Vista OEM version

[MarcVenice]

Thats the question. I've been reading a lot of contradictory information, and figured I'd ask before I'm going to call either MS or some other reliable source. One site sais you won't be able to reactivate the OEM version, unless your mobo broke down, and you're going to replace it with the exact same one. But yet another site sais, yes you can install the OEM version on a new pc and reactivate it, with one of the reactions being: "Users can alter the PC's hardware substantially, but they will be forced to reactivate not repurchase the OEM software if they do, she said." But that qoute doens't come with a source, so no way for me to check up on it.

Please, no more contradictory information 😛

 

[spyordie007]

This is a grey-area in licensing, so you're going to get contradictory information depending on who you talk to.

My take:
The question is what it's OEM for.

If you purchased the computer from a system builder (i.e. Dell) than you can only replace the motherboard with another from them. If you purchased the OEM version with a Hard Drive than you can replace the motherboard (just not the Hard Drive). If you purchased the OEM version with that motherboard than generally you should not be "replacing" the motherboard with something new (although if it were defective and you RMA'd it nobody would complain).

I dont buy OEM, but if I did I'd consider that OEM copy is tied to your one computer, so if you replace a single component it's still basically the same computer...

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
This is a grey-area in licensing, so you're going to get contradictory information depending on who you talk to.

My take:
The question is what it's OEM for.

If you purchased the computer from a system builder (i.e. Dell) than you can only replace the motherboard with another from them. If you purchased the OEM version with a Hard Drive than you can replace the motherboard (just not the Hard Drive). If you purchased the OEM version with that motherboard than generally you should not be "replacing" the motherboard with something new (although if it were defective and you RMA'd it nobody would complain).

I dont buy OEM, but if I did I'd consider that OEM copy is tied to your one computer, so if you replace a single component it's still basically the same computer...

OEM is not tied to the hardware it is purchased with, it's tied to the Motherboard


Regardless of if it's possible or not, it is a violation of the EULA to transfer an OEM license from one PC to another (either by upgrading or by just moving). If you swap/upgrade a lot, just buy retail to save the money.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: nweaver

Originally posted by: spyordie007
This is a grey-area in licensing, so you're going to get contradictory information depending on who you talk to.

My take:
The question is what it's OEM for.

If you purchased the computer from a system builder (i.e. Dell) than you can only replace the motherboard with another from them. If you purchased the OEM version with a Hard Drive than you can replace the motherboard (just not the Hard Drive). If you purchased the OEM version with that motherboard than generally you should not be "replacing" the motherboard with something new (although if it were defective and you RMA'd it nobody would complain).

I dont buy OEM, but if I did I'd consider that OEM copy is tied to your one computer, so if you replace a single component it's still basically the same computer...

OEM is not tied to the hardware it is purchased with, it's tied to the Motherboard


Regardless of if it's possible or not, it is a violation of the EULA to transfer an OEM license from one PC to another (either by upgrading or by just moving). If you swap/upgrade a lot, just buy retail to save the money.

Haven't we had this discussion at least a dozen times before? The search works now, you know....

Anyway, It's a gray area depending on who you talk to.

Technically it would be OEM = one mobo/activation for the life of the software, but in reality, if you need/want to replace your motherboard, you can reactivate the same OEM copy simply by calling the Microsoft activation hotline and saying "No" when the Indian on the other end asks "Is this copy installed on more then one PC" 😉

I believe the license states it's within the System Builders responsibility(correct word? to replace the motherboard if the old one is "damaged" and the same model isn't available, and keep the OEM license and tie it to the new motherboard.

I think.

 

[gus6464]

I install OEM licenses on other computers all the time when the original pc dies. Just say no when the ms dude asks if this key is installed on another pc.

 

[MarcVenice]

allright, sorry for not using the search option, lazyness on my part I guess. But I know enough, and the reason I'm asking is because I have to play shadowrun and halo 2, so I can review them. But since I don't have Vista, and I'm buying a new PC come end of the year. I'm not willing to pay 300 euro's for Vista, just to review 2 games, but the OEM version is 'affordable'. It's more of a hobby then real work, if you know what I'm saying.