XP OEM License vs. PC Hardware

[Richard In Va.]

I have (2) PC's that are identical as far as hardware is concerned. Same OS
(XP-Pro SP3), same mfg, model #, motherboard, chipset, CPU and installed
cards. The only difference might be with hard drive size, mfg of hard drive
as well as drive serial #.

Will my Dell OEM OS allow me to swap drives between cases?
Would doing so cause the OS to attempt to re-register?

Thanks for any help!

Richard in Va.
++++++++++++++++

 

[Richard In Va.]

Allow me to ask that question a little differently.

Lets say I have a Dell PC whose motherboard has failed. I find one on eBay
that is identical. Will be able to replace/install the motherboard and not
experience an OS registration problem?

Thanks again!

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have (2) PC's that are identical as far as hardware is concerned.
Same OS (XP-Pro SP3), same mfg, model #, motherboard, chipset, CPU
and installed cards. The only difference might be with hard drive
size, mfg of hard drive as well as drive serial #.

Will my Dell OEM OS allow me to swap drives between cases?
Would doing so cause the OS to attempt to re-register?

From the standpoint of the EULA - the product key/license on either of those
computers (since you say they are identical - they must both be Dell's?) is
tied to the machine it came installed upon. From the standpoint of the
EULA - what you are doing is not legitimate (although you could change the
product key after the swap and make it legitimate.)

From a technical standpoint - the OS probably won't notice a thing. Worst
case - you might have to activate again - but I doubt even that since you
say the only difference should be the hard drive itself and you are moving
the hard drive (physical)...

 

[Richard in AZ]

If you in fact swap out identical motherboards your hard drive will not know the difference.
However, If you are buying a motherboard (on Ebay) from the same Dell model, it may not be the same
brand and model of motherboard that is in your computer.
Dell did not always use the exact same motherboard in all computers of the same model computer.
Remember, they buy from the low bidder to a specification.

| Allow me to ask that question a little differently.
|
| Lets say I have a Dell PC whose motherboard has failed. I find one on eBay
| that is identical. Will be able to replace/install the motherboard and not
| experience an OS registration problem?
|
| Thanks again!
|
| Richard in Va.
| +++++++++++
|
| | >I have (2) PC's that are identical as far as hardware is concerned. Same
| >OS (XP-Pro SP3), same mfg, model #, motherboard, chipset, CPU and installed
| >cards. The only difference might be with hard drive size, mfg of hard drive
| >as well as drive serial #.
| >
| > Will my Dell OEM OS allow me to swap drives between cases?
| > Would doing so cause the OS to attempt to re-register?
| >
| > Thanks for any help!
| >
| > Richard in Va.
| > ++++++++++++++++
| >
|
|

 

[Richard In Va.]

Thanks Richard in AZ, hadn't thought of that... the boards do look identical
and everything else I see also suggest they are.

I'll certainly keep that in the back of my mind...

Thanks again!

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++

 

[Alias]

From the standpoint of the EULA - the product key/license on either of those
computers (since you say they are identical - they must both be Dell's?) is
tied to the machine it came installed upon.

It is the same machine with a new motherboard.

Alias

 

[Richard In Va.]

Thanks Shenan... that's the answer we were looking for!

Got a small family debate going on over here and the bets are up to $400...
wanted to settle this before I loose any more money!
(just kidding)

Two other questions tho if I might?

(1) If I wind up loosing the hard drive and installed OS, I'll have to use
the Dell Restore CD on a new hard drive. With the XP OS want to
re-register? Or is the registration already taken care of... Seems to me
the last time I bought from Dell, all I had to do at first boot was give the
PC a name and set up my user for login. I never remember it wanting to
register OR activate. But it did authenticate prior to Windows Security
Updates.

