Is there any way to use my current copy of windows xp for a new system? I plan on upgrading most everything (CPU, motherboard, memory, video card). If not, Bill Gates can shizzle my dizzle. I paid for a copy of the software so why should I have to pay for another just when upgrading my computer. It's not like I'll be running 2 versions of it.
WinXP again??
- Thread starter jwocky
- Start date
PrinceXizor
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- Oct 4, 2002
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I haven't personally read through the section, but I'm fairly certain you can "transfer" your XP Activation. Try searching old threads I'm 100% certain its been covered before.
Are you upgrading the harddrives? You don't mention that, if not, then there's no need to do anything. If this is a totally brand new system, that hardly counts as an "upgrade" to an old system, though. Hope this helps.
P-X
Are you upgrading the harddrives? You don't mention that, if not, then there's no need to do anything. If this is a totally brand new system, that hardly counts as an "upgrade" to an old system, though. Hope this helps.
P-X
All you have to do
when you reinstall it will ask you to reactivate and if you have done it too many times
or to many changes have been made that it does not recognize the basics of the machine
you will then be told to call a number and activate over the phone usually about a 5 min call.
when you reinstall it will ask you to reactivate and if you have done it too many times
or to many changes have been made that it does not recognize the basics of the machine
you will then be told to call a number and activate over the phone usually about a 5 min call.
I'm just plain dumb. I forgot I won't be upgrading to new hard drives... just transferring them over to the new system, so my current OS (on my current drive) should run fine without any glitches/problems? Thanks.
At least do a repair installation, and then reinstall your motherboard/chipset and graphics drivers. You *may* need to reactivate; my copy didn't seem to care when I swapped out motherboards (although it *did* make me reactivate when I moved all my PCI cards around to fit my new video card in...)
This is only if you have an OEM version of XP (the ones that they ship with systems from Dell, Compaq, etc.) If you have a "full" retail version (or, in most cases, if you paid extra to get a copy of XP Professional with your OEM system), you can install it on any system.
This is only if you have an OEM version of XP (the ones that they ship with systems from Dell, Compaq, etc.) If you have a "full" retail version (or, in most cases, if you paid extra to get a copy of XP Professional with your OEM system), you can install it on any system.
Why do I have to format? I'd like to just keep my existing windows configuration, while using all new hardware. Is this not possible?
PrinceXizor
Platinum Member
- Oct 4, 2002
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Just a note, I've NEVER had to format any of my computers since...lesseee....1997 was the first one I personally owned and I can only recall formatting a c: on any of the other computers my families' owned once due to a viral attack.
Formatting your box should be considered a last ditch effort not first out of the box tool. Just my $.02. And yes, I play games, download files, install drivers, etc. and yes I've had driver incompatability problems and all that junk, but I cleaned out the old driver files and registry info and FIXED the problem, instead of blowing it away and everything else on my box with a format. Sure, if you are at your wits end, then reformat, but don't just do it, as step one. Again, my $.02
P-X
Formatting your box should be considered a last ditch effort not first out of the box tool. Just my $.02. And yes, I play games, download files, install drivers, etc. and yes I've had driver incompatability problems and all that junk, but I cleaned out the old driver files and registry info and FIXED the problem, instead of blowing it away and everything else on my box with a format. Sure, if you are at your wits end, then reformat, but don't just do it, as step one. Again, my $.02
P-X
PrinceXizor
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- Oct 4, 2002
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It "should" be possible, though I'm not sure the ramification of a new main board will be. That's a new BIOS, IDE controller, etc. It might cause some unknown (to me) headaches. What I definitely would do would be to uninstall all other hardware possible first, such as optical drives, floppy drives, sound card, etc. so that you have the minimum of "old" components installed when you swap boards/cpu/ram. Then, I'd fire it up, get everything playing nice. Then, install your additional components.
I'm sure there are some who have done what you are doing and can give more detailed advice than I.
P-X
Sure, if you don't mind blue screens, lock ups, and general mayhem
Chances are you could boot off your XP disc and do a repair installation. Chances are also very good that if you tried to boot right into windows without doing that, you'll get stopped by a blue screen. The activation complicates things though...when you do the repair installation and boot up the activation is going to come up immediately; you'll be locked out of Windows. If it doesn't let you activate over the net, then call up MS and they'll give you a code over the phone. I've done it lots of times, they've never given me any trouble.
Keep this in mind though...
1. A reinstall is just as quick as a full format, assuming you were smart enough to have a separate partition for the operating system. Its the easiest way of ensuring you don't have any driver conflicts down the road.
2. If there is a problem you'll never know if its a 'new hardware' problem or your ghetto installation, at which point everyone will tell you the same thing: " format/reinstall."
Originally posted by: chocoruacal
Sure, if you don't mind blue screens, lock ups, and general mayhem
Chances are you could boot off your XP disc and do a repair installation. Chances are also very good that if you tried to boot right into windows without doing that, you'll get stopped by a blue screen. The activation complicates things though...when you do the repair installation and boot up the activation is going to come up immediately; you'll be locked out of Windows. If it doesn't let you activate over the net, then call up MS and they'll give you a code over the phone. I've done it lots of times, they've never given me any trouble.
Keep this in mind though...
1. A reinstall is just as quick as a full format, assuming you were smart enough to have a separate partition for the operating system. Its the easiest way of ensuring you don't have any driver conflicts down the road.
2. If there is a problem you'll never know if its a 'new hardware' problem or your ghetto installation, at which point everyone will tell you the same thing: " format/reinstall."
Good points. Thank you. Screw it, I'm just going to back all my data (not OS) up to another hdd and reformat my boot drive.. clean install. What will happen with my new clean install tho now that I have totally different hardware (excluding hdd's)? Will it let me re-register without problems? And if it gives me problems, can I just call up MS and resolve it somehow? I'd hate to buy another copy and let my current copy just go to waste.
Yes; as everyone in this thread has told you, you should have no problems reactivating your copy of Windows. If it won't do it automatically, it will give you a number to call, and they'll give you an access code to punch in.
IMHO, a full reinstall is not necessary -- but if you don't take good care of your system (regular virus/spyware scans, regular defrags, NOT constantly swapping in beta drivers, that sort of thing), or you don't feel comfortable possibly troubleshooting driver issues after the installation, it may be a better choice.
IMHO, a full reinstall is not necessary -- but if you don't take good care of your system (regular virus/spyware scans, regular defrags, NOT constantly swapping in beta drivers, that sort of thing), or you don't feel comfortable possibly troubleshooting driver issues after the installation, it may be a better choice.
I'd go pirate a copy, since you already own it then you don't have to deal with the freakin activation.
Is that legal or moral? I don't know, but its an easy route. I mean MS is trying to block people who DONT own XP from getting a copy.
Dave
Is that legal or moral? I don't know, but its an easy route. I mean MS is trying to block people who DONT own XP from getting a copy.
Dave
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