Will I need a new windows?

Bengaboy · 20 Mar 2008 at 23:14

Hi guys!

Im wanting to make a new pc, and was wondering if I added a new mobo, psu, cpu and ram, but keep the same HDD - would I need to buy a new copy of windows?

Plus, I have a pentium 4 3.0ghz and its a socket 775 LGA - would it be compatible in a new mobo? I heard even though its the same socket, it might not be compatible?

Cheers guys - hurry up and answer - I NEED TO SPEND MONEY!

~D~ · 20 Mar 2008 at 23:18

It depends what version of windows you have, as in OEM or Retail.

As far as I understand, this is how it works.

OEM versions of the software are tied to the motherboard that was in your system when you activiated it, meaning you will have to purchase a new copy. However if you have the retail version, then you can use the same copy you previously purchased (though having to reactivate it due to mass hardware changes).

"andy" · 20 Mar 2008 at 23:19

you might get away with doing a "repair" on your old windows install

id recommend installing fresh though

Bengaboy · 20 Mar 2008 at 23:21

I got this pc from purple shirt land 2 year ago - so I guess its retail?

Any good mobos out atm I should know about - cheap yet good!

Excitedly awaits answers to buy pc :cool:

Fire Wizard · 20 Mar 2008 at 23:24

Hello Bengaboy, if you bought a pre-built system from a shop then it is highly probable that you were given an OEM license in which case, if you are looking at changing your motherboard, you will have to purchase a new license.

~D~ · 20 Mar 2008 at 23:24

If your OS came pre-installed then it would be the OEM version of the software.

Edit: beaten to it ;p

Bengaboy · 20 Mar 2008 at 23:35

Fire Wizard said:
Hello Bengaboy, if you bought a pre-built system from a shop then it is highly probable that you were given an OEM license in which case, if you are looking at changing your motherboard, you will have to purchase a new license.

Jesarse.....

Might be time to go down the vista route then!!! :eek:

So would my pentium 4 go in a new mobo?

Bradley8988 · 20 Mar 2008 at 23:41

dual cores are soo cheap it seems stupid not to upgrade that too

Vonny · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:09

Yeah, If you on a pent4, 1st place to think of upgrading now is cpu, core duo's really

manic111 · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:10

I heard (may be wrong) that it had been changed with Vista and the OEM is no longer tied to the mobo-if Im wrong Im gonna be slightly peed off when I upgrade to a Crossfire mobo!!!

Vonny · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:13

I think you are wrong mate, it's worse with Vista if anything.

PhillyDee · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:13

Its actually the other way around. With XP it was more relaxed. With Vista, its a lot more strict with certain hardware changes.

Fire Wizard · 21 Mar 2008 at 01:20

Bengaboy said:
Might be time to go down the vista route then!!!

Hello Bengaboy, this is a fantastic time to move to Windows Vista in my opinion.

Bengaboy said:
So would my pentium 4 go in a new mobo?

That shouldn't be a problem. However, as others have already stated, you may, if your budget allows for it, be better of purchasing one of the Intel Core 2 Duo E21** or the E22** series processors.

manic111 said:
I heard (may be wrong) that it had been changed with Vista and the OEM is no longer tied to the mobo-if Im wrong Im gonna be slightly peed off when I upgrade to a Crossfire mobo!!!

Hello manic111, that is not the case. The licensing terms of an OEM license state that you can change any system component in your system as many times as you wish apart from the motherboard and you will still be licensed. Now you may have to re-activate Windows after a hardware and/or configuration change either by the online process or if it fails for various reasons, you will have to ring them up. If you do have to ring them up and speak with a Microsoft Agent, just tell them the truth, what exactly has happened and they will happily re-activate your copy of Windows for you. You will not be violating the EULA and you are still within your rights to use Windows.

Now if you change your motherboard for a performance upgrade (We are not talking about replacing your motherboard under warranty), then you will have to purchase a new copy of Windows (License) otherwise you will be breaking the EULA and no longer have a licensed copy of Windows.

This is exactly the same for both Windows XP and Windows Vista OEM.

Vonny said:
I think you are wrong mate, it's worse with Vista if anything.

Hello Vonny, it's no different to Windows XP.

PhillyDee said:
Its actually the other way around. With XP it was more relaxed. With Vista, its a lot more strict with certain hardware changes.

Hello PhillyDee, I believe that you are referring to activation.

Vonny · 21 Mar 2008 at 02:18

I am talking about activation, as was PhillyDee, we all are on about activation. Which is what will be needed if he changes mobo/needs re-install etc.

What are you on about?

You can always use phone activation though as you stated.

Bengaboy · 21 Mar 2008 at 21:38

Thanks all you guys for the help

So If I made a new system, would it install fine, then when I boot up - would it not let me on windows and ask for an activation key?

Never built a system before - so I wouldnt know

DAnDan · 21 Mar 2008 at 21:54

When I did it, it logged on fine, but then pops up saying a message "30 days left to activate windows".

Activate it and it goes away

Fire Wizard · 21 Mar 2008 at 22:09

Vonny said:
I am talking about activation, as was PhillyDee, we all are on about activation. Which is what will be needed if he changes mobo/needs re-install etc.

Hello Vonny, I do apologize; I thought you were talking about the legal aspect side of things.

Bengaboy said:
So If I made a new system, would it install fine, then when I boot up - would it not let me on windows and ask for an activation key?

Hello Bengaboy, yes it would install fine. However, you will be violating the EULA and will be no longer licensed to use that copy of Windows.

platinum87 · 22 Mar 2008 at 04:11

Fire Wizard said:
Hello Bengaboy, if you bought a pre-built system from a shop then it is highly probable that you were given an OEM license in which case, if you are looking at changing your motherboard, you will have to purchase a new license.

thats just wasting money as i see it.

if you wanted to you can install the same OEM copy onto a 1000 pc's and would perfectly in all of them..

GhostlyPea · 22 Mar 2008 at 08:58

Yes but you are forgetting it is totally illegal...

- Pea0n

Fire Wizard · 22 Mar 2008 at 13:12

platinum87 said:
if you wanted to you can install the same OEM copy onto a 1000 pc's and would perfectly in all of them..

Hello platinum87, maybe. However, you would be violating the EULA and would certainly no longer be licensed to use that copy of Windows. Now, weather this would concern you or not is really beside the point. These forums have a certain amount of legal aspect to them so let's not talk about - piracy acts.