"Reactivation" w/ Multiple Hdwre Upgrades.

I plan on upgrading my present i845E-based M/B to a i865PE-
based M/B (same manufacturer); and, in so doing, will
upgrade Processor, System Memory, and Video Card that will
comply with inherent M/B specifications (as well as
personal preferences!). I will, however, be retaining all
of my present "Storage Devices" as presently configured.
Referring to Microsoft's Production Activation Q&A
Section, I'd like to know if it is at all possible to
facilitate the transfer of my "Product Activation Code" to
the aforementioned "M/B, etc." either "before" or "after"
these planned upgrades are "in effect" - and,
preferably, "online". (Of course, I'm assuming that
a "Product Re-Activation" would, in fact, be required in
this case). Thanks for your interest!

"P. Schinella" wrote:

I plan on upgrading my present i845E-based M/B to a i865PE-
based M/B (same manufacturer); and, in so doing, will
upgrade Processor, System Memory, and Video Card that will
comply with inherent M/B specifications (as well as
personal preferences!). I will, however, be retaining all
of my present "Storage Devices" as presently configured.
Referring to Microsoft's Production Activation Q&A
Section, I'd like to know if it is at all possible to
facilitate the transfer of my "Product Activation Code" to
the aforementioned "M/B, etc." either "before" or "after"
these planned upgrades are "in effect" - and,
preferably, "online". (Of course, I'm assuming that
a "Product Re-Activation" would, in fact, be required in
this case). Thanks for your interest!

With the new motherboard you will have to do a Repair Install of
Windows XP as per the instructions at
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

You will have to re-enter the Windows XP Product Key as part of the
Repair Install so make certain you have that handy before you start.

Because of the number of hardware items that are being changed it is
likely that a reactivation will be required, although possibly not.
The network adapter may be the deciding factor. If it stays the same
then the other hardware changes may not trigger the need to
reactivate. The network adapter MAC address is given 3 times the
"weight" of other hardware items in assessing hardware changes.

And if it has been more than 120 days since the last reactivation of
XP on that machine then it will probably reactivate automatically over
the internet, just the same as the initial activation.

The repair install will preserve your installed applications,
configuration settings, and user data files. Windows updates will
have to be reinstalled.

For more information on Product Activation in Windows XP see MVP Alex
Nichol's article at http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

Good luck


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

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."