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Originally Posted by [-0MEGA-]
Ok dude. You are not right.
You are talking about the OEM versions that come with pre-built PC's such as Dell's, HP's, Acer's, etc. The OEM versions that you buy from places such as Newegg or Tiger Direct are OEM, but they are direct from Microsoft. Meaning that it's directly from Microsoft but only with the disc, none of the fancy packaging or extensive documentation.
You can install either the Retail or OEM versions of Windows XP on any computer you wish, regardless of motherboard manufacturer. However legally, you can only use it on one PC at a time. If you sell the PC or do major upgrades, you can re-install Windows on that machine, it does not "attach itself" to the motherboard brand you had before. You simply call up Microsoft, tell them the story, and they will give you a new activation key.
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I have had both OEM and full retail versions of XP and have NEVER had any trouble installing them on my machines over and over again after mobo changes,hard drive changes, etc etc. The worst thing that happens is either it will ask me to re-activate my version within 3 days(due to hardware change) or iget the "please contact microsoft" message with phone number.
Whenever i ring they didn't even question my mobo change(which aparrently they only approve if faulty) and gave me a new code.
M$ are only REALLY concerned with piracy and as long as you can prove to their satisfaction you aint installing one copy on loads of machines or something silly, then they will usually help you all they can.
XP is XP(with the obvious difference of home/professional) and as long as you only install ONE copy on any ONE machine at a time(home users) then their should be no problem.
