As plenty of people on here work in IT hopefully you can tell me the answer to this.

I am planning to build a new system using an existing processor, ram, and dvd drive. The motherboard, additional ram, hard drives and the case will be new.

The question is will this be legal for a OEM windows install. I know it used to be, however, I am unsure on current regulations.

Looking around I think it would not be, however, microsoft clearly state that if you change a motherboard an existing oem licence is no longer suitable. Therefore I am wondering since I am purrchasing a new motherboard it may be legal. :confused:

The rules vary slightly but basically as you are purchasing a new motherboard you can install a newly purchased OEM windows disk. Some places will sell you an OEM copy if you purchase a hardware device such as a hard drive

..you're thinking about this far too much. MS licencing is quite arcane now, but basically OEM windows = no support from MS on the phone and discount pricing. purchase with major hardware component and you qualify. MS drones on the phone have no way of telling what you bought it with...

sticker is on the case isn't it

Ok thanks everyone.

Yeah when you purchase the OEM version you get your XP sticker, and you drop it on the case. That ought to do it

Must admit the product activation hasn't caused me too much grief as yet, but at the office that's a different ballgame as we had major grief with it due to having limited media sets but loads of licenses

Overclokcers used to sell you a bag of screws with a copy of an OEM piece of software

MS removed the need to purchase hardware to qualify in September/October last year, at work we use the corporate version of XP. The corp version doesnt need activating, just use the same key over and over.

Activating OEM software is no problem, my homebuilt MCE system is the OEM version and has been re-installed and activated five or six times now all online.