Upgrading hardware in XP

[LDaveM]

I am trying to up grade a PIII 450 to a new P4 1.6 by switching the existing hard drive to the new box. XP will not start, says system error and damage may result to your system. One Tech support person said that "XP" will have to be reloaded from scratch. Is this true or is there another way to do this?
Thanks,
Dave

 

[cdogg]

If it is a true licensed version of XP, then yes. This is because it keeps a "footprint" so to speak, of major hardware components. The motherboard (BIOS), Ethernet port (NIC), etc, are all monitored by XP. I've read that you can change up to 4 major components at a time. However, you cannot change both the motherboard and NIC at the same time...

Does anyone know officially what you're allowed to do? I can barely recall from an article I read in Maximum PC months ago...

ck_blk@yahoo.com

 

[jasonwichman]

This is the deal, new motherbaord, new reload of XP. I have read SEVERAL articles on this. I have also experianced it first hand. If the model of the motherboard is the same, then you are ok. In your case you will need to reload XP. It is a "security" feature that Microsoft built in to prevent piracy. It is much easier to clone HD's then to buy more copies of XP. The only option that you have is to reload XP. Take that from a guy who has tried this several times with several different motherboards. You get the same result everytime. Jason Wichman

http://jasonwichman.ath.cx:81

ftp://jwichman.ath.cx:22

 

[cdogg]

Yeah, the MaximumPc article I read just after Xp was released tested this theory. They upgraded the following components afer XP was installed (trying all sorts of combinations):

- motherboard
- CPU
- RAM
- hard drive
- NIC
- CDRW
- Video Card

Prior to testing, they were informed from Microsoft that you could change up to 4 major components at once (excluding the motherboard). Through testing, they found that removing the NIC or motherboard caused Xp to "choke". So add the NIC card to the list with the mobo. They were able, however, to upgrade the CPU, RAM, HD, Video Card, and CDRW all at once without a problem...


ck_blk@yahoo.com

 

[LDaveM]

Ok thanks to all!!!!!
Dave

 

[jasonwichman]

cdogg,

Can you get a link to that arcticle about switching the NIC and XP choking. I personally don't buy that, because that should have nothing to do with this ordeal. I believe their "new" NIC was bad or not XP supported. I have switched NIC's with XP and know other people who have without any problem.

Please let me know if you have more info on this. Jason Wichman

http://jasonwichman.ath.cx:81

ftp://jwichman.ath.cx:22

 

[cdogg]

Jason,

It's not a web article so there's no link. I believe it was back in a July or Aug '01 issue of MaximumPC magazine. It was quoted as being a beta version of XP, so the NIC problem could have been a bug at the time.

I haven't been in the situation to test it, so sorry if it's not a problem in the retail version...

ck_blk@yahoo.com

 

[jasonwichman]

Nah, that is fine. I just wanted further info on that. I believe that that the Beta version may have had a problem, I was just wondering why I didn't see it.

Thanks for the clarifacation. Jason Wichman

http://jasonwichman.ath.cx:81

ftp://jwichman.ath.cx:22