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can I just upgrade mobo & cpu?

post #1 of 16
7/31/08 at 6:33pm
Thread Starter 
I currently have a system with winxp home. If I swap to a new mobo and new CPU, will I still get winxp to boot up or am I require to rip and re-install everything?
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post #2 of 16
7/31/08 at 6:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soyuppy View Post

I currently have a system with winxp home. If I swap to a new mobo and new CPU, will I still get winxp to boot up or am I require to rip and re-install everything?


Most likely you will have to re-install Windows for this kind of upgrade.
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post #3 of 16
7/31/08 at 7:51pm
I upgraded mobo and CPU on Vista Ultimate and did not have any problem. Just make sure that you un-install all drivers related to old mobo...before doing the swap.
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post #4 of 16
7/31/08 at 8:00pm
Vista doesn't require a reinstall after a mobo change (although I'd do it anyway). XP in most cases does.
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post #5 of 16
7/31/08 at 8:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by soyuppy View Post

I currently have a system with winxp home. If I swap to a new mobo and new CPU, will I still get winxp to boot up or am I require to rip and re-install everything?

You might still get it to boot up if the chipsets are the same, but you should reinstall in any event.

You do not want to try to retrofit XP to a new motherboard; it's a lot more hassle than it's worth.
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post #6 of 16
7/31/08 at 10:34pm
Thread Starter 
I have one of those computer that come with win xp pre-install and they never give me the actual cd. My hope is that i don't have to pay for another version of xp. Tough luck, I guess.

Thanks anyway.
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post #7 of 16
8/1/08 at 12:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by soyuppy View Post

I have one of those computer that come with win xp pre-install and they never give me the actual cd. My hope is that i don't have to pay for another version of xp. Tough luck, I guess.

Even if you would be able to get this running, legally that change will invalidate your XP license so you should buy new one anyway. If you are only having xp preinstall it means you have OEM (or System builder) license only. These are bound to the original computer (means the same motherboard) and must not be used on any other. That's why they cost roughly one third of full license.
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post #8 of 16
8/1/08 at 7:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dusan View Post

Even if you would be able to get this running, legally that change will invalidate your XP license so you should buy new one anyway. If you are only having xp preinstall it means you have OEM (or System builder) license only. These are bound to the original computer (means the same motherboard) and must not be used on any other. That's why they cost roughly one third of full license.

I have moved OEM copies to new PC's many times. Though, I have had to contact Microsoft each time to validate the key for me. They really just want to make sure it isn't running on more than one machine.

OP, do you have a valid Key you can use? If so, you just need any valid OEM installation disk and enter in your own key during install. You can even get an install disk on-line at a torrent site, which is perfectly legal as long as it is not cracked, and use your own license to activate.

If you don't know what your key is, download the Belarc Advisor program, it should be able to tell you.
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post #9 of 16
8/1/08 at 7:29am
As others have said:

Uninstall your drivers before installing the new hardware.

This will force XP to rediscover everything, so you should be fine.

If it says you have to reactivate, just call the number they provide and say you replaced failed hardware and no, you are only running it on one machine.
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post #10 of 16
8/1/08 at 8:22am
Thread Starter 
Thanks davdev and cybrsarge. I feel the same, as long as I keep it running to one instance, I don't see any license violation here. I don't have the OEM installation disk...that's part of my problem. But I guess I'm going to follow what everyone suggested. Thanks again.
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post #11 of 16
8/1/08 at 10:18am
Sorry guys, but you're simply wrong. While it is true that trick with "my motherboard failed" is commonly used and yes people from Microsoft usually do not ask many questions, the fact is that OEM versions are bound to particular computer's motherboard and using this license after motherboard replacement is violation of license. I'm pasting more detailed explanation.

Quote:


"The original OEM Windows licenses that ships with the PC is bound to that PC. So, if you buy a PC with an OEM Windows license, that OEM Windows license stays with that PC. If you sell the PC, you have sold the OEM Windows license with it. If you donate the PC, you donate the OEM Windows license with it. If you burn and destroy the PC, you burn and destroy the OEM Windows license with it," explained Eric Ligman, Microsoft US Senior Manager Small Business Community Engagement.

Ligman revealed that this situation is also valid for OEM Windows licenses on refurbished computers. As long as the motherboard of a refurbished PC is not changed, customers will not need a new OEM Windows Desktop Operating System license. Since the Windows copy is intimately connected with the PC's motherboard, the OEM license for the operating system will be valid for the refurbished computer as long as that critical hardware component stays in place.

"Just because you wipe the information clean off the hard drive before transferring the PC, it doesn't change the fact that the OEM Windows license stays with it. Because of this, yes, you certainly can reload the original OEM Windows CD back onto the PC since the OEM Windows license is tied to it anyway. Just be sure that when you transfer the PC to the new owner that you also transfer all of the OEM Proof of license components with it as well," Ligman added.
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post #12 of 16
8/1/08 at 10:32am
Hmm....

Quote:


11. Rather than purchase completely new PCs, my organization performs in-place upgrades to the hardware on many of our computers. We often times only replace the motherboard, processor, and memory. Since the COA is still on the case and the OS is still installed on the hard drive, this computer is still licensed, right?
ANSWER. Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your computer and maintain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer." Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from one computer to another. Therefore, if the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect then a new computer has been created, the original license expires, and a new full operating system license (not upgrade) is required. This is true even if the computer is covered under Software Assurance or other Volume License programs.
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post #13 of 16
8/1/08 at 10:40am
Interesting. I could see a defect happening pretty easily on such delicate PC parts . . . .

More seriously though, that comment seems to go hand-in-hand with the fact that MS doesn't want to see the same Windows installation on more than one system. A defective motherboard would not allow that to happen and so MS wouldn't care then if the MB is defective and the Windows moves to another board. I'm sure they'd rather sell another copy, but I can see the argument here.
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post #14 of 16
8/1/08 at 11:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dusan View Post

Sorry guys, but you're simply wrong. While it is true that trick with "my motherboard failed" is commonly used and yes people from Microsoft usually do not ask many questions, the fact is that OEM versions are bound to particular computer's motherboard and using this license after motherboard replacement is violation of license. I'm pasting more detailed explanation.

Well looks like I am going to go along and violate the terms of the license. Oh, how will I ever live with the guilt

If microsoft continually allows me to use the license, then I am going to continually renew the license.
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post #15 of 16
8/1/08 at 11:03am
I think you have to differentiate what "OEM copy" means.

If it's the installation that came with your HP or Dell computer, chances are you can't move it.

If it's a copy you bought at Newegg, you'll most likely be able to move it. It may take 2 phone calls if you reach someone resistant to the idea, but chances are good that it will move over.

Still, the upgrade can be installed as a standalone, and it's just barely more than the OEM copy at newegg. Only thing is you have to order a separate x64 disc by mail unless you have Ultimate I guess.
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post #16 of 16
8/1/08 at 11:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by soyuppy View Post

I have one of those computer that come with win xp pre-install and they never give me the actual cd. My hope is that i don't have to pay for another version of xp.

Check your PC; the manufacturer may have put a the XP CD image on it.

If not, contact the computer manufacturer and you should be able to buy an extra CD for a nominal charge.

Or you can download a copy.

Or you can borrow a copy from a friend.

(This isn't illegal, since all OEM CDs of the same type are identical, and it's your product key that's tied to the license.)

BTW I have never had any problem moving OEM copies of anything from system to system; Microsoft doesn't care so long as you only use it on one system at a time.
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