upgrading PC, will XP still work?

[barringtoast]

Hi,

I just ordered a new motherboard, processor and memeory for my pc and i'm just wondering if my Leagal version of XP Home will install/work properly.

The thing is, i bought my current pc about 5 yrs ago from a supermarket, it was one of those £500 boxes at the front of the store where everything's included. Over the years i've added RAM, bigger HDD, superior graphics card and better CD and then DVD writers, but because the PC came with windows installed and only a "recovery disc" with the image hidden on a partition, i got hold of a copy of XP Home but every time i rebuilt the machine i used the Product Key on the license sicker on the case, and have never had any problems validating windows for downloading updates and then service pack2 as it IS a leagal product key that i purchased. However, i read somewhere (i think in a magazine "build your own pc" article) that this type of OS some how binds itself to the motherboard as it was built by a company, as ospposed to if i were to buy a copy of windows from the shop or the internets or whatever, that i could put on any new machine i build (providing i bin off the previous one)

Im just after some advice on wether using my original key will let me install xp with my new mobo, and if i'll have problems validating windows online. or should i just buy Vista and if so which one (i know i want vista home premium, but theres a few different types of vista home premium, oem, system builder, academic upgrade, it all confuses me)

cheers in advance, i look forward to your feedback.

*edited, sorry, newbie*

 

[dirtydog]

You should edit out those other company names and put **** in their place, it's against the rules here

 

[barringtoast]

can you direct me to the "rules" page please. ta

 

[dirtydog]

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/faq.php?faq=vb_faq#faq_vb_read_and_post

In answer to your question, legally I believe you need to buy a new license, eg. Windows XP Home OEM. You are changing so much hardware, crucially the motherboard, that to all intents and purposes it is an entirely different PC.

 

[barringtoast]

what would be the best vista option for me then? oem?

 

[dirtydog]

For that question I suggest having a read of some of the Vista threads in this forum But yes, Vista Home Premium OEM would be the equivalent of XP Home. If you do buy that, make sure you understand what you are buying, ie. the OEM license and its conditions (which are essentially the same as XP OEM).

 

[barringtoast]

ok, so i'd have to buy new os, but will my current key work with out problems? i know it's a leagal minefield, but i'm honestly just gonna bin my old mobo + proc, they're no use to man nor beast.

 

[Apatche64]

i think legally you are ok to use the same install disk, (if it is a proper install disk, not just backup) because you bought the licence with your computer and are not using it on another computer, rather just one computer. it is a licence, afaik, to use a copy on ONE computer, no matter which computer you have.