XP and Motherboard compatibility question

[CerebralAssassin]

Hello,

I have a 1.5GHz P4 workstation running Win XP. The integrated NIC and sound have stopped working and there are some other miscellaneous problems that I believe are related to the motherboard.

Anywhoo, my question is, if I buy a different motherboard, how will it affect the product activation process?

I know that the activation looks primarily at the processor ID, but I wasn't sure if changing the motherboard would cause Windows to refuse to work.

Thanks in advance
Nathan

 

[Stormfalcon]

It will, but luckily, it's pretty painless (particularly if you're on a broadband connection). It'll simply give you a few options for reactivation (same as when you first get or build your system), and once you've done so, that's that. I had to do it recently when I had to replace my own motherboard and CPU.

Usually, it'll only go through the reactivation if you replace a certain number of items (CPU, HD, motherboard, etc.), but I guess with all the integrated components on a motherboard these days, they'll trigger it since they're being replaced all-at-once.

 

[CerebralAssassin]

OK, thanks for the help.