Posted by Gunther Gloop on 10/04/06 21:44

Colin Wilson 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.
>

Thanks Colin (and guv).
I do have a legit XP install disc. I'll probably need to ring MS, but as
long as they accept my predicament it'll hopefully go ok. 'Twould be nice to
be sure of this before going through the steps, although I'll find out soon
enough I guess.

But anyway, I don't really have time for this hardware-meddling at the
moment... I'll throw an eye towards motherboards, cases and silent PSUs over
the coming weeks, then buy online.
Chances are, at the moment it looks like it'll be December before I get to
do it properly.
In the meantime, if things deteriorate, I'll just move to the laptop for
day-to-day usage.

-Kevin.

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