can someone settle a Win7 reinstall argument?

skygodtj · 01 Mar 2010

Alright, can someone settle an argument? I've been doing battle with a "computer-guru" friend since 7 was released for retail that claims any version of 7 can be re-installed, "as new, first time" on a different computer 120+ days after being activated, just like XP can.

I told him "not true", that 7 (and like Vista) activation key is basically tied to a "snapshot" of components "taken" when installed, and phoned into MS when initially activated to prevent multiple instances of a single key being used over and over, but 120+ days apart, as can be done with XP. Swapping video or network cards, mobo or HD, triggers "Configuration has changed and now requires re-activation, you have 3 days to reactivate.." (the points system) a hefty bar tab teeters on the brink over this..

TimStitt · 01 Mar 2010

Yep... bar tabs are very important. :)

My understanding is exactly as you have described, it's all tied to hardware and you must reactivate in 3 days if you change the big stuff (HD's are ok, unless you replace the memory at the same time). OEM editions are a little different and tied (super-glued) to the motherboard they were first installed on. I'll see if I can find something official from MS.

gregrocker · 01 Mar 2010

You can migrate any retail copy of Win7 except OEM to any other machine of your choice at any time.

If the hardware signature changes, it requires a robocall where numbers are exchanged that deactivate on the old hardware and activate the new by updating the hardware signature.

I do not believe the 120 storage limit still applies with Win7.

skygodtj · 01 Mar 2010

Tim - Ha! I knew it! more MGD fer me! LOL!! I'm going to tell him that each previous install will fall over dead with each new activation! LOVE IT!!!

Greg - Thanks, I knew the 120+ day thing doesn't fly with Vista and now 7.. OEM is perma-stapled to original hardware (legally) but Retail can forever float but only on one platform at a time..

More suds fer me :)

CarlTR6 · 01 Mar 2010

Enjoy fruits of victory!

TimStitt · 01 Mar 2010

Yep Skygpdtj, it's his shout.... We'll each have what you're having.... it'll annoy him more having to buy more than one. :P

Desslok · 01 Mar 2010

skygodtj said:

Tim - Ha! I knew it! more MGD fer me! LOL!! I'm going to tell him that each previous install will fall over dead with each new activation! LOVE IT!!!

Greg - Thanks, I knew the 120+ day thing doesn't fly with Vista and now 7.. OEM is perma-stapled to original hardware (legally) but Retail can forever float but only on one platform at a time..

More suds fer me :)

Supposedly if you have the OEM version, and the Mobo breaks, and you replace it with the EXACT same model, you can re-activate it through phone in.

whs · 01 Mar 2010

Desslok said:

skygodtj said:

Tim - Ha! I knew it! more MGD fer me! LOL!! I'm going to tell him that each previous install will fall over dead with each new activation! LOVE IT!!!

Greg - Thanks, I knew the 120+ day thing doesn't fly with Vista and now 7.. OEM is perma-stapled to original hardware (legally) but Retail can forever float but only on one platform at a time..

More suds fer me :)

Supposedly if you have the OEM version, and the Mobo breaks, and you replace it with the EXACT same model, you can re-activate it through phone in.

Usually yes, because the mobo ID changed.

madtownidiot · 01 Mar 2010

Anyone remember the days when you could take a HDD out, put it into another computer, and windows would STILL be activated after seeing that every component had changed? With windows 7, almost any change in the HW configuration will cause a BSOD, deactivate windows, or simply fail to start up.

gregrocker · 01 Mar 2010

I have had much better luck with moving Win7 to other hardware. About a dozen times now it has started right up, swapped out all of the drivers (quite a show), requested a few restarts, made me coffee and answered my email.

Seriously, there was no performance hit at all. Even did one from single to dual core which had been told couldn't be done.