Upgrading, Formatting and Re-installing

[Wayne Ken]

Dear All,

I am upgrading my Motherboard and Processor very soon, but there's still something that I am not very clear of:

1. Do I need to format HDD and re-install Windows after I replace Motherboard and Processor with the new one?
   
2. I heard from a friend that Windows XP has expiration?. Is it true? He formatted his HDD and re-installed Windows 2 times before ... and when for the third times he re-installed and activated Windows XP (by phone), Microsoft guy said his Windows XP has expired already.
   
3. I was also thinking to buy a new set of PC too. The question is: Can Windows XP Home edition be used for commercial purpose? -or it's only licensed for home (non-commercial) purpose only?
   

[Brolloks]

Hi

 

1. It is better to format the HDD and reinstall Windows after you replace the motherboard and CPU. There are ways around it, but unless you really want to spend many hours getting to know all the little details about the hardware and which drivers go where....

2. Windows XP expires after 30 days unless you Authorize it via the Net or telephone. I assume that they will start asking questions if you keep authorizing your copy of Windows XP

3. XP Home has less network functionality than XP Pro. I'm not sure about the licensing differences. I prefer XP Pro.

[luckytohaveher]

1. I format and reinstall every year -- period. Viruses, worm, ballooning registries, slowing performance, fragmentation, you name it. It is the ONLY way to keep a windows based PC performing!

2. It usually only has expiration when not authorized. When the 1-800-MS-Guy asked me why I was reinstalling I told him that I was a beta-tester and programmer and that the software sucked so bad reinstalling was the only solution. He loved it when I said I install the OS on three drives and can switch the bios at any time so that WHEN their software crashes -- at least I can boot! I hate to be mean, but after 24 years of the same issues it gets old.

Here is an idea! Make the OS files unchangeable except for the authorized install programs. How about making a copy of the OS and registry and data check it on a small portion of my 100GB drive. How about making it so that one bad program doesn't KILL the registry or setup. Need I go on? Oh yeah, security anything would be good!!! Collander software design -- holes for holes sake!!! Talk about a drain...

3. Go XP Pro, it is only $100 more and is more powerful in my humble opinion.