Win XP + changed hardware. Questions!

[altonb1]

Hi guys!

I'm debating on taking my 98se PC to XP, either home or Pro, not sure which. In any case, I currently have a Duron 750 and plan to upgrade the hardware sometime in the near future. I'm definitely interested in doing the XP upgrade sooner rather than later, but I know XP has the built-in check that will disable the OS if too many differences are found on the PC.

Are there any workarounds to this? I've performed mobo upgrades many times over the years, and the main reason I have not gone to XP already is because I don't want to have to call Microsoft everytime I change out hardware to get the OS unlocked. I have better things to do then call them everytime I upgrade a component or two.


So...are there any 3rd party patches (heh heh) that would allow me to unlock this feature in the software? my local Kmart is going out of business, and I'm about to buy the OS (they still have a copy in stock...way up on top of a shelf behind a bunch of other boxes...heh heh) that will allow me a decent deal on the OS, but I refuse to spend the money on the OS if I have to call everytime I add a new processor/mobo/etc.)

Please advise. TIA!

 

[Green Man]

The only this XP looks at is MAC address. So, unless you're planning on changing your NIC more than 5 times you have nothing to worry about. XP home doesn't support dynamic disks, so Pro is the way to go.

And YHPM

 

[sgopal2]

Activation is relatively painless. I say go for it. I just upgraded to XP Pro and love it. Activation can be done over the phone or via internet. My activation took literally 5 seconds once the install was complete.

I know there are several cracked versions of XP Pro out there (do a search on Kazaa and you'll find it easy). BUT if you use one of these versions you will screw yourself in the end.

Any updates to XP (ie service pack install or Windows update) will alert to the fact that you have a cracked version.

Just pay the money, buy the real - deal version. You really only have to activate your software if you do a major system overhaul (I presume like changing CPUs or mobo). More details here at the FAQ: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/piracy/productactivationfaq.asp


How many components of the PC must change before I am required to reactivate? Are the changes cumulative? In other words, if I change one component today and one tomorrow, is that two component changes?
Common changes to hardware such as upgrading a video card, adding a second hard disk drive, adding RAM or upgrading a CD-ROM device will not require the system to be reactivated. The changes are cumulative; however, if a user is asked to reactivate, the hardware profile is reset to that new configuration.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: SpookyFish
The only this XP looks at is MAC address. So, unless you're planning on changing your NIC more than 5 times you have nothing to worry about. XP home doesn't support dynamic disks, so Pro is the way to go. And YHPM

First off, this is wrong, they look at more than just the MAC address. Second, in most cases you won't need to call MS even if you do need to reactivate (it will just do it over the net). I've worked extensively on most of my .XP and.NET machines, I haven't needed to call MS once yet.

are there any 3rd party patches (heh heh) that would allow me to unlock this feature in the software

Don't ask that around here.

And YHPM

If it's about the above question, enjoy the vacation.

Bill

 

[Kenazo]

from my experience a new mobo will result in a new registration being needed.

 

[Green Man]

I stand corrected. I was told that product activation only hashes MAC address, but a little research on my part revealed this:

The 10 hardware characteristics used to determine the hardware hash are: Display Adapter, SCSI Adapter, IDE Adapter, Network Adapter MAC Address, RAM Amount Range (i.e. 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc), Processor Type, Processor Serial Number, Hard Drive Device, Hard Drive Volume Serial Number, CD?ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM.

Thanks for keeping me on my toes.

 

[oscoyle]

I've had xp since it came out. I had one box running xp and one running linux and decided to get rid of my kvm switch and put both systems and all of my drives in one box.This was in January. At this time I had to reactivate xp, which involves calling a microsoft supplied number and getting a new product activation number. This was really not much of a problem, maybe because I paid for my xp. I just purchased a new motherboard and added more ram and a faster processor and was able to activate over the internet--until I added the drivers for a pci ide controller card. When I rebooted I was informed to reactivate and once again I will have to aquire a new product activation code by telephone.I hope this time goes as smoothly as last time. My best advice is to put as much hardware as you can on your system before you activate.

