XP Installing on new computer

I have read a lot of messages about windows XP didn`t go back to the beginning but their was one question about putting XP on another computer and than I read the info that was given for that from windows.
My question which I couldn`t find an answer to is if I made a computer after having used XP on another computer could I use the same XP on the new one. I guess you would call it upgrading but using a new tower motherboard etc .
If I use the same hard drive it would work would it not but if I got a new hard drive I would have to get new XP/
I just find it all very coinfusing.
Is it also true you can use it for thirty days without being activated so if you have it on one computer you can put it on another than if you decide you want to activate it on the latter one you can or do you have to activate it on the first one you put it on?
Thanks

 

What you are proposing can, and occasionally does work with the right preparation but is NOT RECOMMENDED.
You could move the existing HD to a new system but you would have to delete everything pertaining to the old system. In other words before removing from the old PC you would delete virtually everything from the device manager as this is all held in software on the HD, then install the HD on the new system and let windows redetect all the deleted devices and install new ones in relation to the new system such as MB drivers/hardware etc from the windows driver cache.
After this you would be recommended to update many of these drivers with newer ones from the hardware vendors such as the MB, Graphics, and Modem manufacturers.
You risk compromising system stability so you need to way up the pros and cons. Personally I reformat and start from scratch every time.
If you wanted to try this but with a new HD, then you need to transfer EVERYTHING to the new HD. A programme such as Norton Ghost 2003 will do this nicely. A simple full disk copy can work as well.

Yes I believe you do have 30 days grace to activate it, but you would need to contact Microsoft and explain that you have changed your hardware and wish to reactivate the OS on the new hardware.

 

**EDIT!**
If you Ghost or copy to a new HD you run into the problem of not being able to delete all the devices until you install the HD on the new system. I'm theorising here as I haven't tried this approach, but after installing the cloned disk in a new system, if it boots you would need to boot it straight into safe mode (F8) during the BIOS boot up, and then delete all the devices, shutdown and let Windows boot normally detecting and installing the devices as posted above.

Paul

 

The Windows XP would come with a single user licence. As long as you use it on just one computer (new one) and remove it from the other (old one) you are legally covered.

You would need to activate it on the new computer whether or not you activated it on the old one.

Ghosting your system for recovery processes is an excellent idea but the image will not work without severe problems on when the disk is placed in another computer unless the hardware specifications match EXACTLY.

It just is not worth the hassle.

 

I haven`t bought windows XP yet but was thinking if I did and I am going to upgrade my computer sometime but not right now how I would get to use the same windows XP in the upgraded one . The first thing I would upgrade would be my hard drive but I do not want to use two hard drives so that is one of the reasons I was asking the question. Another one was if I got new motherboard and all other new devices such as sound video etc could I use same windows.
My problem I guess is once I buy the windows XP can I use it forever as long as I just use it on one computer even though I may change computers or parts in computer.
When I buy new computers I build them myself so don`t get a windows with them.
I don`t mind doing the format its just that I need to know that I can always use the windows XP for myself.
I do not wish to spend any more money just to use this windows. That is the fault I have with windows XP you have to keep spending money just to use it unless I got my facts wrong.
I just re read all the replies I got and I now think that I can reformat my hard drive and than reinstall windows XP on new computer and than I must call Microsoft to have it changed to new computer . But I would also have to reinstall my previous windows than do the upgrade seems like it isn`t an easy task.
Is this the procedure. Thanks

 

Depending on exactly which XP Install you got, you should either be able to install it or, at worst, put in an install CD from an earlier version when it asks for proof you own a copy of a Microsoft OS then take it out and put the XP one back in to continue. 30 seconds or so with the old OS CD in the drive usually.

No reason you should have to load another OS first. In fact, best not to.