Can I put Win 7 HDD in anothe PC without licensing/activation problems

[MattS9000]

Hi.

We have a broken PC with Windows 7 Pro x64.

Can I just take the HDD out and put it in a working PC? Or will I run into problems with serial numbers and activation?

Thanks. (First post, hope this is the right forum)

 

[Layback Bear]

Some basics.
If your Windows 7 is (OEM) version it can not legally be moved to another computer. A (OEM) version is locked to the first computer it was activated on.
Most have (OEM).

If you have a (Retail) version it can be moved from one computer to another computer, but can only be on one computer at a time.
Most don't have (Retail Versions).

This may help.

What - Microsoft Community

Jack

 

[samuria]

Depending on the new hardware it may not work as the drivers will be wrong it may not activate if MS thinks its a new pc

 

[MattS9000]

Great. Thanks for your replies.

Unfortunately it is OEM, so I guess I have to look at another solution. I was just hoping not to have to install all the software again, set up email accounts etc...

 

[SIW2]

You can probably do what you suggest.

1) You may have to use something like this to make it bootable on new hardware.

Make Windows 7 bootable after motherboard swap - Windows 7 Help Forums

2) You need a valid key which you can insert.

 

[JoWazzoo]

The hard drive works and something else is broken on the first PC?

 

[MattS9000]

You can probably do what you suggest.

1) You may have to use something like this to make it bootable on new hardware.

Make Windows 7 bootable after motherboard swap - Windows 7 Help Forums

2) You need a valid key which you can insert.

Cool. That looks promising. Thanks.

I hope it's only temporary. I suspect a dodgy power supply. If so, I can replace it, put the HDD back in the original PC and save myself all the time installing software and setting up a new PC. But we need to keep going for the next few days.. that PC has the payroll software on it and we probably don't want to stop paying people

 

[MattS9000]

The hard drive works and something else is broken on the first PC?

I actually haven't checked out the broken PC yet. I was out all day and heard about it by phone, no details, just "the computer has shat itself"

We work in an extremely hot and dusty environment, it kills computers regularly. The hardware is cheap enough to replace, but the time setting up a new install is too much.

I suspect power supply. If the HDD is dead I have a whole new problem to deal with (We do have backups though)

 

[SIW2]

!) You should be able to get it boot on the new machine using the tutorial I linked.

2) Re the license.
If you don't input a valid license key I can't recall how long it will keep working before going into reduced functionality mode.

If you get hold of a retail/system builder license key for the same edition, you can insert it and it should activate fine, then should be good forever

 

[mrjimphelps]

Just curious, the answer to the following question has never been clear to me:

If I have one or more bad parts in my OEM computer, and I replace those parts one at a time, does there come a point when Microsoft no longer considers it the same computer for OEM license requirements?

It seems to me that if only one part was bad, and I replaced it, it would still be the same computer. If then another part goes bad, and I replace it, it is still the same computer. At what point does it become a different computer? Does a certain amount of time need to elapse between replacing each part in order for it to stay the same computer? Or does it become a different computer after a certain number of parts have been replaced?

 

[Barman58]

It's long been considered without any actual confirmation from Microsoft, (officially), that most removable components are Ok to replace and Keep activation, with the exception of the motherboard.

This does not mean that when a motherboard is replaced that your key will be blacklisted or any other way of deactivating the licence, what it means is that you will need to talk to someone at Microsoft and explain the situation, if you can persuade the tech that you are replacing the Board due to circumstances beyond your control, (component failure, recall by the manufacturer, Etc), they are likely to either provide a replacement key or Clear your existing key for further use.

Deciding to upgrade so that your system is more up-to date is not an acceptable reason. also upgrading a system too often will also not be looked on favourably, and probably lead to deactivation.

Of course this procedure does not apply to Retail licences but only to OEM. Major OEM licenses and their use after replacement of components is not microsoft's concern, but Dell HP etc will have their own methods and rules - EG if you swap out a failed HP motherboard with a working HP motherboard the Key should work correctly but HP may need to confirm this when they supply the board. Fitting a retail board into an OEM system will almost always deactivate the licence

 

[mrjimphelps]

Thank you for that explanation.

 

[Barman58]

One other thing that seems to be a factor in the decision which I understand but do not feel is totally fair is that If you are a business customer off Microsoft you will More often be given the "benefit of the doubt" than if you are a private individual

 

[torchwood]

Hi Barman,

your quite correct,
within the activation process the key line is this, you can find it in the Mgadiag tool

Installation ID: 005673737732079724716895113776368462929001305253566542

Its basically a parts identifier
Allthough i have NO idea how its split or how it does it
One of MS secrets.

Roy

 

[Barman58]

I understand Microsoft's position on the Installation Key and fully support their position in keeping it's structure to themselves - If it was publically known the pirates would rule the world (even More )

 

[mrjimphelps]

One other thing that seems to be a factor in the decision which I understand but do not feel is totally fair is that If you are a business customer off Microsoft you will More often be given the "benefit of the doubt" than if you are a private individual

Well, Microsoft wants to keep those business dollars/pounds/euros coming in, so for me it is understandable why they would want to keep on friendly terms with businesses.

 

[Layback Bear]

Nigel has hit the nail on the head.

With a OEM Windows 7, the motherboard is Microsoft's concern. Microsoft doesn't care if you change things like video cards, drives or ram. To Microsoft a new motherboard equals a new computer.
Their are exceptions. I have RMA a motherboard and got back a different motherboard but the same type in all respects except the serial number. I had to call Microsoft and explain. They okayed things and activated my system. What Microsoft picked up with my motherboard is unknown to me. It took about 5 minutes on the phone and all was good again.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To all those in wonder world; yes Microsoft is in business to make money. We can't buy Microsoft products if Microsoft isn't in business. So I want Microsoft to stay in business and make a profit.

I have got about $8000.00 worth of computer hardware in my home which would be useless without proper operating systems to make it all work together. A Microsoft operating system is cheap compared to hardware. Hardware is useless without the operating system. If by chance one has problems with activation and Microsoft is no help; well one just has to buy a new operating system. Or one can use one of the Linux operating systems which are free.

Jack