Do I have to reinstall :(

[Shedlife]

My PC didn't come with a windows XP disk and so I presume i'll need to reinstall/repair windows so it can adapt to the new motherboard...so do I have to go buy one, or can I use a different windows XP disk (say from my uncle) and just do a straight repair from there?

[Aaron]

You can use a different disk, as long as you have your own licence key.

[Shedlife]

so what is there to stop you installing windows xp from 1 disk onto 2 PC? which as far as microsoft is aware thats what i'll be doing -_-

[tystar]

Nothing. Although M$ do rely on some honesty from the consumer that the oem licence on 1 machine isn't then installed onto a new machine as the licence states you canont do this.

If you find the licence wont activate automaticaly then a call to m$ is required and they will ask you some questions to establish if you have it installed on more than 1 machine, if you have they wont activate and ask you to purchase another copy.

[Aaron]

Also, inreality, its the licence to use it that MS sells. If you have 1 XP disk, and 2 licence keys and use a different key on each machine, then thats ok. If you have one key, and use it on different machines, then thats bad.

Also, if MS sees the same key being activated 5 times in 4 days (for example), on 5 different bits of hardware, then its more than likely that they will stop you activating it again, unless you can prove it wasn't on more than 1 machine at the same time..

[ukchris]

i'd boot off the xp cd and do a repair install as windows probably wont boot, unless both motherboards have the same chipset. that way your machine will be exactly the same as it was before with the old board in it. I do loads this way after replacing failed motherboards for customers. Unfortunately the genius's at microsoft have failed to make this an option in windows vista. and they call it progress............

[wonderlust]

If you change the IDE controller to a standard ide controller (assuming you are planning on using the same drive) it should then work on the new PC

[Aaron]

Really? So change it to standard IDE controller, on the original PC, then swap it over?

[wonderlust]

yep works 9 times out of ten :)

[Aaron]

Thats interesting - not tried that before, but i'll give it a go sometime! Thanks :)

[wonderlust]

Normally the reason Windows will not boot is unable to boot message, but by changing the driver to standard IDE it will normally allow windows to boot as it is the default compatible driver.

[coiler]

If you change the IDE controller to a standard ide controller (assuming you are planning on using the same drive) it should then work on the new PC


Although I would never reccomend using an old harddrive in a new pc with new mobo etc. Always best to put aside a couple of hours do a clean fresh install and then put all your programs back on from orginal disks and finally copy documents back over from pendrive backup.

Never a good idea running old HDD on new system just to save a couple of hours reinstalling. :thumbsdn:

[El Wayneo]

Yeah you could always make a streamline CD with XP SP3 and all your programs on.

[wonderlust]

Lol it would be a streamlined DVD my streamlined CD with just XP and all the updates plus a few drivers is nearly 700mb

[Monkey]

Or you just use the same product key and when you call them up just say its installed on one machine

[wonderlust]

OR get hold of a nice friendly VL key :D install it on as many PCs as you like :)

[Monkey]

A whati what now?

[wonderlust]

A volume licensing key (sometimes known as a select key) :)

[Monkey]

Ahh i see

[wonderlust]

Although I am only running it on VMs personally now ;)

[coiler]

i'm sure Tystar will have a couple of these http://forums.guru3d.com/images/smilies/cop.gif

[wonderlust]

I got one for Windows XP, one for Office 2003 and one for Server 2003 ;)

[tystar]

Excuse me... I dont have VL's for any m$ products..

[Aaron]

I have VLs for WinXP and Office 2003 and 2007.. Both legitimate too! But I only use the Office2007 one, as I can't really use the XP one legitimately and I have about 4 of my own real keys anyway, and I wouldnt use Office 2003 when I have 2007 available!

[wonderlust]

I am not lucky enough to have an Office 2007 License of any kind :(

[Shedlife]

Well I've got a license...two in fact :mrgreen: but still I'll have to buy another one right? Cause I wasn't supplied with a CD?

[alexnifty]

I am not lucky enough to have an Office 2007 License of any kind :(

I have a legit Office Enterprise 2007 key. Cost me £18 as I work for the NHS :)

*smug*


Well I've got a license...two in fact :mrgreen: but still I'll have to buy another one right? Cause I wasn't supplied with a CD?

As was said before, as long as your key is legit you can use any disk, it won't make a difference as far as MS can tell.

[El Wayneo]

Well I've got a license...two in fact :mrgreen: but still I'll have to buy another one right? Cause I wasn't supplied with a CD?

If you like let me know which XP CD you need and i can post you one if you want.

Is totally legal aslong as you use your own key, you can use any CD.

I need to know what it says on your license sticker, NOT THE KEY NUMBER.

It will say XP Home edition or XP Pro and Service Pack 2 or something.

If so PM me your address and i'll send one off, no charge.

[Shedlife]

If you like let me know which XP CD you need and i can post you one if you want.

Is totally legal aslong as you use your own key, you can use any CD.

I need to know what it says on your license sticker, NOT THE KEY NUMBER.

It will say XP Home edition or XP Pro and Service Pack 2 or something.

If so PM me your address and i'll send one off, no charge.

I <3 this man :p

Theres no point in me having the disk longer than I need so I'll probably PM you nearer the date of arrival?

[El Wayneo]

Yeah is cool, just let me know.