Windows XP activations

  • Thread starter Thread starter Thomas Moore
  • Start date Start date
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Thomas Moore

Suppose I have XP Home edition and I activated it. I am
about to install a new motherboard in that computer, will
that fry my activation? Also, if I just want to reformat
and reload my hard drive, if I don't use my new
motherboard, will that screw up my previous activation?

Just trying to figure out if I am screwing myself before I
do anything to the computer. Thanks.
 
Windows Product Activation (WPA) on Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Alex Nichol]

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

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| Suppose I have XP Home edition and I activated it. I am
| about to install a new motherboard in that computer, will
| that fry my activation? Also, if I just want to reformat
| and reload my hard drive, if I don't use my new
| motherboard, will that screw up my previous activation?
|
| Just trying to figure out if I am screwing myself before I
| do anything to the computer. Thanks.
|
 
Greetings --

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM licenses are not
transferable to a new motherboard), unless your motherboard is
virtually identical (same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS
version, etc.) to the one on which the other 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

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will also 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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