gordythegouge Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 I'm going to do a re-format of the hard drive and re-install XP Pro...my problem is........it's an OEM version (Quite Legal).. but since I purchased the PC I've upgraded from 512 Mb Ram to 1Gb, disabled the onboard sound and installed an Audigy 2 ZS Sound card, changed the CDRW to a DDRW, added a PCI USB Hub and gone from a 56 k Modem to Broadband! Am I going to encounter any problems with Microsoft when I re-activate XP or should I put the PC back to what it was before I upgraded? (Which although not a problem...would be pretty time consuming)Gordy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 When you get the instruction to register, I believe that you get a choice to do so by phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackrat Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 When you re-install you will get the option to register on line or by phone.I have an OEM version and have changed the motherboard and processor,(don't ask), and it still allowed me to register the new install with no problem. Actually I did it on-line so no phone call needed.Edit ---- forgot to use the Psullcuhker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cozofdeath Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Um arn't OEMs not required to activate? I'm pretty sure on this and registering is optional. I also think on an OEM version you can change almost any part except for the motherboard because the BIOS chip may be made by another manufacturer and that is where you preactivation is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackrat Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 OEM's are the same as the full disk and still require activation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 I've re-installed OEM XP on machines a few times - even after some quite drastic updatings. All have retained the same, or same model, motherboard. All except one have activated on line. The one I had to phone about was given a new 25 digit activation code after I explained about: 1. The new Creative soundcard replacing the onboard sound and 2. A USB wireless ADSL dongle (the previous activation had an ethernet connection).There was no difficulty in the process and the whole thing was over in less than five minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cozofdeath Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Ok, checked and there are two OEM activation methods. One seems to be like a normal retail disk and activates like a retail disk except the manufacturer activates it for you. The other uses a method known as SLP and locks the bios on the motherboard to the activation, thus not requiring any online activation and you can change any part in the pc except for the mobo. Most cases the cd is not the same because the manufacture has added certain things like a custom bootup screen, programs (antivirus, online trials), etc. But you can make a change in the installation to a certain file that will make it act like a normal install and not include that stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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