Win XP oem question

"Jack K" wrote

> I'm running an oem win xp on my computer.
>
> I'm going to change out the mobo, cpu, and hd that I'll be running the o/s
> from.
>
> Does this mean I'm going to have to get a new XP, or is there some around
> it?

The OEM EULA says it's tied to the first computer on which it's installed so
the issue is, what constitutes a new computer? Some people maintain that
the motherboard is it, others not, and there is no MS documentation to tie
it either to a motherboard or to say what constitutes a new computer.

It should install on the new system. If it activates over the internet,
then fine. If not you'll have to make a phone call and then it depends on
who you get and how they interpret it for whether they will activate it.

--
Rock [MVP - User/Shell]
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

Jack K wrote:
> I'm running an oem win xp on my computer.
>
> I'm going to change out the mobo, cpu, and hd that I'll be running
> the o/s from.
>
> Does this mean I'm going to have to get a new XP, or is there some
> around it?

Are you asking from a TECHNICAL standpoint or an AGREEMENT standpoint?

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

Jack K wrote:
> I'm running an oem win xp on my computer.
>
> I'm going to change out the mobo, cpu, and hd that I'll be running
> the o/s from.
>
> Does this mean I'm going to have to get a new XP, or is there some
> around it?
>
> Thanks

Jack,

Presuming it's a legal copy, just install and re-activate XP after the
upgrade. If it bitches at that, telephone Microsoft if asked at any prompt,
and tell them what has been done and all should be well.
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

"Jack K" <nospamthanks RemoveThis @xyz.com> wrote:

>I'm running an oem win xp on my computer.
>
>I'm going to change out the mobo, cpu, and hd that I'll be running the o/s
>from.
>
>Does this mean I'm going to have to get a new XP, or is there some around
>it?
>

One big concern is with the exact nature of your installed OEM Windows
XP. If it is one of the "BIOS Locked" versions of XP then it can only
be activated on a motherboard that comes from the same OEM that
producted the original computer.

To tell if your installed OEM version of Windows XP is BIOS Locked use
Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools and look for an
"Activate Windows" menu item. If there is no Activate Windows item
on the System Tools menu then your installed OEM Windows XP is BIOS
Locked and cannot be activated on a motherboard from any other source.

Good luck

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

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

I have reinstalled my xp oem version at least 4 times when changing hardware
without problems.

"Jack K" <nospamthanks DeleteThis @xyz.com> wrote in message
news:Um9uh.15305$yx6.10652@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> I'm running an oem win xp on my computer.
>
> I'm going to change out the mobo, cpu, and hd that I'll be running the o/s
> from.
>
> Does this mean I'm going to have to get a new XP, or is there some around
> it?
>
> Thanks
>
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

Jack K wrote:
> I'm running an oem win xp on my computer.
>
> I'm going to change out the mobo, cpu, and hd that I'll be running the o/s
> from.
>
> Does this mean I'm going to have to get a new XP, or is there some around
> it?
>
> Thanks
>
>


It depends entirely upon what specific type of OEM re-installation CD
you have. While there's nothing in the OEM EULA to prohibit upgrading
the motherboard, you may have a technical problem.

If you have an unbranded, generic OEM installation CD, you'll have no
problem. However, if all you have is a branded OEM recovery CD, or a
BIOS-locked, branded CD, it most likely won't work on the new
motherboard. Some OEMs went a bit overboard when implementing
Microsoft's anti-piracy wishes.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
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 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers DeleteThis @cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message
news:uvLdE7OQHHA.992@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> It depends entirely upon what specific type of OEM re-installation CD you
> have. While there's nothing in the OEM EULA to prohibit upgrading the
> motherboard, you may have a technical problem.
>
> If you have an unbranded, generic OEM installation CD, you'll have no
> problem. However, if all you have is a branded OEM recovery CD, or a
> BIOS-locked, branded CD, it most likely won't work on the new motherboard.
> Some OEMs went a bit overboard when implementing Microsoft's anti-piracy
> wishes.

I had that problem with a Dell box. They replaced the motherboard. Turns
out, that was unnecessary ... the problem was a bad memory module!

But anyway, after reinstalling Windows using the Dell recovery disk, Windows
asked for activation. The BIOS of the replacement motherboard does not have
a Dell service code in it. So Windows won't activate. (Why didn't the idiot
repairman deal with this!?)

I called Dell and they said I could download a small program that would
update the BIOS to fix the problem. Unfortunately, that program failed,
saying that it only works with version X of BIOS, and I had version X minus
1.