(2) The 2 PC's in question were also bought from an aBay store. Listed as
Corporate end of lease units. I assume Dell dumped them off with a
liquidator to auction off. The eBay seller went thru them, did some
maintenance, cleaned them up, installed a fresh copy of XP-Pro and provided
the buyer with the Dell system restore CD, or at least the OEM OS on a Dell
CD.

When I got the PC, I noticed a process "Ghost Client Service" running in the
system tray. Shortly, the process would report that it could not find the
"host server" (or something). Ghost did not show up as an installed
application in the programs folder. But looking thru drive C, there was a
folder in Program Files where Ghost resided. I assume the eBay seller used
Ghost to clone the hard drive before he ships to the buyer, therefore
remnants of Ghost remain. The seller is dealing with 100(s) of these per
week so he has to be fast. Ghost was not a problem for me, I Downloaded the
Symantec removal tool and took care of that. I was just curious about Ghost
and how the seller could assemble and ship so quickly.

I guess this leads to the question of how DELL does it. I assume Dell
assembles the box, copies, or clones the OS to the hard drive, add that to
the box, tapes up the box and ships it without needing to startup the PC.

Any insight there?

Thanks!

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Allow me to ask that question a little differently.

Lets say I have a Dell PC whose motherboard has failed. I find one on eBay
that is identical. Will be able to replace/install the motherboard and not
experience an OS registration problem?

A couple of points:

1. You don't mean "an OS registration problem," you mean an OS
*activation* problem. It's activation that's required. Registration is
entirely optional, and of no use to you. It's used by Microsoft for
marketing purposes.

2. The biggest restriction of an OEM version (which you have) is that
it is permanently tied to the first computer it's installed on, and
may never be moved to another. It's never clearly defined what
constitutes the same computer, and you will likely get responses from
some people who will say that changing the motherboard makes it a
different computer.

However, they are not correct. For a long time, it wasn't clear
exactly what constituted the original computer, and many people felt
that replacing the motherboard made it a different computer.
However, Microsoft has clarified the situation. See
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/activationfaq.mspx
or http://tinyurl.com/384gx5

which states

"If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a
major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment
Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will require re-activation if you
replace the motherboard with a motherboard not provided by the OEM."

So clearly, if you can reactivate it, it's legal to use it.

Although that page is specifically about Vista, it's perfectly
reasonable to assume that the same thing applies to XP.

3. Despite what it seems, the motherboard on eBay may or may not
actually be identical to the original one. Worst case, you may have to
reactivate Windows, but that should be no problem.

 

[Richard In Va.]

Another good answer... Thanks Ken and yes, I really mean "activation".
Thanks for the clarification.

The (2) OEM OS's will remain amongst the (2) OEM boxes and I understand
about aftermarket motherboards, no problem there.

I'll check to see where I stand with the bets, If I have any $$ left over,
I'll let you and Shenan know.

Thanks again!

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Another good answer... Thanks Ken and yes, I really mean "activation".
Thanks for the clarification.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

The (2) OEM OS's will remain amongst the (2) OEM boxes and I understand
about aftermarket motherboards, no problem there.

I'll check to see where I stand with the bets, If I have any $$ left over,
I'll let you and Shenan know.

Thanks again!

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++

 

[Phisherman]

A couple of points:

1. You don't mean "an OS registration problem," you mean an OS
*activation* problem. It's activation that's required. Registration is
entirely optional, and of no use to you. It's used by Microsoft for
marketing purposes.

2. The biggest restriction of an OEM version (which you have) is that
it is permanently tied to the first computer it's installed on, and
may never be moved to another. It's never clearly defined what
constitutes the same computer, and you will likely get responses from
some people who will say that changing the motherboard makes it a
different computer.

However, they are not correct. For a long time, it wasn't clear
exactly what constituted the original computer, and many people felt
that replacing the motherboard made it a different computer.
However, Microsoft has clarified the situation. See
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/activationfaq.mspx
or http://tinyurl.com/384gx5

which states

"If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a
major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment
Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will require re-activation if you
replace the motherboard with a motherboard not provided by the OEM."

