licensing question

[hatrabbit]

I know someone whose hard drive crashed so she bought a new machine. She has the Windows 7 disks that came with the original computer and she's offering them to me. Since the OS is no longer being used by the broken computer, will the registration work if I put it on my machine? In other words, would that scenario be functionally the same as if I bought a new full version? Thanks.

 

[Maguscreed]

Provided it is in use on no other computer you should be able to achieve proper activation. You may have to use the phone method the first couple of times until they have your system logged as belonging to that key though.
This isn't the case if they are system discs meant for her specific computer. If you are dealing with a actual hologramed win 7 disc you should be fine though.

 

[nitroman84]

OEM disks in most cases will not allow installation on another type of computer. Also if trying to use the key from the other computer it most likely will not work as it is tied to that hardware when activated for the first time.

 

[gregrocker]

Depends on if she bought a retail copy of WIn7 to install on the old machine - a retail copy except for OEM can migrate for life.

If it came with the machine it is factory OEM, which like retail OEM is tied to the mobo first installed upon.

 

[whs]

As was pointed out - for a retail version it will work, for an OEM version it will not work.

LOL, Greg always beats me.

 

[gregrocker]

That's OK, Wolfgang. Nitroman beat me and MagnusCreed beat him.

Good company, all.

 

[nitroman84]

That's OK, Wolfgang. Nitroman beat me and MagnusCreed beat him.

Good company, all.

One of these day's I'll cross the line first.

 

[whs]

That's OK, Wolfgang. Nitroman beat me and MagnusCreed beat him.

Good company, all.

One of these day's I'll cross the line first.

Have to be fast around here - LOL

 

[nitroman84]

That's OK, Wolfgang. Nitroman beat me and MagnusCreed beat him.

Good company, all.

One of these day's I'll cross the line first.

Have to be fast around here - LOL

Very true, I'm normally still hunting and pecking my KB long after the third or fourth answer has been given.