Changing an XP product key vs complete reinstall

[bigandy]

I've recently built a PC based on an XP Pro SP2 OEM product key which was already activated on one of my dead machines. (I had to have a machine up and running ASAP and didn't have time to go out and buy a new OS).

Now I have to activate XP within the 30 day limit, but obviously I can't because the OEM licence is registered for another machine.

My questions are ;

1. Am I correct in understanding that an OEM licence can't be transferred to a new PC, even though the old one is dead ? The new PC has a different motherboard, chip, MAC address, memory configuration etc so bears no resemblance to the new machine.

2. If I can't transfer the old licence, I have to buy a new copy of XP. Fair enough, but I'd rather avoid the pain of reinstalling XP and all the apps on top. Therefore, should I be able to use a Product Key Change utility to change the key on the new PC's OS to the product key acquired from a new OEM cd and then activate XP ok, or do I really need to reinstall the new copy of XP from scratch together with all the apps on top?

I'm just concerned that my installed XP SP2 OEM won't quite be the same version or build number as a newly purchased copy, and so the product key won't be "transplantable" ???

Many thanks

[Danno]

hello,

1. legally you can not transfer the license. Microsoft say their oem license can only be installed / used on one system.

2. i am not sure about this one. sometimes you can just change the product key and other times you need to reinstall.

[Scallyofwag]

i've used the same product key on different machines (due to changing of motherboard) and its always accepted it

[Big Beere]

Yip, same here! I've installed XP PRO SP2 OEM on 3 different machines, multiple times!

Only thing now, I have to ring up Microsoft and get a new activation key.

- But thats not a problem at all!!

BIG B 8)

[Taxation]

seeing that their call centre is in india