Vista

[turbotoes]

so how does microsoft know what machine it is installed on?

When xp installs it examines your hardware and from that it produces a code number, it's known as the hardware hash. MS keeps a record of this hash when you activate xp. You can reactivate any number of times on the same hardware, but if the hash changes too often or too much then you have to call them up and explain why. ("please, sir my mainboard broke", or what ever)
That, my son is how they know.

turbotoes

 

[morgan]

When xp installs it examines your hardware and from that it produces a code number, it's known as the hardware hash. MS keeps a record of this hash when you activate xp. You can reactivate any number of times on the same hardware, but if the hash changes too often or too much then you have to call them up and explain why. ("please, sir my mainboard broke", or what ever)
That, my son is how they know.

turbotoes

Ok so Vista will work in exactly the same way?

so basically as long as I dont change my PC every month or so its not going to be a problem? Its not something I do a lot but I am considering in a month or so. But even if this hardware hash changes even once you have to ring up?

 

[turbotoes]

what about the scenrio if you buy the oem today, then build a complete new system (hds etc) say a month later? If its only installed on one machine is that ok?

good lord, don't you people read the posts on this forum? OEM is tied to your motherboard, it is not transferable willy nilly, hither and thither. If your MB goes south then you should be able to persuade them to reactivate, but for any other reason than that it's a no go. (disk drive and graphics cards don't count as a new pc, but you will still have to reactivate if the change is big enough

turbotoes

Morgan, yes Vista works in the same way, but MS appear to be going to be tougher about enforcing the oem licence for it, so if they think your pulling their collective plonker, you may not get that reactivation!!