re-activation

Reading page 239 in UK Computer Shopper I had quite a shock. I currently
have a AMD 2500+, 1gb RAM, 80gb ATA 133 HD etc. Its a self build, and I
bought Windows XP inc SP2 OEM at time of purchase.

I was thinking of maybe upgrading to a Socket 939 mobo + New CPU, SATA HD,
6600GT graphics etc you get the idea. Of course I knew all this would
require a new activation, the only parts of hardware I would be keeping were
the RAM and monitor.

Then I read about how someone bought a new motherboard and CPU and needed to
reactivate, rang up Microsoft but because it was an OEM copy it was deemed
as being installed on a different computer. Yet it seems with the retail
version you could reactivate.

This has got to be the stupidest idea ever!! Whilst I can afford to upgrade
hardware, I can't or won't buy something I already have just because I've
upgraded, would more likely put the effort into learning Linux than forking
out more cash. Also means if too many of my parts go wrong I could have to
buy another copy too.

If this is true I'll just get a new graphics card and maybe a new DVD
writer.

The magazine said something about calculating a new ID if the maximum number
of changes hasn't been exceeded in 120 days, but this is just a rumour??

I checked and I have an oembios.bin file on my computer. Apparently that
means I cant even choose a different make of motherboard!

Thanks
Mike

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. The place where your have
bought the XP, with the hardware, is responsible in support your XP
problems/question. Not Microsoft. This is why it is at a reduced price,
compared to the Retail kit.


"Fugwump" wrote in message
...
Reading page 239 in UK Computer Shopper I had quite a shock. I currently
have a AMD 2500+, 1gb RAM, 80gb ATA 133 HD etc. Its a self build, and I
bought Windows XP inc SP2 OEM at time of purchase.

I was thinking of maybe upgrading to a Socket 939 mobo + New CPU, SATA HD,
6600GT graphics etc you get the idea. Of course I knew all this would
require a new activation, the only parts of hardware I would be keeping
were the RAM and monitor.

Then I read about how someone bought a new motherboard and CPU and needed
to reactivate, rang up Microsoft but because it was an OEM copy it was
deemed as being installed on a different computer. Yet it seems with the
retail version you could reactivate.

This has got to be the stupidest idea ever!! Whilst I can afford to
upgrade hardware, I can't or won't buy something I already have just
because I've upgraded, would more likely put the effort into learning
Linux than forking out more cash. Also means if too many of my parts go
wrong I could have to buy another copy too.

If this is true I'll just get a new graphics card and maybe a new DVD
writer.

The magazine said something about calculating a new ID if the maximum
number of changes hasn't been exceeded in 120 days, but this is just a
rumour??

I checked and I have an oembios.bin file on my computer. Apparently that
means I cant even choose a different make of motherboard!

Thanks
Mike

It sounds like that article is only telling half the story with half the
truth.
You will probably have no problem activating.
You seem to be upgrading instead of a new computer so activation should be
OK.
Attempt internet activation.
If that fails, choose the option to activate by phone.
Call Microsoft at the displayed number, done in about 5 minutes.

You might have more of a problem if you had a major OEM computer such as
Gateway, Dell, HP etc.
Some of their CDs are locked to the BIOS of the motherboard and will not
install on a motherboard from a different manufacturer.

Read your specific EULA for details.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"Fugwump" wrote in message
...
Reading page 239 in UK Computer Shopper I had quite a shock. I currently
have a AMD 2500+, 1gb RAM, 80gb ATA 133 HD etc. Its a self build, and I
bought Windows XP inc SP2 OEM at time of purchase.

I was thinking of maybe upgrading to a Socket 939 mobo + New CPU, SATA HD,
6600GT graphics etc you get the idea. Of course I knew all this would
require a new activation, the only parts of hardware I would be keeping
were the RAM and monitor.

Then I read about how someone bought a new motherboard and CPU and needed
to reactivate, rang up Microsoft but because it was an OEM copy it was
deemed as being installed on a different computer. Yet it seems with the
retail version you could reactivate.

This has got to be the stupidest idea ever!! Whilst I can afford to
upgrade hardware, I can't or won't buy something I already have just
because I've upgraded, would more likely put the effort into learning
Linux than forking out more cash. Also means if too many of my parts go
wrong I could have to buy another copy too.

