OEM Vista on new hard drive?

Inazuma · 29 Sep 2008 at 10:17

Hello,
I'm sorry if this has been asked and answered a million times but ~
I am contemplating changing my hard drive, which has an install of an OEM Vista Home Premium. What do I have to do to activate my current license on the new hard drive?

rpstewart · 29 Sep 2008 at 10:47

The simple solution is to clone the existing disk onto the new one with Acronis True Image. No need to reinstall or reactivate.

If you do want to take the opportunity to reinstall then it should reactivate online without any problems. At worst then it's a free phone call to the activation line.

Masterdog · 29 Sep 2008 at 10:47

You haven't changed the mobo, so you'd just do a normal install afaik.

Burnsy2023 · 29 Sep 2008 at 11:04

Masterdog said:
You haven't changed the mobo, so you'd just do a normal install afaik.

This.

stoofa · 29 Sep 2008 at 11:07

From a legal point of view you remain 100% legal - as said above your motherboard hasn't been changed.
Install OS as normal and attempt an online activation - there is a good chance it will just go through, especially if it has been a while since you last activated.
If it doesn't you'll spend five minutes on a free phone number where you say "New HD installed" and they will give you an activation code over the phone.

Inazuma · 28 Dec 2008 at 11:18

rpstewart said:
The simple solution is to clone the existing disk onto the new one with Acronis True Image. No need to reinstall or reactivate.

Does this program copy directly to the new hard drive?

RJC · 28 Dec 2008 at 11:23

Yep - clones the whole hard drive

Used it many times myself.