Vista to Windows 7 upgrade with Hardware Changes

In my solution search I came upon this software: Parallels Desktop Upgrade to Windows 7 2011

It might be able to do want I'm trying to accomplish.

The only way to start up Win7 on new hardware with certainty is to use Acronis Universal Restore which removes all of the drivers before reimaging from a saved image.

Or you can boot and run Paragon Adaptive Restore from CD which will prepare Vista to boot on the changed hardware.

Then you can run an in-place Upgrade with Win7 Upgrade version since retail Vista is a qualifying OS for upgrade version.

The problem is that you lose your OEM activation when you change the mobo so you'll be at the mercy of MS phone activation agent to give you an exception to keep Vista activation, so that it even remains a qualifying OS to upgrade to Win7.

Thanks Gregrocker.....that is some good info. I'm sure MS support would be understanding in what I"m trying to accomplish, since they would still be getting more money from me (ie. purchasing new windows). In theory, once I'm done with the upgrade, I should be able to take my old hardware and re-activate Vista on it...since that was the original combination and I do own the OEM license on it.