Transfer of a HDD w/ win7 to new computer!

Yeah, I re-read and you said you bought OEM version... as in you bought from an online retailer such as newegg.com? It should work.... put it in with new mobo and try... if it doesnt recognize new mobo and other parts, reinstall OS on top of itself (into existing directory).

If you bought the upgrade disc then you can still install on top, or perform a clean install (even with upgrade DVD).
Doing a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

If you do call MS... tell them you built 1st system and had a mobo crash and need to reinstall for new mobo and other parts.

As long as you point to one failed part.... what's the difference?

It used to be up to a max of three components... has it changed?

theog said:

You only need to reinstall with a new MOBO or a new HD Drive.

On OEM's Reinstalling to a new MOBO is not covered by MS, reinstalling to a new HD Drive is covered.

The OP stated he bought an OEM copy, not that he purchased it on PC... That means he is a system builder oem according to MS.

Lots of contradictory info on this... even from Microsoft. But I found in the OEM System Builder site that he can in fact do this... So, he is totally cool!

Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the license of new operating system software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.
The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the End User Software License Terms and the support of the software covered by that End User Software License Terms. The End User Software License Terms is a set of usage rights granted to the end user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights for that software as installed on that particular PC. The system builder is required to support the software on the original PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PCs with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define the original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The original system builder did not manufacture this new PC, and therefore cannot be expected to support it.

From: http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/lice...nsing_faq.aspx

theog... can you share where you found your info?

theog said:

As a IT Student, years ago.

Years ago is a long time in the computer world!

See my post above this for all the gory details!