Do I need to buy a new copy of Xp? If so where?

[Sigismundo]

Okay I am pretty much gutting my old machine, keeping the case, psu, dvd writer, floppy and Hd's but I am getting new mobo, cpu, mem and graphics card.

It currently has Windows Xp Home loaded, upgrade version.

My question is one, can i switch it over? (I plan on doing a fresh install. and wiping HD) If not what is my cheapest solution?

Can someone please also explain the difference between OEM, retail, and system builder editions? Also, at what point does an upgrade force you to buy a new OS?

Last no joke where can I get the cheapest alternative? If it is cheap enough I might want to keep old copy of xp for my old mobo, I have an extra case here, if I can get a psu.

Thanks!

 

[ViRGE]

The short version of the story is the system builder and OEM versions restrict a copy of XP to a single computer for life, as defined by a motherboard. Since you replaced your motherboard, if your copy of XP is something other than retail, then you'd need a new copy of XP. I am not familiar with the license agreement for the upgrade versions of XP though; it sounds like it would be retail and hence could be transfered, but I'm not positive.

 

[owensdj]

You'll be able to install your XP Home Upgrade on your rebuilt system. Retail and Upgrade allow this, but the OEM would require a new copy if you change your motherboard. Microsoft considers a new motherboard to be a new computer, and OEM copies are tied to the original computer.

If you want to keep the old copy for use on the old system, the cheapest way would be to get the OEM version. Since you bought a new motherboard you're eligible for an OEM copy.

 

[NoelS]

Sigismundo,

owensdj is correct, but if you re-install that upgrade version of XP on your new computer, you'll also need the older Windows CD that you upgraded from. If you don't have that original Windows CD, the XP upgrade install will quit.

I assume you upgraded from ME or Windows 98 way back when, so find that older Windows CD and you'll be good to go...

If you can't locate that old CD, just put your current hard drive with XP on it in the new machine and it should work just fine. I've done that several times in the past with new motherboards and it didn't give me any trouble...

Noel