Re: Upgrade from OEM WinXP Pro to retail?

From: Carey Frisch [MVP] (mrxp2004_at_nospamyahoo.com)
Date: 04/06/04 

Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 18:13:27 -0500

If you are replacing the motherboard with an "identical make and model",
then you can still use the same OEM version of Windows XP. 

-- 
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Be Smart!  Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Bill Mathews" <sfbillm@attglobal.net> wrote in message:
 news:Ow1C8tCHEHA.3952@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
| Carey, thanks for your most prompt reply.
| 
| But I'm confused. In response to a message regarding the mbo problem that I
| posted on the computer system vendor's forum, in which I raised the issue of
| having to get a new OEM copy of XP and hence to have to do a complete
| reinstall of software etc., one of their techs posted the following:
| 
| >As for Windows XP, the OEM version will work with >a replacement
| motherboard. As long as it is the >same model it will work without any
| problems >when you put the board back in.
| >
| >The OEM version [that was supplied with the >system] is a full version of
| Windows, it is not >limited to one type of motherboard, if you change
| >models, or upgrade your computer later you will >have to reinstall it
| fresh, but it will work fine. And >to repeat what I said above, if your just
| replacing >the motherboard with the same model, Windows >won't even notice a
| change and you will not have >to do anything special to it.
| 
| This seems in direct contradiction to the information on the Michael Stevens
| site and what I had understood from various messages on MS WinXP news
| groups. Both state clearly that replacing the mbo will cause an OEM version
| of XP to consider that it has been installed on a new computer, and that,
| for an OEM version, is not allowed - period.
| 
| I assume that the vendor tech is just wrong. Or is there a subtlety here
| that I'm missing? (I would be replacing the mbo with the same make and
| model.)
| 
| Thanks again,
| Bill
| 
| "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <mrxp2004@nospamyahoo.com> wrote in message
| news:ujdzNiBHEHA.2392@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
| > No, you do not want to perform an upgrade.  What you
| > should do is purchase a "Full Retail Version" of Windows
| > XP Professional and perform a "Repair Install".
| >
| > Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with XP Installed
| > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html
| >
| > How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
| > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
| >
| > [Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]
| >
| > -- 
| > Carey Frisch
| > Microsoft MVP
| > Windows XP - Shell/User
| >
| > Be Smart!  Protect your PC!
| > http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
| >
| > --------------------------------------------------------------------------
| ---------------
| >
| > "Bill Mathews" <sfbillm@attglobal.net> wrote in message:
| >  news:OhuO$cBHEHA.2052@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
| >
| > |I assume that either of the retail versions of WinXP Pro will do an
| upgrade
| > | install on a system running the OEM version of XP Pro - of course, I
| would
| > | need the original OEM CD if I use the retail upgrade, rather than full,
| > | version.
| > |
| > | I want to do an upgrade rather than full install so I don't have to
| > | reinstall all my software, recreate all user settings, etc.
| > |
| > | I have a defective mbo that must be replaced, although the machine will
| > | still boot and run with some of the RAM removed.(I know it's the mbo,
| not
| > | the RAM, but that's another story.) So the system is still accessible.
| > |
| > | The retail upgrade would be done before the mbo replacement, as the OEM
| > | version will no longer function with a new mbo, which I imagine would
| cause
| > | problems in trying to do an upgrade install.
| > |
| > | I would appreciate knowing if there are any "gotcha's'" in doing such an
| > | upgrade.
| > |
| > | Would I have to reactivate the retail install after the new mbo is
| > | installed? It would seem that not all ten of the things XP checks would
| be
| > | changed, but does the mbo have special status for the retail versions as
| it
| > | does for the OEM ones?
| > |
| > | Thanks,
| > | Bill
| > |
| > |
| 
|

Relevant Pages

  • Re: NEEDS UPDATING
    ... That OEM license is mated to the original PC it came with. ... OEM versions of Windows are supported by the manufacturer. ... You "broke" that support by replacing the OEM motherboard with a "non-supported" replacement. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Activation after replacement of failed equipment
    ... replacing a defective motherboard certainly falls under the ... is where one is instructed to affix the OEM CoA label w/Product Key. ... >I purchased Windows XP Home OEM with a motherboard. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Windows XP Pro x64, does it have good driver support?
    ... Thinking of replacing my Windows XP home (OEM) with the Win XP Pro x64, ... Does the Pro X64 have good compatibility with games? ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Windows XP Pro x64, does it have good driver support?
    ... I can get a legal copy of Windows XP Pro X64 for $30. ... Thinking of replacing my Windows XP home (OEM) with the Win XP Pro x64, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: XP OEM recovery disk
    ... You can buy Windows XP OEM with just a power cord although that might ... of the hardware at installation time since EVERYONE upgrades over time. ... the SOFTWARE is an upgrade, any transfer must also include all prior ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)