XP activation advice

[mike84]

Hi there!
Had to purchase win XP to access new broadband service
Couldn't decide whether to buy new PC or keep the old one going a bit longer
Decided to install on my old Dell 866/256
All works fine (thanks to dirtmasters help)
29 days to activation
Q. What if in 6 months time this old PC breaks down or I decide to purchase a more poweful PC. Would I then have to purchase another copy of XP?
Thankyou for any advice   

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

You can always take the Hard Drive with XP on it and put it in the new computer. You might have to reinstall/install drivers for your hardware but you wont have to get a new copy of XP.

[patio]

What version of XP you bought determines what your options are. OEM or Retail ? ?

OEM is tied to the machine it is installed on
Retail = one copy; one machine.

[desofossy]

You can reactivate it over the phone. you tell them  the code number on your screen. then microsoft give you a re-activation code you type it into the boxes provided and its activated. the next time you reinstall xp it will just activate over the internet as normal. I've done it myself last week.

[patio]

You can always take the Hard Drive with XP on it and put it in the new computer. You might have to reinstall/install drivers for your hardware but you wont have to get a new copy of XP.

This won't work 90% of the time...the machine will not boot up properly without doing a   repair install of XP.

Think before hitting the post button