If this is true I'll just get a new graphics card and maybe a new DVD
writer.

The magazine said something about calculating a new ID if the maximum
number of changes hasn't been exceeded in 120 days, but this is just a
rumour??

I checked and I have an oembios.bin file on my computer. Apparently that
means I cant even choose a different make of motherboard!

Thanks
Mike

You need to purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP
if you plan on making significant hardware changes in the
future. An "OEM Version" is cheaper because its license
is tied to the very first hardware configuration it is installed
and activated on.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Fugwump" wrote:

| Reading page 239 in UK Computer Shopper I had quite a shock. I currently
| have a AMD 2500+, 1gb RAM, 80gb ATA 133 HD etc. Its a self build, and I
| bought Windows XP inc SP2 OEM at time of purchase.
|
| I was thinking of maybe upgrading to a Socket 939 mobo + New CPU, SATA HD,
| 6600GT graphics etc you get the idea. Of course I knew all this would
| require a new activation, the only parts of hardware I would be keeping were
| the RAM and monitor.
|
| Then I read about how someone bought a new motherboard and CPU and needed to
| reactivate, rang up Microsoft but because it was an OEM copy it was deemed
| as being installed on a different computer. Yet it seems with the retail
| version you could reactivate.
|
| This has got to be the stupidest idea ever!! Whilst I can afford to upgrade
| hardware, I can't or won't buy something I already have just because I've
| upgraded, would more likely put the effort into learning Linux than forking
| out more cash. Also means if too many of my parts go wrong I could have to
| buy another copy too.
|
| If this is true I'll just get a new graphics card and maybe a new DVD
| writer.
|
| The magazine said something about calculating a new ID if the maximum number
| of changes hasn't been exceeded in 120 days, but this is just a rumour??
|
| I checked and I have an oembios.bin file on my computer. Apparently that
| means I cant even choose a different make of motherboard!
|
| Thanks
| Mike

You need to purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP
if you plan on making significant hardware changes in the
future. An "OEM Version" is cheaper because its license
is tied to the very first hardware configuration it is installed
and activated on.

As my PC is a non docked computer, and I won't be changing the NIC
(connected to mobo) would that will give me 5 changes before I have to
re-activate ? (i.e on the 6th one I would have to re-activate which I can't
do with an OEM copy)

Upgrading my DVD-Writers firmware has already used one change!

After 120 (or I read somewhere 180) days will those changes go back to zero
on an OEM copy.

Also can I format my drive and re-install windows when ever I want. I read
on one website that if I have activated within the last 120 days on the same
computer, then I have to ring up Microsoft to get another activation code,
even though I'm still using the same hardware??

This has got to be the stupidest idea ever!! Whilst I can afford to
upgrade
hardware, I can't or won't buy something I already have just because I've
upgraded, would more likely put the effort into learning Linux than
forking
out more cash. Also means if too many of my parts go wrong I could have
to
buy another copy too.

Like it or not, it's part of the OEM structure and has been for years. You
didn't buy XP, you bought an OEM License to use it on ONE computer.

If you switch to Linux, try Fedora Core 3 from RedHat, it's very smooth
and the GNOME interface is very windows like.

I tried the earlier version of Fedora Core, can't remember what version -
didn't like it alot for some reason. I thought Suse was best then Mandrake,
but I haven't tried many, plus I guess I was judging on eye candy.

"Fugwump" wrote in message
...
You need to purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP
if you plan on making significant hardware changes in the
future. An "OEM Version" is cheaper because its license
is tied to the very first hardware configuration it is installed
and activated on.

As my PC is a non docked computer, and I won't be changing the NIC
(connected to mobo) would that will give me 5 changes before I have to
re-activate ? (i.e on the 6th one I would have to re-activate which I
can't do with an OEM copy)

Upgrading my DVD-Writers firmware has already used one change!

After 120 (or I read somewhere 180) days will those changes go back to
zero on an OEM copy.

Also can I format my drive and re-install windows when ever I want. I
read on one website that if I have activated within the last 120 days on
the same computer, then I have to ring up Microsoft to get another
activation code, even though I'm still using the same hardware??


