The issue of OEM licenses and what constitutes the same computer is a can
of worms. The EULA doesn't specify what constitutes the same computer, and
the EULA is what you agree to. If I had my druthers, all licenses would be
the same, with the retail rules, and there wouldn't be such a thing as an
OEM license.
There are people here (and elsewhere) who claim that if you change the
motherboard, it's a different computer. Although that certainly sounds
logical, the OEM EULA does *not* say that. Some of these people will point
to a Microsoft site for System Builders (one that can't even be accessed
by the general public) that states that changing the motherboard makes it
a different computer. Again, the EULA, which is what you agree to, does
*not*
state that, so as far as I'm concerned, what this site states is
irrelevant.
My guess is that if it ever came before a court (which is highly unlikely)
and Microsoft ever pointed to that web site, they'd be laughed out of
court.
The real issue in my mind is what happens if you change the motherboard
and have to reactivate an OEM version over the phone. If you talk to a
Microsoft representative and he defends the "motherboard defines the
computer" point of view and won't activate you, you're out of luck unless
you want to take Microsoft to court (which is probably highly unlikely).
My own view is that you might be able to successfully argue in court that,
silly as it may sound, the computer is defined by the case, since that's
where Microsoft requires that the product key sticker be affixed. You
could
therefore change everything inside the case, and it would still be the
same computer.
However, don't rely on that last paragraph unless you're willing to go to
court over it. I wouldn't be.
