windows XP OEM on new motherboard

[Guest]

hi,

i got unlucky with my computer motherboard. one of the plastic parts
retaining my northbridge fan/heatsink popped out and can't be repaired. short
of constantly running a motherboard that is likely to overheat, i was
thinking of replacing my motherboard.

what will happen to my windows XP OEM license? I don't think its tied to the
bios specific (like Dell). its one of those self built computers with an OEM
winXP. i'm intending to get a "similar" motherboard, without having to
replace any other parts (ie. CPU, RAM, HD, video card, etc). the more
unfortunate thing is that the same motherboard i have is discontinued and
can't be found easily.

please advise on the activation/license. its kinda silly that i have to
replace my winXP over a tiny plastic part.

thanks.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

i got unlucky with my computer motherboard. one of the plastic parts
retaining my northbridge fan/heatsink popped out and can't be
repaired. short of constantly running a motherboard that is likely
to overheat, i was thinking of replacing my motherboard.

what will happen to my windows XP OEM license? I don't think its
tied to the bios specific (like Dell). its one of those self built
computers with an OEM winXP. i'm intending to get a "similar"
motherboard, without having to replace any other parts (ie. CPU,
RAM, HD, video card, etc). the more unfortunate thing is that the
same motherboard i have is discontinued and can't be found easily.

please advise on the activation/license. its kinda silly that i
have to replace my winXP over a tiny plastic part.

Replace the defective part - being the motherboard - you may need to perform
a repair installation..

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

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341

 

[Ron Martell]

hi,

i got unlucky with my computer motherboard. one of the plastic parts
retaining my northbridge fan/heatsink popped out and can't be repaired. short
of constantly running a motherboard that is likely to overheat, i was
thinking of replacing my motherboard.

what will happen to my windows XP OEM license? I don't think its tied to the
bios specific (like Dell). its one of those self built computers with an OEM
winXP. i'm intending to get a "similar" motherboard, without having to
replace any other parts (ie. CPU, RAM, HD, video card, etc). the more
unfortunate thing is that the same motherboard i have is discontinued and
can't be found easily.

please advise on the activation/license. its kinda silly that i have to
replace my winXP over a tiny plastic part.

thanks.

You will have to do a Repair Install of your Windows XP and reactivate
it afterwards. Provided your Windows XP is a generic OEM version you
should be able to do this.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

To check if your OEM version is BIOS Locked look on the Start Menu
under Accessories - System Tools for an "Activate Windows" menu item.
If that item is not present then your OEM version is BIOS Locked.

Note 1: The presence of an Activate Windows menu item is not
conclusive proof that your OEM version is not BIOS Locked as prior to
March 1, 2005 BIOS Locked OEM versions could be activated manually if
they were installed on a different motherboard.

Note 2: To verify that your installed Windows XP is in fact an OEM
version open Control Panel - System - General and look at the 20
character Product I.D. value shown as the last item in the "Licensed
to" section. For all OEM versions the second segment of this value
will read OEM.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Johnny Lingo]

hi,

i got unlucky with my computer motherboard. one of the plastic parts
retaining my northbridge fan/heatsink popped out and can't be repaired.
short
of constantly running a motherboard that is likely to overheat, i was
thinking of replacing my motherboard.

what will happen to my windows XP OEM license? I don't think its tied to
the
bios specific (like Dell). its one of those self built computers with an
OEM
winXP. i'm intending to get a "similar" motherboard, without having to
replace any other parts (ie. CPU, RAM, HD, video card, etc). the more
unfortunate thing is that the same motherboard i have is discontinued and
can't be found easily.

please advise on the activation/license. its kinda silly that i have to
replace my winXP over a tiny plastic part.

thanks.

As long as it has been more than 120 days since you last activated it, it
should activate just fine over the internet!

 

[Guest]

thanks everyone for the help. i will try it out and report back!