Upgrading comp, what to do after parts are installed?

[nannerla]

I am upgrading my comp with a new gfx card, mobo, processor, power supply and RAM. After I install all the new parts will i be able to just boot the pc and install new drivers for the parts or will I have to reinstall windows? If so can i just call MS and get a new disc because i lost mine?If I cant get a new disc could i just install a pirate copy or something because i have my serial but no disc so i don't think i should have to buy another?

 

[pscowboy]

You can "borrow" anybody's XP, then do a Repair install. When it comes time to give the key, use yours. Probably better to borrow the same flavor XP you have. Get your friend to burn you a bootable copy of his XP. Google this for articles to refer to on the techniques.

You will be looking for the Repair option AFTER the eula, F8 screen. DO NOT SELECT THE FIRST INSTANCE OF R.

Install any new drivers you think have to be done. (XP doesn't do a bad job of taking care of drivers.) After that, you will have to re-apply all patches.

When everything seems to be running okay, it's probably a good idea to remove all the, now unused, Device Drivers.

Right-click My Computer - Properties - Advanced - Environment Variables.

Click 'New' below System Variables and type:
devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices (in Variable Name) and 1 (in Variable Value)

Click OK twice. Click Hardware - Device Manager - View - Show Hidden Devices.

Expand all the branches, and look for washed-out icons; right-click and uninstall. MAKE SURE IT'S A DRIVER YOU REALLY DON'T NEED. Be careful of deleting drivers for unconnected devices. You still need those.

 

[nannerla]

ok ive got 1 problem with that though like 2 years ago our computer crashed and died and the repair guy installed a new mobo and processor and ram and installed xp pro on it. IDK if its a legal copy or illegal or if its oem. but I cant do updates so im thinking its illegal. Now another problem the copy i own is a compaq oem so can i use any type of home install and also can i repair from pro to home or do i jsut do a new install after I backup all the important files?

 

[blaumer]

If your key is for OEM, then according to M$ you need to buy a new copy. An OEM licence is licenced for the pc it is purchased with. Will all the hardware that is changing, you really should perform a new install of windows. If you reinstall windows, and reactivate you would then have to call MS and speak to a rep. All they will ask you is if you are trying to install this on more than 1 pc (if you are retiring the old hardware you would answer no) and they will give you the activation code. If you are using a retail code (meaning that you bought a full version retail package) you will probably activate just fine.

If your code is for XP Home, you need an XP Home CD. You will also need to know if your code is OEM or not as that makes a difference also.

The easiest way to tell if you are using an OEM vs Retail is to look at what your code is printed on. If it is in a sticker that was attached to the pc, it is an OEM version. (They have been requiring OEMs to do that since Win 2000) If it is on a book that came with it is probably Retail.

 

[nannerla]

I know what microsofts policy is but they said that it didnt apply to motherboards that died and thats what happened to the motherboard this license was installed on well it happened 2 or 3 years ago but it happened.