XP retail vs OEM

[FSH42NA]

I have XP pro oem with my current computer. The upgrade bug is nipping at my rear and I'm wondering if I'm truly screwed with the oem version. Can I convince MS to give a new activation code if I switch mobo, cpu, video card and/or hard drive??? When people refer to retail being able to be switched between diff. mobos, can this be the upgrade version in retail box or does it have to be the full retail one???

 

[rmrf]

are you reinstalling? if you are, the oem should work fine. all you will have to do is go through the activation process again. I believe that you can reactivate for up to 3-5 times before you have to call in and ask for a new key.

 

[FSH42NA]

yup. I'll be reinstalling. The mobo will have the same chipset, but look "prettier" (EPOX to lanparty NF2 ultra). I could use the same current hard drive but I'm afraid I might screw things up and my internet access will be down till I can fix it. Another idea I could try is to install with a diff hard drive, make sure all programs and apps run well, then do a reinstall with the original hard drive. That way, at least the hard drive will be the same when I reinstall with the new mobo,cpu, video,etc.

 

[dbwillis]

Good chance it will activate fine...otherwise a plain ole call to MS to get the activation string...

 

[KentuckyBlue]

Switched everything in my computer and it activated over the internet without a problem. Of course it was only the second time I had tried and it had been 6 months since the first time.

 

[FSH42NA]

kentucky blue,

this was with an OEM version of XP?

 

[KentuckyBlue]

Yeah, sorry forgot to mention it was OEM.

 

[FSH42NA]

kb,

thanks. you've given me hope!