OEM Vista install tied to original Hardware?

[speedy2]

Is it like XP?

Got an HP m8300F, with a dead motherboard.

Thinking of just getting a new, better quality board, but will I lose the ability to activate Vista?

I kinda don't want to use the same board because it looks like the capacitors popping is pretty common on these.

 

[Gunbuster]

As I understand it the OEM version looks for an ID in the BIOS specific to that brand and OEM restore/install DVD.

 

[corkyg]

In most cases, the ID is the chipset. But - with a mobo swap you can probably call MS and get activated.

 

[Lanyap]

Yes. VISTA will want to be activated coming up for the first time on a non-HP motherboard but you can enter the license key on your COA sticker on the case.