Will Microsoft Activate XP Again If I Do A Fresh Install?

I just purchased a new motherboard. So I want put all of my current pc equipment over to it [i.e: hard drives, ram, etc]. I purchased Windows Xp years ago. A few years back in maybe 2006... Well I wanted to know if Microsoft will give me an activation code to unlock XP when I do a fresh install of it [when I change the motherboards].

I mean it's 2009 so I have no idea if they'll say "No we won't let you use XP anymore, we let you use it long enough", or "We don't support or sell XP anymore so we don't provide activation keys for it anymore, so get Vista". I'm just assuming here...

I always call them because when you do a fresh install the operating system asks you to do so and give them the code you have, so they can than unlock XP with the code they'll give you.


Well thanks for the replies!

:wave

 

Hello,

This depends on whether or not you have the OEM or retail version of XP. Microsoft are still providing activation keys for XP, but if you have the OEM version then the version will be locked to the motherboard. If you have the retail version, Microsoft will transfer the licence if you can prove that you do not have XP on the old computer.

 

I've had to call them a couple of times for similar reasons, there was no problem.

As well as the OEM/retail issue you need to establish whether you can get XP motherboard drivers for this new mobo before going much further - sound, graphics, LAN etc.