Re: How can I transfer Windows XP to a new computer?

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

Ken Varn wrote: 
Thanks for the info.

Both Windows XP and Office XP are not OEM versions.

I actually was thinking about just popping the old hard drive out of my old
system and putting it in my new system.  The hard drive is fine.  The
motherboard and case are primarily what I will be replacing.  I just wasn't
sure how much scrutiny Windows XP uses when detecting hardware changes for
product activation.



Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations are BIOS-locked to a specific chipset and therefore not transferable to a new motherboard - check yours before starting), unless the new motherboard is virtually identical (same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.) to the one on which the WinXP installation was originally performed, you'll need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

The "why" is quite simple, really, and has nothing to do with licensing issues, per se; it's a purely technical matter, at this point. You've pulled the proverbial hardware rug out from under the OS. (If you don't like -- or get -- the rug analogy, think of it as picking up a Cape Cod style home and then setting it down onto a Ranch style foundation. It just isn't going to fit.) WinXP, like Win2K before it, is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to accepting any old hardware configuration you throw at it. On installation it "tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. This is one of the reasons that the entire WinNT/2K/XP OS family is so much more stable than the Win9x group.

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any important data before starting.

This will also probably require re-activation, unless you have a Volume Licensed version of WinXP Pro installed. If it's been more than 120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once. - RAH
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: MOBO-CPU Replacement
    ... Normally, and assuming a retail license, unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the one on which the WinXP installation was originally performed, you'll need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place ... WinXP, like Win2K before it, is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to accepting any old hardware configuration you throw at it. ... On installation it "tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Upgrade help needed
    ... Normally, and assuming a retail license, unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the one on which the WinXP installation was originally performed, you'll need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place ... WinXP, like Win2K before it, is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to accepting any old hardware configuration you throw at it. ... On installation it "tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: new motherboard
    ... Normally, and assuming a retail license, unless the new motherboard is virtually identical to the one on which the WinXP installation was originally performed, you'll need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place ... WinXP, like Win2K before it, is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to accepting any old hardware configuration you throw at it. ... On installation it "tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Move WinXP Hard Drive to New System ??
    ... Should a repair installation leave all my 3rd party ... I have a full WinXP Pro license, ... and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: moving harddisk to another computer
    ... and assuming a retail license (many factory-installed OEM ... installation was originally performed, you'll need to perform a repair ... Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with WinXP Installed ... You've pulled the proverbial hardware rug out from under the OS. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)