Vista Oem Version Transfer From One Computer To Another

[george]

It's a legally purchased Vista. One comupter in the office has given up, and I want to reinstall this Windows Vista Home premium OEM version on a new machine. Old machine will not be used anymore.

Will I get intro trouble here? Please advise what to do. Just reinstall and all will go fine with the license? Or do I need to contact Microsoft?

[cdnvic]

According to posts on MSDN's newsgroups, Microsoft will only allow this in the case of a hardware failure. You may have to contact them and use a faulty motherboard as an excuse.

OEM software is also tied to the motherboard it is first installed on. Unlike the retail versions of Windows which can be transferred to a new computer, OEM versions are not transferable. What about upgrading hardware? Microsoft says that anything is fair game, except the motherboard. Replacing the motherboard in a computer results in a "new personal computer," which the company considers to be synonymous with a transfer. It's not permitted with an OEM edition of Windows.

Nevertheless, I've known users who got around this limitation by calling Microsoft and reporting that their motherboards died when they wanted to build a new computer. It is Microsoft's policy to allow motherboard swaps in instances where a system is defective or has suffered a hardware failure. But you shouldn't bank on this approach

[george]

In practice, does this mean if I just move the harddrive incl. OS from the old computer to the new machine, it will not work?

[monty]

Correct G,

Windows creates a kind of computer ID based on the hardware in your PC. CPU, hard drive, graphics card, mainboard all get taken in consideration when windows creates that ID.

Normally Microsoft is quite lenient if you are upgrading or when something breaks, but changing PC outright will not be accepted!

In any case it will require a call (or several) to Microsoft, often accompanied with a faxed receipt of the hardware part which broke and had to get repaired, to get your Vista activated again...

[Richard-BKK]

We did test Windows Vista with Vmware installations, and we called them several times. We also had a notebook which came standard with Vista, we use Linux so we give this Windows to a friend.

W called Microsoft, and acted stupid, that we upgrade the memory and VGA card and now it did not work anymore. Why was that, they asked a few questions we told them the answers and they hit the button after we where able to run update etc again....

[george]

Did you call Microsoft Thailand? Do you have their phone number?

[waveydavey]

Did you call Microsoft Thailand? Do you have their phone number?

Microsoft Thailand(Office)

+66(2) 257 4999

Technical Support (Personal Call Center)

001 800 6427 6738 (Toll Free)

+66(2) 263 6888

Technical Support (Professional Call Center)

001 800 656 495 (Toll Free)

+66(2) 263 6801

+86(21) 6426-7315

โทรสาร

โปรดระบุชื่อและนามสกุลของผู้รับ

66-2257-0099

[Guest Reimar]

If that Vista was an OEM Version bundled with an Brand computer like HP, Dell or other Brand, the License is legally bundled to tha excact type of Computer only and NOT licenses to a different brand or even type!

If the OEM Licenses was bought seperatly, it's an "open" licenses and you can install on any computer.

Last one need to be activated if re-installed or major harfdware changes was occurs. Normally you've several activation attemps app. 5 x!

After that you will need to call tha activation Center and give them an explanation why. You can use something like Power shorts pp.

The next activation center is in Singapore and you can call via Tollfree 800 number. The number you get within the activation process when you check Activation by Phone. The SG numbers I have are:

Singapore

(65) 6324-8098

0065 800 324-8098

but that one is for Windows Server Volume Licensing! The whole procedure via Phone can need up to 5 minutes!

[cdnvic]

In practice, does this mean if I just move the harddrive incl. OS from the old computer to the new machine, it will not work?

The OEM install is tied to the motherboard, not the hard drive. You can reinstall it on new hard drives on the same machine without problem.

[astral]

I fthe exact hardware does not match, MB, disk VGA etc

then MS will reject it as illegal.

Rather like taking the engine out of one car and instal it in another

then trying to get the vehicle legally registered..........

A real nightmare.