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
    2011-07-05T23:15:55+00:00

    Like I said - they are hologrammed.

    So what was your argument, now?

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-07-05T23:29:01+00:00

    I am 100% positive that there was no piece of paper inside the shrink-wrap of my kit, before I opened it.

    Here is what my kit looked like before I opened it.....

    The disk was in a sleeve glued to the back page of the booklet (inside the shrink-wrap), and I think the COA was stuck on the outside of the shrink-wrap, over a printed test box on the back of the booklet that says "The Certificate of Authenticity label has been removed by your PC manufacturer and should be attached to your PC".

    Like Daavee, I bought the kit from a reputable computer store.

    I have seen other kits that look a bit different, like this....

    Maybe this is the packaging you are talking about, but it is not what I bought.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-07-05T23:37:16+00:00

    >  Like I said - they are hologrammed.

    You misunderstood what I said.

    I do NOT have a CD that says System Builder on it.

    Furthermore, I did a search for "System Builder" CDs and found this image:

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515

    At the time, I thought that was a photograph. The packaging was different from what I had, Also, it looked to me like the CD was not holographic and had many colors as well. I now see that this image is stock collateral. I now accept that what is being represented is indeed a hologrpahic disk.

    Earlier, I was merely trying to explain that what I have is different from what you see in the New Egg link above in that mine does NOT say System Builder and that mine is holographic. I was mistaken in thinking that the CD in the New Egg link was not holographic.

    So, stop fixating on the holographic stuff. I do not dispute that all genuine CDs are holographic. Okay?

    >  So what was your argument, now?

    The argument was made earlier and this thread has gone off in a bizarre tangent.

    The original argument is that Microsoft has never indicated in the XP OEM EULA what it considers a "different PC." Therefore, if a System Builder wants to change a motherboard, there is nothing in the EULA stopping them from doing so. As long as the license is not moved to another PC, the EULA is still being honored. The quote you provided is not part of the EULA. Furthermore, the CD I have does not have the words System Builder anywhere on it and it never came with this SLT you keep talking about. I have tried to be civil, but it's like you are not bothering to read what I am saying. Therefore, this will be my last post to you about this. Feel free to have the last word.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-07-05T23:41:44+00:00

    MGADiag shows my copy of Windows XP Home to be genuine.

    Product ID is shown as "3  -   OEM System Builder"

    Under Licensing info: (on the Licensing tab), it says "N/A".

    What does that last piece of information tell you?

    By the way, I tried to send some images in my last message, but they don't seem to be showing up. Is there a secret to posting images on this forum?

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