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I probably asked this before but I've been getting different opinions about it.
I have XP pro OEM, not a manufacturer OEM.
I have to do a repair install because I got a replacement Mobo under warranty.
I'll be using the original disk, processor, cdrom, nic card, same amount of memory.
Will it allow some hardware changes?
Should I expect activation problems?
If I get past the activation can I change the processor later?
Activation isn't a problem, nor is not using a manufacturer's disk.
Activation isn't a big scary thing. If it want's to activate, let it. If it insists you phone, then phone - they don't bite. They will ask you if it's a repair and you explain that you got a replacement motherboard under warranty and you will get activated.
Sure it's annoying, but I do this all the time. If the mobo is the same, likelihood is that it won't want to activate.
Is there any reason I can't change the processor later?
Nope.
For some reason people feel that activation will prevent them upgrading or repairing a computer. The OEM licence allows for upgrades and repairs. What you can't do is build a new computer and use the old OEM licence. Now you can argue through upgrades you end up with a new computer and where on the sliding scale that falls ....but at the end of the day I think it is about intent. If you build a replacement machine you get a replacement licence. If you gradually upgrade the machine over the product lifecycle it is an upgrade.