So motherboards may not fail?
Motherboards may not break?
Even if the OS is just tied to one system and may not technically be
moved to another computer, it STILL has to be possible to replace defect
hardware.
Has to be? The only thing that has to be has to do with the terms of
the EULA that you agree to. Although I wish it were as simple as what
you say, unfortunately it is not.
So even with an OEM copy of Vista, if my motherboard breaks, I
still have to be able to replace it.
Unfortunately, Microsoft does not make it clear what constitutes the
same computer. Some people claim that the motherboard constitutes the
computer. However logical that might seem, the EULA does not state
that, and the EULA is the document that defines the rights of both
parties to the agreement.
Some of those people point to a web site for System Builders, where
Microsoft defines the computer as the motherboard. However it's not
what it says on some web site that defines the customer's rights, it's
the EULA; besides, that web site is not even available to the general
public. I'm not a lawyer, but my guess is that if it ever came to a
court case and someone cited that web site, he'd be laughed out of
court.
So, can you replace a motherboard, consider the result the same
computer, and reuse your OEM copy of Windows? Regardless of what I
think, you think, or anyone else thinks, or even what a court might
rule if it came to that, the real issue is whether Microsoft will
permit you to reactivate if you do. Unfortunately the answer is again
not clear-cut, and we have heard here from people who have had both
experiences--some were reactivated and others were not. If they refuse
to reactivate you and you take them to court, you might win, but who
of us would be willing to undergo that trouble and expense to find
out?
So the answer, with an OEM version, is that there is no real answer
At that point in time, I'm not moving it from one computer to another, I
am simply replacing a bad component in the same computer.
OK. If you are replacing the motherboard, good luck in reactivating
it. You may or may not be successful.
Sure from a technical standpoint there is no technical difference between
replacing a motherboard or installing on a different computer. The end
result is the same.
But hey, since MS can go play with the wording of the English language
and charge different pricing just on how they arrange their words in the
EULA, we as customers can play the same wording game.
I mean imagine I go out and build a system today with an OEM copy of
Vista. Now imagine that tomorrow powersupply fails and fries half my
system (hey, it's happened to me) due to manufacturers defect... MS can
not at this point in time require me to buy Vista *again*...OEM or not...
Unfortunately, unless you are willing to fight this in court, with all
the attendant expenses of your doing so, Microsoft can do whatever
they want. If they won't reactivate you, you will be out of luck
unless you are willing to undergo a legal battle.
But if you do fight, more power to you. I, for one, am very interested
in how your fight turns out. Please let us know.
