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
    2011-07-03T11:00:52+00:00

    No - changing the motherboard outside warranty conditions invalidates an OEM license.

    YOu will need a Reatil copy of Windows for the new motherboard.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-07-03T11:29:21+00:00

    Is there anything in the product End-User Licence Agreement that states this in writing?

    I have had a good look, but all I can find is "You may also need to

    reactivate the SOFTWARE if you modify your HARDWARE or alter

    the SOFTWARE". There doesn't seem to be anything in the eula that talks about invalidating the license by changing hardware.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-07-03T22:37:42+00:00

    Thanks for this information.

    Clearly, as an end-user, I did not have ready access to the OEM license information you have quoted.

    I have no idea how Microsoft expects end-users to know that they cannot upgrade their motherboard - as you say, that information is not contained in the EULA, and the EULA is the only ready source of information for the end-user. Presumably, if I had gone ahead and replaced the motherboard, I would have got a nasty surprise when I tried to start up the system.

    While I can understand Microsoft's reasoning in this instance, and I will abide by their rules, I don't like the way Microsoft keeps things like this a secret from their customers. There are plenty of people other than OEM's who have the knowledge and ability to upgrade their own computer, even to the extent of changing a motherboard - so why does Microsoft make it so hard for someone like me (I am a law-abiding person, who wants to do everything "by the book") to find this information?

    Now that I know there is extra expense involved, I will reconsider doing the upgrade at all.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-07-04T01:48:32+00:00

    Thank you for posting that, Noel. But I would like to respectfully disagree.

    First of all, the EULA is the agreement and nothing else matters. The XP EULA states very clearly that the license cannot be transferred to another PC. That is certainly true.

    However, NOWHERE in the EULA does it say that changing the motherboard equals creating a new PC. It is up to the OEM or PC builder -- not Micorosft -- as to what constitutes a new PC and whether or not their agreements to support PCs they sell are changed or not.

    The quote you supplied only says:

    "The system builder is required to support the software on the original PC."

    and

    "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."

    Microsoft is merely offering their opinion on what an OEM may or may be expected to do with respect to support. That is all!

    This discussion has cropped up a number of times in the old newsgroups. I do find it interesting. The bottom line is the EULA never mentions that an OEM version of XP can no longer be used in the same PC in the event the motherboard is changed. It is perfectly legal to upgrade to a new/better motherboard; it does not go against the license agreement.

    In another thread, Ken Blake offered up this interesting morsel, originating from none other than Microsoft:

    "If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a

    major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment

    Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will require re-activation if you

    replace the motherboard with a motherboard not provided by the OEM."

    (I am aware this references Vista and not XP.)

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