oem xp home--ignorant question

[MrNewt]

sorry for the ignorant question...but curious

When you all say that an oem copy of xp home is tied to the motherboard,
that doesnt mean that the motherboard is tied in any way to that oem copy, does it.

for instance, i can buy a used motherboard and it doesnt matter what was
installed on it before, correct?
also a hard drive, as long as I reformat, it doesnt matter what was on it before, right?

thanks for the patince

 

[cubby1223]

No problems there.

And you'll get differring opinions on whether XP is really tied to the motherboard or not. My opinion, Microsoft is just happy that you purchased a true copy of Windows and are using it on just one computer.

I believe the official stance is that XP is tied, or married, to the motherboard & case combination, but it's like one of those N type relationships, where if the two were to break up, Windows falls flat (gets depressed, looses the will to find another partner, and ends up dying alone) but the motherboard & case stay standing (like if it were a loveless marriage, and they're ready to find a different mate).

 

[NogginBoink]

There are OEM versions of Windows XP that don't require activation. Those versions are BIOS locked the OEM's motherboard.