New Everything

[Grahamdubya]

Hello, I'm taking my Dell, and stripping it for parts. Basically, I'm keeping the CPU, DVD drive, SDRAM, and Hard Drive. The question related to this is, how would I go about setting the hard drive to work with the new mobo? Is it it pretty straightforward, or would I have to reinstall Windows XP and lose all the data, or something like that?
Thanks!

[not important]

I believe it needs to be refomatted before it's used with another MB. I'm sure someone more knowledgable will correct me if I'm mistaken.

[andyms18a]

with windows xp you just plug it in and it fineds the new hard ware and install drivers for it as a rule it can go wrong if it dont like the new drivers and it may ask you to reactevate it but it shod be ok

[glc]

You may have to do a repair reinstall of XP, but you won't lose your data. Note that Dell OEM Windows XP cd's ONLY work with a Dell bios.

[Grahamdubya]

Originally posted by glc You may have to do a repair reinstall of XP, but you won't lose your data. Note that Dell OEM Windows XP cd's ONLY work with a Dell bios.

So basically, I will have to buy Windows?

[andyms18a]

if you have the licence key sticker you can just get a frend to copy a xpdisk for you to remove the sticker from your dell case use a hair dryer and a sharp knife heat the sticker and peail it of very slowley as it can brake apart then stick it on the new pc and install the copy with it

[glc]

That's physically possible but technically not legal. The copy of Windows that came preloaded on your Dell is licensed for that computer ONLY and is not legally transferrable.

Before anyone else comments, please familiarize yourself with the site FAQ.

[andyms18a]

It appears my post may have bean in error as I have just read a magazine article in pc adviser witch deals with oem versions of windows xp and it says that if you discard the old computer then you must bye a new copy of xp as the old one is licensed to that computer only and is illegal to move it to another computer I will ask a moderator to look at my post and remove it if necessary sorry for any problems it may cause

[raftero]

maybe i'm wrong but i was under the impression that you could not use xp on 2 computers but you could remove it from one and put it on another,you have to contact MS for a new activation number.at least that is what i did with an oem xp os.dell may be another story,a pre-loaded version is prob.different i've never had to deal with that.

[Naja]

I think they are refering to the End User License Agreement that they made when they bought the brand name pc.

[glc]

Andy and raftero - that's why they put the sticker on the case. When I buy a 3 pack of OEM Windows the instructions tell me (as the OEM) that I *must* apply the sticker. The EULA for OEM Windows clearly specifies that the license is not transferrable. It's physically possible (but not legal) to put a generic OEM XP on a different computer as indicated, but with a Dell (and some other brands I'm sure) the activation is keyed to the bios, not the other hardware.

No need to remove the post, no problems. We are discussing facts here, not advocating piracy.