Upgrading mobo, will I need to re-buy Vista 64?

Spirit7 · 19 Feb 2009 at 00:25

Hi all,

For the purposes of validation, what's the story if you upgrade your computer? I have just bought a new motherboard/CPU etc and will obviously have to do a reinstall of Vista. Will I need to call Microsoft to explain and get another key?

Surely hundreds of you will have done this, so help would be much appreciated! Thanks.

-C

Memphis · 19 Feb 2009 at 00:26

If your key is retail, you're fine.
If your key is OEM, you need to buy a new licence.

Spirit7 · 19 Feb 2009 at 00:33

Thanks!

thepeganator · 19 Feb 2009 at 00:39

If it asks for re validation and wont, call the number and if you speak to someone (I didn't), say your mb broke and they'll give you an activation code.

Memphis · 19 Feb 2009 at 00:42

thepeganator said:
If it asks for re validation and wont, call the number and if you speak to someone (I didn't), say your mb broke and they'll give you an activation code.

That really wasn't the wisest thing to suggest here.

thepeganator · 19 Feb 2009 at 00:57

If it's oem it's tied to "the system", which is generally assumed to be the motherboard.

If you're just replacing the motherboard, not the whole system, you are fine using the same oem code.

I replaced a motherboard twice in the same system and only once had to ring up for an xp re activation code.

hideki · 19 Feb 2009 at 01:09

you dont need another copy, as long as its only on 1 pc, reactivate by phone when prompted if it fails online

Confused · 19 Feb 2009 at 10:05

The first reply was the only correct one in this thread.

If you purchased an OEM version, it is tied to the computer system it was first installed on - which for all intents and purposes, is the motherboard.

If you purchased a Retail version, then you can install it on multiple subsequent computers (motherboards), but only one computer at a time.

Whilst you can call up and get it activated if you've changed your motherboard with an OEM version, you are no longer correctly licensed.

stoofa · 19 Feb 2009 at 10:17

thepeganator said:
If it asks for re validation and wont, call the number and if you speak to someone (I didn't), say your mb broke and they'll give you an activation code.

Which means your lying - so your reactivated machine is no more license legal than someone who pirated their copy of the OS.

stoofa · 19 Feb 2009 at 10:18

hideki said:
you dont need another copy, as long as its only on 1 pc, reactivate by phone when prompted if it fails online

Incorrect.
As stated in this and hundreds of other threads.
OEM licenses are tied to the original motherboard - replace your motherboard (in any way other than via warranty) and you need to replace your license.

"getting around" this just means the copy of the OS you're using is illegally licensed.

XCougar · 19 Feb 2009 at 11:38

When I had my old pc (it was a XP Home oem) the power supply went and took the motherboard + cpu along with it. I replaced the psu, motherboard, and cpu. I had to reactivate and tell them what happened, they got me reactivated in the end.

Does this mean that what I did was illegal? =S

kidloco · 19 Feb 2009 at 12:02

I know OEM are suppsoed to be tied to the mobo but just last week I upgraded Mobo, CPU and memory.

Reinstalled Vista 64bit, it went to validate and it said 'Key already in use', called the number, fully automated system. it asked how many PCs my copy of vista was being used on, I said 1. it gave me the new code.

simple as that

Confused · 19 Feb 2009 at 12:15

Activation is NOT the same as licensing.

Your system may be activated, but it may not be licensed, this is a very important point which is very few seem to realise.

XCougar · 19 Feb 2009 at 12:19

Confused said:
Activation is NOT the same as licensing.

Your system may be activated, but it may not be licensed, this is a very important point which is very few seem to realise.

Are you talking to me or the kidloco?

What about my scenario? Im only interested, doesnt matter anymore as that was years back and that pc is long dead.

Burnsy2023 · 19 Feb 2009 at 12:20

XCougar said:
Are you talking to me or the kidloco?

What about my scenario? Im only interested, doesnt matter anymore as that was years back and that pc is long dead.

Its applicable to you also. You were not licensed.

K.C. Leblanc · 19 Feb 2009 at 12:30

kidloco said:
I know OEM are suppsoed to be tied to the mobo but just last week I upgraded Mobo, CPU and memory.

I've had mobos replaced by several manufacturers and they've never replaced the OEM license.

I've always felt that if you're replacing a broken motherboard and retaining all other parts it's fine. It's when you upgrade the motherboard that it becomes a new system in my eyes.

XCougar · 19 Feb 2009 at 12:50

Burnsy2023 said:
Its applicable to you also. You were not licensed.

But surely if I told them what had happened (and I did) then they would not have allowed me to reactivate if this was the case?

Confused · 19 Feb 2009 at 14:06

K.C. Leblanc said:
I've had mobos replaced by several manufacturers and they've never replaced the OEM license.

I've always felt that if you're replacing a broken motherboard and retaining all other parts it's fine.

Replacing the motherboard for a like-for-like replacement, under warranty, is the only single time the motherboard can be changed on an OEM license.

K.C. Leblanc said:
It's when you upgrade the motherboard that it becomes a new system in my eyes.

Exactly correct - but most people who have replied in this thread have upgraded their motherboard, and therefore, are no longer correctly licensed.

XCougar said:
But surely if I told them what had happened (and I did) then they would not have allowed me to reactivate if this was the case?

Just have a look in some of the other threads - even the plebs on the end of the phone do not know the correct procedure, Burnsey2023 has had many discussions with them about this, and has posted here many times regarding it, and how much of a minefield it is!

I would say from what I've seen, is that whatever Burnsey2023 says about Microsoft licensing is pretty much right

kylew · 19 Feb 2009 at 14:35

If the people on the other end of the phone, or, mircosoft, don't care then some people need to stop thinking they're life members of the justice force (farce) and stop ranting at people.

If microsoft activates your PC, what difference does it make if it's correctly 'licensed'?

It doesn't and your PC will be fine. I wonder how many people are in jail because their PC isn't 'licensed' but activated with the serial they bought? A lot more if the justice force had their way.

If shops made paying for goods optional, how many people would pay for their goods?

You couldn't complain that people are thieves because the shop's letting them do it.

Microsoft is letting people active OEM serials after changing the motherboard, so what is there to complain about?

Until they stop activating the copies of windows, then carry on doing it if you can.

Anyone who willingly buys a new OEM license rather than just asking MS for a new activation code is stupid and basically throwing their money away.

If it's such a problem, then MS need to stop letting OEMs be so freely available and stop giving out more activation codes, until then the justice force needs to go away *cough* stoofa, confused *cough*

Burnsy2023 · 19 Feb 2009 at 15:35

kylew said:
If microsoft activates your PC, what difference does it make if it's correctly 'licensed'?

In a home context, probably none if you don't care about it, but in a business environment, especially if you are a big consumer of MS products, the activation is meaningless. The check your licences not your activations.

kylew said:
If it's such a problem, then MS need to stop letting OEMs be so freely available and stop giving out more activation codes, until then the justice force needs to go away *cough* stoofa, confused *cough*

They are. In fact no home consumer should be buying an OEM licence for themselves http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17969729&highlight=hobbyists