worried about upgrading

[qazwsx]

I was thinking about looking into the new 1333fsb cpus and a p35 motherboard, but im worried that my XP pro will lock up on me and microsoft will tell me to buy a new one. so here's the details;
Ive got an OEM genuine XP pro, got a cd key and all. Ive installed it twice on the same comp then my hdd went so I did it again. Will I be able to use the copy again?

thanks

[qazwsx]

ahh ok then thanks for clearing that up

[gvblake22]

Not sure what is going on here, but Windows XP should have no problems with any Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Quadro processor currently available, it is just your motherboard you have to keep an eye on. But any P35 based motherboard should be just fine.

[PackRat]

I have XP home OEM version that had to be validated through 1 HDD loss and 3 mobo upgrades. On the 4th validate i had to call msoft and they issued a new key. It was a prety painless process all in all. Hope this eases the worry.

[qazwsx]

yeah thanks everyone. no worry now except the pricey internetional call to MS if it does go wrong :)

[killswitch83]

well, there are also less scrupulous ways of getting around it......I happen to have on my PC a utility that gets around the WPA (Windows Product Authentication) procedure by locking the day counter built into the WPA module in place, so it never moves from 30 days.....of course, I've not tried downloading updates (aside from SP2, which I already had), still different strokes for different folks, lol

[qazwsx]

ok now im worryed. I posted my problem on the microsoft fourms and got an anwser.

There are two types of licenses for XP that consumers will encounter, retail (aka full packaged product), and OEM (original equipment manufacturer).
Retail licenses may be moved from one computer to another, as long as the license is activated on one computer at a time and as long as the previous installation of the license is removed from the previously licensed computer.
OEM licenses for XP are tied to the first computer onto which they are installed and the license is NOT permitted to be moved to any other computer. For the purposes of defining what a computer is, since a computer is really just a collection of parts, Microsoft has established that the motherboard is the base or "defining" component, and the OEM license is permanently tied to the motherboard.
There is one exception, the case of a defective motherboard. If a motheboard becomes defective, you are of course permitted to change it and reinstall your OEM XP license to it. For reasons stated below, if at all possible, you should replace it with and identical board or the manufacturer's designated replacement.
The details become sticky when the license was obtained thru a major manufacturer that uses SLP technology, which sets the recovery or repair CD to look for certain bits in the BIOS of the official manufacturer's motherboards. If such bits are not found, as they would not be if you replaced the defective board with one not from the original computer manufacturer, then the CD will refuse to install XP. The correct thing to do in these cases is to install XP using a genuine systembuilder/OEM MS XP CDROM, which does not have the SLP technology. However, when installing, be sure to use the Product Key on the Certificate of Authenticity affixed to the computer, and NOT the Product Key that came with the CD. (Note that retail and Volume License CDs will NOT accept OEM product keys, returning an "invalid product key" error.) Finally, when installation is complete, do a Telephonic Activation because the OEM PK on the COA will not be accepted by the automated online activation system. If the automated telephone system also refuses activation, choose the option to speak with an activation rep and explain that you are replacing a defective motherboard and annot use the manufacturer-supplied recovery CDs.
One does not "lose their license" for XP if the motherboard becomes defective and has to be replaced. If the computer owner chooses to use, or because of availablity is forced to use, a board that is not a direct or identical replacement, there has to be a mechanism to accommodate these circumstances, and that is why a telephonic activation is authorized.
Note that if the computer owner decides to replace the motherboard for performance reasons or to add features or new technology, the defective exception is NOT applicable and a new license for XP is required to be purchased.

Can someone please translate this? it says all about branded OEM disks being tricky but I have a microsoft one, purchased online. SO can I use it again or not?

[Stormcrow]

Ah yes, the infamous OEM license. I don't think even Microsoft knows what the hell they're saying with it, but I've had some experience here and this is all you need to know:

"For the purposes of defining what a computer is, since a computer is really just a collection of parts, Microsoft has established that the motherboard is the base or "defining" component, and the OEM license is permanently tied to the motherboard."

Your license is tied to your motherboard, and thats it. When you change your board, XP will know and crap out. Changing video cards, processors, memory, all of that doesn't effect your license agreement, as long as you keep the same mobo it's still considered the same computer. They give you a leeway, however, if your mobo fries out or explodes and you have to replace it, you have to call their tech support over in India (its 1-800 and toll free), and give them the info, tell them your motherboard had a meltdown, tell them no other system is using that key, and they'll activate it. It's pretty painless.

But for just upgrading a CPU, you'll be all set. It shouldn't even need a reinstall, and if it does you're still within your license agreement to have it reactivated.

And killswitch, please don't talk about timestop cracks or anything like that, it causes a liability for HL when you do.

[qazwsx]

so im stuck with this motherboard, unless it blows up/goes falty. I dont like this mobo, it cant support 800mhz memory. Maybe it is time for vista....damn.

[Stormcrow]

The good news is you can still reinstall XP all you want with that system, but thats one of the better reasons to get the retail version over the OEM. Costs a bit more but you don't have to buy it again when you upgrade. And theres nothing wrong with Vista, I've used it for a month now and don't want to go back to XP. Just wanna have atleast 2 gigs for it, right now the CPU/Memory Gadget says I'm using 36% of my 2 gigs, and thats just with Firefox, Winamp, MSN Messenger and Avast! running.