OEM Vista License Transfer

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pando

235 posts

Master Geek

#31619 24-Mar-2009 16:21

It's my understanding that you cannot transfer an OEM license after activation (activation is locked to the mobo) whereas you can with non-OEM, however, I did read that you can under certain circumstances talk to MS and they'll let you do it.

I've just replaced my mobo as it bit the networking bullet and crapped out and what good is a PC with no network...

Has anyone had dealings with MS about transfering a OEM license? Who do I talk to?

boby55

1539 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 38

Trusted

#203056 24-Mar-2009 16:53

If you ring up their activation call center and say that your motherboard died and you replaced it with a new one, they will let you re activate

pando

235 posts

Master Geek

#203193 25-Mar-2009 09:10

Interestingly I don't have to, I reinstalled my oem vista last night, the only change to my previous install was the motherboard change (newer and better than the previous one) and it activated okay first time so perhaps oem vista isn't locked as it's purported?

Regiiko

27 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#204669 1-Apr-2009 13:35

I'm in a similar situation, but I've got a Vista Business DVD & a valid activation key from AUT University under their MSDN:AA partnership with Microsoft.

Because it's not an OEM (that I know of) DVD, am I able to transfer the license to a different computer if the current one dies? The current one is a laptop, so it's not a simple matter as finding a new mobo. I'd have to replace the whole computer.

Would I have to contact Microsoft & ask them to "release" the key, enabling it to be used on a different computer?

Any replies would be much appreciated.

Adamal

544 posts

Ultimate Geek

#204670 1-Apr-2009 13:43

In that case, it sounds like they have an Open Volume license, which can be transfered. Microsoft charge you depending on how many you use. If you retire one computer and install it on another, it all works out.

browned

636 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 36

#204696 1-Apr-2009 14:42

Regiiko: I'm in a similar situation, but I've got a Vista Business DVD & a valid activation key from AUT University under their MSDN:AA partnership with Microsoft.

Because it's not an OEM (that I know of) DVD, am I able to transfer the license to a different computer if the current one dies? The current one is a laptop, so it's not a simple matter as finding a new mobo. I'd have to replace the whole computer.

Would I have to contact Microsoft & ask them to "release" the key, enabling it to be used on a different computer?

Any replies would be much appreciated.

I believe MS have changed the activation process. It is quite easy to filter out what parts have changed. My guess is that a Mobo/CPU change is now ok as long as the original hard drive is stilll used.

My case being that I had the same situation with Windows Home Server, changed mobo, cpu, ram (from AMD Ahtlon XP to Intel Quad) and was able to activate when I reinstalled on the original hard drive. I have also played around at work with this by moving a hard drive from an old machine to a machine that was similar (not identical hardware or cpu model) and it activated ok.

The other option is that you can now activate OEM on different two systems.

cheers
db

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