I don't know what or where you're reading these things, but you're getting
yourself in a froth for no reason. You can upgrade your computer as often as
you want. If you hit a point where the computer says you have to reactivate,
you do it online or by phone. At the worst, you talk to a rep, tell them
that you upgraded, repaired, formatted your hard drive, whatever it might
be, and they let you activate. No big deal.

You need to purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP
if you plan on making significant hardware changes in the
future. An "OEM Version" is cheaper because its license
is tied to the very first hardware configuration it is installed
and activated on.

As my PC is a non docked computer, and I won't be changing the NIC
(connected to mobo) would that will give me 5 changes before I have to
re-activate ? (i.e on the 6th one I would have to re-activate which I
can't do with an OEM copy)

Upgrading my DVD-Writers firmware has already used one change!

After 120 (or I read somewhere 180) days will those changes go back to
zero on an OEM copy.

Also can I format my drive and re-install windows when ever I want. I
read on one website that if I have activated within the last 120 days on
the same computer, then I have to ring up Microsoft to get another
activation code, even though I'm still using the same hardware??


I don't know what or where you're reading these things, but you're getting
yourself in a froth for no reason. You can upgrade your computer as often
as you want. If you hit a point where the computer says you have to
reactivate, you do it online or by phone. At the worst, you talk to a rep,
tell them that you upgraded, repaired, formatted your hard drive, whatever
it might be, and they let you activate. No big deal.

I think I'm mostly reading old stuff off google.
I've confirmed they will with a Retail copy, but I have a OEM copy.

Carey Frisch above says
"You need to purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP if you plan on making
significant hardware changes in the future. An "OEM Version" is cheaper
because its license
is tied to the very first hardware configuration it is installed and
activated on."

But Jupiter Jones (thats got to be the coolest name ever!) says I shouldn't
have any problem.

I just dont want to buy a load of upgrades then find out I can't
re-activate. Then either have to buy another £60 OEM copy or £160 Retail
copy.

It boils down to whether you "create" a new PC as opposed to "upgrading
some components", and if the OEM cd is BIOS locked. Replacing everything
BUT the ram would usually be considered to be a new computer. Let your
conscience be your guide.

Fugwump wrote:

You need to purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP
if you plan on making significant hardware changes in the
future. An "OEM Version" is cheaper because its license
is tied to the very first hardware configuration it is installed
and activated on.

As my PC is a non docked computer, and I won't be changing the NIC
(connected to mobo) would that will give me 5 changes before I have to
re-activate ? (i.e on the 6th one I would have to re-activate which I
can't do with an OEM copy)

Upgrading my DVD-Writers firmware has already used one change!

After 120 (or I read somewhere 180) days will those changes go back to
zero on an OEM copy.

Also can I format my drive and re-install windows when ever I want. I
read on one website that if I have activated within the last 120 days on
the same computer, then I have to ring up Microsoft to get another
activation code, even though I'm still using the same hardware??


I don't know what or where you're reading these things, but you're getting
yourself in a froth for no reason. You can upgrade your computer as often
as you want. If you hit a point where the computer says you have to
reactivate, you do it online or by phone. At the worst, you talk to a rep,
tell them that you upgraded, repaired, formatted your hard drive, whatever
it might be, and they let you activate. No big deal.


I think I'm mostly reading old stuff off google.
I've confirmed they will with a Retail copy, but I have a OEM copy.

Carey Frisch above says
"You need to purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP if you plan on making
significant hardware changes in the future. An "OEM Version" is cheaper
because its license
is tied to the very first hardware configuration it is installed and
activated on."

But Jupiter Jones (thats got to be the coolest name ever!) says I shouldn't
have any problem.

I just dont want to buy a load of upgrades then find out I can't
re-activate. Then either have to buy another £60 OEM copy or £160 Retail
copy.

Hi, Fugwump.

Rather than listening to other users' interpretations of the rules, why not
get the story straight from the source:
Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation.mspx

The OEM rules may seem unfair when seen from the perspective of one who has
already bought an OEM copy without knowing those rules. But if you start at
the beginning of the story, it makes more sense. Major OEMs (such as Dell
or HP) buy WinXP licenses by the millions and they negotiate special
prices - and special terms - with Microsoft. Among other things, each OEM
is allowed to customize WinXP to fit that company's specific hardware.
Since Microsoft can't control these changes, the OEM is required to assume
the responsibility to support this customized version. Also, since there's
no way that either the OEM or Microsoft can be sure that the customized
WinXP will run properly (or at all) on different hardware, the OEM agreement
specifies that the WinXP license for that copy is limited to the specific
computer on which it is pre-installed. Any customer who buys that computer
gets the license to run that copy of WinXP on that one computer, but cannot
move it to any other computer. Ever. And any later buyer of that hardware
as a used computer is bound by the same license agreement.

Smaller OEMs don't have Dell's bargaining power, but they still need to buy
WinXP to pre-install on the computers they assemble and sell. Microsoft
produces a "generic" OEM version of WinXP which computer dealers can
incorporate into their products. This generic OEM is not as highly
customized, but the dealer must agree to terms that restrict each copy to
the computer on which it is pre-installed. The consumer buys the bundle
subject to this contract and cannot legally move the generic OEM WinXP to a
different computer. Ever.

The boxed copies of WinXP that you see on your computer store's shelf are
the "retail" version. Microsoft can't know in advance what kind of computer
it will be installed on. The license for that retail WinXP allows it to be
installed on any computer in the world (almost), so long as it is installed
on only a single computer at any one time. So a retail WinXP can be removed
from one computer and installed on another. And it can be reinstalled on
"the same computer" an unlimited number of times. If it has been more than
120 days since the last prior activation, it can be reactivated
automatically over the Internet, even on a different computer.

That leaves the problem of defining "the same computer". Without getting
into the details, it is clear that just changing the graphics card or a hard
drive or adding a USB camera does not make this a different computer. But
installing a new mobo/cpu/chipset/controller and HD in the existing case is
not much different than moving WinXP to that new hardware in a new case;
it's what's inside that counts, so this is not "the same computer", even if
it still looks the same. Even a retail WinXP will probably need to be
reactivated after such a significant change.

So the first question is: OEM or retail? You said:
but I have a OEM copy.

So it seems that, if you've changed your hardware so significantly that your
copy of WinXP no longer recognizes its environment as "the same computer",
then you will need to buy a retail copy of WinXP and start over. The
"upgrade version" is much cheaper but, unless you can show it evidence of a
qualifying product (your old Win98 CD-ROM?) when Setup asks, you'll need the
full version.

You could buy just enough hardware to allow you to buy another OEM WinXP
disc and license, I suppose, but that would simply put you back in the same
situation the next time you significantly upgrade or change your computer.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP

"Fugwump" wrote in message
...
You need to purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP
if you plan on making significant hardware changes in the
future. An "OEM Version" is cheaper because its license
is tied to the very first hardware configuration it is installed
and activated on.

As my PC is a non docked computer, and I won't be changing the NIC
(connected to mobo) would that will give me 5 changes before I have to
re-activate ? (i.e on the 6th one I would have to re-activate which I
can't do with an OEM copy)

Upgrading my DVD-Writers firmware has already used one change!

After 120 (or I read somewhere 180) days will those changes go back to
zero on an OEM copy.

Also can I format my drive and re-install windows when ever I want. I
read on one website that if I have activated within the last 120 days on
the same computer, then I have to ring up Microsoft to get another
activation code, even though I'm still using the same hardware??


I don't know what or where you're reading these things, but you're
getting yourself in a froth for no reason. You can upgrade your computer
as often as you want. If you hit a point where the computer says you have
to reactivate, you do it online or by phone. At the worst, you talk to a
rep, tell them that you upgraded, repaired, formatted your hard drive,
whatever it might be, and they let you activate. No big deal.

I think I'm mostly reading old stuff off google.
I've confirmed they will with a Retail copy, but I have a OEM copy.

Carey Frisch above says
"You need to purchase a "Retail Version" of Windows XP if you plan on
making significant hardware changes in the future. An "OEM Version" is
cheaper because its license
is tied to the very first hardware configuration it is installed and
activated on."

But Jupiter Jones (thats got to be the coolest name ever!) says I
shouldn't have any problem.

I just dont want to buy a load of upgrades then find out I can't
re-activate. Then either have to buy another £60 OEM copy or £160 Retail
copy.

Hi, Fugwump.

Rather than listening to other users' interpretations of the rules, why
not get the story straight from the source:
Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation.mspx

The OEM rules may seem unfair when seen from the perspective of one who
has already bought an OEM copy without knowing those rules. But if you
start at the beginning of the story, it makes more sense. Major OEMs
(such as Dell or HP) buy WinXP licenses by the millions and they negotiate
special prices - and special terms - with Microsoft. Among other things,
each OEM is allowed to customize WinXP to fit that company's specific
hardware. Since Microsoft can't control these changes, the OEM is required
to assume the responsibility to support this customized version. Also,
since there's no way that either the OEM or Microsoft can be sure that the
customized WinXP will run properly (or at all) on different hardware, the
OEM agreement specifies that the WinXP license for that copy is limited to
the specific computer on which it is pre-installed. Any customer who buys
that computer gets the license to run that copy of WinXP on that one
computer, but cannot move it to any other computer. Ever. And any later
buyer of that hardware as a used computer is bound by the same license
agreement.

Smaller OEMs don't have Dell's bargaining power, but they still need to
buy WinXP to pre-install on the computers they assemble and sell.
Microsoft produces a "generic" OEM version of WinXP which computer dealers
can incorporate into their products. This generic OEM is not as highly
customized, but the dealer must agree to terms that restrict each copy to
the computer on which it is pre-installed. The consumer buys the bundle
subject to this contract and cannot legally move the generic OEM WinXP to
a different computer. Ever.

The boxed copies of WinXP that you see on your computer store's shelf are
the "retail" version. Microsoft can't know in advance what kind of
computer it will be installed on. The license for that retail WinXP
allows it to be installed on any computer in the world (almost), so long
as it is installed on only a single computer at any one time. So a retail
WinXP can be removed from one computer and installed on another. And it
can be reinstalled on "the same computer" an unlimited number of times.
If it has been more than 120 days since the last prior activation, it can
be reactivated automatically over the Internet, even on a different
computer.

That leaves the problem of defining "the same computer". Without getting
into the details, it is clear that just changing the graphics card or a
hard drive or adding a USB camera does not make this a different computer.
But installing a new mobo/cpu/chipset/controller and HD in the existing
case is not much different than moving WinXP to that new hardware in a new
case; it's what's inside that counts, so this is not "the same computer",
even if it still looks the same. Even a retail WinXP will probably need
to be reactivated after such a significant change.

So the first question is: OEM or retail? You said:
but I have a OEM copy.

So it seems that, if you've changed your hardware so significantly that
your copy of WinXP no longer recognizes its environment as "the same
computer", then you will need to buy a retail copy of WinXP and start
over. The "upgrade version" is much cheaper but, unless you can show it
evidence of a qualifying product (your old Win98 CD-ROM?) when Setup asks,
you'll need the full version.

You could buy just enough hardware to allow you to buy another OEM WinXP
disc and license, I suppose, but that would simply put you back in the
same situation the next time you significantly upgrade or change your
computer.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP

Hi
Thanks for taking the time to type a long reply.

In the newsgroup "microsoft.public.windowsxp" someone by the name of "Black
Shuck" wrote on "10/02/2005 23:33" (this newsgroup doesn't seem to be
carried on google so can't link to it)

"Am having problems with regularly having to re-activate my copy of XP.
It's very annoying...

Let me explain. I own a legitimate copy of XP Pro OEM, and I recently
upgraded my system, with a new motherboard, HDD and memory. (the old
parts were passed on to a relative). Upon reinstalling windows, I was
asked to re-activate, which I expected, however it told me I could not
activate it, as it had already been activated. I had not transferred
the licence with my old parts, so I still had a valid XP Pro licence. So
I phoned the helpline number, they generated a new installation ID, and
provided the code. All was good again..."

What he seems to be saying is he owns a copy of XP Pro OEM and upgraded his
system significantly, a new motherboard, HDD and memory. This especially if
his MAC address, i.e an inbuilt NIC caused him to need to re-activate. But
he goes on to say that he phoned the helpline and they generated a new ID.

Either he was lucky, or you can significantly upgrade hardware if you have a
standard OEM instead of a SLP OEM. Mine is a standard OEM. Probably just
lucky though!