So clearly, if you can reactivate it, it's legal to use it.

Although that page is specifically about Vista, it's perfectly
reasonable to assume that the same thing applies to XP.

3. Despite what it seems, the motherboard on eBay may or may not
actually be identical to the original one. Worst case, you may have to
reactivate Windows, but that should be no problem.

I built my own PC and bought an OEM copy of XP. Am *I* the OEM? I
have changed the motherboard, CPU, Disk drive, MAC addy, and power
supply but not at the same time. I understand you can change so many
hardware items at a time, too many and it triggers an activation
requirement. The PC can be upgraded, and better if you keep an
ethernet card between motherboard switches. The only time I had to
re-activate is when I got a new primary drive and reinstalled XP Home
OEM.

 

[M.I.5¾]

I have (2) PC's that are identical as far as hardware is concerned. Same
OS (XP-Pro SP3), same mfg, model #, motherboard, chipset, CPU and installed
cards. The only difference might be with hard drive size, mfg of hard drive
as well as drive serial #.

Will my Dell OEM OS allow me to swap drives between cases?
Would doing so cause the OS to attempt to re-register?

Dell's OEM version of XP is tied to the BIOS version. You can freely swap
the disc drives provided the BIOS is the same.

 

[Richard In Va.]

Hello Phisherman,

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacture. If you build your own PC, then yes,
you are your OEM.

However, the way I understand it is that the "activation" of a OEM version
of XP becomes licensed to the hardware it's installed on. Once installed,
you can upgrade or add hardware to the PC without problems. But, if you
install or exchange too many components at one time, the OS might think it's
on a different PC and want to re-activate.

I have no idea which hardware components are likely to cause re-activation.
But I feel the motherboard and chip set are on the top of the list.

At any time and regardless of hardware configuration, whenever you do a
fresh install of the OS (old hard drive or a new one) activation is
required. Remember, the OS CD has no way of knowing if it's been installed
before.

Any fresh install is starting all over from the ground up.

Also, I assume that on the 4th fresh install, you'll have to make a quick
phone call to Microsoft.

If you sell your PC, the OS has to stay with the hardware.

Now if you purchase a "retail" version of XP, the license belongs to your
name and you can move it to another PC. You'll still need to make a phone
call after the 3rd move, or something like that. Un-install the OS when you
sell the PC, so you can reuse it when you build a new one.

Maybe Ken can chime in here as well?

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++

 

[Richard In Va.]

Okay, that makes sense... Thanks M.I.5-3/4!

One of these boxes I've updated the Dell BIOS from A1 to A11. That caused
no problem, so maybe it's tied to the maker of the BIOS or something?

Thanks again!

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++

 

[Alias]

I have no idea which hardware components are likely to cause re-activation.
But I feel the motherboard and chip set are on the top of the list.

Actually, the NIC is at the top of the list with three points. More
information:

http://www.technibble.com/windows-xp-activation-explained/

Alias

 

[Richard In Va.]

Well that was a nice read... Thanks Alias!

Some good info there!

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++

 

[Alias]

Well that was a nice read... Thanks Alias!

Some good info there!

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++

You're welcome.

Alias

 

[M.I.5¾]

Okay, that makes sense... Thanks M.I.5-3/4!

One of these boxes I've updated the Dell BIOS from A1 to A11. That caused
no problem, so maybe it's tied to the maker of the BIOS or something?

Dell would make sure that for update and activation purposes, the two BIOSs
would appear to be the same.

 

[Richard In Va.]

Thank you M.I.5-3/4...!

According to their website, there is (1) "fixes and enhancements" for
updating to ver A11...

"Improve OROM shadowing into BIOS"

Not sure what this is but other than that, the (2) BIOS's certainly "appear"
the same to me.
Thought it would be good to update everything before I started using them.

Thanks again!

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++

Not sure what the revision history is between A1 and A11