Reinstalling Vista from Old Computer to Upgrade Computer

[Guest]

I installed Vista to my aging computer only to find that performace wasn't up
to par as I had too small a hard drive and a relatively slow CPU. So I
ordered components form NewEgg to build a faster computer with a dual core
CPU. I am trashing the old computer. But I don't think Microsoft will let
me install my Vista copy on the the new machine because I have already
installed it once even though I will no longer use the old computer
(salvaging it). Am I correct in thinking this? So I used Vista for a week
and that money is down the drain and I have to buy a new copy?

 

[Larry Maturo]

Hi Jim,

I would be surprised if that is the case. If you bought a full copy, then
when
you install on the new computer, you will probably have to call MS for
activation, and explain the situation. I understand they are pretty good
about
that.

-- Larry Maturo

 

[Michael Solomon]

I installed Vista to my aging computer only to find that performace
wasn't up to par as I had too small a hard drive and a relatively
slow CPU. So I ordered components form NewEgg to build a faster
computer with a dual core CPU. I am trashing the old computer. But
I don't think Microsoft will let me install my Vista copy on the the
new machine because I have already installed it once even though I
will no longer use the old computer (salvaging it). Am I correct in
thinking this? So I used Vista for a week and that money is down the
drain and I have to buy a new copy?

As stated, assuming this is a full retail version of Vista, when prompted to
activate, do so. If you are prompted that it cannot activate or that it is
already activated on another computer, rerun activation and use the activate
by phone option as opposed to the activate over the Internet option.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I installed Vista to my aging computer only to find that performace wasn't up
to par as I had too small a hard drive and a relatively slow CPU. So I
ordered components form NewEgg to build a faster computer with a dual core
CPU. I am trashing the old computer. But I don't think Microsoft will let
me install my Vista copy on the the new machine because I have already
installed it once even though I will no longer use the old computer
(salvaging it). Am I correct in thinking this?

No, not at all. Only OEM licenses are permanently bound to the first
computer on which they're installed; retail licenses can be transferred
from one computer to another, just so long as they're in stalled on only
one computer at a time.

So I used Vista for a week
and that money is down the drain and I have to buy a new copy?

No.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Guest]

Well, unfortunately Microsoft says that I must buy a new copy of Vista even
though I bought the other one just two weeks ago. I was discouraged and I
have to say a little angy but then a neighbor told me to try Ubuntu (its
Linux program) I installed it from my neighbor's cdrom last night and it is
WONDERFUL. And its free. I also installed a program called Open Office so
my wife can do her teaching stuff. I am very happy with this workaround for
now as I am not rich and just can't afford to buy another copy of Vista.

 

[Frank]

Well, unfortunately Microsoft says that I must buy a new copy of Vista even
though I bought the other one just two weeks ago. I was discouraged and I
have to say a little angy but then a neighbor told me to try Ubuntu (its
Linux program) I installed it from my neighbor's cdrom last night and it is
WONDERFUL. And its free. I also installed a program called Open Office so
my wife can do her teaching stuff. I am very happy with this workaround for
now as I am not rich and just can't afford to buy another copy of Vista.

I tried to install Ubuntu on my computer but it would not install. It
could not recognize my Matrox P750 video card. I guess that's not too
surprising from something that's free. I see a few people here praising
unbuntu but if it won't even install then it can't possibly be that good.
Frank

 

[Guest]

Frank, Ubuntu worked for me and thats all I cared about as I was stuck with a
computer with Vista installed in the discard pile and my new build with no
operating system. (My new computer has a Geforce 7300GT and luckily Ubuntu
picked it up) I was disappointed that Microsoft would not allow me to
transfer my full Vista from my old computer to my new one as I only built the
new one to enhance the operation of Vista. But I realize that piracy is a
problem and I guess Microsoft has to consider us all pirates to catch the
real crooks. I will probably replace the Ubuntu with Vista when I have more
spare money in a few months. The cost of the original copy (which is now
useless :-() and the parts for my new computer just has me a little strapped
right now on a retirement income.

 

[Michael Solomon]

Frank, Ubuntu worked for me and thats all I cared about as I was
stuck with a computer with Vista installed in the discard pile and my
new build with no operating system. (My new computer has a Geforce
7300GT and luckily Ubuntu picked it up) I was disappointed that
Microsoft would not allow me to transfer my full Vista from my old
computer to my new one as I only built the new one to enhance the
operation of Vista. But I realize that piracy is a problem and I
guess Microsoft has to consider us all pirates to catch the real
crooks. I will probably replace the Ubuntu with Vista when I have
more spare money in a few months. The cost of the original copy
(which is now useless :-() and the parts for my new computer just has
me a little strapped right now on a retirement income.

Jim, as long as Vista was removed from the old computer, there shouldn't
have been an issue if this was a full retail version of Vista. Was the call
you made to the activation center, the number you are given in the prompt
during activation to activate by phone or did you call Microsoft with an
inquiry. If you called Microsoft directly, it sounds as though you received
bad information since, under normal circumstances, you can move Vista or XP
for that matter from an old computer to a new computer assuming it was not
an OEM version that came with that original computer.