transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

[Guest Bill in Massachusetts]

I purchased from Dell a Dimension 8200 in 2001. I purchased Windows XP

professional with it.I am going to rebuild the computer with a new

motherboard, CPU, memory, and video card. I want to keep the same hard disk

with the operating system and other software. Will this work, or will

Windows think that I'm trying to put it on another computer and prevent me

from using it? If so,is there a workaround?

[Guest Alias]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

Bill in Massachusetts wrote:

> I purchased from Dell a Dimension 8200 in 2001. I purchased Windows XP

> professional with it.I am going to rebuild the computer with a new

> motherboard, CPU, memory, and video card. I want to keep the same hard disk

> with the operating system and other software. Will this work, or will

> Windows think that I'm trying to put it on another computer and prevent me

> from using it? If so,is there a workaround?

 

It depends on what type of XP Professional you have. If it's a retail or

generic OEM, it should work. If it's a Dell recovery CD, it probably

won't work.

 

Alias

[Guest R. McCarty]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

What "Constitutes" a PC is a hot button topic. Some professionals

consider the Motherboard the heart of the PC and if it's changed

then you really have a new computer. Based on the age of your PC

it's not likely it's a BIOS enabled Activation. Unless the new PC is

using the same vendor Chipset ( Intel, Via, nVidia ) then the switch

over to new hardware won't boot without a Repair install. For that

you'll need an Dell OEM branded XP install disk. You can expect

that if you do a repair install, activation will fail and require you to

phone in for an activation code.

 

"Let the arguments on Activation, OEM Licensing and what makes

up a PC begin...."

 

"Bill in Massachusetts" <Bill in Massachusetts@discussions.microsoft.com>

wrote in message news:9093AC3D-65F7-41AF-AB42-FD17C1755A9A@microsoft.com...

>I purchased from Dell a Dimension 8200 in 2001. I purchased Windows XP

> professional with it.I am going to rebuild the computer with a new

> motherboard, CPU, memory, and video card. I want to keep the same hard

> disk

> with the operating system and other software. Will this work, or will

> Windows think that I'm trying to put it on another computer and prevent me

> from using it? If so,is there a workaround?

[Guest David B.]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

XP will likely blue screen after installing the upgraded hardware, you may

or may not be able to use your Dell install CD to perform a repair

installation, if you are able to get that far, it will likely not activate.

 

--

 

----

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

"Bill in Massachusetts" <Bill in Massachusetts@discussions.microsoft.com>

wrote in message news:9093AC3D-65F7-41AF-AB42-FD17C1755A9A@microsoft.com...

>I purchased from Dell a Dimension 8200 in 2001. I purchased Windows XP

> professional with it.I am going to rebuild the computer with a new

> motherboard, CPU, memory, and video card. I want to keep the same hard

> disk

> with the operating system and other software. Will this work, or will

> Windows think that I'm trying to put it on another computer and prevent me

> from using it? If so,is there a workaround?

[Guest Bob I]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

Is it still a Dell? Sound like you are trying to put the Dell hard drive

in a new computer to me.

 

Bill in Massachusetts wrote:

> I purchased from Dell a Dimension 8200 in 2001. I purchased Windows XP

> professional with it.I am going to rebuild the computer with a new

> motherboard, CPU, memory, and video card. I want to keep the same hard disk

> with the operating system and other software. Will this work, or will

> Windows think that I'm trying to put it on another computer and prevent me

> from using it? If so,is there a workaround?

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

You will have to do a repair install of Windows but there is a chance that

it will not work and you will have to reinstall from scratch. Save your

files and settings with the Files and Settings Transfer wizard and make sure

you have all of your application installation cd's handy.

 

If the XP Pro cd is a Dell restore cd then you are not going to be able to

do what you want to do. You will have to reinstall Windows with it. If you

have a retail copy of XP Pro then you will be OK. Plan for the worst case

scenario and that is that you will have to reinstall Windows and your apps.

Make sure that you have all the drivers for the devices. You should have

the drivers for the mobo and integrated devices on the cd that comes with

the mobo.

 

"Bill in Massachusetts" <Bill in Massachusetts@discussions.microsoft.com>

wrote in message news:9093AC3D-65F7-41AF-AB42-FD17C1755A9A@microsoft.com...

>I purchased from Dell a Dimension 8200 in 2001. I purchased Windows XP

> professional with it.I am going to rebuild the computer with a new

> motherboard, CPU, memory, and video card. I want to keep the same hard

> disk

> with the operating system and other software. Will this work, or will

> Windows think that I'm trying to put it on another computer and prevent me

> from using it? If so,is there a workaround?

[Guest Ken Blake, MVP]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:28:00 -0700, Bill in Massachusetts <Bill in

Massachusetts@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> I purchased from Dell a Dimension 8200 in 2001. I purchased Windows XP

> professional with it.I am going to rebuild the computer with a new

> motherboard, CPU, memory, and video card. I want to keep the same hard disk

> with the operating system and other software. Will this work, or will

> Windows think that I'm trying to put it on another computer and prevent me

> from using it? If so,is there a workaround?

