ATT Carey: Vista OEM Question

J

Jeff

Carey,

i found you wrote the following:

An OEM version of Windows Vista can be reinstalled and reactivated an
unlimited number of times, as long as it is reinstalled on the same computer
having the same motherboard. If, for some reason, you cannot activate
Windows Vista via the internet, then click "Use the automated phone system"
in the Windows Activation Wizard to activate Windows Vista over the
telephone.




DID you really mean that if the motherboard stays the same, an OEM version
of Vista can withstand constant reformats, reinstalls of the OS and hardware
changes?

Jeff
 
S

Sly Dog

Not in my experience, so far.

A mere hard drive controller driver update de-activated my OEM, and I could
not re-activate online - I had to make the "India 6" call.

Also, merely moving my OS hard drive from one port to another - on the same
computer and controller - de-activated VISTA. Moving it back to the
original port restored the activation.
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

As long as the motherboard remains the same, you can upgrade
or change any other internal or external hardware device and
still be able to activate or reactivate an OEM version of Vista
after reinstalling Vista.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carey,

i found you wrote the following:

An OEM version of Windows Vista can be reinstalled and reactivated an
unlimited number of times, as long as it is reinstalled on the same computer
having the same motherboard. If, for some reason, you cannot activate
Windows Vista via the internet, then click "Use the automated phone system"
in the Windows Activation Wizard to activate Windows Vista over the
telephone.




DID you really mean that if the motherboard stays the same, an OEM version
of Vista can withstand constant reformats, reinstalls of the OS and hardware
changes?

Jeff
 
K

Kerry Brown

Yes, you can activate as many times as you want if you stay within the
licensing terms. You may have to phone for activation.
 
M

Mamamegs

Carey Frisch [MVP] pretended :
As long as the motherboard remains the same, you can upgrade
or change any other internal or external hardware device and
still be able to activate or reactivate an OEM version of Vista
after reinstalling Vista.
Click to expand...

Carey,
Can you provide a source for this? As of yet I have been unable to find
any official information.
TIA,

--
Mamamegs.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.
(Adam Savage)

Nederlandse nieuwsgroepen voor Vista
alt.nl.os.windows.vista
microsoft.public.nl.windows.vista

_*[email protected]*_
 
B

Beck

Sly Dog said:
Not in my experience, so far.

A mere hard drive controller driver update de-activated my OEM, and I
could not re-activate online - I had to make the "India 6" call.

Also, merely moving my OS hard drive from one port to another - on the
same computer and controller - de-activated VISTA. Moving it back to the
original port restored the activation.
Click to expand...

In your case Sly Dog, that would have been the activation bug which was
patched yesterday or the day before. Check your windows updates there
should be a new KB update referring to driver changes.
 
S

Sly Dog

Thanks, Beck. It's a no-go on the update - it's not showing up, yet.

I'll have to look for it on MS site...
 
C

Carey Frisch [MVP]

Quoted from Microsoft's System Builder FAQ:

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 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 reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the end-user license agreement (EULA) and the support of the software
covered by that EULA. The EULA is a set of usage rights granted to the end-user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights
for that software as installed on for that particular PC. The System Builder is required to support that license the software on
that individual PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PC with different components, Microsoft needed to have
one base component "left standing" that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the
"heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The
original System Builder, therefore, can not be expected to support this new PC that they in effect, did not manufacture."


Ref: https://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageIDU3075



--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

Carey,
Can you provide a source for this? As of yet I have been unable to find
any official information.
TIA,
 
D

Dale

Carey Frisch said:
Quoted from Microsoft's System Builder FAQ:

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 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 reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the end-user
license agreement (EULA) and the support of the software
covered by that EULA. The EULA is a set of usage rights granted to the
end-user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights
for that software as installed on for that particular PC. The System
Builder is required to support that license the software on
that individual PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their
PC with different components, Microsoft needed to have
one base component "left standing" that would still define that original
PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the
"heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons
other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The
original System Builder, therefore, can not be expected to support this
new PC that they in effect, did not manufacture."
Click to expand...

I'm chuckling at the absent but inferred: "And Microsoft can not be expected
to let you use your discounted OS forever and ever for that same discounted
price."
 
B

Beck

Carey Frisch said:
Quoted from Microsoft's System Builder FAQ:

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 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.
Click to expand...

Is it a struggle to explain to activation support that someone's motherboard
is hosed?
 
D

David Hearn

Carey said:
Quoted from Microsoft's System Builder FAQ:

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 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.
Click to expand...

Okay, please can you clarify something for me.

You have a PC with an OEM copy of Vista on it.

Situation 1.)
You upgrade the motherboard so you can put a faster processor etc in it.
You find you need to reactivate so phone up and explain. They refuse
to activate and require a new copy of Vista to be purchased.

Situation 2.)
Your motherboard stops working, so you put a new motherboard in it.
Cannot get a direct replacement for the old one, so buy the latest and
greatest one which will fit. You find you need to reactivate so phone
up and explain. They provide activation code as it was due to defective
motherboard.

Situation 3.)
You want to put a newer processor and motherboard in your computer. You
pull off a few capacitors from your existing motherboard and
subsequently it stops working. You cannot get a direct replacement for
the old one (what a shame!), so buy the latest and greatest one which
will fit. You find you need to reactivate so phone up and explain.
They provide activation code as it was due to defective motherboard.

Are all three situations correct?

Thanks

David
 
S

Sly Dog

Thanks.. That was one of the very first group of updates I installed as
soon as I loaded my OEM - and I experienced the issue after that point.

I think there are additional activation issues to be resolved...
 
