once installed..

no, your operating system (windows) is stored on your hard drive which is connected to the motherboard.

You will probably have to reinstall windows though because your new motherboard will almost certainly use a different ide/sata controller than your old one did.
 
Before you remove your old motherboard put in the driver cd that comes with your new one and install the chipset drivers. This wont gurantee it will work but it's your best chance. If it doesn't work, you'll need a windows CD. Your windows CD key should be on a sticker on your case so you just need a CD, you've already paid for windows.
 
Cromewell said:
Before you remove your old motherboard put in the driver cd that comes with your new one and install the chipset drivers. This wont gurantee it will work but it's your best chance. If it doesn't work, you'll need a windows CD. Your windows CD key should be on a sticker on your case so you just need a CD, you've already paid for windows.
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that key will most likly not work with another copy of windows unless you get an oem copy but even then it might not.
 
It should be fine as long as you don't use it on more than 1 system at a time. If the activation invalidates it a simple call to MS fixes it, I've had to do it enough times now (every mobo change).
 
psych0fish said:
that key will most likly not work with another copy of windows unless you get an oem copy but even then it might not.
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Hmm I think it would work as long as you obtain a Windows CD that matches the Windows version you had. I.e. It wont work if you had XP Home but then borrowed a XP Pro edition, if this did work then people would just be buying the XP home licences and borrowing someone else’s PRO CD.
 
J_D said:
Hmm I think it would work as long as you obtain a Windows CD that matches the Windows version you had. I.e. It wont work if you had XP Home but then borrowed a XP Pro edition, if this did work then people would just be buying the XP home licences and borrowing someone else’s PRO CD.
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This is not true because there are differnt versions of home and pro.

For home there are: OEM, Retail, and Upgrad, maybe more but I foget. Each of these versions have their own key and an oem key will not work with a retail and vica versa.
 
psych0fish said:
This is not true because there are differnt versions of home and pro.

For home there are: OEM, Retail, and Upgrad, maybe more but I foget. Each of these versions have their own key and an oem key will not work with a retail and vica versa.
Click to expand...

Ahh this is true :o
 
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