 

 

 

There are two potential issues here:

 

1. The licensing issue.

 

Yours is an OEM copy of Windows. An OEM copy comes with several

restrictions, the most severe of which is that its license ties it

permanently to the first computer it's installed on. It can never

legally be moved to another computer, sold, or given away (except with

the original computer). Exactly what constitutes the same computer is

a gray area, but if you're replacing everything but the hard drive,

you might well have a hard time selling the idea that it's the same

computer.

 

2. The technical issue.

 

Most brand name OEM copies are BIOS-locked to the original

motherboard, and won't install on another, unless it's

identical to the original one.

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Guest Patrick Keenan]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

"Bill in Massachusetts" <Bill in Massachusetts@discussions.microsoft.com>

wrote in message news:9093AC3D-65F7-41AF-AB42-FD17C1755A9A@microsoft.com...

>I purchased from Dell a Dimension 8200 in 2001. I purchased Windows XP

> professional with it.I am going to rebuild the computer with a new

> motherboard, CPU, memory, and video card. I want to keep the same hard

> disk

> with the operating system and other software. Will this work, or will

> Windows think that I'm trying to put it on another computer and prevent me

> from using it? If so,is there a workaround?

 

 

This will almost certainly not work. The Dell OEM version of Windows

typically checks the motherboard BIOS for a 'Dell" signature, and won't

install if it isn't found.

 

And you are almost certainly going to have to do a repair install to account

for the different hardware on the new motherboard.

 

As well, that drive is now 7 years old, and near the end of its reliable

life span.

 

HTH

-pk

[Guest Alan]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

Hello Bill,

 

The EULA licensing issue -- and regarding what constitutes a computer, or a

'new' computer -- has been kicking around for a long time. And the reality

is that Microsoft has never really defined it, nor have they tried testing

their vague words in any legal venue.

 

Bruce Chambers wrote the following back in January in relation to a question

akin to yours.

 

I'll repeat it here, but if you want to read Bruce's entire reply, go to

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/ad6c22ecfba353c7

 

To read the whole discussion, go to

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/browse_thread/thread/8c6e4388a9b7d790/ad6c22ecfba353c7#ad6c22ecfba353c7

 

Alan

(also from Massachusetts)

 

"Some people mistakenly believe that the motherboard is the key

component that defines the "original computer," but the OEM EULA itself

does not make any such distinction. Others have said (tongue in cheek)

that one could successfully argue that it's the PC's case that is the

deciding component, as that is where one is instructed to affix the OEM

CoA label w/Product Key. Again, the EULA does *not* specifically define

any single component as the computer. Licensed Microsoft Systems

Builders, who are allowed to distribute OEM licenses with computers they

build and sell, are _contractually_ obligated to "define" the computer

as the motherboard, but this limitation/definition can't be applied to

the end user until the EULA is re-written.

 

Microsoft has, to date, been very careful _not_ to *publicly*

define when an incrementally upgraded computer ceases to be the original

computer. The closest I've ever seen a Microsoft employee come to this

definition (in a public forum) is to tell the person making the inquiry

to consult the PC's manufacturer. As the OEM license's support is

solely the responsibility of said manufacturer, they should determine

what sort of hardware changes to allow before the warranty and support

agreements are voided. To paraphrase: An incrementally upgraded

computer ceases to be the original computer, as pertains to the OEM

EULA, only when the *OEM* says it's a different computer. If you've

built the system yourself, and used a generic OEM CD, then _you_ are the

"OEM," and _you_ get to decide when you'll no longer support your product.

 

Bruce Chambers"

 

"Bill in Massachusetts" <Bill in Massachusetts@discussions.microsoft.com>

wrote in message news:9093AC3D-65F7-41AF-AB42-FD17C1755A9A@microsoft.com...

>I purchased from Dell a Dimension 8200 in 2001. I purchased Windows XP

> professional with it.I am going to rebuild the computer with a new

> motherboard, CPU, memory, and video card. I want to keep the same hard

> disk

> with the operating system and other software. Will this work, or will

> Windows think that I'm trying to put it on another computer and prevent me

> from using it? If so,is there a workaround?

[Guest Ken Blake, MVP]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:44:22 -0400, "Alan" <somewhere@nospam.not>

wrote:

> Hello Bill,

>

> The EULA licensing issue -- and regarding what constitutes a computer, or a

> 'new' computer -- has been kicking around for a long time. And the reality

> is that Microsoft has never really defined it, nor have they tried testing

> their vague words in any legal venue.

 

 

Not quite true any more. Have you seen

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/a...

or http://tinyurl.com/384gx5

 

which says,

 

"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."

 

It's about Vista in particular, not XP, but I assume if they say it

about Vista, the same very likely applies to Windows XP. Since

replacing a motherboard requires reactivation, that implies that

replacing the motherboard and using the same OEM copy of Windows *is*

permitted by the EULA.

 

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Guest Alan]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

Hi Ken,

 

So, to use Bruce's tongue-in-cheek comment, it looks as if so long as the

computer's case is the same, there's no problem deciding what a 'new'

computer is anymore. :>

 

Alan

 

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

news:0d8ju3pa7pt9a8kopjdj3v5nv4k3sbtrq0@4ax.com...

