Do I need to buy another OEM Windows?

[Rossdh]

Hi folks. I'm going to upgrade to SandyBridge so obviously need to change my motherboard and CPU. Before I order I need to know if there is anyway for me to use my current OEM Win7 licence as I'm not paying again for something I already have.

Cheers folks,
Ross

 

[Meatball]

You need a new license . OEM licenses die with the mainboard they were originally installed on. Next time buy a retail copy of Windows .

 

[Rossdh]

*Mumbles a 4 letter swear word beggining with S*

 

[chaparral]

Why did you not buy a retail copy of windows 7 to start with


As looking at your system spec in your sig you look like someone that will upgrade there system a lot..

OEM is really only for people that will keep the same PC for years...

 

[Rossdh]

I dunno tbh. If I explain nicely to MS do you think they'd give me another licence?

 

[Devrij]

Nope, but I did once change over my mobo and just hooked everything up. W7 spouted a not genuine message until I re-entered my key and all was well. I'm also upgrading though and am not so hopeful this time around. May have to bite the bullet and buy a retail copy. Still, my copy only cost me a tenner (legit too)

 

[Rossdh]

Ok even the Retail version says you only get 1 install :S

 

[EniGmA1981]

One install at a time. eg. you can't install it on two computers in the same house. But you CAN install it as many times as you want, on whatever computer you own at the time...

 

[Rossdh]

ahhhh cheers for that

 

[James_200sx]

Phone ms and tell them if it wont activate over internet. They will make it work.

 

[Devrij]

Phone ms and tell them if it wont activate over internet. They will make it work.

Worked with XP, not sure how many times you'll get away with that on 7 though. I'll be trying it if it gives me trouble when my new kit arrives anyway lol.

 

[iviv]

Phone ms and tell them if it wont activate over internet. They will make it work.

And then you would be no different from someone who simply downloaded a pirated version from the internet.

If you want to be able to install on new PCs, buy retail. Its more expensive, but for that cost you get the freedom. Try and cut costs by buying the OEM version and you to follow the OEM rules, and not cheat over the phone.

 

[shadow_boxer]

I would say you may as well phone M$ and explain your motherboard failed and you are trying to reinstall your copy of Windows 7 onto your new system. Worth a try.

 

[bloodhunter]

Every time i make significant hardware changes and Windows has to be reactivated if the online acivation fails i just call the freephone number provided and explain i had hardware failure (which i did) and go through the process of activation on the phone.

A bit of a pain but it works.

Have done this about 6 times on an OEM and a couple of times on an upgrade version.

 

[MikeHunt79]

Often if your new motherboard is made by the same manufacturer as your old board Windows will not need reactivation... I've found this to be the case with Gigabyte boards at least...

 

[stoofa]

I would say you may as well phone M$ and explain your motherboard failed and you are trying to reinstall your copy of Windows 7 onto your new system. Worth a try.

WOW!
I've not seen somebody use the M$ for absolutely ages!
Honestly thought most people had grown up by now.

 

[Domo]

Delete

 

[Rossdh]

Well the board I'm going for is a Gigabyte and that's what I already have. But I am changing socket, P55 to P67

 

[Rossdh]

Is there any definite answer for this or is it just a case of luck?

 

[rpstewart]

Is there any definite answer for this

Yes, it's the one you got in the first reply. You need a new copy of Windows, anything else is illegal.