If I buy Vista OEM, is it true I can't change hardware?

Noopz · 18 Feb 2008 at 17:56

Exactly as the title states:

It seems that if I purchase a legit copy of Vista HP OEM and change my mobo or any parts in my PC I will not be able to reinstall/activate vista again?

If so it seems like a real waste of cash to buy an OS you can only use on one machine.

Cheers

Butters · 18 Feb 2008 at 17:59

only motherboard IIRC. Processor and memory, Hard drive etc is fine

Caged · 18 Feb 2008 at 18:01

That's why a retail license exists.

Energize · 18 Feb 2008 at 18:02

Noopz said:
If so it seems like a real waste of cash to buy an OS you can only use on one machine.

Considering the retail licence costs more than 3x the oem license, oem is really the only viable option.

stoofa · 18 Feb 2008 at 18:04

OEM versions of the operating system are designed to be sold to large OEM partners - like Dell and HP.
They come as part of the machine and will die with the machine - it should just be considered another component.
You can buy an OEM version of the OS, it is cheaper than the Retail version however you need to be aware of the license - it is different.

The OEM license is good for the motherboard that it is install on.
It cannot be transfered.
So for as long as you use the same motherboard (or if it fails and is replaced under warranty) your license is legal.
As soon as you replace the motherboard then you will need to buy a new Vista license.
You can however change any other hardware you like - you maybe prompted to reactivate the OS, however this can be done quite legally and without too much fuss.

The retail versions of the OS cost more, however the license is a lot less restrictive.
You can install the retail version on any number of PC's so long as it is only ever installed on one machine at a time.
So in other words the retail license will last you a lifetime and allow you to upgrade and change your PC as much as you like as you can simply transfer the license from machine to machine.

It is not a waste of cash - you just need to decide which license suits you.
If you are happy to spend £70 each time you buy a new motherboard on a new OEM Vista license then this is the route for you.
Alternatively you can spend a little bit more now, buy a retail version and move it around from machine to machine as much as you like.

It is worth noting that this is exactly the same license limitation as with Windows XP - so this is nothing new.

stoofa · 18 Feb 2008 at 18:07

Energize said:
Considering the retail licence costs more than 3x the oem license, oem is really the only viable option.

Entirely depends on how many motherboard upgrades you plan on making during the life of the OS.
Make 3 and you'll break about even, make 4 and the retail version becomes more cost effective.

Noopz · 18 Feb 2008 at 18:13

Thanks for the swift replies, that's what I thought. Whatever you may think, I'm not willing to ***** £180~ for a transferrable OS.

My only reason for wanting to switch to Vista was to get x64 and make use of the 4GB of ram I've got.

I'll be using XP and not worrying about the unused ram I think - certainly the cheaper option.

Caged · 18 Feb 2008 at 18:14

OEM XP has the same limitations.

(Why do people think the license for XP and Vista are so different?)

Noopz · 18 Feb 2008 at 18:16

I've always used volume license - restrictions have never applied to me with XP.

stoofa · 19 Feb 2008 at 10:40

Noopz said:
Thanks for the swift replies, that's what I thought. Whatever you may think, I'm not willing to ***** £180~ for a transferrable OS.

My only reason for wanting to switch to Vista was to get x64 and make use of the 4GB of ram I've got.

I'll be using XP and not worrying about the unused ram I think - certainly the cheaper option.

Indeed it is.
However as soon as you replace your motherboard in the future your OEM license is no longer valid.
As said above - if you plan on making 3 motherboard changes throughout the lifetime of the OS (remember some people are still using Win2k some 7 years later) then buying retail is the most cost effective way of doing things.

stoofa · 19 Feb 2008 at 10:42

Noopz said:
I've always used volume license - restrictions have never applied to me with XP.

How many Windows XP licenses did you actually buy then?
Volume licenses are no cheaper (unless you are buying into the hundreds).
You also can't just go and "buy" volume licenses off the shelf, you need to qualify for them.

So unless your talking about business purchases - which are a totally different subject, I don't see how you've managed to save money by purchasing Volume Licenses.
Especially as you would have needed to buy multiple licenses.

