"Freemind" wrote:

Hi!
I work now on Windows XP 2002 SP2
I want to change my mainboard cause it's somehow old, supports SDRAM not
DDR, but works pretty well.
i want after removing it to install a new one with DDR 512 Mb or more.
Is that 100% necessary to REINSTALL Windows or i can somehov "repair the
drivers"?
If It is necessary, will i be able to Activate (and/or) Register my Windows
XP after that? (now it is already activated)
Thanks a lot.


If your Windows XP is an OEM version that came bundled with the
computer when it was new and if it is one of the "BIOS Locked" OEM
versions then it will not be possible to replace the motherboard
unless the new motherboard comes from the same manufacturer/assembler
as the original computer.

To check if your Windows XP is an OEM version open Control Panel -
System - General and look at the 20 character product i.d. code that
is shown on the last line of the "Registered to" section. If the
second segment of that code reads OEM then you have an OEM version of
Windows XP.

To check if your OEM version of Windows XP is "BIOS Locked" use Start
- All Programs - Accessories - System Tools and look for an "Activate
Windows" item on the menu. If there is no Activate Windows item then
your OEM version of Windows XP is BIOS Locked.

Note 1: The 20 character product i.d. code is not the same as the 25
character Product Key that is used to install Windows XP.

Note 2: OEM versions are not the only instance where there may not be
an Activate Windows entry on the System Tools menu. Volume Licensed
versions will also not have this entry.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm