I ask since I'm investigating upgrade options and I get contradictory information about this. Now got a S939 AGP mb and replacing it seems the best option. But I have been told that this would mean I must buy a new Windows XP license. I also think I have read here that people has reinstalled Win on a new motherboard without any problems except a phone call for activation. Also the the reseller of my Win believes it won't be a problem. I also had to activate by phone last time since automatic activation was denied because,'This license has already been activated the maximun number of times'No mention of hardware changes to big. Really only the primary harddrive had changed a number of time (have had many hd related problems). During the phone conversation I was asked why I needed to reactivate and I told them about why automatic update failed and about my hd problems. They accepted that. Can exept the same thing if a replace the mb? Actually one reason for upgrading is the harddrive problems I still have and obviously it's the raid controller that is faulty.Asus A8V deluxeAMD 64 3200+NVIDIA 6600GT 256M DDR3 AGP2 * 160 Gb WD in raid 0

It shouldn't be a problem.

According to reports I have seen (including an MS link which confirms the following, but which I can't find now) you need a new licence if you are using an OEM version of XP, but not if you are using a full retail version.--Bryn

I used an OEM XP Pro on another Mobo (same PC) and was asked by the 'Activation person' if it was a hardware change. I explained it was the same PC, now using an updated Mobo.... I was given the new activation number. This also happened when I used Acronis to clone the O/S HDD to a new HDD and the same question was asked and activation granted. When I tried using a different XP Pro licensed copy to use in another PC, I was turned down.The activation folk keep some strange hours....I even activated a copy of FSX on Christmas day Ray

>I used an OEM XP Pro on another Mobo (same PC) and was asked>by the 'Activation person' if it was a hardware change. I>explained it was the same PC, now using an updated Mobo.... IUpdated motherboard? Did the activation person understand that you meant new motherboard or maybe he thought a new motherboard component?

>According to reports I have seen (including an MS link which>confirms the following, but which I can't find now) you need a>new licence if you are using an OEM version of XP, but not if>you are using a full retail version.>I also have heard that. But assume I don't try automatic activation but go for phone right away after reinstalling Windows on a new motherboard. How could they know what hardwarechanges has been made?

>>>Updated motherboard? Did the activation person understand that>you meant new motherboard or maybe he thought a new>motherboard component?Can't remember exactly but I know the 'have you changed hardware' question and my confirmation was enough to get a new activation code number. The times that the software activation has rejected my activation and the subsequent 'phone call to activate has usually proved successful makes me think that something within the 'send home' stuff in the O/S will confirm to MS, what I say on the 'phone.I'm retired and apart from spending time with Sim stuff, enjoy building systems for my home use which explains why I have to ring for activation as my kit is always changing. I have debated if it's better to buy the full retail version of the O/S, as I'm always swapping stuff about but I believe the same applies - you can only use on one PC. I just installed dual boot, OEM Vista HP 64-Bit/XP Pro, on one PC, using 4Gb RAM and not being aware of turning on memory remap feature in the BIOS when using 4 Gig RAM, I removed the Vista O/S and reinstalled on a new, dedicated HDD, rather than the original partitioned install (still dual boot). No problem using software to reactivate in that instance! The only reason I removed Vista was it's general slowness compared to XP but all that was due to me not having memory remap enabled. Running FSX/GenX UK, is now faster to load and smoother to fly with Vista HP 64, 4Gb RAM, E6700, MSI GTO7900@GTX, 730w Hiper.Ray

Everything you need to know on the activation terms of WindowsVista -http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061102-8140.htmlAll MS products - http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspxRay

>All MS products - >>http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx>Only info about Windows XP pro ( I have home ) here and I think it's the retail version but I have oem.

>When I tried using>a different XP Pro licensed copy to use in another PC, I was>turned down.>Do you mean that you actually tried installing Win in another computer and the made aphobe call for activation and was turned down?

My personal interpretation is:You can only install and run (with regards to a single licensed OS) your OS on ONE PC at a time. Example, If I own my XP Pro that I got through my computer science department, I can install it on my PC. If I do a complete rebuild, and install my XP copy on my entirely new system it is okay with me. I own the license for it, and according to the EULA, am running it on only one system.I'm not gonna buy a new OS every time I do a complete rebuild - forget itedit: I forgot to mention, if I have a completely new rebuild - I'm not running the same copy of XP on my old system.... the old system is gone....

>My personal interpretation is:>But is it our personal interpretation that decide what we can do? For example if I replace mb CPU memory and make a call for activation and they say no this new systems fingerprint does not match enough my opionion won't help. And I have the impression that this could happen.>You can only install and run (with regards to a single>licensed OS) your OS on ONE PC at a time. >Yes but in addition to that an oem version is clearly stated to be bound to a particular system.>I'm not gonna buy a new OS every time I do a complete rebuild>- forget it>Neither would I like to therefore the question is so important to me.The answer would have a very profound impact on what kind of upgrade I should invest in.>edit: I forgot to mention, if I have a completely new rebuild>- I'm not running the same copy of XP on my old system.... >the old system is gone....So you have also reinstalled an oem win on a new mb and have it granted by the MS activation person ?

I moved my XP hard drive from a Dell to my new scratch built system two weeks ago. It required an activation code. I called, talked to a guy in India, explained that I simply installed the drive in a new box and that XP was installed on only one computer. He gave me the code and it fired up fine.

>I moved my XP hard drive from a Dell to my new scratch built>system two weeks ago. It required an activation code. I>called, talked to a guy in India, explained that I simply>installed the drive in a new box and that XP was installed on>only one computer. He gave me the code and it fired up fine.Was that an OEM license?

Everything I have heard is MS is very lenient with allowing hardware mods for OEM WinXP. No indication yet (or maybe I haven't dug enough) on whether or not Vista would be as generous. I'm considering going with the OEM Vista business x86 for my FSX box.scott s..