Burnsy2023 · 19 Feb 2008 at 11:22

stoofa said:
How many Windows XP licenses did you actually buy then?
Volume licenses are no cheaper (unless you are buying into the hundreds).
You also can't just go and "buy" volume licenses off the shelf, you need to qualify for them.

So unless your talking about business purchases - which are a totally different subject, I don't see how you've managed to save money by purchasing Volume Licenses.
Especially as you would have needed to buy multiple licenses.

I have a feeling the Volume License isn't legal, anyway like I've said in another thread, Windows Volume Licences are upgrade only.

Burnsy

Converge · 19 Feb 2008 at 11:30

I changed my motherboard, it came up with the "please activate windows" etc prompts, to which i thought, "Damn, i'm going to have to buy Vista again". BUT, in the end all i did was ring them up to activate Vista again, and it was all automated and all worked fine, so no need to buy another license

NathanE · 19 Feb 2008 at 11:41

For PC enthusiasts that build their own PC's this is always a bit of a grey area. In general Microsoft has not explicitly made any distinction between a OEM company type "system builder" and a PC enthusiast "system builder".

Tripnologist · 19 Feb 2008 at 11:49

Caged said:
OEM XP has the same limitations.
(Why do people think the license for XP and Vista are so different?)

I've never had that problem and I've gone through four different motherboards with my OEM copy of XP Pro. Only the last time did I have to reactivate it through their automated phone service.

540media · 19 Feb 2008 at 12:11

Noopz said:
Thanks for the swift replies, that's what I thought. Whatever you may think, I'm not willing to ***** £180~ for a transferrable OS....

I'll be using XP and not worrying about the unused ram I think - certainly the cheaper option.

If you've got a legit copy of XP then why dont you look at getting the retail upgrade to vista... you can pick it up for about £20-£30 more than a OEM version of vista HP.

bluestreak101 · 19 Feb 2008 at 13:22

You can install OEM licence's again on different motherboards, you can even activate it, I have tested this several times. The only problem I have is you are unable to activate it over the internet so many times. If you are unable to activate it over the internet due to being used to many times do it over the phone, the automated system just asks how many machines is it installed on, just say one.

Fire Wizard · 19 Feb 2008 at 13:41

Blokey57 said:
I changed my motherboard, it came up with the "please activate windows" etc prompts, to which i thought, "Damn, i'm going to have to buy Vista again". BUT, in the end all i did was ring them up to activate Vista again, and it was all automated and all worked fine, so no need to buy another license

Hello Blokey57, you are no longer licensed to use Windows Vista so I would suggest purchasing a new license and since these forums have a certain amount of legal aspect to them, stop talking about your piracy acts, thank you.

Tripnologist said:
I've never had that problem and I've gone through four different motherboards with my OEM copy of XP Pro. Only the last time did I have to reactivate it through their automated phone service.

Hello Tripnologist, there is a difference between what you can physically do and what you can do legally.

bluestreak101 said:
You can install OEM licence's again on different motherboards, you can even activate it, I have tested this several times....

Hello bluestreak101, no you can't, certainly not without violating the terms of the EULA unless you are changing your motherboard under warranty purposes. You are no longer licensed to use Windows so I would suggest purchasing a new Windows license.

bledd · 19 Feb 2008 at 13:46

Blokey57 said:
I changed my motherboard, it came up with the "please activate windows" etc prompts, to which i thought, "Damn, i'm going to have to buy Vista again". BUT, in the end all i did was ring them up to activate Vista again, and it was all automated and all worked fine, so no need to buy another license

that usually works, and will pass ms authentication, but your copy is no longer legal

you'll hardly have the LAPD after you though

bluestreak101 · 19 Feb 2008 at 14:05

Fire Wizard said:
Hello bluestreak101, no you can't, certainly not without violating the terms of the EULA. You are no longer licensed to use Windows so I would suggest purchasing a new Windows license and since these forums have a certain amount of legall aspect to them, stop talking about your pircay acts, thank you.

I was merely pointing out that it is possible to install an OEM copy of windows on different motherboards. I know how OEM licencing works,

Besides when do you ever tell microsoft the serial number of the motherboard?

OEM licence's are assigned to machines, but retail licence's are generally per person.

Its all a ploy of Microsofts to make more money. The price hike of the retail software I feel is a bit of a joke.