M

Mamamegs

Thanks Carey.

Quoted from Microsoft's System Builder FAQ:

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 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 reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the end-user
license agreement (EULA) and the support of the software covered by
that EULA. The EULA is a set of usage rights granted to the end-user
by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights for that software
as installed on for that particular PC. The System Builder is
required to support that license the software on that individual PC.
Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PC with
different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component
"left standing" that would still define that original PC. Since the
motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC,
when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a
new PC is essentially created. The original System Builder,
therefore, can not be expected to support this new PC that they in
effect, did not manufacture."


Ref: https://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageIDU3075
Click to expand...

--
Mamamegs.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.
(Adam Savage)

Nederlandse nieuwsgroepen voor Vista
alt.nl.os.windows.vista
microsoft.public.nl.windows.vista

_*[email protected]*_
 
A

Alias

Carey said:
Quoted from Microsoft's System Builder FAQ:

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?
Click to expand...

Wasn't this question about Vista, not XP?

Alias
 
D

Dale

If you're willing to activate Vista by deceit then why not simply walk into
Best Buy, slip a copy under your shirt, and take it home. Then you won't
have to call India at all.

Dale
 
L

Leythos

Okay, please can you clarify something for me.

You have a PC with an OEM copy of Vista on it.

Situation 1.)
You upgrade the motherboard so you can put a faster processor etc in it.
You find you need to reactivate so phone up and explain. They refuse
to activate and require a new copy of Vista to be purchased.
Click to expand...

This was not a repair upgrade, so an OEM would have been invalidated.
Situation 2.)
Your motherboard stops working, so you put a new motherboard in it.
Cannot get a direct replacement for the old one, so buy the latest and
greatest one which will fit. You find you need to reactivate so phone
up and explain. They provide activation code as it was due to defective
motherboard.
Click to expand...

If the PC vendor approved the different motherboard and the license was
OEM, then it will be acivated under the license conditions. A repair due
to defective MB has always been permitted if the vendor approves.
Situation 3.)
You want to put a newer processor and motherboard in your computer. You
pull off a few capacitors from your existing motherboard and
subsequently it stops working. You cannot get a direct replacement for
the old one (what a shame!), so buy the latest and greatest one which
will fit. You find you need to reactivate so phone up and explain. They
provide activation code as it was due to defective motherboard.
Click to expand...

Your old board was not defective and your upgrade is just that, an
Upgrade. Your breaking of the motherboard has nothing to do with the
license or ethics (other than lack of them).

If the old board was defective, not broken on purpose, you could have
upgraded and OEM version without problem as long as the vendor approved.
Are all three situations correct?
Click to expand...

The text I added follows the OEM License and Systems Builder rules as of
today.
 
D

David Hearn

Leythos said:
This was not a repair upgrade, so an OEM would have been invalidated.
Click to expand...

As expected.
If the PC vendor approved the different motherboard and the license was
OEM, then it will be acivated under the license conditions. A repair due
to defective MB has always been permitted if the vendor approves.
Click to expand...

And if the PC vendor is yourself (ie. self build)? I think I would approve.
Your old board was not defective and your upgrade is just that, an
Upgrade. Your breaking of the motherboard has nothing to do with the
license or ethics (other than lack of them).
Click to expand...

Okay, what if the board was broken by a true accident? E.g. Dropping
the case and heavy heatsink pulls the socket off the motherboard? Would
that constitute a defect?

I'm just curious what constitutes a defect. I took it to mean it was
broken, faulty or not working.
If the old board was defective, not broken on purpose, you could have
upgraded and OEM version without problem as long as the vendor approved.
Click to expand...

Does the OEM License and System Builder rules make any definition of how
the defect must have occurred or even what a defect is? I once had a
motherboard which could corrupt data when copying data between onboard
IDE controllers. This was a problem with the chipset and other owners
of this board saw similar problems (Abit KT7A + KT133 chipset). Would
changing the motherboard for a different make/model constitute repair of
a defect and therefore meet the requirement?

More importantly, I think - are self-build users entitled to use OEM
software on their machines (and self approve the changes they themselves
make to the hardware). If so, then things start getting messy with more
than a few conflict of interests.

It might sound like I'm trying to be unethical - I'm not. Firstly, I
disagree with software piracy and secondly I don't need to get
additional copies of Vista. I'm just trying to understand how the
licensing works.

I'd heard differing stand on OEM software and whether any particular
part was not allowed to be replaced. To state that the motherboard
cannot be replaced with a different model seems a fair stand, so I was
surprised that a non-identical motherboard replacement was allowed, even
for repairs. I guess though, if the OEM is not the owner, and the OEM
is the one doing the repair, then there's little problem. It just gets
confusing when the OEM is the owner and has an interest to try and keep
the same copy of Windows.

Thanks

David
 
D

David Hearn

Just for clarification, I would personally not do such a thing (nor have
any need) - however I was trying to clarify the extent of what was
defined by "defective". To me I take that to mean 'broken' or 'faulty'.
Whether the break or fault is self caused appeared to be missing from
the conditions.

If I drop my (home built with OEM Windows) PC following a LAN party, my
insurance (with accidental damage) will pay out for a new motherboard
should it have been damaged by the drop. But would I then need to buy
(or claim on insurance again for) a new copy of Windows as the damage
was self caused (albeit accidental)?

I would agree that deliberate damage would not be in the spirit of the
OEM license if not the letter. Similarly, people who use insurance as a
cheap upgrade method (deliberately drop an insured digital camera just
after the new model comes out) are committing fraud - something I very
much disagree with.

Thanks

D
 

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