Re: Hardware upgrade - use existing XP pro install CD?

"Tom H" <spam@xxxxxxxx> wrote:

>I have an older Dell System that came with XP Pro preinstalled. I am
>planning an upgrade that will utilize all the drives and the video card from
>the old system. But the motherboard, CPU and memory will all be new. I
>have the existing XP install CD from Dell which I am told is no different
>from the standard Retail OEM version
>
>Questions:
>
>1. Is this a new system under the MS licensing rules?

Good question. There is no precise statement regarding this.

However if your current Windows XP is a "BIOS Locked" OEM version then
you will not be able to activate it on a system that has a motherboard
BIOS that is not from the original OEM (Dell in your case).

But as others has said, not all Dell systems with OEM versions are
BIOS locked.

To check out the specific details of any Windows XP system with regard
activation:

1. Open Control Panel - System - General and look at the 20 character
Product I.D. code shown in the "Registered to" section.

If the second segment (3 characters) of the Product I.D. is "OEM" then
the installed Windows XP is an OEM version. If the second segment is
numeric (3 digits) then it is either a Retail or Volume Licensed
version.

2. Look on the Start menu under Accessories - System Tools for an
"Activate Windows" entry.

If there is no Activate Windows item and the Product I.D. is OEM then
you have a BIOS locked OEM version and it cannot be activated on a
motherboard whose BIOS is not from the original OEM.

If there is no Activate Windows item and the Product I.D. is not OEM
then you have a volume licensed version of Windows XP.

If there is an Activate Windows item and the Product I.D. is OEM then
you have generic or non-BIOS Locked version and it can be activated on
a different motherboard. Note: You may also have a BIOS locked OEM
version that was activated on a different motherboard prior to March
1, 2005 in which case you will have problems if you are ever required
to reactivate because of further hardware changes or because of a
reformat & reinstall.

If there is an Activate Windows item and the Product I.D. is not OEM
then you have a retail version of Windows XP and there is no
restriction on moving the license from machine to machine.

Hope this explains the situation.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm
.

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