Vista OEM QUESTION

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robert Tyminski
  • Start date Start date
R

Robert Tyminski

If I install Vista OEM on my computer and then change the hard drive can i
reinstall it on my new hard drive?

Thanks

Rob
 
Yes--your license entitles you to install it on one machine, and if you have
any problems activating, just call them--you can use the automated phone in
the activation wizard:

Activation fails when you try to activate Windows Vista or Windows Longhorn
Server over the Internet
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921471/

CH
 
Rob--

Also if you have a EULA, I'm not sure which one but I want to supplement
what I poseted with this from Rick Rodgers on the setup group:


Rick posted this a little while ago in answer to a similar OEM question:

Hi,
Bought a new pc in bits with OEM vista ultimate. I need to understand the
following questions:
Can i reinstall to the same hardware?
Yes.

and reactivate?
Yes.

Can i change motherboard in future and reinstall and reactivate?
Click to expand...

No, not usually. There may be exceptions to this, but the intent of an OEM
license is that it is permanently tied to the system upon which it is first
activated. In spirit, the motherboard is considered the heart of the system,
though arguements can be made as the license only refers to a "device". With
XP, some were able to get new activations by phoning in when changing out a
failed motherboard. This trend may continue with Vista, but there is no
solid information at this point.
I am asking as some sites suggest you can only install OEM and activate
the
once - other sites suggest vista oem will be locked to motherboard emaning
if
you replace the board you need to buy a new copy?
Click to expand...

Again, yes, that is the intent. A preinstalled OEM copy, like HP or Dell, is
generally BIOS-locked by the manufacturer. These can rarely be installed on
anything other than the system they come with. This differs greatly from the
generic OEM license which is basically a copy of the retail disk that is
intended for a single machine without support from Microsoft.
Disk and parts arrived yesterday via overclockers.co.uk in the booklet
there
is no info from MS over the above questions. The only diff appears to be
at
OEM you only get one disk with either 32 or 64 bit - you dont get both,
this
is not an issue for me as i only wanted the 32 bit version.
Click to expand...

To my knowledge, the only purchase that comes with both disks in the box is
retail Ultimate. All others contain the 32 bit disk and offers to get x64
for a small shipping fee.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Hi,

Yes. Swapping a hard drive is well within the allowable changes of OEM or
retail installations.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Back
Top