Microsoft activation policy for changing motherboards with Vista OEM

[JH]

I have an activated copy of Vista Home Premium OEM, and I have been having
several issues with the motherboard I am using (ASRock 939Dual). Basically,
the USB controller randomly dying, issues with the onboard LAN, etc, and
general Windows flakiness that I think can be attributable to the fact it
has a Uli chipset, and since being bought out by Nvidia, Uli has not really
released a proper Vista driver.

Basically, I want to replace the motherboard to end the problems. The same
board is not available locally; in fact there are only a couple socket 939
boards I can easily get locally. Even if it was, I don't think I'd want to
buy the same board given the Uli chipset driver support issues.

What is Microsoft's policy on a situation like this? I know that you are
not able to transfer OEM copies to a different motherboard, but what happens
if the board needs to be replaced due to tech issues with a completely
different board (manufacturer, chipset, etc.). Will they give me all kinds
of grief about getting it reactivated and/or try to force me to buy another
copy of Vista?

 

[Conor]

I have an activated copy of Vista Home Premium OEM, and I have been having
several issues with the motherboard I am using (ASRock 939Dual). Basically,
the USB controller randomly dying, issues with the onboard LAN, etc, and
general Windows flakiness that I think can be attributable to the fact it
has a Uli chipset, and since being bought out by Nvidia, Uli has not really
released a proper Vista driver.

It isn't that at all. Mine is working fine. The only thing is the LAN
which doesn't have a decent driver.

What is Microsoft's policy on a situation like this? I know that you are
not able to transfer OEM copies to a different motherboard, but what happens
if the board needs to be replaced due to tech issues with a completely
different board (manufacturer, chipset, etc.). Will they give me all kinds
of grief about getting it reactivated and/or try to force me to buy another
copy of Vista?

No. You'll need to do the telephone activation but explain the
situation.