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What if your mobo gets fried, and you have Vista OEM

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Originally posted by: theprodigalrebel
This answers the question
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That's no different than XP. FWIW I've activated hundreds of XP installs over the years. The activation reps usually ask if it's installed on more than one pc, and never ask if you've swapped a motherboard or if you are transferring it to a new computer. Obviously the PC Perspective guy, Ryan Shrout, had an activation rep that either 1) didn't ask him if it's on more than one pc or 2) he lied. Judging by the article he lied. 🙁

After talking with a very much out-sourced representative, who simply asked me if I was "using this software on any other system any more" and I said 'no', they supplied me with the corresponding 54-digit confirmation ID.
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Since he transferred the OEM Vista to a 2nd pc he is violating the EULA and pirating the OS. You'll find dozens of topics on this forum where people transfer XP to a new pc simply because they were able to acquire a code after phoning in the activation. This is illegal folks!

darn typos...
 
Some brave soul bought Vista Ultimate OEM and actually tried switching out the motherboard to see what would happen. He was able to call Microsoft and have them activate windows. He even tried changing the motherboard again and Microsoft once again let him reactivate.

Here is the link.

 
Has anybody had a chance to read the EULA that comes with OEM Vista?

Microsoft has not published any specifically-Vista OEM licensing information on its OEM partner sites. I don't know that MS has made ANY changes in its OEM licensing, but there's no way to know without a written policy. Unfortunately, most MS Licensing folks are as clueless as the rest of us.

------------------------------------------------------
Here's the RETAIL licensing agreement (1/26/07) for the "Home" versions:
Microsoft: Vista Home and Ultimate EULA

MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS
WINDOWS VISTA HOME BASIC
WINDOWS VISTA HOME PREMIUM
WINDOWS VISTA ULTIMATE

"15. REASSIGN TO ANOTHER DEVICE.
a. Software Other than Windows Anytime Upgrade. You may uninstall the software and
install it on another device for your use. You may not do so to share this license between
devices.
b. Windows Anytime Upgrade Software. The first user of the software may reassign the
license to another device one time, but only if the license terms of the software you upgraded from allows reassignment."
---------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Regarding transfer of OEM Vista Licenses:
The link in the first post of this thread (from PC Perspectives) pretty much matches the current situation with OEM XP. If you try to move it to a new motherboard, Online Activation is denied. You have to call Microsoft and talk to someone, who decides if they will allow re-Activation.

Arstechnica article on transfers (from November):

"OEM licenses still different
It bears repeating, however, the the OEM license that comes with Vista is indeed similar to the Windows XP OEM license in that it forbids any kind of transfer. As we have previously reported, users have nevertheless had success transferring those copies of Windows, but they are technically stepping outside of the bounds of the EULA when doing so."
 
It's always been against OEM policy to do this sort of thing. It's OEM replacement only.

In fact your not realy suppose to buy the stupid OEM thing for yourself to use. It's for independant small-time builders that make computers for other people for a hobby or something like that. If your going to buy a version of XP or Vista to use yourself then your suppose to buy retail.

But Microsoft lets this sort of thing slide, either through policy or becuase the people working the phones just don't give a ******. It's a bit dangerous for you to tell people that it's OK to do this if it's against the OEM EULA becuase although 9 times out of 10 it may work there will always been that tenth guy that gets burned.

I don't know if it's against the OEM EULA or not. I expect that it is, unless it's a replacement for a damaged board.
 
Originally posted by: drag
In fact your not realy suppose to buy the stupid OEM thing for yourself to use. It's for independant small-time builders that make computers for other people for a hobby or something like that. If your going to buy a version of XP or Vista to use yourself then your suppose to buy retail.
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Actually, drag, Microsoft changed its OEM System Builder rules about six months ago (approxmiately...I can't remember exactly).

The new rules SPECIFICALLY STATE that a "System Builder" INCLUDES a home user who builds his or her own PC. They can purchase a sealed copy of OEM XP and install it on their own PC. And, of course, once it's installed, that OEM License becomes "married" to the motherboard.

This change took place at the same time that Microsoft began selling "Single-Packs" of OEM XP. Before that, it was against MS's licensing to sell a "single" copy of XP unless it was sold with "hardware". That's how everybody began giving away audio cables with each copy single copy of OEM XP they sold.

