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xyzyxx
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10 Feb 2008, 5:11 pm

I'm thinking about gutting my current rig and completely rebuilding it. I'll use the same hard drive, same mouse, keyboard, monitor, case, etc. But I will probably replace the motherboard, CPU, memory, video card, etc.

Will I be able to use the same copy of Windows XP and Microsoft Office that I bought for this computer?



iceb
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10 Feb 2008, 5:17 pm

Yes
You will probably be asked to activate windows again.


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xyzyxx
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10 Feb 2008, 5:21 pm

And windows won't get mad at me saying this copy of windows was "already activated on a different computer" ?



lau
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10 Feb 2008, 5:59 pm

It might do. The worst that will happen is that you will have to call their voice line. Probably not, though.


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viska
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10 Feb 2008, 6:16 pm

No, you won't be able to use it.

Microsoft's Licensing FAQ

http://download.microsoft.com/download/ ... SLicQA.doc

Quote:
11. Rather than purchase completely new PCs, my organization performs in-place upgrades to the hardware on many of our computers. We often times only replace the motherboard, processor, and memory. Since the COA is still on the case and the OS is still installed on the hard drive, this computer is still licensed, right?

ANSWER. Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your computer and maintain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer." Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from one computer to another. Therefore, if the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect then a new computer has been created, the original license expires, and a new full operating system license (not upgrade) is required. This is true even if the computer is covered under Software Assurance or other Volume License programs



Fuzzy
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10 Feb 2008, 10:14 pm

You'll get a certain number of activations before you have to phone their hotline and appeal in person. 3 for sure.



xyzyxx
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10 Feb 2008, 11:39 pm

Damn. My copy of Windows XP is an OEM version. Maybe I'm screwed.



lau
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10 Feb 2008, 11:51 pm

You can always use Ubuntu, and install XP under VirtualBox, which for some reason requires no activation. I think it gets confused.


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viska
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11 Feb 2008, 12:00 am

lau wrote:
You can always use Ubuntu, and install XP under VirtualBox, which for some reason requires no activation. I think it gets confused.


Are you sure you're not installing a copy of XP that was registered under a site wide license? That's what it sounds like. These are installations+keys that require no activation, no matter how it's installed. Often used at universities. :)



lau
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11 Feb 2008, 12:26 am

Yes.


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viska
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11 Feb 2008, 12:34 am

Weird.. that sounds like a pretty big hole. It seems strange that it hasn't been fixed.



Fayed
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12 Feb 2008, 2:51 pm

IIRC you get 4 activations before you have to do the call in.