Vista deactivation due to hardware change

ALLI said:
So why did they activate mine?
Click to expand...

In your case, the MS rep on the phone was wrong to give you the Activation code. But it won't be the first time it has happened.

Your software has Activated and I'm sure you (like many others) will be perfectly happy with that. But technically your software is no longer licenced.

I think others will have probably explained this already.
 
Burnsy2023 said:
Because they didn't understand the situation properly through either their fault or yours. They should not have activated your product. That's why I was sighing.

Burnsy
Click to expand...

Aye, but 99% of users don't understand it, that's why MS have little choice but to reactivate the OEM OS when requested. The system is not designed to catch out users like ALLI, it's targeted at pirates and businesses who are breaking the law with intent.

Besides, the fact that a MS rep reactivates the OS constitutes what could be construed as a verbal contract, although I wouldn't want to fight them over it :eek:
 
ALLI said:
I know of people who have never bought an OS in their lives. Personally, I wouldn't want a hacked OS on my system in the first place.
Click to expand...

However the bottom line is, and I'm sure you don't want to hear it...
What you now have on your machine is no more legal than a copy some thief decides to download from the net.
 
bfar said:
Besides, the fact that a MS rep reactivates the OS constitutes what could be construed as a verbal contract, although I wouldn't want to fight them over it :eek:
Click to expand...

No it wouldn't.
The person on the end of the phone is probably not employed directly by Microsoft.
Even if they are they are not in any position where they are allowed to form a contract with you.

Secondly - as we all know it is highly unlikely the person on the end of the phone was given all of the information.
If you call up the activation phone line and actually tell them the truth - OEM copy of the OS, I've replaced/upgraded my motherboard then they will not activate it for you.
It's only when people lie or not tell the full sotry that they do.

In which case as you will have lied no contract can actually be formed.
 
stoofa said:
However the bottom line is, and I'm sure you don't want to hear it...
What you now have on your machine is no more legal than a copy some thief decides to download from the net.
Click to expand...

Actually, the legal position now is that he has a legitimate OEM copy on his machine. No one will follow him up on it, good for him I say.
 
stoofa said:
No it wouldn't.
The person on the end of the phone is probably not employed directly by Microsoft.
Even if they are they are not in any position where they are allowed to form a contract with you.

Secondly - as we all know it is highly unlikely the person on the end of the phone was given all of the information.
If you call up the activation phone line and actually tell them the truth - OEM copy of the OS, I've replaced/upgraded my motherboard then they will not activate it for you.
It's only when people lie or not tell the full sotry that they do.

In which case as you will have lied no contract can actually be formed.
Click to expand...

The person on the phone didn't ask for any info, other than the long number. I didn't lie. How am I supposed to know their job? Surely that's what they have training and scripts for? :p

As was originally said, if a board is replaced a la RMA then I have done nothing wrong.

Get off my case. I spent money purchasing their OS in good faith and called them for tech support when things went wrong.

You might as well tell people who speed that they should ring the Police and tell them they've broken the law! Sheesh.
 
:)

Sorry, just felt accusing fingers pointing my way.

At the end of the day, my comp's working. Whether it's legal, ethical or whatever, it works. If MS have messed up (and that hardly surprises me) then maybe they should punt some of the money they've saved by shipping out their call centre's to Bangalore or wherever, on staff training.

I am surprised by the OP having to do all this when all he's done is add memory.
 
I upgraded my graphics card the other week and it didn't ask for reactivation - I would've thought that was a more major upgrade than adding some ram.

:)
 
I recently upgraded my graphics card too and at first windows didn't require re-activation but I then proceeded to take out the card and fit an after market cooler and upon replacing it was confronted with a re-activation request !

Rather annoying but it activated again with no problems ... I've used 3 of my activations since I purchased this copy for my new pc ( within like 2 months :/ )
 
Burnsy2023 said:
Even if none of that was true, it's a pointless argument as activated product <> licenced product

Burnsy
Click to expand...

to be honest

dont think all of the blame lies with the MS rep on the end of the phone. as has already been said, we are a forum of IT enthusiasts and (in lots of cases) professionals. We understand the significance of the OEM license agreement. Your mate down the pub who got vista for £60 doesnt.

And the problem is not that your mate down the pub has bought an OEM copy and wanted to change his motherboard, it was the fact that it was sold to him in the first place

to my mind, the only for the OEM product to be used as intended is not to sell it on its own. Full Stop

i mean, your mate down the pub sees 3 copies of Vista for sale on a reputable shopping site like amazon. the differences between OEM, Upgrade and Retail will not be properly explained in depth

so which one does he buy ? the cheapest one of course ..
 
I have Vista OEM and reactivated after moving from a Commando to the current board. Didn't have to speak to any one, all automated.
Had to answer 2 questions with keystrokes 1) Was Vista already installed on the machine when you bought it or did you buy it separately, and 2) How many machines is your copy of Vista loaded on.
 
Last edited:
If, as I understand it, the OEM license is essentially tied/locked to the motherboard, why do MS care when other hardware is changed?

I just don't see why activation should be checking RAM/GPU etc.

I thought the motherboard was the "essence" of the PC and therefore that is all that matters for an OEM license. Or am I missing something? Is it simply to make the Retail license more attractive?
 
I must have the oddest OEM Ultimate edition ever.

I had to re-activate after installing a USB2 Bluetooth dongle (hehehehehe...dongle) But it didn't flutter one bit when I added a new hdd, changed to 4GB ram, upgraded GFX card, changed Soundcards twice, changed wifi card with a newer model.

And yes I have also in the past upgraded mobo and been given a new code by MS, I told them I changed and they gave me a new code. I had no choice but to change mobo due to stability issue son the socket 939 I had, it was also out of warranty so had no other route to take but to just upgrade and make good use of this opportunity.
 
Rebelius said:
Retail still needs activation.
Click to expand...

In that case why not make it all so simple and easy.

1. OEM is locked to the motherboard - All other hardware changes are irellevant and so no reactivation required.

2. Retail again locks to the motherboard BUT with the ability to transfer to a new motherboard. The original system is no longer licensed.

I guess it's their OS and they can enforce what they like but surely the above is less irritating to end users and they still sell as many licenses?

The other option is that they stop end users being able to purchase OEM licenses.

BTW - Is there anywhere where MS state the exact reacivation trigger rules?
 
Well, my mate has replaced his mobo several times while using Vista OEM (Not through RMA's) and Microsoft didn't stop him from activating it again and again. As for the arguement that it is 'Not Licensed / Legal' if they activate it because you lied, well, how many people are going to lose sleep over that? All most if not all people want is to get the version activated again. How many people actually read the EULA? How many people actually care about the EULA?

As was metioned earlier, i think Microsoft are not bothered about the average guy who has bought his version of Vista be it OEM or Retail and ringing up to get it re-activated. I think they are more concerned with the pirate people out there.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom