Will Changing Hardware cause problems

[Jon_Lyle]

I built my computer a few years ago. I'm running Win XP Pro on a Soyo KT880
MB, AMD Athlon XP 3200+ processor.

I would like to upgrade to new MB, processor, video, and ram. I would like
to keep my HDDs and DVD/burners.

I installed Win XP pro with an OEM cd. The disk has become damaged.

Can I upgrade these core parts, and simply re-connect the HDD with WinXP on
it and have it work, or will I need a fresh install, or any use of the
Windows CD?

Also, if I do need a cd, can I use a friends copy, and still use my original
product key?

 

[One Who Knows]

An OEM Windows license is a one-time license. If you upgrade to a
different motherboard, that OEM license can no longer be used. You'll
need to purchase a new Windows license and perform a clean install.

 

[P]

An OEM Windows license is a one-time license. If you upgrade to a
different motherboard, that OEM license can no longer be used. You'll
need to purchase a new Windows license and perform a clean install.

This is not true. Where did you get this information? My EULA on three
different XP installs, say *nothing* about a motherboard constituting a
"new" computer. Hardware upgrading is allowed as often and as much as
one's little heart desires.

P

 

[P]

I built my computer a few years ago. I'm running Win XP Pro on a Soyo KT880
MB, AMD Athlon XP 3200+ processor.

I would like to upgrade to new MB, processor, video, and ram. I would like
to keep my HDDs and DVD/burners.

I installed Win XP pro with an OEM cd. The disk has become damaged.

Can I upgrade these core parts, and simply re-connect the HDD with WinXP on
it and have it work, or will I need a fresh install, or any use of the
Windows CD?

Also, if I do need a cd, can I use a friends copy, and still use my original
product key?

Yes, you will need a CD to do a repair install or a clean install.
Personally, as repair installs can go awry, I would opt for backing up
the data if you already haven't and doing a clean install. You can
borrow a friend's CD and it will work with your product key if it's the
same type: generic OEM XP Pro like yours is. In fact, you can make a
copy of your friend's CD and use that.

As you are *upgrading* your hardware, there is no way that the EULA
would consider what you're doing as moving XP to a new computer. If it's
been over 120 days since the last activation/hardware change, you will
be able to activate on line. If not, use the phone activation.

If you have to call for activation, being an educated consumer is
beneficial.

Quoted from the MS website:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_facts.mspx

"Mandatory Product Activation Data

* The Installation ID is unique to each product and comprises two
components:

1. Product ID. Unique to the product key used during installation
2. Hardware hash. Non-unique representation of the PC

* The country in which the product is being installed (for Office
XP and Office XP family products only)"

You are never required to provide any other info in order to get
activated. The agent is required to activate you immediately if you
phone in and provide only the product ID, hardware hash, and
occasionally the country in which the product(s) is being installed! It
is none of their business if you made hardware changes, why you are
reinstalling, etc and you do not need to answer questions like that. If
they give you a hard time, politely remind them of this policy posted on
their company's website. If still they persist, request politely to
speak to a supervisor and escalate the issue until they give YOU -- the
paying customer -- the treatment you deserve!

P

 

[peter]

You will need to at least do a "repair" install in order to correct the
drivers used by the new mobo/hardware
A "repair" install requires the use of the XP CD and yes if a friend has the
same version it is possible
to use his copy but your License number.
With the major changes you are planning a fresh new install is
recommended....

peter

 

[Jon_Lyle]

The reason that I'm concerned it that there were a few times where I added
hardware (dvd burner, ram, wireless) that the system wouldn't boot because
hardware had changed. I had to call Microsoft, gave them the product key
and my info, and they gave me a code to make it accept the changes. I think
that I needed the origional cd to do it though.

So I'm wondering if the cd-key is remembered by my system (i.e. I can use
another cd, and keep my key) or if its stored on the disk (my key wouldn't
work)?

 

[P]

The reason that I'm concerned it that there were a few times where I added
hardware (dvd burner, ram, wireless) that the system wouldn't boot because
hardware had changed. I had to call Microsoft, gave them the product key
and my info, and they gave me a code to make it accept the changes. I think
that I needed the origional cd to do it though.

So I'm wondering if the cd-key is remembered by my system (i.e. I can use
another cd, and keep my key) or if its stored on the disk (my key wouldn't
work)?

The CDs are identical. You can use a friend's CD if it's the same type
with no problems whatsoever. I use the same CD for all three of my
computers and use a different product key for each one. The CD I use was
copied from an original because I don't want my original to end up like
yours.

P

 

[Big_Al]

Jon_Lyle said this on 2/24/2009 11:28 AM:

The reason that I'm concerned it that there were a few times where I added
hardware (dvd burner, ram, wireless) that the system wouldn't boot because
hardware had changed. I had to call Microsoft, gave them the product key
and my info, and they gave me a code to make it accept the changes. I think
that I needed the origional cd to do it though.

So I'm wondering if the cd-key is remembered by my system (i.e. I can use
another cd, and keep my key) or if its stored on the disk (my key wouldn't
work)?

Will this link help? Well, at least its interesting reading.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457054.aspx

 

[Lil' Dave]

I built my computer a few years ago. I'm running Win XP Pro on a Soyo
KT880
MB, AMD Athlon XP 3200+ processor.

I would like to upgrade to new MB, processor, video, and ram. I would
like
to keep my HDDs and DVD/burners.

I installed Win XP pro with an OEM cd. The disk has become damaged.

Can I upgrade these core parts, and simply re-connect the HDD with WinXP
on
it and have it work, or will I need a fresh install, or any use of the
Windows CD?

Also, if I do need a cd, can I use a friends copy, and still use my
original
product key?

Can pretty miuch guarantee you will need to do a clean install considering
the amount of change you're instituting to the PC. A repair install may
work, but I don't recommend it due to all the changes. You will also need
all the drivers pertinent to the hardware on removable media, or an
alternate partition.

A generic OEM product key only works with that type of installation media.
Typical of posts, you failed to mention your friends type of installation
media and version of XP it is, and if Service Pack application is also of
concern.

Prior to attempt to a repair install or clean install, back up all your
personal data to removable media. Be sure you have available all 3rd party
installation software and product keys, especially if downloaded from the
internet, on removable media.

Suggest in the future, any CD/DVD installation software is copied to burnt
versions. Store the original in a CD case and in a dark unlit storage area.
Use the copies, not the original. In addition to any product key labels,
write those keys down on the orignal CD/DVD media using a permanent marker.
Stuff happens.
--
Dave

CDOs are how we got here.
A modified version, new taxes in the future, is how Congress will get us
out?

 

[beamish]

I built my computer a few years ago. I'm running Win XP Pro on a Soyo KT880
MB, AMD Athlon XP 3200+ processor.

I would like to upgrade to new MB, processor, video, and ram. I would like
to keep my HDDs and DVD/burners.

I installed Win XP pro with an OEM cd. The disk has become damaged.

Can I upgrade these core parts, and simply re-connect the HDD with WinXP on
it and have it work, or will I need a fresh install, or any use of the
Windows CD?

Also, if I do need a cd, can I use a friends copy, and still use my original
product key?

Hello,
Poster "P" gave the basic information.
On one of my units everything was changed except the drives (hard,floopy and
optical) and the box fans. It was over 120 days and activation occurred on
line.
The O.S. disc was Windows XP Home OEM generic. Clean install was needed.
In case a phone call was needed, my reason was a electrical problem, caused
by a defective Firewire external power hub.
take care.
beamish.

 

[Twayne]

An OEM Windows license is a one-time license. If you upgrade to a
different motherboard, that OEM license can no longer be used. You'll
need to purchase a new Windows license and perform a clean install.

No, not so. Though it's very likely a reactivation will be needed via
phone instead of online but that's NBD.

 

[Twayne]

An OEM Windows license is a one-time license. If you upgrade to a
different motherboard, that OEM license can no longer be used. You'll
need to purchase a new Windows license and perform a clean install.

You really need a better nick!

 

[Ray Luca]

An OEM Windows license is a one-time license. If you upgrade to a
different motherboard, that OEM license can no longer be used. You'll
need to purchase a new Windows license and perform a clean install.

Complete and utter bullcrap. You need to do some serious reading.

 

[Ray Luca]

You really need a better nick!

"One Who Blows" would do nicely.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I built my computer a few years ago. I'm running Win XP Pro on a Soyo KT880
MB, AMD Athlon XP 3200+ processor.

I would like to upgrade to new MB, processor, video, and ram. I would like
to keep my HDDs and DVD/burners.

I installed Win XP pro with an OEM cd. The disk has become damaged.

Can I upgrade these core parts, and simply re-connect the HDD with WinXP on
it and have it work, or will I need a fresh install, or any use of the
Windows CD?

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.

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.

Also, if I do need a cd, can I use a friends copy, and still use my original
product key?

Provided that your friend has an unbranded, generic OEM installation CD
(Or maybe even an OEM Recovery CD, if made for the same make/model PC)
for the same edition of WinXP, yes.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, or full) with which they are purchased.
For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any retail
version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa.
An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail product. An
Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD. Bottom line:
Product Keys and CD/license types cannot usually (it's been reported
that the Product Key for a full license will work with an Upgrade CD) be
mixed & matched.


--

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]

An OEM Windows license is a one-time license. If you upgrade to a
different motherboard, that OEM license can no longer be used. You'll
need to purchase a new Windows license and perform a clean install.

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

 

[Mark Adams]

I built my computer a few years ago. I'm running Win XP Pro on a Soyo KT880
MB, AMD Athlon XP 3200+ processor.

I would like to upgrade to new MB, processor, video, and ram. I would like
to keep my HDDs and DVD/burners.

I installed Win XP pro with an OEM cd. The disk has become damaged.

Can I upgrade these core parts, and simply re-connect the HDD with WinXP on
it and have it work, or will I need a fresh install, or any use of the
Windows CD?

Also, if I do need a cd, can I use a friends copy, and still use my original
product key?

Contrary to what you may have read here; you may be able to move your hard
drive to the new hardware without a repair install. Check out the following
article.
http://www.motherboard.windowsreinstall.com/problems.htm
If you simply move the hard drive to the new maindoard, you will probably
get an "Inaccessible boot device" blue screen. Solution 2 is the fix for
this. Deleting the advanced controller and installing the basic Microsoft
controller allows the drive to boot, then you install all the drivers for the
new board and it should be running. I successfully moved an install of
Windows 2000 (granted, not XP but there are similar entries in Device
Manager) from a Toshiba laptop with Pentium III and Intel chipset to a home
built AMD Athlon and VIA chipset desktop. A very different hardware
configuration. I used Acronis TI 10 to image the laptop drive to USB external
in case everything went south. I uninstalled all the drivers I could from
add/remove programs and got the video back to VGA. I then followed the
instructions in the article and replaced the IDE controller for the generic
one. I also uninstalled the USB drivers in Device Manager. I put the Acronis
boot disk back in the CD drive, rebooted and made another image of the disk
to the USB internal. The laptop only had a 6 GB hard drive, so the partition
image was small. I put a formatted hard drive into the desktop machine and
used the Acronis boot disk to restore the second image to the drive and
rebooted the machine. Voila! It booted right up, no repair install, and no
re-entering product key, or using a damaged disk. It found a whole bunch of
new hardware, and when it was done I installed all the drivers for the new
mainboard, and it runs just fine. The partition was still 6 Gigs, but you
could expand that with Partition Magic or some other utility. I didn't have
any, so I used Acronis to clone the drive to a second hard drive (40 Gigs)
which went perfectly. The laptop had Office XP, Acrobat 6.0, and Photoshop
7.0 installed on it, among other applications, which all survived the
transfer and work perfectly. I now have these applications in a desktop
environment on a machine with 2 GB RAM instead of 320 MB on the laptop. More
things are possible than you or others might realize. XP will probably have
to be reactivated after the move, but if it's been more than 120 days since
the last activation and you don't have WGA installed; it'll activate just
fine. If it doesn't, a phone call to Microsoft will be required. Try this
out, it worked for me.