Re: switching WinXP licenses on two PCs

Rick,

> Has anyone done this?

I've done something similar to what you are doing a few times before.

 
> Will a preloaded OEM version of XP load on another pc, assuming it
> comes with a real XP CD, and not some 'disaster recovery' type install
> CD?

If it's not a disaster recovery CD, it should.  I have installed XP 
several times with OEM copies, and I've never had a problem.  They were 
never pre-loaded copies though, although I doubt there is anything 
different with those.  If they are actual Microsoft CD's, then I can't 
imagine it is hardware specific.  If it is though, it should just force 
you to activate it within 30 days.

There have been times when I took the harddrive from a new PC and put it 
in the original PC and installed the OS using the Disaster Recovery CD's, 
then moved it back into the new PC.  Kind of a pain, and there may be an 
easier way around that, but for me that worked.  :) 

 
> When the mother ship gets wind of a change in processors on both
> installs, what is the process to activate the installs?

There is a number to call.  When it tells you to activate, you can get the 
phone number there.


 
> In what order would you do this?  my thoughts:
> 
> format the new pcs drives clean and re-install XP home (as usual, lots
> of 60 day trials and other crap I don't want will be pre-installed and
> i'd just as soon start fresh)

Why are you going to re-install XP home on the new PC?  Is this because 
you only have an XP Pro Upgrade?  If it were me, I'd just go ahead and put 
XP Pro on the New PC if thats the one you want on there.  Then call 
Microsoft and tell them you upgraded.  At this point you should have XP 
Pro working and activated on both PC's.  Although, legally you're supposed 
to remove it from the old PC.  :)  But since you want to reformat the old 
one anyway, do that.  Then install XP Home, and you will probably need to 
call MS and tell them you upgraded that one too.

Mike