Motherboard blew up, so I'll need a new product key, right?

[qliveur]

This is sort of complicated, because I had OEM Vista and then upgraded to 7. Am I going to have to get product keys for both?

I know that with XP you didn't have to buy a new key in the event of a hardware failure because MS would just give you a new one, but what about with Vista and 7?

 

[KeypoX]

same just call

 

[qliveur]

All right. Thanks.

 

[Perryg114]

I don't know about Win 7 but XP would let you install a new motherboard as long as it was the same model it should load without a hitch. If you can't get the exact same motherboard you might still get away with it if you keep all the other hardware the same or at least change one thing at a time.

Perry

 

[sivart]

The COA must be attached to the case of the PC. As as long as you are only using that COA with that machine (I.e. only on one machine), I think you are fine.
http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/Public/sblicense/2008_SB_Licenses/FY08_SB_License_English.pdf

It will let you do updates fine. You may have to call in, but just explain you replaced your motherboard.

 

[krypto1300]

This is sort of complicated, because I had OEM Vista and then upgraded to 7. Am I going to have to get product keys for both?

I know that with XP you didn't have to buy a new key in the event of a hardware failure because MS would just give you a new one, but what about with Vista and 7?

I just went through this procedure. I had Win7 Ultimate OEM on a machine then I changed the MB & CPU.

All you have to do is do the telephone activation and follow the directions. Don't activate online and when the telephone activation asks you how many PC's you are running the software on, just say 1.