Question about Windows and new motherboard

About a year ago I built a new PC. I moved the HD out of my old one and put it in the new and ended up having to call Microsoft to get a new product key because Windows detected a hardware change. Would I have that same problem if I decided to upgrade the MB some day? Thanks.

Possibly yes. I believe that M$ attaches it to the motherboard.

WinXP WPA...


WinXP WPA
What hardware gets checked?

The WPA system checks ten categories of hardware:

1. Display Adapter
2. SCSI Adapter
3. IDE Adapter (effectively the motherboard)
4. Network Adapter (NIC) and its MAC Address
5. RAM Amount Range (i.e., 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc.)
6. Processor Type
7. Processor Serial Number
8. Hard Drive Device
9. Hard Drive Volume Serial Number (VSN)
10. CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM

Great link! ^^

A minor hardware change usually does not require a new activation key. A major hardware change like a motherboard or several minor changes at the same time will. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. I keep a copy of XP on hand for testing systems and I reinstall it over and over and have to make the phone call to MS. They never balk at it. I think they have largely ceased to be concerned about XP.