Upgrading a Dell PC & Windoze..

Samtheman1k · 8 Aug 2006 at 09:35

Hi all,

I've been looking through the forums, and can't seem to find a definite solution to this.

I have a Dell Dimension PC that is looking a bit flakey, and I want to upgrade the Motherboard, Graphics card (to PCI Express) and Hard drive (to serial). It currently has XP Pro installed on the machine and I have the back up disk that came with the machine.

If I replace the said items, can I just use the recovery disk & the windows key on the side of the PC to install on the new hard drive? Or do I need to purchase a new XP licence?

Cuchulain · 8 Aug 2006 at 09:36

If it's anything like my work Dell, you're going to need a Dell motherboard to upgrade it otherwise it won't fit in the case.

Trigger · 8 Aug 2006 at 10:04

Samtheman1k said:
Hi all,

I've been looking through the forums, and can't seem to find a definite solution to this.

I have a Dell Dimension PC that is looking a bit flakey, and I want to upgrade the Motherboard, Graphics card (to PCI Express) and Hard drive (to serial).

As said, you will need a dell motherboard to work with the case and power supply as they are wired differently and dell use a customised motherboard tray.

Samtheman1k said:
If I replace the said items, can I just use the recovery disk & the windows key on the side of the PC to install on the new hard drive? Or do I need to purchase a new XP licence?

No- Microsoft define a new PC as the motherboard being changed and as the copy of XP PRO will likley be OEM, you will need a new license

Samtheman1k · 8 Aug 2006 at 10:15

Trigger said:
No- Microsoft define a new PC as the motherboard being changed and as the copy of XP PRO will likley be OEM, you will need a new license

Hmm, that's pants.

If I speak to Dell, would they supply me with a 'proper' license? I thought that I'd paid for a license. I didn't realise that the EULA says that it can only be used with one motherboard...

Burnsy2023 · 8 Aug 2006 at 10:37

Samtheman1k said:
Hmm, that's pants.

If I speak to Dell, would they supply me with a 'proper' license? I thought that I'd paid for a license. I didn't realise that the EULA says that it can only be used with one motherboard...

Dell won't issue another license. You paid for an OEM license which has restrictions to the PC you bought it with.

You'll need to buy another OEM license or a retail version if you want more flexibility.

Burnsy