Vista OEM activation limit

[mrapoc]

Hey

If i were to reinstall my OEM on the same machine as it was first activated on, would it use one of my activations or is it only when a specific bit of hardware is changed such as a motherboard?

[Rik]

Assuming it's the same as previous versions, Sam, it will require re-activation after a re-install, though I've never found that to be a problem.

[Gary]

An OEM license is restricted to the motherboard that you installed it to. If you change your motherboard then you need to get a new license since it's now considered a new machine.


http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/activationfaq.mspx

[mrapoc]

So..i can reactivate as many times as i want on this motherboard?

I thought it was based on 3 times only or something 

[David]

According to the link there seems no limit

No 6 on the list sems to cover your question

[Gary]

So..i can reactivate as many times as i want on this motherboard?

I thought it was based on 3 times only or something 

The Vista activation was changed from XP so if its an OEM you can activate it on the same board but you may find that you could fall foul if you change the board for a completely new motherboard of a different make I think......MS clear as always was it an OEM you purchased or one that came with a machine? If its the one that came with a computer then it's possible it won't install on anything but the original equipment. If you mean a purchased OEM version then it will transfer.

The Vista license reads: "The first user of the software may reassign the license to another device one time. If you reassign the license, that other device becomes the 'licensed device."

So if you bought the OEM then you can transfer once to a new Motherboard or if you change memory and Harddrive at the same time the same restriction occurs of one transfer I think, as that counts as a major hardware change

[Sebby]

So..i can reactivate as many times as i want on this motherboard?

I thought it was based on 3 times only or something 

If it's the same machine, although you have to activate it again, it won't count as another activation, if you see what I mean.

[mrapoc]

ahh righto

so if i kept all the same hardware (or only changed small its) and i feel its goin too sluggish i can just reinstall with no worries

thanks

clearer than MS.. 

[Rik]

Most things are, Sam.

[Steve]

ahh righto

so if i kept all the same hardware (or only changed small its) and i feel its goin too sluggish i can just reinstall with no worries

thanks

clearer than MS.. 

I upgraded the bios yesterday and I had to reactivate.Why? May have been something to do with a floppy controller? Certainly no hardware was added.

[vitriol]

No wonder so many pirate copies of windows are in use across the globe.  One should not be penalised for wanting to format and reinstall the O/S.

[Rik]

I agree. It's like DRM, it just annoys legal users. And how about that trailer on DVDs, that buying pirated copies funds organised crime and terrorism! As if they care. 

[vitriol]

Yes thats complete twaddle.  I think in that case the only organised crime is the Hollywood fatcats keeping prices high.

[Rik]

My thoughts entirely. 

[kinmel]

You can bypass the Microsoft re-activation process by carrying your activation over between installs.

I personally think it is more hassle than it's worth, but look HERE for more information.

ps the practice is not banned by Vista's EULA

[Sebby]

In all honesty, I've never found activation to be an issue, be it with Windows or Office. I know it's a bit of a pain for legal users, but unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world, and I don't believe it's things like activation that make people use illegal software - I think that's often just used as an excuse.

[Gary]

I added new ram and a esata drive and was told my license was not valid, go figure all due to MS activation cr*p also needed to back up as this Nvidia mobo (790sli ultra) is awful the company who built the pc are going to replace it in November with a new machine again, as I'm not happy with the crashes and damaged ram from vdrops caused by Nvidia's inability to make a decent chipset, so this time its an X58 Intel board new cpu and ram, hence waiting till November as they are not out yet. The ram I replaced was faulty and the esata was an external drive got it sorted but it's crazy that MS can do this, it strangles those who like to tinker with their machines let alone those who need to replace parts.

[Steve]

I added new ram and a esata drive and was told my license was not valid, go figure all due to MS activation cr*p also needed to back up as this Nvidia mobo (790sli ultra) is awful the company who built the pc are going to replace it in November with a new machine again, as I'm not happy with the crashes and damaged ram from vdrops caused by Nvidia's inability to make a decent chipset, so this time its an X58 Intel board new cpu and ram, hence waiting till November as they are not out yet. The ram I replaced was faulty and the esata was an external drive got it sorted but it's crazy that MS can do this, it strangles those who like to tinker with their machines let alone those who need to replace parts.

Did this mean you had to buy another licence? or solved by a phone call? Since I installed OEM vista I have added a hard drive and then later some more ram, on both of these occasions no reactivation was required,however I had to reactivate following a bios update which I think enabled the floppy controller which was previously disabled.

[Gary]

I had to re activate, it got a bit clunky and in the end I was given a new key my the OEM a royal pain that was