Thinking of getting Vista, OEM?

pumaz

pumaz

pumaz

Soldato
Joined
7 Oct 2003
Posts
5,693
Location
Nottingham
Thinking of getting Vista Premium oem but I upgrade my machine including motherboard yearly. I know the Vista is tied to the motherboard but couldn't i just ring up and say the board died and needed replacing? how are people getting round this?

I just can't bring myself to spend over £150 on a piece of software even if it is an OS.
 
Brian Stuart said:
You know the terms of the license so why ask? I don't think many on this forum will advocate software piracy.
Click to expand...

How do you know i know the terms of the license? I wasn't advocating piracy, I am buying an oem version and simply wanted to know if it was possible to call MS and say "i've had to have a new mobo can you reactivate please"

If i wanted to use a pirate version i would just download one of the many available and not even bother to ask in here, but thanks for your help
 
pumaz said:
How do you know i know the terms of the license? I wasn't advocating piracy, I am buying an oem version and simply wanted to know if it was possible to call MS and say "i've had to have a new mobo can you reactivate please"

If i wanted to use a pirate version i would just download one of the many available and not even bother to ask in here, but thanks for your help
Click to expand...

If you upgrade your mobo for reason other than repair you are not licensed and MS shouldn't activate your product.

Burnsy
 
Burnsy2023 said:
Buy retail or budget for another OEM licence everytime you upgrade your mobo.

Burnsy
Click to expand...

I know thats the obvious thing to do but i was just wondering from various posts i've read if MS reactivate oem versions for legitimate reasons. I.E. needing a new motherboard.
 
pumaz said:
I know thats the obvious thing to do but i was just wondering from various posts i've read if MS reactivate oem versions for legitimate reasons. I.E. needing a new motherboard.
Click to expand...

Hello pumaz, yes, under a warranty claim and not changing the motherboard for performance upgrade purposes. :)
 
Bottom line:

OEM is tied to original motherboard.
If your motherboard fails and is replaced udner warranty then your product will be reactivated on the new board.
Any other reason for the motherboard swap and you will need to purchase a new license.

If you decide not to stick to these license rules then you might as well download your "many available" as using an OEM copy outside of the license agreement would be no more legal than a downloaded copy.

As to your question about advocating piracy.
Your initial post certainly gave the impression that was the route you were considering.
The line:
I know the Vista is tied to the motherboard but couldn't i just ring up and say the board died and needed replacing? how are people getting round this?

It certainly looks like you know full well Vista is tied to the motherboard and are asking how people get around this.
Is there any wonder people accused you or wanting hep on software theft?
 
stoofa said:
Bottom line:

OEM is tied to original motherboard.
If your motherboard fails and is replaced udner warranty then your product will be reactivated on the new board.
Any other reason for the motherboard swap and you will need to purchase a new license.

If you decide not to stick to these license rules then you might as well download your "many available" as using an OEM copy outside of the license agreement would be no more legal than a downloaded copy.

As to your question about advocating piracy.
Your initial post certainly gave the impression that was the route you were considering.
The line:
I know the Vista is tied to the motherboard but couldn't i just ring up and say the board died and needed replacing? how are people getting round this?

It certainly looks like you know full well Vista is tied to the motherboard and are asking how people get around this.
Is there any wonder people accused you or wanting hep on software theft?
Click to expand...

Get off you high horse, Why in the hell would i be ringing MS or asking questions here if I had or intend on getting a pirated version? My opening line "Thinking of getting Vista Premium oem" simply and exactly means just that and i came on here to enquire about the possibilities of getting it reactivated (legally by MS) when i change my motherboard. I was under the impression from various posts I read that it might be possible and legal or at least a grey area hence the "couldn't i just ring up and say the board died and needed replacing?" line

I nether said i wanted or intended to run a pirate version, So why accuse me of it? I'm honestly amazed at a couple of replies here, Maybe it's just me but i find more than a few people here elitist and retentive.

Rant over :)

Thanks to steve, Fire Wizard and Burnsy for answering my questions, It does indeed look like i will need the retail version, I wouldn't like to spend the next 6 months worrying if I'll be able to get MS to reactivate my version again,

Still sticks in my gut though that i can only get an oem Vista Premium for around the same price as a retail version of OSX and what makes it worse i'll need 4 copies (that's retail copies!) eventually :(
 
Went to bed early last night so couldn't defend my post.
The impression I got was that of Stoofa's that you were intending to reactivate when you were not licensed to do so after an upgrade. As Burnsey said budget for "X" copies of OEM or buy retail.

Your original post contradicts everything you have said in your last post. You know it is tied to the MB and you were asking for ways round it.
 
pumaz said:
Get off you high horse, Why in the hell would i be ringing MS or asking questions here if I had or intend on getting a pirated version? My opening line "Thinking of getting Vista Premium oem" simply and exactly means just that and i came on here to enquire about the possibilities of getting it reactivated (legally by MS) when i change my motherboard. I was under the impression from various posts I read that it might be possible and legal or at least a grey area hence the "couldn't i just ring up and say the board died and needed replacing?" line

I nether said i wanted or intended to run a pirate version, So why accuse me of it? I'm honestly amazed at a couple of replies here, Maybe it's just me but i find more than a few people here elitist and retentive.

Rant over :)

Thanks to steve, Fire Wizard and Burnsy for answering my questions, It does indeed look like i will need the retail version, I wouldn't like to spend the next 6 months worrying if I'll be able to get MS to reactivate my version again,

Still sticks in my gut though that i can only get an oem Vista Premium for around the same price as a retail version of OSX and what makes it worse i'll need 4 copies (that's retail copies!) eventually :(
Click to expand...

If you read around the net a lot of people own OEM copies. They ring Microsoft with their valid, genuine oem explain the situation and Microsoft validates the install again. Whether or not they disclose information about a new motherboard or not I don't know.

To be honest, a retail copy is the best route to go down if you are a regular upgrader :).
 
pumaz said:
I'm honestly amazed at a couple of replies here, Maybe it's just me but i find more than a few people here elitist and retentive.
Click to expand...
You'll get very blunt responses to this question because we seemingly have about 2 threads a week on the same topic, with the same arguments, with the same people. I'd imagine it's getting quite tiresome for all involved!
 
@ pumaz , if u buy vista oem then install it on your system now, u can't upgrade your motherboard a year later and use the same license.. if ring MS and say you've upgraded your motherboard they won't activate u, yes if u lie they'll activate u BUT you'll be unlicensed...

if your motherboard is broken then u can replace the motherboard for similar and u can use the same license.

simple as that...


theres to many threads about this....
 
Last edited:
Ok thanks all I think I've got the gist of it now, I'm just going to save a little longer and see if the price comes down in a few months then buy a Retail version of vista Premium maybe x4 (Main Rig, HTPC, Kids and Laptop).

Dons please feel free to close this thread as I have my answer, I apologise for not reading the sticky :)
 
gareth170 said:
yes ...

but windows oem is for system builders (people who built they own system) really...
Click to expand...
It's for big system distributors (Like Dell, HP), really. People who build their own account for a very small percentage of OEM license sales - which is why we end up with arguments like this. As it's aimed at big OEMs, the rules become a bit muddled as you're both the system builder and the end user.
 
csmager said:
It's for big system distributors (Like Dell, HP), really. People who build their own account for a very small percentage of OEM license sales - which is why we end up with arguments like this. As it's aimed at big OEMs, the rules become a bit muddled as you're both the system builder and the end user.
Click to expand...
but as i said its fine for people who built they own system.. microsoft as said this... so all the arguing is pointless... we know what we can and can't do with oem...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom