Can I continue to use Windows XP OEM if I change only the motherboard in my computer?

Anonymous
2011-07-03T05:14:22+00:00

I am running Windows XP Home OEM on my computer.

I still have the original disk and key, and the COA is attached to the case of the computer, as required.

If I only change the motherboard, and retain the existing harddrive (with the original Windows XP home installed on it), will Windows XP Home OEM continue to work?

Is there any special procedure required, or will it just work?

If not, can it be reactivated? If not, do I have to buy a new copy of Windows XP and activate with the new key?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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Anonymous
2011-07-03T14:26:09+00:00

It's actually in the OEM License rather the EULA.

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/licensing_faq.aspx

<quote>

Q. Can a PC with an OEM Windows operating system have its motherboard upgraded and keep the same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?

A. Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the license of new operating system software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.

The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the End User Software License Terms and the support of the software covered by that End User Software License Terms. The End User Software License Terms is a set of usage rights granted to the end user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights for that software as installed on that particular PC. The system builder is required to support the software on the original PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PCs with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define the original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The original system builder did not manufacture this new PC, and therefore cannot be expected to support it.

</quote>

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-05T16:21:54+00:00

    That information is incorrect.

    The System Builder is not the hologram-type (which is what I have). It looks like this:

    http://www.iwannafile.com/img_store/0/53/48/35.jpg

    (Note that it is in color.)

    The type I bought looks like this:

    http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2285/windowsxphomesp2oemedition9kf.jpg

    http://www.telecommander.com/pics/links/operatingsystems/mswinxphomemancdkeyoem/mswinxphomemancdkeyoem.htm

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-07-05T15:42:23+00:00

    There is only one generic OEM CD - the System Builder one.

    All others are OEM ones produced by manufacturers which support only their own machines.

    If you post an MGADiag report, we can see what sort of license it is you have,

    FWIW, here's the OEM SLT (Software License Terms)

    http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/Public/sblicense/2008_SB_Licenses/FY08_SB_License_English.pdf

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-07-05T15:09:51+00:00

    I think some of the confusion centers around the fact that there is more than type of generic OEM XP CD. The one that I have does not say "System Builder." Therefore, there is no SLT (I'm not sure what that stands for!).

    I agreed to the terms of the OEM EULA. There was no language anywhere on my product that stated I was forbidden from changing a motherboard or that I could not use the product.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-07-05T14:19:50+00:00

    It IS in the SLT's - if you look in the right one.

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