I called Dell again, and they had to work through an entirely different
solution. Can't remember the details. But this is a pain you don't want to
go through!
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

Jack K wrote:
> I'm running an oem win xp on my computer.
>
> I'm going to change out the mobo, cpu, and hd that I'll be running the o/s
> from.
>
> Does this mean I'm going to have to get a new XP, or is there some around
> it?
>
> Thanks
>
>

If it's a branded OEM from someone like Dell or HP, no, it won't work.
If it's a generic OEM, yes, a clean install will work and is completely
legit.

Alias
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

relic wrote:
> Jack K wrote:
>> I'm running an oem win xp on my computer.
>>
>> I'm going to change out the mobo, cpu, and hd that I'll be running
>> the o/s from.
>>
>> Does this mean I'm going to have to get a new XP, or is there some
>> around it?
>
> Legally? No.

Complying with the EULA, YES! Legal, YES!

>
> Microsoft keeps records for 120 days and will know you're trying to install
> it on a different machine during that time. However, they will allow you to
> install a new motherboard to repair your PC because the old motherboard
> burned-up. If it's been longer than 120 days, it will activate normally.

Upgrading one's machine does NOT constitute a "new machine"!

Alias
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

Immure Obfuscation wrote:
> "Bruce Chambers" <bchambers.DeleteThis@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message
> news:uvLdE7OQHHA.992@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
>> It depends entirely upon what specific type of OEM re-installation CD you
>> have. While there's nothing in the OEM EULA to prohibit upgrading the
>> motherboard, you may have a technical problem.
>>
>> If you have an unbranded, generic OEM installation CD, you'll have no
>> problem. However, if all you have is a branded OEM recovery CD, or a
>> BIOS-locked, branded CD, it most likely won't work on the new motherboard.
>> Some OEMs went a bit overboard when implementing Microsoft's anti-piracy
>> wishes.
>
> I had that problem with a Dell box. They replaced the motherboard. Turns
> out, that was unnecessary ... the problem was a bad memory module!
>
> But anyway, after reinstalling Windows using the Dell recovery disk, Windows
> asked for activation. The BIOS of the replacement motherboard does not have
> a Dell service code in it. So Windows won't activate. (Why didn't the idiot
> repairman deal with this!?)
>
> I called Dell and they said I could download a small program that would
> update the BIOS to fix the problem. Unfortunately, that program failed,
> saying that it only works with version X of BIOS, and I had version X minus
> 1.
>
> I called Dell again, and they had to work through an entirely different
> solution. Can't remember the details. But this is a pain you don't want to
> go through!
>
>

Ain't activation great? It only affects paying customers like you and
does nothing to stop piracy.

Alias
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

"OEM" regarding a windows installation is a general term. Just like
hardware designated "OEM".
More specifics needed for a specific answer.
--
Jonny
"Jack K" <nospamthanks.RemoveThis@xyz.com> wrote in message
news:Um9uh.15305$yx6.10652@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> I'm running an oem win xp on my computer.
>
> I'm going to change out the mobo, cpu, and hd that I'll be running the o/s
> from.
>
> Does this mean I'm going to have to get a new XP, or is there some around
> it?
>
> Thanks
>
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

Alias wrote:
> relic wrote:
>> Jack K wrote:
>>> I'm running an oem win xp on my computer.
>>>
>>> I'm going to change out the mobo, cpu, and hd that I'll be running
>>> the o/s from.
>>>
>>> Does this mean I'm going to have to get a new XP, or is there some
>>> around it?
>>
>> Legally? No.
>
> Complying with the EULA, YES! Legal, YES!
>
>>
>> Microsoft keeps records for 120 days and will know you're trying to
>> install it on a different machine during that time. However, they
>> will allow you to install a new motherboard to repair your PC
>> because the old motherboard burned-up. If it's been longer than 120
>> days, it will activate normally.
>
> Upgrading one's machine does NOT constitute a "new machine"!

A new motherboard, CPU, and Harddrive will be construed to be a new machine
by Microsoft's reasoning; especially since the new motherboard probably has
incorporated a new Sound card and a new NIC.
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question 

"Jack K" <nospamthanks RemoveThis @xyz.com> wrote:

>I'm running an oem win xp on my computer.
>
>I'm going to change out the mobo, cpu, and hd that I'll be running the o/s
>from.
>
>Does this mean I'm going to have to get a new XP

Very likely. An OEM machine is licensed only for the first machine on
which it's installed. If it came with your computer, then it is very
likely locked to the BIOS on that computer's motherboard.

Microsoft does not support OEM systems, that support comes - or is
supposed to come - from the OEM. In particular, the OEM decides what
constitutes a "new machine". From what I've heard, replacing their
motherboard with one you buy yourself makes it a "new machine" in most
OEMs minds. That means that they won't help you get around the BIOS
lock for the new mobo, and you're stuck.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(DTS)
Slattery_T RemoveThis @bls.gov
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
 >> Stay informed about: Win XP oem question