Under the NEW OEM EULA, anybody could "legally" buy and install a single sealed copy of OEM XP (complete with CD and COA and license papers). You could even resell it, as long as you didn't open it. But once you open the package, it can only be sold pre-installed on a complete PC.
 
Originally posted by: Smilin
STOP THE FUD. Gawd you people here are supposed to be smarter than this.

If you blow your mobo you replace it with the same kind. If it's not available any longer you replace it with something different. No EULA violation at all.
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I saw a post a couple of weeks ago were someone had his laptop motherboard replaced and MS wouldn't reactivate it. He had to send it back, and they had to use a new key to get MS to accept it.

OEM is tied to the motherboard and if you use a different motherboard they may not reactivate it.

 
Originally posted by: tboo
MS answers OEM questions 2 days ago
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They make it sound like the only difference is the box, manual, and lack of MS support and leave out the most important aspect about transfers. The MS rep totally avoided stating that you cannot transfer Vista OEM once it has been installed. That is one of the main reasons that OEM software is heavily discounted. It's pathetic when a true MS rep can't even state all of the facts so people can make an informed decision.
 
Originally posted by: Cogman
I read an article on pcper.com (should still be on the front page) Apparently he was able to transfer the Vista OEM version 3 times to different mobos. So... This may just be a grace period by microsoft though.
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Nope. He simply lied (and admitted to lying in the article) to the MS activation rep. about not having it on more than one pc. That is the only question that you must answer 'no' to in order to receive a confirmation code. Windows XP is no different......
 
Then why not go with OEM over retail if your truthful to the MS activation rep on the phone? I will be upgrading my hardware, but Vista will only be on one system at one time.
 
Originally posted by: John
Originally posted by: Cogman
I read an article on pcper.com (should still be on the front page) Apparently he was able to transfer the Vista OEM version 3 times to different mobos. So... This may just be a grace period by microsoft though.
Click to expand...

Nope. He simply lied (and admitted to lying in the article) to the MS activation rep. about not having it on more than one pc. That is the only question that you must answer 'no' to in order to receive a confirmation code. Windows XP is no different......
Click to expand...

The point is that if you aren't running Vista on another pc microsoft will allow you to activate it on a different motherboard.

/thread
 
Originally posted by: Shawn
The point is that if you aren't running Vista on another pc microsoft will allow you to activate it on a different motherboard.

/thread
Click to expand...

As I previously stated XP is no different when it comes to activation, and the OEM Vista EULA is identical to XP. I guess if you lack ethics and endorse casual piracy its ok to transfer the XP/Vista OEM software to a new computer. In the end its Microsoft's own fault for not having the activation reps ask if the OEM software that you're activating has been previously installed on another computer. The fact of the matter is that most people do not understand the licensing agreement, and since it's possible to install software, not just Windows, on multiple computers using the same key it must be ok since they think they own it.



 
Originally posted by: John

.....The fact of the matter is that most people do not understand the licensing agreement, and since it's possible to install software, not just Windows, on multiple computers using the same key it must be ok since they think they own it.
Click to expand...

Even lawyers have a hard time making sense of those Microsoft EULA's - and that is by design. Laypersons don't stand a chance at really understanding what you can or can't do with a piece of Microsoft CRAP!!!!!! Even the lawyers in the Internet Explorer case shook their heads at that convoluted EULA.

Software in general doesn't require you to call to ask permision to install it if you already have the original disk with key (you paid for the permission to install it based on the licensing agreement), Microsoft does - and it assumes you are doing something illegal until you convince them otherwise - whether you have the receipt and hologrammed CD/DVD in hand or not.

If Microsoft had it their way the only people who could install a Microsoft piece of software are licensed Microsoft distributors - who pay a handsome sum of money to Microsoft for that privlidge.

Even the practice doesn't make sense - as the life cycle of a computer technology nowadays is nowhere near the lifecycle of an OS. Vista will be on board for the next 5 years and in that time motherboards and chipsets and CPU's will have made several technological advances - are people supposed to just stick with ancient technology because Microsoft thinks they are stealing their software otherwise?

What are they gonna do next - create a Mission Impossible CD/DVD - one that says the following message after it is installed the first time - "to preclude the possibility of you violating the EULA - this CD/DVD will self-destruct in 5 seconds".

No wonder people are considering migrating to Linux - who the h311 needs that hassle.
 
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