XPS 8300 Motherboard Upgrade - What OS Problems Will I Have?

You would need to buy a valid retail license for Windows 7.

At least in the U.S. and Canada, the OP can buy an OEM version for a huge discount. Microsoft will not provide support, and the OEM version will not perform upgrades, only clean installs (although its key can be used to activate an upgrade performed with a retail or Enterprise edition).

In the old days, Microsoft would insist that OEM versions be sold with hardware, but that is no longer the case. You are free to buy a copy by itself.

I have seen it and done it so I do know what I am talking about. Most of what you are saying is nonsense.

You are a know it all who knows nothing at all! There are better ways to install Vista/7, what are you talking about?

I've never messed with 2000 or previous, so that can't be true. What do you mean by this?

Install this Syba SATA II card along with its drivers before swapping. After swapping, use it for the first boot; that will allow Windows to boot. Once Windows has booted, use the driver CD to install the drivers for the new mainboard. The SATA card can then be removed

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Edit: Officially, Microsoft licenses OEM copies only for machines built for resale. The official line on hobbyist terms can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/licensing_for_hobbyists.aspx

To think of all the times I've urged XP users to upgrade to 7 with an OEM copy of 7 Home Premium from Newegg ... at a cost two-thirds that of THREE Family Pack licenses (from Amazon). :)

Why didn't I realise that!!!  Thanks very much, you've just saved me £120 and huge amount of egg for my face.

Why didn't I realise that!!!  Thanks very much, you've just saved me £120 and huge amount of egg for my face.

Who are you thanking?

The dude who pointed out that the board is the wrong form factor for the chassis? :emotion-15:

There are various aftermarket mATX boards that will fit, although I don't know what the advantage would be unless the stock XPS 8300 mainboard lacks amenities like  USB 3 and SATA 6gbs.

I really want to upgrade the motherboard on my xps 8300, this one is a few years old and is falling a part, things are failing here and there but I don't want the same motherboard, I would like a really nice one but I don't know what is compatable, when you try to find an answer on the net you just get garbage.

I for one think mircosoft sucks and so do a lot of their products.. Windows 8 might not suck but it is not doing too well.  

Define falling apart?

My XPS 8300 is still going strong and is working with both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.