I think I'll call them back and tell them my other comp died. and built a new machine but kept the old hdd with win 7. technically I'm still using my upgrade on one machine so there shouldn't be a problem giving me a working code. but then again they can do whatever they want really.
This might give you some insight:
How Windows 7 hardware upgrades affect licensing
Thanks for that link it was a useful insight. It just seems insane that Microsoft doesn't allow much room for hardware failure....
You are still entitled to change a retail (not OEM) Windows 7 to any machine of your choice. If it detected new hardware, it should provide you with a series of numbers to exchange in a robocall that deactivates the old hardware installation and activates the new one.
If you swap the HD into a new machine and it starts up, you need to immediately go to the Computer>Properties activation link and change out the key. The other way to refresh the hardware signature while resetting activation is to run a Repair Install then insert the key again.
Only if you bought an OEM copy of Win7 can you not migrate it to any hardware of your choice whenever you please. Try a Repair Install to refresh the hardware signature and reset the activation, then insert the key again and make the robocall to MS to trade numbers. If it rejects your key, call them and ask why.
SUCCESS! had to do the insanely annoying robocall as penance to activate it though.
Quote