Question : OEM WinXPPro: Changing Processors

Hi, I got some machines that are running OEM Windows XP Pro... I know in the past I have changed hardware on some of them and it required a re-activation, however I am always cautious before I go out and spend money on fresh processors.  These machines are running slow processors, I wish to max out the processors (if I can get them).  Say from a Athlon XP 2100 to a Athlon XP 3000.  

What will XP do?  Will I have bother with the XP license and re-activation?  If it does, is there a backdoor method of telling XP to not check it's setup?  I beleive there is so many conpoments that can be changed before it throws an activation change, is that right or will it throw a wobbly if I change anything?

Did XP SP2 improve the situation?

So bottom line... OEM XP, can I change the processor or not?

Answer : OEM WinXPPro: Changing Processors

XP creates a hash made up of many different things (hardware related) which determines whether the system has changes sufficiently to make re-activation required.  I do not think that just replacing a processor with a faster one will cause you to have to re-activate, but it might..  Most notably, it does not like different motherboard manufacuters....

And no, there is no way to turn this off...  :)

But yes, you can change the processor, and the worst case scenario is that you will have to call MS..  not a big deal, as I do it almost everyday!

FE