Upgrade System and keep XP Product Key, need help!?

[neoglow]

Hey guys and gals,

Im going to be upgrading my system very soon but want to change pretty much all the hardware. I have read that you can only activate your Windows XP online a certain number of times before it reaches its limit. After which you have to enter a new product key, ie, buy another Windows XP! What a rip off, all I want to do is upgrade my computer and re-install my genuine copy of windows! Naughty micro$oft!

Is there any way of backing up your product key to use on the upgraded system, the only catch is I'm changing the Harddrive too, so how would re-install the original key?

Many Thanks, M.

 

[Matteysan]

If you are installing a new motherboard then I'm sorry you'll just have to buy a new windows xp licence

 

[neoglow]

If you are installing a new motherboard then I'm sorry you'll just have to buy a new windows xp licence

Does the activation only recognise changes to the motherboard then? I thought if you changed other bits, it would see that too?

M.

 

[alex24]

Not technically, but according to the rules set by microsoft, your copy must live and die with your machine, unless you bought a retail package, where only one copy may be activated at any one time, and it can be transferred.

To find your key, look on the COA.

 

[Matteysan]

Does the activation only recognise changes to the motherboard then? I thought if you changed other bits, it would see that too?

M.

Only the motherboard as far as I'm aware

 

[RJC]

It can depend, on my media center I install an external hard disc to my ESATA port and windows asked to reactivate.

Under the EULA for OEM you can upgrade CPU, HD, GPU and memory without breaking the EULA, but you might need to activate.
Like the others mentioned changing the board you will require a new license.

 

[yoyo50]

If you know the key you are using now just do that phone activation and it asks did u repair the motherboard say yes and gives u a new key ive done it with xp and vista many times.

 

[gareth170]

If you know the key you are using now just do that phone activation and it asks did u repair the motherboard say yes and gives u a new key ive done it with xp and vista many times.

for retail yes thats fine above ^^ to upgrade ... for oem it'll be breaking the license..

 

[Brian Stuart]

If you know the key you are using now just do that phone activation and it asks did u repair the motherboard say yes and gives u a new key ive done it with xp and vista many times.

And you are breaking the EULA agreement many times and are not licensed.

 

[swinnie]

So, to answer...

If you currently have OEM Software - new licence key required.

If you have retail, you can use the same key, but must only be installed on one computer at one time.