Changing hardware with Vista

[skidpro]

This will be a huge problem! I changed my motherboard and had to call microsoft in order to reregister. How many times can I change major hardware before I have to buy another copy?

 

[n0cmonkey]

That's pretty normal (or atleast it seemed that way for XP), especially if you have an OEM copy...

 

[skidpro]

Mine is a retail version, seems if you change your motherboard, harddrive or? they can tell and try to make you buy a new OS. What they do is but your OS on limited funtionality. They did that to me and so I called microsoft but I really think it was some guy in India!

 

[sam509]

Originally posted by: skidpro
Mine is a retail version, seems if you change your motherboard, harddrive or? they can tell and try to make you buy a new OS. What they do is but your OS on limited funtionality. They did that to me and so I called microsoft but I really think it was some guy in India!

If you have the retail version of Vista you may change the motherboard and/or hard drive any time you wish, you may have to call to activate. With the retail version of Vista you may install on a completely different computer as long as you uninstall from the old computer first, you may have to call to activate.

This is exactly as it was with XP, nothing has changed.

 

[crossrode]

http://pcper.com/article.php?aid=352&type=expert&pid=4

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: sam509

Originally posted by: skidpro
Mine is a retail version, seems if you change your motherboard, harddrive or? they can tell and try to make you buy a new OS. What they do is but your OS on limited funtionality. They did that to me and so I called microsoft but I really think it was some guy in India!

If you have the retail version of Vista you may change the motherboard and/or hard drive any time you wish, you may have to call to activate. With the retail version of Vista you may install on a completely different computer as long as you uninstall from the old computer first, you may have to call to activate.

This is exactly as it was with XP, nothing has changed.


what about oem?

 

[KeypoX]

The only difference is that the OEM version cannot be reassigned to another person whereas the fully packaged retail version permits the license to be reassigned once to another person. As far as the licensing terms go, either version will allow for as many transfers as needed. The only stipulation is that the user must uninstall the software on the old PC before installing on the new PC. Detailed info can be found here http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx.



found that from pc perspective

a little discussion seems to be optimistic here
http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=434539

Maybe not it seems to go back and forth but i bet you can upgrade once or twice by calling them and tellling them your Mobo broke or something... i dunno though microsoft sucks so does vista anyways

 

[n0cmonkey]

An OEM copy is tied to the motherboard. If you change the motherboard (except in instances of failure) you need a new OEM license.