equivalent being the keyword, what they need to know regardless. I did have a emachine activation declined once because I was dumb enough to admit replacing the mb with something *better* live an learn. still boils down to MS does not want to deal with end users or small time system, builders. IMO fp
At 01:59 PM 9/1/2007, Greg Sevart Poked the stick with: >You all do realize that Vista's OEM one-motherboard-only policy is not new >to Vista, right? Windows XP OEM/system builder licenses have had the -exact- >same restriction. Identical (within reason) replacements only. With Vista, >it appears that they're just enforcing that a little more aggressively. > >>From the Microsoft OEM/System Builder's website: > >Q. Can a PC with OEM Windows XP have its motherboard upgraded and keep the >same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective? > >A. Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on >your customer's computer and the end user may maintain the license for the >original MicrosoftR OEM operating system software, with the exception of an >upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is >considered to result in a "new personal computer" to which MicrosoftR OEM >operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If >the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, >then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system >software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is >defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the >PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same >manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's >warranty. > >Greg > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tharin Olsen >> Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2007 10:59 AM >> To: The Hardware List >> Subject: Re: [H] Vista, dumb question, maybe >> >> I've read online articles that pretty much all say the same thing about >> OEM >> versions of Windows Vista. You are allowed to change any component but >> the >> motherboard. Microsoft has made the motherboard the core component of >> the PC >> and if you change it with a different one it counts as a new machine. >> Your >> Vista installation would require relicensing and a new product key. >> Apparently you are allowed to change the motherboard for a new one if >> it is >> a replacement of a defective board and it is the same make/model of the >> existing board. >> >> Now as a system builder and service/repair shop I think this sucks. >> It's not >> often that I can obtain exact make/model mainboards to repair systems. >> Tier-1 systems like Dell, HP, Sony, etc. who are past their warranty, >> sometimes 90 days on the cheapo units, have replacement motherboards >> listing >> online for $100-$400. In the past I would just pull the cpu and ram and >> drop >> in a factory new board from MSI, Asrock, ECS, etc. for $50. Then all I >> would >> need to do is phone up Microsoft whilst stuck on the XP product >> activation >> box and explain the reason for reactivation was to replace a defective >> mainboard with a new one. Not once have they not authorized an >> activation. >> Hopefully, they will continue to do so with these sort of >> circumstances. >> >> As to the folks who are simply switching boards because they need the >> extra >> expansion slots, more ram than their two dimm board would allow, etc. I >> think they shouldn't have to pay but like a reactivation fee of 2 cents >> or >> something. Why? Because it isnt a second computer! The end user would >> still >> have only one machine running Windows. Perhaps a break in pricing to >> convert >> their OEM license to a full retail license. Go halfsies on it. >> >> -Tharin O. >> >> FORC5 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> OEM license states can not be transfered to another machine once >> installed, >> would a major HW change ( motherboard ) be construed as a different >> machine >> ? >> I would think not but not my sandbox. :'( >> >> deeper and deeper >> fp >> >> >> -- >> Tallyho ! ]:8) >> Taglines below ! >> -- >> Future looks spotty. You will spill soup in late evening. >> >> -- Tallyho ! ]:8) Taglines below ! -- If a man speaks in a forest, and his wife is not there to hear him, is he still wrong?
