Posted by guv on 10/04/06 21:22

On Wed, 4 Oct 2006 22:12:55 +0100, Colin Wilson <void@btinternet.com>
wrote:

>> This leaves me scratching my head about what to do though. I can't see me
>> replacing capacitors. ...Think I might rebuild with new board + case + psu.
>> Anyone know if I'll have problems re-Activating Windows XP after replacing
>> the motherboard? ...or does that constitute an installation on a new pc or
>> something?
>
>If you're still on a legit copy as purchased with the PC then afaik you
>can legally transfer it to new hardware - but the M$ licence conditions
>are vague on this point (it was discussed about 8 months ago over at
>theregister.co.uk IIRC).
>
>I think you'd have a strong case under UK law that you bought the
>product without being told that you were not able to use it on
>replacement hardware as it would form an unfair condition of sale.
>
>On a more practical level, if you're still on a legit copy, even if you
>do get warnings that you need to activate it, a quick call should
>resolve the issue as soon as you mention the hardware failed. One issue
>you may have problems with is getting it to install / boot correctly
>with the old drivers in place... i've never had to do it, but I believe
>a clean install of XP is the "better" way to do it.
>
>If you're not on a legit copy, can I suggest the Corporate XP SP2, and
>when it comes to updating it:
>
>- always do them manually
>- never allow WGA updates to be installed
>- do not update windows media player
>- do not update newer versions of M$ Orifice (as the WGA checker is
> built into it)

Indeed, one of my PCs (with a dodgy copy of XP) got done on the newest
Windows Genuine Validation update. I thought I'd be clever and use
another XP machine SN I have that hasnt been registered, but that
knackered things - and reset the 30 day validation!

I tried all the resets and cracks I knew off (but because I had
inserted a new SN, they all failed) and eventually had to call them
with a couple of days left. They were fine and just gave me a new
authority code and everything is now hunky dory.

Its quite funny really. Ever go into PC world and see the XP
certificate on the PCs? Since they are not (yet) registered, anyone of
those would work I woud think. I havent tried this (The PC I
mentioned was a machine throwaway from work - and I know it wasnt
registered), but with that in mind (and the fact you dont give any
personal details) its bound to work. Not that I am advocating
defrauding M$ of course! ;-)

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