Windows 7... OEM?

[Chaosphere]

Hey,
I ordered a PCS PC a while back, and it kinda kickstarted some sort of PC obsession... anyway, a simple question really... is why copy of Windows 7 tied to my motherboard, or will I be able to buy a new MoBo and whack it on there no problemo?
Cheers

 

[Teaz]

Just one pc use only. the codes aren't transferable unfortunately.

 

[vanthus]

There is one possible(and legal)way you might manage it,Surprisingly, Microsoft is not strict about making sure you obey the terms of their software license. They are sometimes happy,or at least used to be, to help you activate a copy of Windows on another or upgraded computer, even if you have an OEM license.
Install Windows on the computer and insert the activation key as normal. When Windows starts and you connect to the Internet you will receive an error message letting you know that your copy of Windows is not genuine. Click on the text link that lets you solve the problem online and try to activate the key again. When it fails once more, you are given the chance to call Microsoft support.
This is effectively a method of removing your Windows activation (depending how nice the microsoft rep is) from the computer that your copy of Windows was originally installed on, because the key will no longer work on the original PC.

 

[Teaz]

i cant remeber which way it was but there was another similar method for doing that. involes a software transfering the key to another drive. it just requires you have the serial number noted and ready for the transfer if i remembered? then again, a call up to MS is fine, depending if they charge you for calling up lol~

 

[Gorman]

The official line is that it is tied to the machine.

If you have to upgrade the mobo due to a fault etc or whatever and its still the same machine, not a seperate one, they will activate it.

 

[philstoke]

so is Windows 7 OEM fixed to an individual m/b or just to a specific model, for instance if your m/b packs up and you replace it with the same make and model will you still have to re-activate Windows

 

[Gorman]

Its fixed to the particular hardware config, several components. Thats why you will be asked to re activate if there is a significant hardware change.

 

[skipper8472]

Just phone up microsoft activation using the automation activation phone number. Enter your cd key into the phone then it will say key not accepted then you will talk to some one at MS. Then you will read your 6 colum 22 didgit key out to them and they will give you another free key. Then it be activated just say which version of windows your activating. You can get the phone number from the activation wizard screen its free 0800 number. This is legal if you have the windows retail version and not the upgrade version.