windows 7

gkdestroyer · 21 Apr 2011 at 11:37

Hi im building a pc for my partner soon . She has a compaq at the moment with windows 7 and a windows 7 home prem oa key code licence .
I have a copy of window 7 i bought for my pc build can i use my disk but her key code for her new pc build as i think just putting her harddrive in will not work with the new motherboard ie i will have to reinstall windows 7 .

Thanks peeps

nickrose · 21 Apr 2011 at 11:59

Yes, should be OK, all the windows 7 disks have all the versions on as far as I know, the key just activates the different versions (Premium, ultimate etc.)

|Thomas| · 21 Apr 2011 at 12:03

I'm not quite sure I follow. If you want to use her key (i.e. the OEM copy) in a new computer then no, you can't. It is permanently registered to the motherboard in the compaq computer, and can't be used in another computer. You'll need to purchase a new retail key from somewhere.

You will however be able to use your disk to install it

, but you do need another retail key.

gkdestroyer · 21 Apr 2011 at 12:34

well that suck then if it dont work . seems unfair when i bought the compaq with win7 and now i want to put it on another pc and do away with the compaq :-(

gkdestroyer · 21 Apr 2011 at 12:38

Just looked at my copy mine says oem & mines from oc uk . hers says OA on the serial code on the side of her pc. What the diffrence ?

PhillyDee · 21 Apr 2011 at 12:38

Its OEM software. Its only to be used with the machine it was fisrt installed on. Its not unfair, as when you first turned on the Compaq, you would (you wouldn't have really) have had to agree to the EULA which states that if you don't like it, return it to the store.

It is only Retail copies that can be moved from machine to machine.

gkdestroyer · 21 Apr 2011 at 12:59

So does it asign its self to one motherboard and thats it . ?

Might use the hard drive out of that machine for the new build . Then get another and give it our kids to trash as long as i can use that key back on that machine would just be a diffrent harddrive ;-)

nickrose · 21 Apr 2011 at 13:01

You could always ring Microsoft and do a manual activation and tell them if asked that you have had to fit another motherboard due to a fault. Might be worth a try?

gkdestroyer · 21 Apr 2011 at 13:17

hmmm suppose its possible . But may be worth to give it kids to use for school and get another copy of win 7 for the new build .

Thanks for your help peeps . Now i know the diffrence in them ;-)

iviv · 21 Apr 2011 at 13:28

nickrose said:
You could always ring Microsoft and do a manual activation and tell them if asked that you have had to fit another motherboard due to a fault. Might be worth a try?

May as well just pirate it if you're willing to break the terms of the licence like that, you would be just as legal :/

Dewotter · 21 Apr 2011 at 13:51

iviv said:
May as well just pirate it if you're willing to break the terms of the licence like that, you would be just as legal :/

If they didn't want a loophole then it wouldn't exist.

iviv · 21 Apr 2011 at 15:14

RKO said:
If they didn't want a loophole then it wouldn't exist.

Seems more like they are relying on people being honest, so that their system is as smooth as possible for people who actually do have problems with their installs.
If you did have a problem with activation, and MS made you jump through a ton of hoops, you would be complaining. So don't complain that they've decided to smooth it out and relied on users honesty.

Radiation · 21 Apr 2011 at 19:47

iviv said:
May as well just pirate it if you're willing to break the terms of the licence like that, you would be just as legal :/

Perhaps but morally i don't think many would feel it's wrong, especially after paying so much anyway.