Hi Dean,
Your assumption is correct in that Windows will recognize there has been
many changes in hardware. In answer to your first question, it will boot to
the Welcome screen. Then a "Windows Product Activation" screen will appear
telling you in 'so many words' what you already know and that Windows must
be reactivated within 3 days. It also asks if you want to reactivate it now.
"No", I think, is the logical answer as this gives you 3 days to evaluate
the new setup. By selecting "No", Windows continues the boot process to the
Desktop and at this point you can expect to start seeing the "Found New
Hardware Wizards" appear.
Multiple activation's is not a problem, even to the point of it requiring
you to call them to explain the situation. However, the OEM license is
another question. But, the way I read what you said, for all practical
purposes the "old" computer would be dismantled once the new one is
assembled. I went through a similar situation where, in the end, the
original computer was sold with another operating system on it and Microsoft
had no problem with that. I suggest you give it a try. It's been my
experience that they will listen.
As for your second question, you can perform a XP Pro to a XP Pro upgrade as
long as the version on the CD is equal to, or higher than, the installed
version. For example, a CD that only has XP or Service Pack 1 cannot be used
to upgrade an installation that has Service Pack 2 installed. I haven't
attempted this with a XP Upgrade version but I would think it would work in
the same manner.
Sven Swanson, Sr.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dean Kukral" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 1:54 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] New Computer Operating System
I am going to "Upgrade" my computer, which means, a new mb, processor, disk
drive, memory, and video
card. I will use my old case and power supply, and, maybe, some of the old
hard drives. As well as the
external stuff, of course. I have a bunch of licensed software that I want
to use on the new computer.
I can use Acronis True Image to make a copy of my current disk on the new
disk.
The problem is the operating system. I am going on the assumption that XP
is smart enough to know that
this is an all-new computer, i.e. too many "points" of change, and will not
let my original oem version
of XP Pro proceed.
Question #1: What will happen if this happens? Will it boot but not run or
what?
Question #2: Suppose I buy a new copy of XP Pro, can I install it over the
old XP Pro? If so, can I use
an Upgrade version to upgrade XP Pro to XP Pro?
(The advantage of the Upgrade version is that it should be legally
tranferable to a new system if I
choose, whereas the oem version may not be - at least that is the conclusion
I came to when we had this
discussion some months ago. If the oem version were transferable, then I
would not be having this
problem. However, since Vista is coming out, it is unlikely that I will be
doing such a transfer.)
I may well build a "new" computer using the old stuff, so I don't mind
buying a new copy of XP. The old
XP can be used on the new computer. The issue is my upgrade. I would much
prefer a clean install, but I
have a half-dozen pieces of software that would be a hassle to get
reauthorized. I may end up doing a
clean install anyway, especially if the answers to the questions above prove
discouraging.
Dean Kukral
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