That rings a bell. I still have a Win98 CD that I've used to install,=20 re-install and upgrade WinXP both on real hardware and virtual=20 machines. I think the XP disk was an upgrade from 98. I haven't done it for a while, so no new info that others haven't=20 given. I did hear a similar question on "The Tech Guy" radio show=20 recently, and he did say that, for the drivers update, to boot in safe=20 mode. And he mentioned that a call to Microsoft usually succeeds with=20 the license issue. Joe W On 1/30/2013 6:00 AM, Luis Moreira wrote: > Hi Colin, > I think I have a bigger problem, hence my reluctance to do a fresh > install... the Windows7 installation I have is only an upgrade, hence thi= s > will mean I will need to install XP first and than upgrade. Further to th= is > issue my genuine XP disk is SP1 so I will need to go through all the SPx = to > get to a level where I can than apply the upgrade. > This is starting to look expensive... > Best Regards > Luis > > > On 30 January 2013 10:47, cdb wrote: > >> If you make an image of your current system, you can restore it to your = new >> PC. >> >> There is software available that can make the process easier especially = as >> you will need to 'insert' new motherboard drivers into the image during >> restore so you don't get a BSOD. >> >> To make a restore go as smoothly as possible you can (if you don't inten= d >> to purchase any imaging software that allows HAL override on restoration= ) >> disable your current video driver and force your current system to use t= he >> Microsoft generic driver, same for any special disk drivers (unless the >> drives are going to be the same) and all the motherboard chipset drivers= .. >> Once this is done you have as neutral as possible Windows installation. >> Then make your image or start up with the new motherboard, when you boot= , >> Windows will search and load whatever drivers it needs to get the syste= m >> going and once booted you can then install the new chipset and video car= d >> drivers. >> >> Technically Microsoft consider a new motherboard a new PC and require a = new >> licence to be purchased, whether you find you can re-activate your curre= nt >> copy is open to question. >> >> You may find any node locked software you own will complain and will hav= e >> to be reactivated. >> >> If Windows itself is failing I would be tempted to delete any restore >> points (these can be repositories for nasties hiding), delete everything= in >> your user temp folder, run MS Scannow to check for any corrupted Windows >> files. >> >> >> Colin >> -- >> cdb, colin@btech-online.co.uk on 30/01/2013 >> >> Web presence: www.btech-online.co.uk >> >> Hosted by: www.justhost.com.au >> >> >> This email is to be considered private if addressed to a named individu= al >> or Personnel Department, and public if addressed to a blog, forum or ne= ws >> article. >> >> >> >> >> -- >> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive >> View/change your membership options at >> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist >> --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .