Windows detecting hardware changes

[AMD]

Hello there

I considering upgrading my computer soon and ive heard that changing/replacing certian parts in your computer can make windows detect hardware changes and that you have to call microsoft up to tell them youve changed some hardware in the computer and they re-activate it or something?

Only i want to upgrade my PSU to a more powerfuller one and get a new graphics card as i use crappy onboard graphics & removing my 2 sticks of 256mb memory and replacing it with 1 Gb.

Will these changes to my computer require me to call microsoft to reactivate windows or should ir remain ok?

Hope ive made the question clear enough.
Thanks

[rave]

i hardlly think so.

[flawedreality5]

I guess you're refering to my post I made early this morning? All I did was have my 2 optical drives unplugged and moved the Network Card 3 PCI slots down. I wouldn't be suprised if Windows thinks your hardware changes were as major as mine. I didn't have any problem changing my video card when I did it but that was the only thing I changed at the time. The PSU shouldn't matter because I don't think Windows knows the difference. I plan on reactivating Windows tomorrow but I have another gig stick on the way from NewEgg. If I have to reactivate it again after I put that in..... I think if you do the upgrades in moderation, Windows doesn't care, but I don't know really. So like, install your ram, boot up and see. Then shutdown and install your graphics card, ect.

[Panama Red]

Changing certain key components will often result in the need to Reactive Windows. If it's been more than 120 days since your last activation, it should be able to reactivate online without any trouble. If it's been less than 120 days, you MAY have to call the phone number that will appear on your monitor. Either method is painless and takes a few short minutes. The only time you have anything to fear is if you're using a pirated copy of XP.

[jayb1234]

Here are a few things from microsoft that should give you an idea of when reactivation will be required.

How does Microsoft identify the computer's hardware? Microsoft Product Activation detects the hardware configuration on which the product is being installed and creates hash values for that configuration. A hash is a value mathematically derived from another value - in this case hardware configuration values. Product Activation does not scan the customer's hard drive, detect any personal information, or determine the make, model or manufacturer of the PC or its components. Microsoft uses hash values out of respect for users' privacy. A hash value cannot be backwards calculated to determine the original value. In addition, Microsoft only uses a portion of the original hash values. Together, these hash values become the complete hardware hash that is included in the installation ID. Can hardware components be changed and upgraded? Product Activation is able to tolerate a certain degree of change in a hardware configuration by allowing a current hash value to have a degree of difference from the hash value that was originally activated. As a result, users can change their hardware without the product believing it is on a different PC than the one it was activated on. If the user completely overhauls the hardware making substantial hardware changes (even over long periods of time), reactivation may be required. In that case, users may need to contact to contact a Microsoft customer service representative by telephone to reactivate. How does product activation determine tolerance? In other words, how many components of the PC must change before I am required to reactivate? Common changes to hardware such as upgrading a video card, adding a second hard disk drive, adding RAM or upgrading a CD-ROM device will not require the system to be reactivated. Specifically, product activation determines tolerance through a voting mechanism. There are 10 hardware characteristics used in creating the hardware hash. Each characteristic is worth one vote, except the network card which is worth three votes. When thinking of tolerance, it's easiest to think about what has not changed instead of what has changed. When the current hardware hash is compared to the original hardware hash, there must be 7 or more matching points for the two hardware hashes to be considered in tolerance. If the network card is the same, then only 4 additional characteristics must match (because the network card is worth 3, for a total of 7). If the network card is not the same, then a total of 7 characteristics other than the network card must be the same. If the device is a laptop (specifically a dockable device), additional tolerance is allotted and there need be only 4 or more matching points. Therefore, if the device is dockable and the network card is the same, only one other characteristic must be the same for a total vote of 4. If the device is dockable and the network card is not the same, then a total of 4 characteristics other than the network card must be the same. Are the changes cumulative? In other words, if I change one component today and one tomorrow, is that two component changes? The changes are cumulative; however, if a user is asked to reactivate, the hardware profile is reset to that new configuration. What are the 10 hardware characteristics used to determine the hardware hash? The 10 hardware characteristics used to determine the hardware hash are: Display Adapter, SCSI Adapter, IDE Adapter, Network Adapter MAC Address, RAM Amount Range (i.e. 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc), Processor Type, Processor Serial Number, Hard Drive Device, Hard Drive Volume Serial Number, CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD-ROM.

[AMD]

Originally Posted by flawedreality5 I guess you're refering to my post I made early this morning?

Yes i was I was just concearned if i would have to re-activate the same as you.

The only time you have anything to fear is if you're using a pirated copy of XP

Well thats ok then as i have a legal version of windows but does it make any differance due to me using a OEM version of windows Xp?
As i didnt get the Windows disk with my Hp system only recovery disk.

Thanks for all replies

[flawedreality5]

I just called and the lady didn't ask anything. She just gave me a new number to fill in. I didn't realize it was that simple, less than 3 minutes on the phone. I thought they would play like 20 questions or something.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by flawedreality5 I just called and the lady didn't ask anything. She just gave me a new number to fill in. I didn't realize it was that simple, less than 3 minutes on the phone. I thought they would play like 20 questions or something.

Kinda like goin' to the dentist for the first time! The anticipation is worse than the exam!

[flawedreality5]

haha, exactly