 

[oscoyle]

Well, I just finished reactivating xp again and it really was not much of a problem. Once your limit has been reached on hardware changes you will have to telephone
microsoft and they will have you enter a 42 (i think) digit number for a new installation i.d. on your computer. It is helpful to have two phone lines or a cell phone so you can
enter the numbers as they read them to you while you are online. The first time I had to do this I wrote the numbers down and misinterpreted them. Then I had to go
through the process again. Overall, the support personel were easy to deal with and were not invasive about the changes to my computer.

 

[rbV5]

from my experience a new mobo will result in a new registration being needed

Actually, Microsoft doesn't require you to register XP at all.

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: bsobel
First off, this is wrong, they look at more than just the MAC address. Second, in most cases you won't need to call MS even if you do need to reactivate (it will just do it over the net). I've worked extensively on most of my .XP and.NET machines, I haven't needed to call MS once yet.

are there any 3rd party patches (heh heh) that would allow me to unlock this feature in the software

Don't ask that around here.

Okay, so let's be straight:

a) I already stated I was going to PURCHASE XP from a local K-Mart in my area. I'm not talking about software piracy. I was planning on having a valid license.
b) If I were to find a 3rd party patch that will modify the legally obtained software, why would that be a problem? Isn't that what numerous add-on packages due already? Packages like Winboost and various emulators do this all the time. Some are shareware/freeware; others sold via shrinkwrap. So why would that be a problem? There are many utilities out there to unlock registry settings that are normally not accessible to Joe User.

 

[bsobel]

Packages like Winboost and various emulators do this all the time. Some are shareware/freeware; others sold via shrinkwrap. So why would that be a problem? There are many utilities out there to unlock registry settings that are normally not accessible to Joe User.

Pick an answer:

a) The moderators simply won't allow the discussion, so don't try and start it.
b) Unlike 'winboost' and 'tweakui', the information you asked for is in violation of the DMCA and is illegal.
c) The information would help others, who haven't purchased a license, steal.

Bill

p.s. For reference, I'm not saying I agree with the DMCA (especially in your case where you have a legit license), I'm just pointing out what the law is today.

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Packages like Winboost and various emulators do this all the time. Some are shareware/freeware; others sold via shrinkwrap. So why would that be a problem? There are many utilities out there to unlock registry settings that are normally not accessible to Joe User.

Pick an answer: a) The moderators simply won't allow the discussion, so don't try and start it. b) Unlike 'winboost' and 'tweakui', the information you asked for is in violation of the DMCA and is illegal. c) The information would help others, who haven't purchased a license, steal. Bill p.s. For reference, I'm not saying I agree with the DMCA (especially in your case where you have a legit license), I'm just pointing out what the law is today.

Okay. I basically understood your point now that you have further explained it. After thing about it, though, I'm guessing that any mod to the software would probably have to mod the actual program files and not necessarily just a registry tweak as the other programs I had mentioned, anyway. In this circumstance, I guess I can see why it would violate the law.

I do have a few other questions, though:

What constitues a hardware change: the amount of hardware or the occurrence? In other words, and this is all hypothetical, I decide to purchase a new stick of RAM, a faster CD-Burner, a new hard drive, and an better video card. (And since this is AT, all for under $20 because I used coupons, PM, IR and MIRs.) When I add all these components into the system, is it viewed as one change or 4? Would I then have to call MS right away and have a new code unlocked?

My biggest concern with going to XP is that I frequently install/uninstall components on my system depending on what I'm doing. (For instance, I like to keep my BIOS and such updated, including the firmware on my hardware--such as my CD-RW and DVD drives) The firmware upgrades require that the device be the primary device with no other drives on the cable. Wouldn't removing and then adding that device cause XP to flag, especially when we're talking firmware? I have often seen windows re-detect a device adfter a firmware upgrade because it doesn't recognize it exactly the same way.

I'm really interested in this, because my 98se PC still runs pretty well (although now that I increased the RAM to 768MB, it is definitely not as stable when I was using 384MB, even with the tweaks. I have to reboot more often, but that's another issue). If I go to XP and then run into frequent issues with needing a new code, I'm going to be very unhappy. i just don't want to waste my time upgrading if it ends up being more of a hassle than it is worth.