copy of Windows not Genuine

03tellis

03tellis

03tellis

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23 Aug 2010
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I just bought a load of parts from Overclockers to fix/upgrade my PC, and everything is working perfectly, I could not be happier with the end result.

However, I continued using the OS (Vista Home Premium) from my previous PC (Dell XPS 420), and now its saying its not a genuine copy. The previous motherboard did break but my new one is a substantial upgrade. The OS came with the pre-built Dell PC.

My question is basically, can I sort this out without spending money or will I have to get a new OS? I wanted to get an upgrade disk to Win7 Professional on the Student offer, I imagine I'll have to sort this out before I can upgrade?

Thanks in advance.
 
Sounds like you just need to activate? Are you still on the old install of Vista or did you re-install it fresh with the new parts?
 
03tellis
copy of Windows not Genuine
I just bought a load of parts from Overclockers to fix/upgrade my PC, and everything is working perfectly, I could not be happier with the end result.

However, I continued using the OS (Vista Home Premium) from my previous PC (Dell XPS 420), and now its saying its not a genuine copy. The previous motherboard did break but my new one is a substantial upgrade. The OS came with the pre-built Dell PC.

My question is basically, can I sort this out without spending money or will I have to get a new OS? I wanted to get an upgrade disk to Win7 Professional on the Student offer, I imagine I'll have to sort this out before I can upgrade?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

If your new motherboard is retail, then you need a new OS. But what you can try, use the COA on the blue sticker on your old system case to activate the OS. If that fails, then it's a new OS.
 
robinbredin said:
If your new motherboard is retail, then you need a new OS. But what you can try, use the COA on the blue sticker on your old system case to activate the OS. If that fails, then it's a new OS.
Click to expand...

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to confirm things already said "new OS" is needed ;)
 
Once you change a certain amount of hardware it will block it like that. You just need to give Microsoft a phone call and get a activation code for it, it's fully automated.

You certainly don't need to buy a new OS for upgrading a PC.
 
izit said:
Once you change a certain amount of hardware it will block it like that. You just need to give Microsoft a phone call and get a activation code for it, it's fully automated.

You certainly don't need to buy a new OS for upgrading a PC.
Click to expand...

Once again - motherbaord replacement means the OEM license is no longer valid.
Yes you can usually phone Microsoft and if you lie to them they will indeed reactivate.
Doesn't stop your OEM copy becomming as legal as an illegally downloaded copy.

You've replaced your motherboard, it's time to buy a new OS license.
Either stick to OEM and have the same problem when you upgrade the motherbaord again.
Or pay for retail and legally move it around from one machine to another.
 
bledd. said:
Yes you do, if you have an OEM version, which the Dell will be.

Just buy Windows 7 Home Premium mate

OEM = £79, tied to that pc http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SW-127-MS&groupid=33&catid=1555&subcat=

Retail = £124, can use it for future installs http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SW-124-MS&groupid=33&catid=1555&subcat=
Click to expand...

That OEM copy you linked to will not be any more valid that the Vista copy he's got already, strictly speaking.

I've moved OEM copys over before. MS let you, but it takes a phone call to an automated service. It works.
 
monkeyspank said:
That OEM copy you linked to will not be any more valid that the Vista copy he's got already, strictly speaking.

I've moved OEM copys over before. MS let you, but it takes a phone call to an automated service. It works.
Click to expand...

The OEM OS linked will be perfectly legal is as it's brand new with a COA sticker. Your method may 'work' on the phone but if you want to stay legal under the EULA then it's not transferable. This is OEM. Retail you are allowed but OEM no.
 
Student licence for Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade (retail so can be transferred) is £38.50. Just install it over the top of XP. There is a workaround to get a fresh install to activate (legally dodgy, but less time consuming!)
 
izit said:
Once you change a certain amount of hardware it will block it like that. You just need to give Microsoft a phone call and get a activation code for it, it's fully automated.

You certainly don't need to buy a new OS for upgrading a PC.
Click to expand...

Why are so many people so sure of themselves on this when they are totally and utterly wrong?
 
Well memphis I would certainly try my luck with phoning MS before slashing out 75 quid... I'd get confirmation from them rather than from members of this forum ;)
 
iDroid84 said:
The OEM OS linked will be perfectly legal is as it's brand new with a COA sticker. Your method may 'work' on the phone but if you want to stay legal under the EULA then it's not transferable. This is OEM. Retail you are allowed but OEM no.
Click to expand...

He's not a 'system builder' though mate.
 
OK thanks.

So to sum up, OEM versions (like my current one) can only be used legally on 1 machine, and after changing motherboard it can be reactivated via phone, but this is technically illegal. (against the rules of the EULA)

Whereas if I get a retail copy then I can transfer it ad infinitum?

Retail copy sounds ideal then, except I have no money that won't instantly go on food and rent for another year. I'll see what I can scrape together.
 
iDroid84 said:
Then shouldn't the store selling the copies of OEM be checking that the people purchasing the items are system builders?
Click to expand...

Why would it be up to them? They aren't the end user (as per EULA).
Should Dell check that the people buying their computers won't at some point transfer the OS onto another machine?
 
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