BTW he goes on to say he has trouble when he installs new memory, it keeps
asking him to re-activate.

I read my EULA when I re-installed a few hours ago, but couldn't make much
out from the legal mumbo jumbo!

Something interesting I noticed. Theres a program called XPInfo that I
checked before I re-installed. A checkbox was unchecked for "CD-ROM drive".
I haven't changed my DVD-Writer since I first activated about August last
year, I figured this must be due to me upgrading the firmware on it about a
month ago.

I re-installed a few hours ago and activated through the net fine. Now when
I check XPInfo my CD-Rom check box is checked meaning it is now using my
current profile with the firmware upgrade because its been over 120 days.

So when's longhorn coming out? Is the activation process going to be any
different? I may just stick with what I got and upgrade minor parts until
then.

Thanks
Mike

Hi, Mike.

I really should have given you this reference in my first message. MVP Alex
Nichol has dug into WPA (Windows Product Activation) more deeply than I ever
expect to. This article was written over a year ago, so it refers
specifically to SP1, but I believe it is still current.

Windows Product Activation (WPA) on Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.php

So when's longhorn coming out? Is the activation process going to be any
different?

Your guess is as good as mine. I've installed the pre-alpha version of
Longhorn from MSDN (Build 4074), but that was nearly a year ago and I've not
looked at it recently. You can read the news as well as I can. You might
want to have a look at this MS newsgroup:
microsoft.public.windows.developer.winfx.general, which is one of several
for the discussion of the forthcoming Longhorn. Or just Google for Longhorn
and get over 2 million hits! My understanding (based on very little) is
that the first beta might appear this year, but don't quote me.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP

"Fugwump" wrote in message
...
Hi, Fugwump.

Rather than listening to other users' interpretations of the rules, why
not get the story straight from the source:
Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation.mspx

The OEM rules may seem unfair when seen from the perspective of one who
has already bought an OEM copy without knowing those rules. But if you
start at the beginning of the story, it makes more sense. Major OEMs
(such as Dell or HP) buy WinXP licenses by the millions and they
negotiate special prices - and special terms - with Microsoft. Among
other things, each OEM is allowed to customize WinXP to fit that
company's specific hardware. Since Microsoft can't control these changes,
the OEM is required to assume the responsibility to support this
customized version. Also, since there's no way that either the OEM or
Microsoft can be sure that the customized WinXP will run properly (or at
all) on different hardware, the OEM agreement specifies that the WinXP
license for that copy is limited to the specific computer on which it is
pre-installed. Any customer who buys that computer gets the license to
run that copy of WinXP on that one computer, but cannot move it to any
other computer. Ever. And any later buyer of that hardware as a used
computer is bound by the same license agreement.

Smaller OEMs don't have Dell's bargaining power, but they still need to
buy WinXP to pre-install on the computers they assemble and sell.
Microsoft produces a "generic" OEM version of WinXP which computer
dealers can incorporate into their products. This generic OEM is not as
highly customized, but the dealer must agree to terms that restrict each
copy to the computer on which it is pre-installed. The consumer buys the
bundle subject to this contract and cannot legally move the generic OEM
WinXP to a different computer. Ever.

The boxed copies of WinXP that you see on your computer store's shelf are
the "retail" version. Microsoft can't know in advance what kind of
computer it will be installed on. The license for that retail WinXP
allows it to be installed on any computer in the world (almost), so long
as it is installed on only a single computer at any one time. So a
retail WinXP can be removed from one computer and installed on another.
And it can be reinstalled on "the same computer" an unlimited number of
times. If it has been more than 120 days since the last prior activation,
it can be reactivated automatically over the Internet, even on a
different computer.

That leaves the problem of defining "the same computer". Without getting
into the details, it is clear that just changing the graphics card or a
hard drive or adding a USB camera does not make this a different
computer. But installing a new mobo/cpu/chipset/controller and HD in the
existing case is not much different than moving WinXP to that new
hardware in a new case; it's what's inside that counts, so this is not
"the same computer", even if it still looks the same. Even a retail
WinXP will probably need to be reactivated after such a significant
change.

So the first question is: OEM or retail? You said:
but I have a OEM copy.

