will upgrading parts kill my license?

[lisaone]

If i upgrade my CPU and motherboard (everything else including hard drive will be the saem as it is now) will that tell my windows 7 to break? I remember having a problem with this once when i upgraded something when i had vista. I think it was only my video card back then.

I hope someone knows what i mean >< i cant find the right words.

 

[win7clutz]

Certainly a mobo/proc upgrade will require a reactivation... No problem though its just a phone call.

 

[richc46]

Everyone that has made the call, returned with the comment that they were surprised how easy it was. You will be dealing with a professional, who wants you to be able to activate.

 

[lisaone]

damn, i hoped it wouldnt be the case. I guess i will have no option, i really want to upgrade, we just dont have a landline at the moment (dogs chewed cable under the house) so ill be using my mobile phone, hopefully i wont be on hold long?

 

[IownAmoneyPit]

If it's an OEM copy it is married to the motherboard it was 1st installed on and when the motherboard goes so does your copy of windows 7. If it's an upgrade version or full retail version see posts #2 and #3

 

[Dwarf]

The call should take no more than 5-10 minutes. Have a piece of paper and a pencil/pen handy to jot down the code you need to give to them and the activation code they give back to you.

Most upgrades, providing that you don't change too much in one go, will not necessitate reactivation. A change of motherboard, on other hand, will. In fact, with a change of motherboard I would recommend a fresh installation, so you would need to reactivate anyway.

Microsoft uses product activation to prevent piracy and the installation of the OS (specifically the use of the license) on more than one machine at the same time. It does, however, recognise that many people will, from time to time, upgrade their hardware. Phone activation allows these people to reactivate, and it also helps those who cannot activate normally over the Internet.

 

[lisaone]

it is not OEM, it is upgrade version, i wont be getting new hardware for a week or maybe two. But thanks for the answers, i know what to expect now, but i would really like to avoid fresh installation if i can help it, why would i need to format for a new motherboard? its all on my hdd right?