Do I have to Reinstall windows 7 again.

Hottybotty · 16 Mar 2010 at 19:03

Just wondering if anyone could help because im looking at getting a new MB because my is a cheap acer board unbranded and I think I could do better. My main question is if I was to change my MB would I have to reinstall windows 7. The reason I ask this is because I brought only an upgrade version (boxed) and I think I would be unable to use it on a fresh machine.

My last question is is it worth upgrading the MB? (cheap which it is)

My system is windows 7 home Prem
Q8300
4 gig of Xms2
Asus 4870x2
Antec 300 case

dr4g0nf1y · 16 Mar 2010 at 19:06

if you get a new motherboard you'll need to get a new copy of windows.

once installed the license belongs to that piece of hardware

Geek. · 16 Mar 2010 at 19:25

yes you will have to reinstall also as dr4g0nf1y has said you will have to get a new copy of windows i would go for the retail one then you can change motherboards as many times as you like.

C64 · 16 Mar 2010 at 20:35

Yea and you have to use phone activation even on retail makes me wonder why I even bothered getting retail could have just got oem.

Hottybotty · 17 Mar 2010 at 08:04

Thanks for the advice.

So im pretty screwed.

Is an upgrade of a MB going to give much performance increase?

JTrickle · 17 Mar 2010 at 08:39

C64 said:
Yea and you have to use phone activation even on retail makes me wonder why I even bothered getting retail could have just got oem.

I thought the oem versions sold by ocuk could only be used on one mobo?

MeatLoaf · 17 Mar 2010 at 09:51

If you got a Retail upgraqde you can use it on your new machine. If it was OEM you cant. However you could recoup some of the cost by selling the OEM windows along with the motherboard.

Bradmax57 · 18 Mar 2010 at 15:06

JTrickle said:
I thought the oem versions sold by ocuk could only be used on one mobo?

I guess by the letter of the law thats right but it can easily be done

JTrickle · 18 Mar 2010 at 18:45

Ive just noticed OCUK are doing retail versions now. Not much price difference, so thats got to be the best option?

RJC · 18 Mar 2010 at 18:58

I think it is, it will allow you to move to another system at a later if need be or when you upgrade your current spec without problems.

DIABLO · 19 Mar 2010 at 15:48

When i had OEM XP and changed the mobo i just rang up and they reactivated, dunno if they have gotten more strict with later versions.

C64 · 19 Mar 2010 at 16:04

Bradmax57 said:
I guess by the letter of the law thats right but it can easily be done

OEM is same as retail automated phone activation, only difference is retail you get a few activations without having to phone in.

Bradmax57 · 19 Mar 2010 at 16:31

C64 said:
OEM is same as retail automated phone activation, only difference is retail you get a few activations without having to phone in.

ive had a few on oem too but yeah I know what your saying

twitch · 19 Mar 2010 at 22:08

dr4g0nf1y said:
if you get a new motherboard you'll need to get a new copy of windows.

once installed the license belongs to that piece of hardware

Geek. said:
yes you will have to reinstall also as dr4g0nf1y has said you will have to get a new copy of windows i would go for the retail one then you can change motherboards as many times as you like.

MeatLoaf said:
If you got a Retail upgraqde you can use it on your new machine. If it was OEM you cant. However you could recoup some of the cost by selling the OEM windows along with the motherboard.

lol

What utter tosh..

Makes me laugh when people say this..

twitch · 19 Mar 2010 at 22:15

The main difference is that Microsoft may not offer any support for OEM as with retail versions you can contact their support direct.
OEM versions you should contact the builder of the system for support.
Though I have allways used OEM and some Microsoft peeps have helped out

Bradmax57 · 19 Mar 2010 at 23:08

twitch said:
The main difference is that Microsoft may not offer any support for OEM as with retail versions you can contact their support direct.
OEM versions you should contact the builder of the system for support.
Though I have allways used OEM and some Microsoft peeps have helped out

who in there right mind would contact ms for support???? bit like phoning dell innit

CooK1E · 20 Mar 2010 at 16:38

Bradmax57 said:
who in there right mind would contact ms for support???? bit like phoning dell innit

At least you might get through to Dell

We've had a few people come in to us saying that they contacted MS without getting a reply.