So it seems that, if you've changed your hardware so significantly that
your copy of WinXP no longer recognizes its environment as "the same
computer", then you will need to buy a retail copy of WinXP and start
over. The "upgrade version" is much cheaper but, unless you can show it
evidence of a qualifying product (your old Win98 CD-ROM?) when Setup
asks, you'll need the full version.

You could buy just enough hardware to allow you to buy another OEM WinXP
disc and license, I suppose, but that would simply put you back in the
same situation the next time you significantly upgrade or change your
computer.

RC

Hi
Thanks for taking the time to type a long reply.

In the newsgroup "microsoft.public.windowsxp" someone by the name of
"Black Shuck" wrote on "10/02/2005 23:33" (this newsgroup doesn't seem to
be carried on google so can't link to it)

"Am having problems with regularly having to re-activate my copy of XP.
It's very annoying...

Let me explain. I own a legitimate copy of XP Pro OEM, and I recently
upgraded my system, with a new motherboard, HDD and memory. (the old
parts were passed on to a relative). Upon reinstalling windows, I was
asked to re-activate, which I expected, however it told me I could not
activate it, as it had already been activated. I had not transferred
the licence with my old parts, so I still had a valid XP Pro licence. So
I phoned the helpline number, they generated a new installation ID, and
provided the code. All was good again..."

What he seems to be saying is he owns a copy of XP Pro OEM and upgraded
his system significantly, a new motherboard, HDD and memory. This
especially if his MAC address, i.e an inbuilt NIC caused him to need to
re-activate. But he goes on to say that he phoned the helpline and they
generated a new ID.

Either he was lucky, or you can significantly upgrade hardware if you have
a standard OEM instead of a SLP OEM. Mine is a standard OEM. Probably
just lucky though!

BTW he goes on to say he has trouble when he installs new memory, it keeps
asking him to re-activate.

I read my EULA when I re-installed a few hours ago, but couldn't make much
out from the legal mumbo jumbo!

Something interesting I noticed. Theres a program called XPInfo that I
checked before I re-installed. A checkbox was unchecked for "CD-ROM
drive". I haven't changed my DVD-Writer since I first activated about
August last year, I figured this must be due to me upgrading the firmware
on it about a month ago.

I re-installed a few hours ago and activated through the net fine. Now
when I check XPInfo my CD-Rom check box is checked meaning it is now using
my current profile with the firmware upgrade because its been over 120
days.

So when's longhorn coming out? Is the activation process going to be any
different? I may just stick with what I got and upgrade minor parts until
then.

Thanks
Mike

His was a typical experience. Many people can call MS and explain their
situation and MS Phone Support people will provide a activation key that
will let the user regain their system. That doesn't change the fact that
the OEM license isn't valid any more, it just means that there are some
nice people at MS that are willing to cut an honest person a break.

Ahh I see. Do you know how an activation key works? Why do you think that
just changing his memory made him need to re-activate after he had rang up
tech support and got a activation key?

Yes, I do understand activation and the method used to compute if
activation is needed again - do you?

Well, I sort of do. Its the activation key I had never heard of before, but
read a post on google and think I undertand it now.

Based on the number of changes and some magic hash value a reactivation
may be needed - it's on the MS site if you care to look.

Just changing the memory would not require re-activation in most cases,
but the OP had change many things, not just the RAM.

Yeah he did, but he got that all sorted by calling them up. Then he just
changed the memory and needed to reactivate. Anyway doesn't matter anymore,
I only really want to get a new graphics card so I can play/try out World of
Warcraft mainly, and other current games. Got a FX5200 now!

Here is a good explanation:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"Fugwump" wrote in message
...

Yes, I do understand activation and the method used to compute if
activation is needed again - do you?

Well, I sort of do. Its the activation key I had never heard of before,
but read a post on google and think I undertand it now.

Based on the number of changes and some magic hash value a reactivation
may be needed - it's on the MS site if you care to look.

Just changing the memory would not require re-activation in most cases,
but the OP had change many things, not just the RAM.

Yeah he did, but he got that all sorted by calling them up. Then he just
changed the memory and needed to reactivate. Anyway doesn't matter
anymore, I only really want to get a new graphics card so I can play/try
out World of Warcraft mainly, and other current games. Got a FX5200 now!