-=PCTechTalk=- Re: XP married to the motherboard

DJ,
    No direct info on the mainboard is sent to MS.  Instead, XP creates a 
hash from a combination of the hardware that's in your system.  Replacing a 
mainboard with the same make/model usually causes no trouble.  If the 
mainboard aries in a significant way, you can expect to have to reactivate 
the OS.  Slighly different boards may or may not trigger reactivation (it's 
impossible to say since no one really knows exactly where the boundaries 
lie).

    Also, you must consider that some of the parts in a consumer computer 
can only be replaced with parts from the same company.  For instance, Dell 
uses a special power supply that sends out a different amount of power than 
regular power supplies.  The mainboard is one of the major recipients of 
this non- standard power.  If you try to hook up a non-Dell mainboard to 
that power supply, you may or may not experience a certain amount of smoke, 
sparks, fire, etc..  Regardless, you'll most likely burn out the new 
mainboard within seconds of turning the machine on.  I'm pretty sure that 
won't be the only casualty, either.  To be safe from this issue, only 
replace Dell parts with parts designed specifically for Dell systems.  Note 
that not all PC makers suffer from this problem.

    Another very important consideration is how the OS on the hard drive 
will react with the change.  Your present mainboard is already running 
drivers for your old mainboard.  If the new one is even slightly different 
than the last one, Windows will most likely be very confused on your first 
reboot.  In fact, Windows may not be able to boot up at all.

    Your best bet would be to replace whatever hardware needs to be replaced 
(ask here if unsure about how the second paragraph above applies to your 
system) and then install Windows from scratch.  Of course, this includes 
backing everything up beforehand.  The system recovery CD may or may not be 
tied to the original mainboard.  Even if it is, there might be a (legal) way 
around that limitation.

Peace,
GMan

"The only dumb questions are the ones we fail to ask!"

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "cajun12" <cajun12@xxxxxxx>
To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 9:16 PM
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- XP married to the motherboard


> What are the ramifications of replacing a motherboard in a manufactured =
> system such as Dell, IBM, Gateway, etc., with Windows XP if you replace =
> it with a same brand motherboard from a very similar machine by the same =
> manufacturer, but not necessarily the exact same model?  Would you have =
> to revalidate?  Would you be able to run the manufacturer's recovery =
> software from the original machine on it?  I know XP is married to an =
> OEM motherboard and divorce is not allowed, but how about an annulment?  =
> Exactly what motherboard info is recorded and uploaded to Microsoft?
>
> dj 


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