Windows XP Home OEM question.

[msparish]

My motherboard died (old Socket A) so I threw some new components into my rig. I've seen conflicting information about whether I can install my old copy of Windows XP Home OEM since the motherboard has been changed.

I know if it is an "upgrade" transferring is not allowed, but since the previous motherboard died can I use my current copy, or do I need to buy another to be legit? Thanks for any help.

 

[tcsenter]

If your motherboard was replaced due to failure or defect, you can transfer the license to the new motherboard. Might require a call to MS Activation Support.

 

[msparish]

Originally posted by: tcsenter
If your motherboard was replaced due to failure or defect, you can transfer the license to the new motherboard. Might require a call to MS Activation Support.

I installed it, and had no problems through the online activation. I don't need to worry about anything else, correct?

 

[bendixG15]

Case closed ..... Your all set until next time

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: msparish

Originally posted by: tcsenter
If your motherboard was replaced due to failure or defect, you can transfer the license to the new motherboard. Might require a call to MS Activation Support.

I installed it, and had no problems through the online activation. I don't need to worry about anything else, correct?

This is a fully supported case, you're legal both in the spirit and the letter of the license. If you activated online, your done.

 

[bruceb]

Also, the MS activation database purges the records something on the order of every 3 - 6 months or so.
So, let's say in 8 months the mobo dies again or you just want to change it. Odds are it will activate again
at that time just fine. But it would probably need a call to MS if you did either in say 1 or 2 months time from now.

 

[msparish]

Thanks for the clarification everyone!

 

[hasu]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Also, the MS activation database purges the records something on the order of every 3 - 6 months or so.

Are you sure of that?

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: hasu

Originally posted by: bruceb
Also, the MS activation database purges the records something on the order of every 3 - 6 months or so.

Are you sure of that?

As sure as something subject to change is, but it was originally set to 120 days and AFAIK that hasnt changed.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: bsobel
As sure as something subject to change is, but it was originally set to 120 days and AFAIK that hasnt changed.

Yeah. Originally, both the internal XP database and the external Microsoft database erased any changes older than 120 days. Under the original system, you could install XP on a totally different computer and the Microsoft Activation database wouldn't complain as long as it'd been longer than 120 days since the last Activation.

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: msparish

Originally posted by: tcsenter
If your motherboard was replaced due to failure or defect, you can transfer the license to the new motherboard. Might require a call to MS Activation Support.

I installed it, and had no problems through the online activation. I don't need to worry about anything else, correct?

This is a fully supported case, you're legal both in the spirit and the letter of the license. If you activated online, your done.

Actually, you're not. OEM licenses are licensed to the hardware. See http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/YourPC_do.mspx:

Another common misconception is that you can transfer a preinstalled or OEM copy of Windows from an "old" machine to a new machine. An OEM software license may not be transferred from and old machine to a new machine?even if that machine is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines.

 

[VashHT]

Originally posted by: NogginBoink

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: msparish

Originally posted by: tcsenter
If your motherboard was replaced due to failure or defect, you can transfer the license to the new motherboard. Might require a call to MS Activation Support.

I installed it, and had no problems through the online activation. I don't need to worry about anything else, correct?

This is a fully supported case, you're legal both in the spirit and the letter of the license. If you activated online, your done.

Actually, you're not. OEM licenses are licensed to the hardware. See http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/YourPC_do.mspx:

Another common misconception is that you can transfer a preinstalled or OEM copy of Windows from an "old" machine to a new machine. An OEM software license may not be transferred from and old machine to a new machine?even if that machine is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines.

The case you're describing is not his case. He is using all the same hardware except his motherboard because it died, thats a totally different case than installing it on a new computer. I actually had to call MS because I had a HDD keep dying and I installed XP home like 6 times in a short period. When I told them what happened they gave me a code to allow me to activate it online.

 

[SimMike2]

If it has been a long time since you activated your copy of XP, chances are it will activate just fine on a completly new computer. I think the activation database only goes back so far. This would not apply to copies that are tied to particular manufacturers motherboards, like Dell. But a true OEM, no problem.

 

[bsobel]

Another common misconception is that you can transfer a preinstalled or OEM copy of Windows from an "old" machine to a new machine. An OEM software license may not be transferred from and old machine to a new machine?even if that machine is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines.

[/quote]

NB, did you read the thread, this was a motherboard replacement due to failure, yes this is legal not sure why you chimed in otherwise....?

 

[pradeep1]

Even if you had to call Microsoft to reactivate, it's not a big deal. I've done it once or twice and they are fairly straightforward about it. Just tell them that your mobo died, you built a new computer, and want to transfer your license. Usually, it's no further questions asked AFAIK.

Pradeep

 

[pcgeek11]

Quoted from MS System Builders

"If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC. The replacement motherboard must be the same make/model or the same manufacturer?s replacement/equivalent."


My interpretation of the above is this:

A system builder it seems would determine what constitutes as a qualifying motherboard.

As long as he is the system builder he can decide whatever MB he wants as a replacement as long as the original board failed and it was a warranty repair. I as a system builder Always give myself an unlimited lifetime warranty.

IF he was replacing the motherboard as an upgrade or just because he wanted to, then that is a whole different story.

Those are the facts, directly from Microsoft.

pcgeek11

 

[bruceb]

That and the fact that if you buy a MOBO today, it is likely discontinued in favor
of a newer, better model in about 3 months or so. Technology changes so fast
that the odds on finding the exact same model mobo a few months later are
somewhat slim.