XP Re-activation

[Guest]

I installed a new motherboard and processor in a 15 month old e-Machine. When
I started it up after installing the new hardware, Windows notified me I had
to re-activate Windows XP. When I tried to re-activate, Microsoft would not
accept the last two numbers in the activation set. Is that because the XP
software was OEM, and if so how do I activate XP. Thank You

 

[Yves Leclerc]

I installed a new motherboard and processor in a 15 month old e-Machine.
When
I started it up after installing the new hardware, Windows notified me I
had
to re-activate Windows XP. When I tried to re-activate, Microsoft would
not
accept the last two numbers in the activation set. Is that because the XP
software was OEM, and if so how do I activate XP. Thank You

 

[Yves Leclerc]

OEM version was tied/locked to the original motherboard. if e-Machine
provided a replace mothrboard, then you may have to do a repair re-install
of Xp on top of the installed version. However, if you have a recovery CD,
then you may have to re-format your system (and loose all files!). You may
still not be able to activate the Xp if yhe recovery Cd was locked to the
old motherboard's BIOS.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Your original OEM eMachine license for Windows XP
is no longer valid with a different motherboard. You'll
have to purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP
and perform a "Repair Install".

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
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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:

| I installed a new motherboard and processor in a 15 month old e-Machine. When
| I started it up after installing the new hardware, Windows notified me I had
| to re-activate Windows XP. When I tried to re-activate, Microsoft would not
| accept the last two numbers in the activation set. Is that because the XP
| software was OEM, and if so how do I activate XP. Thank You
| --
| genesproul

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

I installed a new motherboard and processor in a 15 month old
e-Machine. When I started it up after installing the new hardware,
Windows notified me I had to re-activate Windows XP. When I tried to
re-activate, Microsoft would not accept the last two numbers in the
activation set. Is that because the XP software was OEM, and if so
how do I activate XP. Thank You

By purchasing a new copy (either generic OEM or full retail) as your OEM
licence is now void. Gateway/eMachines BIOS-lock their installations which
means that the motherboard is, in effect, the computer. By changing the
motherboard you have, therefore, changed the computer and an OEM licence is
tied to the system it was first installed on.

Sorry, but that's one of the many reasons I self-build.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I installed a new motherboard and processor in a 15 month old e-Machine. When
I started it up after installing the new hardware, Windows notified me I had
to re-activate Windows XP. When I tried to re-activate, Microsoft would not
accept the last two numbers in the activation set. Is that because the XP
software was OEM, and if so how do I activate XP.

An OEM system is licensed solely to the machine on which first
installed. How much that may be upgraded is something of a grey area,
but changing m'board probably leads to it being regarded as different.
That is the big restriction on OEM; resulting in the lower price

 

[ricardo]

By purchasing a new copy (either generic OEM or full retail) as your OEM
licence is now void. Gateway/eMachines BIOS-lock their installations which
means that the motherboard is, in effect, the computer. By changing the
motherboard you have, therefore, changed the computer and an OEM licence is
tied to the system it was first installed on.

Sorry, but that's one of the many reasons I self-build.

What - Body Build

 

[Guest]

For some reason I can't start a new post so I will post here because my
question is tied to this. I bought a copy of windows XP home off of ebay. It
was new. I am looking at upgrading my whole system(motherboard, CPU, video
card, ram and case and harddrive) I will reuse my CD drives and floppy drive.
My question is being the Version of windows was not on my computer when I got
it does that mean I would be able to do the upgrade and still use the
windows I have. I am assuming it is not an OEM version of Windows, but I
guess depending on who sold it it could be. I know Microsoft tells to contact
my systems maker for free support so I think I am stuck with an OEM version.

 

[Geoffw]

if it was new and had not been used you can use it even if
it was OEM, when prompted to register / activate opt to use
the telephone method and if all is well they will provide
you with the necessary information

make sure you have entered the product key numbers correctly

good luck