Windows XP points system ?

[TamiyaCowboy]

hi everyone.

i am unsure about this points system. i have heard if i can match my mobos chipset etc etc with another different make mobo i can use my old mobos discs too reload XP without the need too buy a new OEM is this true or a old house wifes tale?

if this is true how do i go about finding a suitable mobo with the same componantes as my old board. i dont want too have too re-install windows or buy a new OEM and have too start all over again. some things i have installed (adsl) i dont have/lost the drivers/original discs, so this points system sound like my way around the problem.

[Fibbles]

Do you mean that if you buy a board that has the same chipset or even another board of the same make/model, that you would be able to swap them and now have to reinstall Windows? If yeah, then that will work, sometimes. A friend of mine does it with her PC all the time and um, has issues and decided that it can be better to live with it than fix by having to reinstall XP.

What are these XP points you speak of? I don't recall hearing about them :huh:

If you're using an Intel 945P chipset, you will want to make sure the next board uses the same chipset and has, more-or-less, the same features found on yours. Even so, sometimes they don't play nice, sometimes they do.

If you have an OEM disk of Windows XP, you can use that to reinstall Windows, you don't need to buy a new disk for a new computer/motherboard. When I build my mom a new computer out of her old Dell, I used the XP CD that came with the Dell. No problems there.

[fivecheebs]

That Emachines mobo was a Sis chipset wasnt it?

I think you should bite the bullet, and go for a format. In the long run it would be so much simpler.

Go through your device manager and d/l the latest drivers for everything (except the motherboard of course) burn them to a CD and you will be all set for an easy reinstall. You will need to call your isp and ask them to send you your username and p/w for your ADSL connection though.

[TamiyaCowboy]

That Emachines mobo was a Sis chipset wasnt it?
.

no im not sure here is what the booklet says for the motherboard

Intel P4 in a mPGA 478 pin package
two dimm sockets
two built in enhanced IDE controlers
Intel 82845G graphics memory controler hub (GMCH)
Intel 82801DB I/O controler hub (ICH4)
SMSC LPC47M192 super I/O controler.

[fivecheebs]

OK, i might be worng here as i dont know an awful lot about intel chipsets...

It looks like you have the Intel 845 with onbiard graphics. I just had a quick browse at ebuyer, and there arent many motherboards avaliable for socket 478, the ones that are are Intel 848 chipsets (i think these are compatible with the 800fsb CPUs too). Someone else is better suited to directing you to a specific make/model.

[Fibbles]

It was an Intel 845 chipset board: Intel 82845G.

You should bite the bullet allright, go for an Intel 865 chipset so you'll have access to dual channel memory. Heck TC, you could wait for Intel to release the 965 chipset and buy the cheapest Conroe in a few months. It's not too expensive if you only buy a single 512mb stick of DDR2 to start. If you wetn for another, try to get the exact same thing if possible.

The lowest Conroe is at 1.6ghz or 1.8ghz, but it's generations ahead of the 478 P4, so don't let the low speed fool you. Or you could go to socket 754 (yes 754 - cheap, but still very viable)AMD64 or Sempron with a new CPU and an nVidia 6100 based board with its onboard graphics to use to get started.

I know you say that you can only buy what you can afford, but that's how 98% of us are - we buy what we can afford. Not many of us have uber high end rigs and can keep buying high end when a new upgrade cycle comes.

[Pug]

:huh: Points system?

Perhaps you're referring to the number of hardware components you can change before Windows sees it as a new PC... I think it's five, isn't it?


If you really want to give it a shot, read this guide to Swapping your motherboard without so much as a reinstall (http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/77909774/m/1400925745). :magic:
It's easy when you know how. ;-)


I'm not sure how many 'points' you'll rack up doing this change but the chipset & IDE drivers are a must.
It'd be nice if they treat the motherboard as one component but if they factor in the sum of its parts, you may be stuffed.
Phone MS support and ask them, maybe - I'll be interested to see what they say.

[Fibbles]

^^ On my last last re-install, I had to call MS to get my key activated because I had run out of activations. Since then, if I change or add a component, I don't seem to have to do that.

