Transferring Windows

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

So I want to find out how I would go about transferring Win XP Home from this computer to my new one when I have it all put together.  Anything I need to do with the activation stuff?

[INSTINCT]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/getstarted/installqa.mspx

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

Not seeing it there Instinct.  What I mean is, I have only 1 liscense for Windows.  If I were to just install it on the new computer, would it let me activate it or would it say it's already activated on another computer?

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

Same process as the original installation.  You will have to register it after 30days.  Now if you need to move files over, that is another issue and pretty easely done.

[Kat*{MEOW}*]

It should let you activate it.  If it doesn't and you have a full retail copy and not an OEM copy, you can call M$ support.  Let them know you have built a new computer and they will reactivate the software for you.

[FastKat*{MEOW}*]

you use to have like 3 or 4 installes before they would give you any problems.

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

It's OEM.

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

You have the install disk?

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

Yeah, I bought it by itself and I have the disk.

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

Well, you can try and activate it on the new computer but I can almost bet you will end up calling Microsoft for the activation.  If this was a re-install on your old system, I believe you have the 3 installs before you have to make that call.  But this is a new computer you are installing it on so it will raise flags to Micro Soft. It has to do with the information it collected from the original installation and compares it with the installation at hand.  Nothing will match. In short.  Have the phone handy. 
Are you hoping to run both computers on one license?  Get in touch with me on that.

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

Oh no, this new build is a complete replacement.  I'm even taking a few parts out of the old one.

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

You wont have any problems.  Just remember  After installing Windows and setting up all drivers you have for your hardware, update Windows completely.  This is before installing other applications.  If you are going to have any issues with Windows this is will save time to have to do a possible re-instal after you have already installed games and other software.  Rare but can happen.
Updating as soon as your Windows is all set up, will allow most all current drivers to work as they should.   Basically, lets tune it up before you take it out for the true spin. 

I can almost bet there is even an update to the onboard video chip.   What chip is it Smooth? SiS, VIA, Intel.  I would update the chip set as well.

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

nForce 4

[Kat*{MEOW}*]

My builds go like this.  Set default bios and install windows.  I then install anything I might need for an internet connection.  Usually Windows will have installed a basic driver for the NIC card.  Let machine run in ugly VGA mode while I do all windows updates that are out there.  This can take a couple of hours now a days, and a whole bunch of reboots.  After windows is up to date I install what ever chipset drivers I need.  Once that is done I begin loading drivers for video card, sound card, etc.  Only after I have all that done do I set up my video and sound prefrences. 

Next is running memtest to ensure the systems stability.  The last thing I do is load software, and only after I'm sure the machine is stable.  Now you guys understand why it takes me so long to get back online after a crash.  :)  I work out each piece of software before I go on to install the next program.  Makes it easier to find out what caused the problem, should one develop.

TK, I don't think he has any onboard video chip on that MoBo.

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

I think he meant the chipset Kat, which on this board would be nVidia nForce4.