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
    2011-07-07T22:54:01+00:00

    Noel .....

    Thank you so much for your patience and continuing assistance with this problem.

    I now believe I understand the relevant issues, and that I have been fully informed of the facts surrounding them.

    As you say, I have limited options.

    One option is to try to repair my ailing motherboard, and continue to use the "genuine" copy of Windows XP Home OEM. I suspect my motherboard has bad power supply capacitors - I have studied this issue on the badcaps.net website, and I believe I have the expertise to attempt to replace the suspect caps.

    Another option is to try replacing the motherboard (it is impossible for me to replace it with the same make and model, as that motherboard is no longer available), and see if I am asked to reactivate. I could then try to reactivate. If successful, well-and-good. If not successful, I will need to buy a retail version of Win XP Home or Win XP Pro and either reactivate Win XP Home with a new key, or upgrade to Win XP Pro. I could also consider ditching Microsoft products altogether, and change to Linux. This option is not as drastic as it sounds. I have been thinking about ditching Microsoft for some years now, due to multiple issues. I already run Linux on another computer, and I am quite happy with it - clearly Linux does have some limitations and disadvantages, and would not suit many computer users - but it may well be all that I need.

    I now need to think seriously about these options before deciding what to do next.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-07-07T12:26:58+00:00

    The tool checks the *technical aspects* of Activation and vaidation only - it has no knowledge of how you acquired the system or the license. e.g. is the Key on the list of Blocked Keys; is it an OEM_SLP Key, and if so, do the certificates in the OS match the BIOS? etc. etc.

    As I said, I've never known MS to enforce the SB License terms where hobbyists are concerned - it's simply not worth their time or money. That doesn't change the facts, and they reserve the right to do so in the future.

    It's also a fact hat using an OEM license reduces your options considerably (as you've found out) and also means that you are not entitled to MS support for most issues (Virus infections and Windows Update problems being two main exceptions)

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-07-07T10:01:06+00:00

    OK, Noel

    Let's recap then.....

    Some years ago I bought a Windows XP Home OEM kit.

    As a hobbyist, I installed it on a computer that I built from individual components.

    At no stage did I enter into any OEM license agreement (because nothing alerted me to the fact that I was supposed to), but I did accept the conditions of the EULA.

    I activated the installation successfully and it has been working fine for years.

    I recently used the MGADiag tool at your request, and it happily verified that I had a GENUINE copy of Windows XP Home.

    In your previous post, you say that if I didn't enter into an OEM license agreement, Microsoft would deem my installation to be non-genuine, and yet their tool is saying that it is genuine.

    Would you care to explain this discrepancy?

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-07-07T06:46:22+00:00

    Neither of the pics there show the full pack - one because it's been opened, and the other just doesn't show the back of the pack (no real reason why it should).

    ALL OEM SB packs have the SB LIcense attached (or at least the link to it as on that sticker), until they are opened - any that don't are deemed by MS not to be genuine, as the SLT's form part of the requirements for the license to be valid.

    There is NO SUCH THING as an OEM pack that is not a System Builder pack, except for the Recovery disks produced by the direct OEMs

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