Putting in New Motherboard

Okay, I got a new motherboard for my computer. I'm having problems with
registering Windows XP Home. It boots up and then a box shows up that says
"you need activate your copy of windows". I click yes and go it goes into
the activation wizard thing, I type in my activation code that is on my
computer case, that corresponds with the OS on my hard drive, but the wizard
says that the code is invaid. I'm sure I'm not typing it in wrong because I
have checked many times. It would a quite an injustice for microsoft to just
leave you hanging in situations where you need a new motherboard, yet
continue to use your current hard drive and they don't allow you to use the
same product key. I mean one OS used before, one and the same OS used after.
I don't get it.
Thanks for any help

If the code is on the case, that means you have OEM.
Was Windows installed using the original CD that came with that computer.
If not, that may be the cause.
If you are using the original CD, usually there should be no need to
activate as long as the new motherboard is from the same manufacturer as the
original.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Seth9816" wrote in message
...
Okay, I got a new motherboard for my computer. I'm having problems with
registering Windows XP Home. It boots up and then a box shows up that
says
"you need activate your copy of windows". I click yes and go it goes into
the activation wizard thing, I type in my activation code that is on my
computer case, that corresponds with the OS on my hard drive, but the
wizard
says that the code is invaid. I'm sure I'm not typing it in wrong because
I
have checked many times. It would a quite an injustice for microsoft to
just
leave you hanging in situations where you need a new motherboard, yet
continue to use your current hard drive and they don't allow you to use
the
same product key. I mean one OS used before, one and the same OS used
after.
I don't get it.
Thanks for any help

Well, the orginal computer/motherboard is a dell dimension 3100 that I got
from Dell with the OS already installed. I'm uses the backup CD I got with
that to try and get the OS to switch to my new motherboard. The new
motherboard isn't from the same manufacturer as the motherboard out of the
dell, either. Is that my problem? And what does OEM mean? I wondered about
that for a while.
Thanks

"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote:

If the code is on the case, that means you have OEM.
Was Windows installed using the original CD that came with that computer.
If not, that may be the cause.
If you are using the original CD, usually there should be no need to
activate as long as the new motherboard is from the same manufacturer as the
original.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer (Dell, HP, Gateway and many other
large and small manufacturers.)

That may be your problem.
Some have reported success installing using the Product Key as you attempted
while others fail as you did.

Dell will not help since you have a non Dell motherboard.
Microsoft will not help since it is OEM.

You could try calling the Microsoft activation number, but...

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Seth9816" wrote in message
...
Well, the orginal computer/motherboard is a dell dimension 3100 that I got
from Dell with the OS already installed. I'm uses the backup CD I got
with
that to try and get the OS to switch to my new motherboard. The new
motherboard isn't from the same manufacturer as the motherboard out of the
dell, either. Is that my problem? And what does OEM mean? I wondered
about
that for a while.
Thanks

Your copy of XP is tied to Dell computers motherboards (it
looks at the BIOS and other hardware identification) and is
licensed on for a Dell supplied mobo. Since you're using a
new mobo, you'll need to nut a genuine Windows XP CD, either
full retail or a consumer OEM. The consumer OEM is legal
tied to the mobo you install it on, a retail version may be
moved from machine to machine (mobo) as often as you wish as
long as you remove it from the previous machine.

OEM is cheaper for one machine, about the same cost if you
eventually build 2 computers and (full) retail versions are
cheaper if you upgrade a lot of machine (one at a time). If
you build machines and want to have a network or give some
away (sell) then the consumer OEM is probably the way to go.



"Seth9816" wrote in
message
...
| Well, the orginal computer/motherboard is a dell dimension
3100 that I got
| from Dell with the OS already installed. I'm uses the
backup CD I got with
| that to try and get the OS to switch to my new
motherboard. The new
| motherboard isn't from the same manufacturer as the
motherboard out of the
| dell, either. Is that my problem? And what does OEM
mean? I wondered about
| that for a while.
| Thanks
|
| "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote:
|
| If the code is on the case, that means you have OEM.
| Was Windows installed using the original CD that came
with that computer.
| If not, that may be the cause.
| If you are using the original CD, usually there should
be no need to
| activate as long as the new motherboard is from the same
manufacturer as the
| original.
|
| --
| Jupiter Jones [MVP]
| http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
| http://www.dts-l.org

For closure, I got the two previously installed xp home os's on my respective
computers. One from a dell and one from a compaq each transitioning to a new
motherboard. The registeration key didn't work in the wizard when i booted
up, but i just did that telephone thing, and it worked the first time both
times. Good experience with microsoft tech services.
Thanks for all resonses.

"Seth9816" wrote:

Okay, I got a new motherboard for my computer. I'm having problems with
registering Windows XP Home. It boots up and then a box shows up that says
"you need activate your copy of windows". I click yes and go it goes into
the activation wizard thing, I type in my activation code that is on my
computer case, that corresponds with the OS on my hard drive, but the wizard
says that the code is invaid. I'm sure I'm not typing it in wrong because I
have checked many times. It would a quite an injustice for microsoft to just
leave you hanging in situations where you need a new motherboard, yet
continue to use your current hard drive and they don't allow you to use the
same product key. I mean one OS used before, one and the same OS used after.
I don't get it.
Thanks for any help