mouse plugged in to PS/2 ports and the speakers
plugged in?

 

[JS]

Keyboard and Mouse only, no need to plug in speakers until after you finish
installing Windows and you install your drivers.

JS

 

[smlunatick]

Keyboard and Mouse only, no need to plug in speakers until after you finish
installing Windows and you install your drivers.

JS

I would also add that only the main boot drive should be connected.
XP can detect the "other" drive and may place XP on that one.

Also, once everything is completely set up, you could consider taking
an image backup with utilities like Ghost or True Image. This is
exactly like mostt "name-brand" recovery system delivered with several
PCs. It is a lot faster to restore from a recovery image than it is
to re-install everything.

 

[JS]

smlunatick has a very good point:
That image backup can worth it's weight in gold.
After you have spent all that time to install Windows,
Installing the Drivers and Activating Windows.

Then create an Image Backup.
This will become your "Clean Install" baseline backup/recovery image.

If during the install of the security patches from Windows Updates
or software applications something should go wrong you can always
use the image backup to go back to the "Clean Install" baseline.

Next: If the Windows Update go OK,(there could be a lot of them
being downloaded and installed) make a second image backup.

Then install your software applications and if all is well, make
a third image backup. Label each backup clearly so if you
need to do a restore, you know exactly in time your PC
will be restored to.

AND: If you decide to install Windows Service Pack 3 sometime
in the future, you know what coming in my next sentence ;-)
Make an image backup before installing SP3. It's the quickest way
to get out of any SP3 problems.

JS

Keyboard and Mouse only, no need to plug in speakers until after you
finish
installing Windows and you install your drivers.

JS

I would also add that only the main boot drive should be connected.
XP can detect the "other" drive and may place XP on that one.

Also, once everything is completely set up, you could consider taking
an image backup with utilities like Ghost or True Image. This is
exactly like mostt "name-brand" recovery system delivered with several
PCs. It is a lot faster to restore from a recovery image than it is
to re-install everything.

 

[SuperScot]

After researching a bit more and reading different things I am more confused
than ever about this! I definately do have an OEM (I assume generic since
this was built by an independant computer shop) version of Windows.
This seems to be close to what I'm needing as an answer about activating
Windows again.

The question is though, when I have upgraded and everything and get to the
point of activating my Windows XP OEM again, what should I do? I assume I
must activate by phone and then what? Do as DL suggested and say I am
replacing a failed mobo? Is this the best course of action?
I think I'm really close to an answer and if this is what I must do, let me
know exactly how you'd go about it?

Thanks in advance for answers on the matter!

 

[Daave]

It's possible you might automatically activate online. If not, the
telephone call should be short and relatively painless. For more info on
WPA, see:

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.php

Yes, if an OEM version of XP is not branded (e.g., Dell), it is
considered a generic OEM version AKA System Builder version.

DL's suggestion is fine. Even if you are upgrading a motherboard, there
is no reason you need to volunteer this information. Simply say you
replaced a failed motherboard. As far as I'm concerned, a white lie to
the effect that it is the same model (in the event you are being pumped
for more information) is ethical in this particular situation.

Although the XP EULA states that the system builder/owner of the OEM
license determines what a computer is, there are those who take it upon
themselves to define what a computer is. Many consider the motherboard
the PC, and their take is that if you upgrade the motherboard, the PC
has changed and therefore your old OEM license is no longer valid.
Furthermore, a number of these people who misinterpret the EULA are
Microsoft employees, and it's possible one of these people will answer
your phone call.

As I see it, you have the *same* computer with an upgraded motherboard.
Your license is still valid.

 

[SuperScot]

Thanks for the helpful answer.
You may be right about it being possible it might activate automatically
online.
I have heard from 2 sources that MS have stopped having OEMs locked only to
a motherboard now. So hopefully I don't have to phone up to activate. Thanks
again.