Windows XP CD or restore CD?

[oilboy123]

Question about my 2001 Gateway desktop OS.

I have had other computers with just one restore disc. This desktop has 9 disc. One says operating system two for applications and one for driver.
There are five others for Word, streets etc. So does this mean I could use this OS disc just like a real Win XP Windows disc on another non Gateway motherboard?

The motherboard is bad so I was thinking of another motherboard for getting the computer going.
It says Gateway Operating System XP Home Edition Version 1.0 to be used with a Gateway PC on the OS disc.

 

[Amkeer]

Boot from the CD after the motherboard is replaced, and follow prompts to repair. I believe that is what is done. So yes you are to use the XP disc.

 

[oilboy123]

So this would be like a separate Win XP OS disc?

 

[punisher]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
So this would be like a separate Win XP OS disc?


It is a "WIN XP OEM OS" disk.

It will not work on a motherboard with a non OEM BIOS. You can get through the install on many boards but it won't activate once it is installed.

 

[The_Jeff]

Find a "good" XP computer's hard drive, and the i386 folder within the windows folder. This contains all that you need to install XP. Use the license code from the back of the gateway machine.

You'll need an independent way to format your new blank hard drive FAT32 or NTFS, get a command prompt, and run WINNT.EXE from that folder. Previous versions of windows (98 or 2000 are good) installed temporarily work.

If you have a new mobo within that gateway case it's still 80% gateway so I don't have any ethical problems forcing it to work.

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Find a "good" XP computer's hard drive, and the i386 folder within the windows folder. This contains all that you need to install XP. Use the license code from the back of the gateway machine.


In order to activate it, you will have to call Microsoft.


"In order to reduce a significant source of piracy, Microsoft has disabled online activation for COA Keys that are attached to PCs that have been pre-activated by OEMs. This change should have a minimal impact on licensed users who generally do not use their COA Key to activate the software because it has been pre-activated by the OEM. However, if a licensed end user needs to activate because the OEM pre-activation does not work as expected (e.g., after the replacement of a defective motherboard) they can do so via phone-based activation."

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457078.aspx

 

[oilboy123]

So some of you are saying it would/might work with another motherboard?
I believe that I have to register it online or by phone if I remember correctly?

I could plug the hardrive into my other computer to install the OS if that would be helpful.

 

[The_Jeff]

When you install XP it carefully weaves itself around your hardware. So the odds are good you can't grab a drive out of a broken machine and stick in with all your peripherals and have it work, not even in safe mode.

My challenge has been getting the machine running in a large file table mode, >2 GB, so I don't have a goofy small C drive, and 32 bit. Win 98 or 2000 pro are my typical temporary tools which I then remove when things are running properly. 2000 has a bootable CD ROM which is nice.

Go ahead and call microsoft, they are friendly and a robot helps you now. (used to be an Indian). Just have to several times tell them you are only using the code on one machine.

As far as their "piracy" excuse they would just as soon have a license key be "disposable" like the computers attached... so they sell a new vista or something.