L said:
I have an OEM copy of XP Pro that I bought a couple of years ago.
I've only installed in on 1 machine with the same hardware
configuration. I'm going to be retooling the set up soon. Swapping
out the MB, CPU, Video Card & RAM. Am I still good to use the XP
disc I have or do I need to buy another one? I'd like to wipe the
HD clean and do a clean install. I thought I read somewhere that
the certified XP CD would be worth 3 installations.
Can anyone confirm?
First off - do not confuse installations with what you are doing.
That OEM copy was licensed to be used on one computer. On that one computer
you could have formatted and installed fresh every day since you bought it.
Thereby - you have unlimited installations.
What you couldn't have done with that OEM copy with an OEM license was
install it on another computer - and being OEM - that is "ever". If it was
retail - you could remove it from one computer, install it on another -
endlessly. As long as you never installed that single licensed (retail) on
more than one computer at a time. Being OEM - it is *tied* by the agreement
to the first computer it is installed upon.
That's where things get sticky. What comprises a computer? In other
words - how much of the original computer could you change and still be
within the terms of the EULA that came with the copy of Windows XP you have?
In your case - changing out the motherboard, CPU, Video Card and RAM - I
look at that and see 'new computer'. It's not like you replaced just one
part - you replaced the practically the entire skull. Cranium, eyes and
brain. I would bet the network card and sound card are integrated in there
as well. However - some would look at that and see, "you still have the
same hard disk drive - that is all the data/etc..." and say you are okay.
Those are those who would look at it and say that you still have the same
case or power cable or some other minor part and say you are okay. And even
others who would just say, "You bought it, use it like you want."
From a 100% technical standpoint... If that copy of Windows XP you have is a
true generic OEM - you'll probably install it on any system you want (given
you have not installed it and activated in 120+ days) and activate it online
and everything will work just fine. There is no limit to how many times you
can install Windows XP (given this context.) Where ever you 'read' your
fact - it was incorrect.