Nevermind, I'm confusing myself (easy to do) ... These points mean that if I were to change 5 things I'd have to re-activate? :huh:

[Pug]

Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Product Activation (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=302878) (<- Link)


How does MPA identify the computer's hardware?

MPA detects the hardware configuration for the computer where the product is being installed, and then MPA creates a hardware hash value for that configuration. A hash is a value that is mathematically derived from another value. In this case, the hash is derived from the hardware configuration values. MPA does not scan the customer's hard disk, detect any personal information, or determine the make, model, or manufacturer of the computer or of its components. MPA uses hash values because of respect for users' privacy. A hash value cannot be backward-calculated to determine the original value. Additionally, Microsoft only uses a part of the original hash values. These hash values are combined to form the hardware hash.

Can I change or upgrade my hardware components?

MPA can tolerate some change in hardware components by allowing a degree of difference between the current hash value and the hash value that was originally activated. Users can change hardware components without having to reactivate the product. If users make substantial changes to their hardware components, even over long periods of time, they may have to reactivate the product. In that case, users may have to contact a Microsoft customer service representative by telephone to reactivate.

How does MPA determine tolerance? How many components of the computer can I change before I have to reactivate?

Common changes to hardware, such as upgrading a video card, adding a second hard disk, adding RAM, or upgrading a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, do not require reactivation.

Specifically, MPA determines tolerance by using a point system. Ten hardware characteristics are used to create the hardware hash. Each characteristic is equal to one point, except the network card, which is equal to three points. Tolerance is determined by what has not changed, instead of what has changed. If the current hardware hash is compared to the original hardware hash, there have to be seven or more matching points for the two hardware hashes to be considered in tolerance. For example, if the network card, which is equal to three points, remains the same, only four additional points have to match. If the network card has been changed, a total of seven points have to match. If the device is a portable computer (specifically a dockable device), additional tolerance is allotted and only four matching points are required. Therefore, if the device is dockable and the network card has not changed, only one additional point has to be the same, for a total of four points. If the device is dockable and the network card has changed, a total of four points have to match.

Are the changes cumulative? If I change one component today, and then change one component tomorrow, is that considered two component changes?

The changes are cumulative; however, if a user is asked to reactivate, the hardware profile is reset to the new configuration.

What are the 10 hardware characteristics that are used to determine the hardware hash?

The following 10 hardware characteristics are used to determine the hardware hash:
Display adapter
SCSI adapter
IDE adapter
Network adapter media access control address
RAM amount range ( for example, 0-64MB or 64-128MB )
Processor type
Processor serial number
Hard disk device
Hard disk volume serial number
CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive

Processor serial numbers are commonly turned off by default and I don't see a motherboard in that list (just IDE adaptor) but should make it a bit clearer. :thumb:
The network adaptor side of it is a bit convoluted though... and I still don't see confirmation of it being five (seems more like seven or ten but I need to re-read it with a clearer head.

[TamiyaCowboy]

Thats the exact thing i was trying too explain. i have been told you need atleast 7 points i have

network addaptor (connex) that means 3 points
cd/dvd rom i still have the original.
HDD things will be same so no change there
prossesor things wont change either as keeping same CPU.

worth an extar dep dig into me thinks. Pug thank you for finding this fella its made me smile a little knowing i may beable too cheat the bigwigs (microsoft) alittle. but i am also sourcing as much original drivers apps programs i have just incase its a whole new mobo and OS, i been looking at linux as a substitute too XP

[Reitau]

The pre-activated OEM copy of XP from emachines uses a different code than that found on the side of the case.

You can swap the whole PC round and when it asks you to activate, use the code on the case.

Works 100% of the time with pre-activated systems (HP, Pack Bell, Compaq, eMachines, etc)

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

i been looking at linux as a substitute too XP

I would be interested in hearing your findings on that. :thumb:

[Pug]

You're welcome, TC.

The pre-activated OEM copy of XP from emachines uses a different code than that found on the side of the case.

You can swap the whole PC round and when it asks you to activate, use the code on the case.

Works 100% of the time with pre-activated systems (HP, Pack Bell, Compaq, eMachines, etc)

Really, Alex?
I thought they'd use the OOBE approach and let the customer key it in.
Surely the customer needs to agree to the EULA? :unsure:

(can you tell, I've never bought an eMachine?)