Motherboard Replacement

[Mettlesmertz]

I have a PC that I built with a OEM version of XP pro. I am going to replace the motherboard, processor and memory. Will I still be able to activate XP or will MS consider it a new machine? Thanks for any assistance.

[shadowpr]

You should be able to reactivate it.

Worse case is you have to call them up. Still shouldn't be a problem.

[kilgoretrout]

By license, an OEM version of windows is tied to the motherboard and processor; change one of those components and you need to buy a new license from MS. In practice, MS has not enforced this license provision in the past for WinXP. YMMV.

[Negeva]

Originally Posted by kilgoretrout By license, an OEM version of windows is tied to the motherboard and processor; change one of those components and you need to buy a new license from MS. In practice, MS has not enforced this license provision in the past for WinXP. YMMV.

I've replaced numerous motherboards in my time and have been forced to purchase new OEM licences for a handful of them. I have however, noticed that it does sometimes depend on how I get to speak to at the call centre; one will refuse to activate whereas another person will.

Never had to re-activate after changing a CPU.

[Urban Earth]

As kilgoretrout mentioned, officially you should buy a new licence, but . . .

If you have to call in to MS don't mention the fact that you have upgraded anything and it shouldn't be a problem.

[not important]

I have several OEM XP discs and I have used them several times after doing hardware upgrades/replacements.
When I had to call MS, I told them I had a hardware failure and had to replace a part. Never been a problem.

[glc]

In the real world, if the last activation was more than 120 days ago, it will re-activate on line.

[heymrdj]

I just say it was a virus and they give me no problems. Telling them you changed hardware will make you repurchase.