> On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:44:22 -0400, "Alan" <somewhere@nospam.not>

> wrote:

>

>> Hello Bill,

>>

>> The EULA licensing issue -- and regarding what constitutes a computer, or

>> a

>> 'new' computer -- has been kicking around for a long time. And the

>> reality

>> is that Microsoft has never really defined it, nor have they tried

>> testing

>> their vague words in any legal venue.

>

>

> Not quite true any more. Have you seen

> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/a...

> or http://tinyurl.com/384gx5

>

> which says,

>

> "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."

>

> It's about Vista in particular, not XP, but I assume if they say it

> about Vista, the same very likely applies to Windows XP. Since

> replacing a motherboard requires reactivation, that implies that

> replacing the motherboard and using the same OEM copy of Windows *is*

> permitted by the EULA.

>

>

> --

> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

> Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Guest Bruce Chambers]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

Bill in Massachusetts wrote:

> I purchased from Dell a Dimension 8200 in 2001. I purchased Windows XP

> professional with it.I am going to rebuild the computer with a new

> motherboard, CPU, memory, and video card. I want to keep the same hard disk

> with the operating system and other software. Will this work, or will

> Windows think that I'm trying to put it on another computer and prevent me

> from using it? If so,is there a workaround?

 

 

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many factory-installed OEM

installations are BIOS-locked to a specific motherboard chipset and

therefore are *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

 

Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with WinXP Installed

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

 

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://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

 

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

 

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary

safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

 

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

 

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has

killed a great many philosophers.

~ Denis Diderot

[Guest Ken Blake, MVP]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:32:36 -0400, "Alan" <somewhere@nospam.not>

wrote:

> Hi Ken,

>

> So, to use Bruce's tongue-in-cheek comment, it looks as if so long as the

> computer's case is the same, there's no problem deciding what a 'new'

> computer is anymore. :>

 

 

 

My only point here is that Microsoft, who had long been silent on this

issue, has finally spoken up on it recently. Given that statement of

theirs, my interpretation is that the claim that changing the

motherboard means that it is no longer the same computer (which many

people have made in these newsgroups) is false.

 

Beyond that, I don't claim to know what Microsoft considers to be the

same computer, nor whether any claim of theirs would stand up in

court, if it came to that.

 

By the way, Bruce's comment about those speaking tongue in cheek about

the motherboard defining the computer refers to several posts I've

made in the past. He's referring to this statement (or a similar one)

that I've made in the newsgroups numbers of times:

 

"My own view is that you might be able to successfully argue in court

that, silly as it may sound, the computer is defined by the case,

since that's where Microsoft requires that the product key sticker be

affixed. You could therefore change everything inside the case, and it

would still be the same computer."

 

Note the phrase "might be able" in that quotation. I'm not a lawyer,

and can't guarantee that that's correct.

 

 

 

> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message

> news:0d8ju3pa7pt9a8kopjdj3v5nv4k3sbtrq0@4ax.com...

> > On Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:44:22 -0400, "Alan" <somewhere@nospam.not>

> > wrote:

> >

> >> Hello Bill,

> >>

> >> The EULA licensing issue -- and regarding what constitutes a computer, or

> >> a

> >> 'new' computer -- has been kicking around for a long time. And the

> >> reality

> >> is that Microsoft has never really defined it, nor have they tried

> >> testing

> >> their vague words in any legal venue.

> >

> >

> > Not quite true any more. Have you seen

> > http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/a...

> > or http://tinyurl.com/384gx5

> >

> > which says,

> >

> > "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."

> >

> > It's about Vista in particular, not XP, but I assume if they say it

> > about Vista, the same very likely applies to Windows XP. Since

> > replacing a motherboard requires reactivation, that implies that

> > replacing the motherboard and using the same OEM copy of Windows *is*

> > permitted by the EULA.

> >

> >

> > --

> > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

> > Please Reply to the Newsgroup

>

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Guest Bill in Massachusetts]

Re: transferring Windows XP onto a rebuild computer

 

 

 

"Patrick Keenan" wrote:

> "Bill in Massachusetts" <Bill in Massachusetts@discussions.microsoft.com>

> wrote in message news:9093AC3D-65F7-41AF-AB42-FD17C1755A9A@microsoft.com...

> >I purchased from Dell a Dimension 8200 in 2001. I purchased Windows XP

> > professional with it.I am going to rebuild the computer with a new

> > motherboard, CPU, memory, and video card. I want to keep the same hard

> > disk

> > with the operating system and other software. Will this work, or will

> > Windows think that I'm trying to put it on another computer and prevent me

> > from using it? If so,is there a workaround?

>

>

> This will almost certainly not work. The Dell OEM version of Windows

> typically checks the motherboard BIOS for a 'Dell" signature, and won't

> install if it isn't found.

>

> And you are almost certainly going to have to do a repair install to account

> for the different hardware on the new motherboard.

>

> As well, that drive is now 7 years old, and near the end of its reliable

> life span.

>

> HTH

> -pk

>

> thank you for the advice.you're too late about the disk.I had to replace the original and reinstall all my software about a year ago.

 

Bill