Licensnig issues migrating WinXP to new machine?

[oboe]

Considering building a new machine and since I build so infrequently I haven't had to deal with this issue yet, but will I run into licensing problems when I try to migrate WinXP Media Center edition from my old computer to the new build?

Seems I heard there is some kind of protection scheme related to the internal harddrive ID or something like that.   What do you do to get around it?

Also, I see Microsoft charges for both email and phone support now.   That sucks.

I have always ordered from Mwave in the past and have them do a partial build and system test, then I add the rest of the components myself.    I see CyberpowerPC has some good prices but the some of the customer satisfaction feedback I've seen posted has me leery of them.

[eagl]

How much of a hassle you get from MS may depend on the winXP license you have.  If it is an OEM license, they have the "right" to tell you tough luck, buy a new license, since the OEM license usually says something like you can only use that license on the exact same computer you originally used it on.  The other licenses including retail and upgrade are a bit more flexible, however if the OS detects that more than a couple of bits of hardware have been changed, you'll still have to phone MS to activate the new installation.

In practice, MS has let me swap hardware 4 times on my "upgrade" winXP Home license and twice on my OEM XP license.  So they're not worried about home users upgrading their computer so much as they're worried about the big abusers.

And if you get someone on the phone who won't give you the new activation code, thank them, hang up, and call back a few hours later because the next person might help you out.

[Fulmar]

My current XP license has been on my last 3 builds.  My first P3 800 (upgraded from win98), P4 2.8ghz, and my current C2D rig.  I finally replaced my last bit of hardware that was in my originally P3 a few months ago, my old SB Audigy.  Otherwise I've never had any problems.  But, the discs I have are 6 years old and so there were before SP2 and not your Media Center edition.  So my example probably isn't true to the newer XP versions.

[OOZ662]

As I've heard, Microsoft dumps the data they've collected about your install after 6 months. So, by not connecting to Microsoft Genuine services (like Windows Update) for a good deal of time may let you free of the restriction.

However, that's heresay. Might wanna research it.

[TequilaChaser]

And if you get someone on the phone who won't give you the new activation code, thank them, hang up, and call back a few hours later because the next person might help you out.

I recently used my Windows XP Pro with SP2 from my Dell laptop on my new Desktop build......

the package had never been opened, but cam fully intact with books , disc, license, etc.... still in plastic wrap ( also got same but was Win XP home version SP1  unopened ( 2 copys 1 WinXP Pro  1 Win XP Home edition ), the DELL PC was already loaded when I got it......

I opened the Win XP Pro , installed it on my new PC, called MS , 1st time was no go, 2nd call 10 minutes later, and all worked fine..new CD key/ serial # etc.and all loads and works great, including updates and the genuine MS service......

and my DELL laptop still works same as for updates and MS genuine services........key on the unopened Win XP CD was same key that is stickered on my Laptop...before MS support changed it to new key on my DeskTop.......