Does a new motherboard mean a new Vista license?

Roll

Roll

Roll

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Sorry if this one has been asked several times before (which I would guess it has).

Anyway, as in the title I remember reading somewhere that a Vista installation is tied to the specific motherboard it was activated with so changing motherboards and re-installing Vista means having to buy a new licence.

I've been holding back moving over from XP to Vista. Like many people I generally upgrade my hardware every 12 months or so, and if this is true about Vista then you would have to say it sucks.

Thanks if anyone can clarify what the exact situation is.
 
you have to reactivate vista not buy a new licence may have to do it over the phone, usually goes through fine
 
Hello Roll, if you currently have an OEM licence, then you will need to purchase a new licence if you are changing the motherboard in your system. Now, if you have a Retail licence then you do not need to purchase a new licence. :)
 
Cheers Fire Wizard its probably the retail version I'll get, it makes much more sense.

So even with the retail version it would mean going through the procedure PCDave mentions?
 
FrankJH said:
Phone MS and say your last motherboard failed and they will usually re-activate
Click to expand...

Isnt exactly the same as being license legal for OEM copies though and having an activated copy != legal, they are unlikely to chase you up for it though.

To the OP the OEM license has always been the same way, you should buy a new copy of windows for every motherboard if you have an OEM license, but this restriction does not apply for retail copies. The only way around this is if your motherboard fails and you have bought from a licensed system builder i.e. Any big PC manufacturer, then you can send it to replaced under warranty and its perfectly legit. But if you built it youself your up a creek without a paddle legally, probably can still reactivate though.
 
Don't forget if you have a retail version of xp, there's the upgrade version of vista that you can pick up for around 90. Gives you everything the retail version does, just cheaper.
 
When you try and activate it'll fail, give you the phone number and some disinterested call centre employee on the other end will ask a few questions - answer those correctly and they'll probably activate it for you.
 
Does anyone have absolute proof that buying an OEM Vista and upgrading your motherboard violates the EULA?

I'm scouring the WWW and can't find anything definitive (including MS's site)

From what I can glean, upgrading the motherboard with an OEM Vista merely requires reactivation, not repurchase:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/quick-start/activation-faq.aspx

If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will require re-activation if you replace the motherboard with a motherboard not provided by the OEM.
Click to expand...

The impression I get is that the OEM licence is to remove the support responsbilities from MS and move them to the OEM, not restricting the use of OEM Vista on one motherboard.

In addition, although a new motherboard could be considered a 'new computer' (and I agree that this is fair enough), upgrading the motherboard still means only one copy of Vista is being used, which I assume is the core of the EULA.

I'm open to correction of course.

EDIT - Extract from EULA:

"2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS. The software license is permanently
assigned to the device with which you acquired the software. That device is
the “licensed device.” A hardware partition or blade is considered to be a
separate device.
a. Licensed Device. You may install one copy of the software on the
licensed device. You may use the software on up to two processors on that
device at one time. You may not use the software on any other device."
Click to expand...

Very grey area. No defintion of device given. Does not mention motherboard explicitly.
 
Last edited:
Jimbo Mahoney said:
The impression I get is that the OEM licence is to remove the support responsbilities from MS and move them to the OEM, not restricting the use of OEM Vista on one motherboard.

In addition, although a new motherboard could be considered a 'new computer' (and I agree that this is fair enough), upgrading the motherboard still means only one copy of Vista is being used, which I assume is the core of the EULA.
Click to expand...

I must admit that quote is rather misleading.

The crux of the argument is that a new motherboard is considered a new machine and OEM licences cannot be transferred to another machine unless its a warranty replacement.

Microsoft said:
Upgrading a Motherboard?
An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer" to which Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced, for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.

If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC. The replacement motherboard must be the same make/model or the same manufacturer’s replacement/equivalent, as defined by that manufacturer’s warranty.
Click to expand...

http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageID=552862

Burnsy
 
Thanks Burnsy, but I'd like to see it in EULA format.

Unless MS explicitly state in the EULA that a 'new motherboard consitutes a new machine' and that the 'software cannot be transferred to a new machine' then I don't see how it can be reasonably expected for the end user to accept it.

I don't wish to appear as one of those whiney piracy-advocates, but my understanding of the price difference for the OEM licence is the lack of user manual and lack of support from MS - i.e. it's the OEM's responsibility.
 
Indeed which is why when upgraded mobo I just phoned to activate, gave no further info other than needing a new activation and got given a new activation.
 
mrk said:
Indeed which is why when upgraded mobo I just phoned to activate, gave no further info other than needing a new activation and got given a new activation.
Click to expand...

That seems to be the correct and proper way to do it.

I gather they ask "Is this Windows Licence being used on any other machines?" to which the truthful answer is no, it's not, since the old motherboard has been sold / not used any longer with the current licence.

Retail = no reactivation required for new motherboard

OEM = reactivation required, which is a minor inconvenience and an additional anti-piracy step on MS's behalf.
 
Motherboard? I've never installed Windows on a motherboard before :p

The answer was no indeed :) same "machine" so same license.
 
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