Windows 7 - question about adding new hardware

Hi,

I'm about to get myself a new mobo/proc/memory upgrade and a new copy of windows 7 (using xp now)
Harddrive and graphic card will be replaced later on
My question is: when i add the new hd an card in a month or two and i do a clean installation of windows 7 will it tell me that i can not install windows 7 with that key because it is registered to "another" computer because the hardware setup has been changed?

(hope not, if so i will have to wait..)

thanks in advance

What type of license are you buying for Windows 7? If it is retail, you'll have nothing to worry about. If you are buying a system builder/OEM, then technically, it should be okay, because you'd only be swapping the graphics cards, but you occasionally might have to call in the activation.

That all being said, if you do a clean install now, there's no need to do another just because you are upgrading your video card.

DeaconFrost is quite right in what he says, but just in case you do encounter any activation problems you can always use Microsoft's telephone activation service, as this tutorial explains.

Activate Windows 7 by Phone

It's a pain-free process that doesn't involve speaking to anyone, but even if that doesn't work then Microsoft's activation reps will get you up and running if they can.

Thanks for the quick reply
clean install is because the hd will be replace along with the graphic card
just wanted to make sure bacuse i would be very disappointed if my copy went "not valid" in a matter of weeks just beacause a hd and a graphic card were added

If you are truly concerned, then don't put in your key or activate Windows 7. You'll get 30 days by default, and you can stretch that out to 120.

Agreed. When you think about it, the whole purpose of the activation grace period is to give you time to set up your system and sort out any problems during that time.

didn't know you could do that.
thanks for the replies

You're very welcome.

Please post back if you need further help.

Just to make you feel good. I just swapped motherboards with exactly the same kind. The only thing different was the serial number. I still had to re-activate, I don't know why. I did it by phone; it was quick and painless.