Upgrade hard drive in Vista 64 OEM

[Guest]

I have an OEM version of Vista 64.

I'm thinking about upgrading a hard drive (possibly the one vista is
installed on) and installing more RAM. My only concern is if Vista will
think it is a new computer, and inactivate itself.

If I get a message saying the hardware has significantly changed, will I be
able to call Microsoft and reactivate it? Or could they possibly make me buy
a new license?

Thanks for the help,

Robbie G

 

[Dustin Harper]

You won't have to buy a new license. Upgrading the hard drive MIGHT trigger
the reactivation, but you will be able to call MS to get it reactivated with
no problems. Of course, if it doesn't require reactivation, it's all good.

 

[Guest]

Is there a point where I make enough hardware changes that they won't allow
reactivation? Especially since I have an OEM version vs. retail.

 

[Plato]

If I get a message saying the hardware has significantly changed, will I be
able to call Microsoft and reactivate it? Or could they possibly make me buy
a new license?

Yes.

 

[Plato]

Is there a point where I make enough hardware changes that they won't allow
reactivation? Especially since I have an OEM version vs. retail.

No, once you buy Vista you can activate on your PC forever no matter
what hardware changes you make.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for everyone's help.

My hours of searching has basically led me to these:

---------------------------
# If you acquired Windows Vista via retail purchase (boxed product) or
pre-installed on a computer from a local computer vendor, Windows Vista will
require re-activation if you, for example:
* Replace the hard disk drive and memory at the same time.
* Replace the motherboard.
Windows Vista will not require re-activation if you, for example:
* Replace the hard disk drive only.
* Replace the video card and add system memory at the same time.

# If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a major
manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or
OEM), Windows Vista will require re-activation if you replace the motherboard
with a motherboard not provided by the OEM.
---------------------------
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/activationfaq.mspx

Interestingly, I found this point chart for volume licensing, where if you
change so many points, reactivation is required:
---------------------------
Component Class Name Default Weight
CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD-ROM 1
IDE Adapter 3
Physical OS Hard Drive Device Serial# 11
Display Adapter 1
SCSI Adapter 2
Audio Adapter 2
Network Adapter MAX Address 2
Processor 3
RAM Amount Range (i.e. 0-512mb, 512–1 GB) 1
BIOS ID (‘0’ always matches) 9

 

[Charlie Tame]

I got the message last week for simply inserting a DVD - just the disk that
is I don't mean installing a player.

Robbie if you are buying a new drive anyway get something like Acronis and
"Clone" it to the new one - (Doesn't have to be the same size or anything).
Put your original somewhere safe and then fit the new hardware, that way if
MS refuse you can revert and at least have some time to get the problem
sorted out without being offline from the start.

One the activation horror pops up it writes itself to the drive so you can
never go back from there, but if you kept the original you can always remove
what you added and it will never know.

Same applies if you do any upgrade really, keep enough original stuff to get
it back running again.

Charlie

 

[Guest]

No, once you buy Vista you can activate on your PC forever no matter
what hardware changes you make.

Not true with QEM if you change the MB they consider it a new PC. But if the
MB gets fried by lightning say you can replace it and reactivate.