MS. I WAS looking forward to Vista

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rob
  • Start date Start date
The definition is details on the Microsoft OEM System builders website. To
access, you probably need to be registered as a Microsoft Partner (free of
charge and easily done, btw).
The actual link is:
http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageID=552862

In case you don't bother registering to check, here is the excerpt:

A refurbished PC is a computer system that has had substantial hardware
modifications that may require a new operating system license - because the
modifications have essentially created a "new" PC.
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 Microsoft® 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 Microsoft® 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. The replacement
motherboard must be the same make/model or the same manufacturer's
replacement/equivalent, as defined by that manufacturer's warranty.
 
Although this applies to OEM softwares (XP,server, and office.... etc),
their logic will probably apply to the rest of the licenses as this is the
only document/info that is available from MS. Unless MS want's to
EXPLICITLY change the definition of a new device for Vista. If they do
that, they will have to do so explicitly and put that definition on Vista
EULA, which they haven't.

Theoretically speaking, if a licensing dispute erupts between consumer vs
MS, the arguments will have to be based on existing terms under EULA. And
for definitions not in the EULA itself, people will have to go for
precedents. And the precedents of what MS's official position on a new
machine is available at the moment is what's detailed on the system builders
website.........
 
It would be nice to know if Vista will even be available to single computer
builders. The rewite of the requirements didn't seem to be enforced in XP
but will single packs of OEM even be available in Vista.
 
In fact, however, Microsoft has been allowing reactivation when told
that the motherboard was replaced with a different motherboard because
the original motherboard was no longer available. And, indeed, a
motheboard that fails more than 12 to 18 months or so after original
installation is unlikely to be replaceable by the same model.
 
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