*****EDIT*****
you edited yours while I was typing mine..... you are correct, retail version make provision for even upgrading the motherboard. OEM versions do not.

*******My whole post was all contingent on the fact that you were using an OEM version of XP HOME, and circumventing crucial parts of the eula however, and since you are not and have a retail copy, then you have done nothing wrong, and my previous posts never applied to you.******

and my appologies on assuming you were using OEM, I stated the OEM part several times in my original post, and thought you were rebutting that part of my statement.

but since I spent 45 minutes on this.........




here is a section of the OEM XP HOME EULA. It refers to the "Hardware" as the original computer purchased with the software. It also states that the SOFTWARE cannot be transferred (see the 4th red letter section) to different computers.

As an interesting side note, I remember talking about this in another thread, Microsoft makes a provision for downloading the software for winXP home (2nd red letter section).....

see highlights in red.

*************************************

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

IMPORTANT-READ CAREFULLY: This End-User
License Agreement ("EULA") is a legal agreement between you
(either an individual or a single legal entity) and the
manufacturer ("Manufacturer") of the computer system or
computer system component ("HARDWARE") with which you acquired
the Microsoft software product(s) identified on the
Certificate of Authenticity ("COA") affixed to the HARDWARE or
on the associated product documentation ("SOFTWARE"). The
SOFTWARE includes Microsoft computer software, and may include
associated media, printed materials, "online" or electronic
documentation, and Internet based services. Note, however,
that any software, documentation, or web services that are
included in the SOFTWARE, or accessible via the SOFTWARE, and
are accompanied by their own license agreements or terms of
use are governed by such agreements rather than this EULA.
The terms of a printed paper EULA, which may accompany the
SOFTWARE, supersede the terms of any on-screen EULA. This
EULA is valid and grants the end-user rights ONLY if the
SOFTWARE is genuine and a genuine Certificate of Authenticity
for the SOFTWARE is included. For more information on
identifying whether your software is genuine, please see
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/howtotell.

By installing, copying, downloading, accessing or otherwise
using the SOFTWARE, you agree to be bound by the terms of this
EULA. If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, you may
not use or copy the SOFTWARE, and you should promptly contact
Manufacturer for instructions on return of
the unused product(s) for a refund in accordance with
Manufacturer's return policies.
SOFTWARE PRODUCT LICENSE
The term "COMPUTER" as used herein shall mean the HARDWARE, if
the HARDWARE is a single computer system, or shall mean the
computer system with which the HARDWARE operates, if the
HARDWARE is a computer system component.

1. GRANT OF LICENSE. Manufacturer grants you the following
rights, provided you comply with all of the terms and
conditions of this EULA:
* Installation and Use. Except as otherwise expressly
provided in this EULA, you may install, use, access, display
and run only one (1) copy of the SOFTWARE on the COMPUTER.
The SOFTWARE may not be used by more than one (1) processor
at any one time on the COMPUTER, unless a higher number is
indicated on the Certificate of Authenticity. You may permit
a maximum of five (5) ("Connection Maximum") computers or
other electronic devices (each a "Device") to connect to the
COMPUTER to utilize one or more of the following services of
the SOFTWARE: File services, Print services, Internet
Information services, and remote access (including connection
sharing and telephony services). The five (5) Connection
Maximum includes any indirect connections made through
"multiplexing" or other software or hardware which pools or
aggregates connections. Except as otherwise permitted herein,
you may not use the Device to use, access, display or run the
SOFTWARE, the SOFTWARE's User Interface or other executable
software residing on the COMPUTER. This ten connection
maximum does not apply to any other uses of the Product.
* Software as a Component of the Computer - Transfer. THIS
LICENSE MAY NOT BE SHARED, TRANSFERRED TO OR
USED CONCURRENTLY ON DIFFERENT COMPUTERS. The SOFTWARE
is licensed with the COMPUTER as a single integrated product and
may only be used with the COMPUTER. If the SOFTWARE is not
accompanied by HARDWARE, you may not use the SOFTWARE.
You may permanently transfer all of your rights
under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer
of the COMPUTER, provided you retain no copies, if you
transfer the SOFTWARE (including all component parts, the
media, any upgrades, this EULA and the Certificate of
Authenticity), and the recipient agrees to the terms of this
EULA. If the SOFTWARE is an upgrade, any transfer must also
include all prior versions of the SOFTWARE.
* Mandatory Activation. THIS SOFTWARE
CONTAINS TECHNOLOGICAL MEASURES THAT ARE
DESIGNED TO PREVENT UNLICENSED OR ILLEGAL USE
OF THE SOFTWARE........"
".......however, you will still be able to access
unprotected content and Secure Content that does not require
the upgrade.
* Back-up Copy. YOU MAY MAKE A SINGLE BACK-UP
COPY OF THE SOFTWARE. YOU MAY USE ONE
(1) BACK-UP COPY SOLELY FOR YOUR ARCHIVAL
PURPOSES AND TO REINSTALL THE SOFTWARE ON THE
COMPUTER. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN
THIS EULA OR BY LOCAL LAW, YOU MAY NOT
OTHERWISE MAKE COPIES OF THE SOFTWARE,
INCLUDING THE PRINTED MATERIALS ACCOMPANYING
THE SOFTWARE. YOU MAY NOT LOAN, RENT, LEASE,
LEND OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE CD OR BACK-UP
COPY TO ANOTHER USER.
* Reservation of Rights. Manufacturer, MS and
its suppliers (including Microsoft Corporation) reserve all
rights not expressly granted to you in this EULA......."