Solved Win 7 OEM License - Changing Motherboard & Processor

[tjg79]

Hi,

I have an OEM version of Win 7 Pro x64 DVD I purchased from Newegg in 2012. I installed it on my Intel DX58SO/i7-920 which I subsequently upgraded the processor to i7-930.

I plan to upgrade my motherboard and processor again to an Intel DX58SO2/i7-980x. I'm also going to replace my 3 Seagate Barracuda 500GB SATA hdds (presently in Intel RST RAID 5) which are out of warranty (5-year) with two new 5-year warranty Seagate Constellation 1TB SATA hdds configured in a Marvell RAID 1 (mirror). I'll use the Barracuda Intel RST RAID 5 volume as my back-up disk.

Will I have MS license issues when I do a clean install of my OEM Win 7 onto the upgraded system?

I'm wondering if I'll have activation problems. I've changed the motherboard before, but with the same processor and model motherboard and there didn't seem to be an issue. I've done this with an OEM copy of Win XP in the past and didn't have any issues. I'm not installing the same OS product key on more than one system. I'm just moving or reinstalling the OS to an upgraded hardware system.

Regards

 

[fireberd]

If you change the motherboard to a different model or manufacturer technically the OEM version cannot be activated as it is tied to the motherboard. However, I know Microsoft has made some exceptions.

I'm facing the same thing right now. I suspect a problem with my motherboard. I have another to replace it but it is a different vendor and I'm afraid Microsoft will not activate it. I've considered an "anytime upgrade" from Home to Pro version but I don't know if that will change the OEM version into a full version. So, I'm stuck.


XP was different and the process was much more lenient.

 

[tjg79]

If you change the motherboard to a different model or manufacturer technically the OEM version cannot be activated as it is tied to the motherboard. However, I know Microsoft has made some exceptions.

I'm facing the same thing right now. I suspect a problem with my motherboard. I have another to replace it but it is a different vendor and I'm afraid Microsoft will not activate it. I've considered an "anytime upgrade" from Home to Pro version but I don't know if that will change the OEM version into a full version. So, I'm stuck.


XP was different and the process was much more lenient.

I suspect that changing the motherboard model or manufacturer may cause a red flag on activation, but if you have to take it to the next level and explain the reason for the change, such as failed or defective motherboard, the activation will happen.

I think that if you go for the anytime upgrade from OEM Home to Pro, you won't have an OEM license any longer which is good, because you will be eligible for free support and you won't have the OEM license which seems to give you more options when you contact MS. I've done that in the past with XP. I don't think there is a price difference when doing an anytime upgrade between OEM and retail versions.

 

[fireberd]

I asked about the anytime upgrade and whether it would make it a retail version, on another thread and haven't got any definitive answers

 

[NoelDP]

Changing the motherboard constitutes creating a new computer - and this breaks the OEM License terms.
Sometimes, MS will let you get away with it, and activate on the new motherboard but in theory you need to purchase a new license.

 

[SIW2]

I have heard several reports of MS activating for people on the phone after mobo change.

I have never heard of MS refusing to do so. There was also an article several years ago in one of the PC mags ( think it was a UK mag), where MS had told them they do it. Seems to be standard practice. You will need to let them know you will be using it on only one machine.

 

[tjg79]

I asked about the anytime upgrade and whether it would make it a retail version, on another thread and haven't got any definitive answers

I think that if you buy the anytime upgrade from Microsoft, you have a new license and that new license is a non-OEM retail license even if you are upgrading from an OEM product. I believe it's the same as buying an upgrade version of an OS from a brick-and-mortar store or online. I suspect you may need your original OEM license every time you do a clean install of the upgrade license.

 

[tjg79]

I have heard several reports of MS activating for people on the phone after mobo change.

I have never heard of MS refusing to do so. There was also an article several years ago in one of the PC mags ( think it was a UK mag), where MS had told them they do it. Seems to be standard practice. You will need to let them know you will be using it on only one machine.

I've done it before with my OEM Win 7 when I had to change my damaged motherboard with a new motherboard, same make and model, because I bent the processor pins cleaning it "real good." The old motherboard makes a nice doorstop now.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there.

changing a Mobo and activation is a real game of Roulette. I've changed from an AMD to an INTEL chipset - completely different MOBO - and I never got a request for re-activation -- the system just booted up, got loads of new drivers, couple of re-boots and it was fine.

However I've had another case where I simply added a BLU RAY DVD writer -- guess what the wretched box requested a re-activation -- OK it passed but it was surprising in that what you perceive as a major change gets through while a trivial hardware upgrade flags re-activation.

I think you're on your own on this one. As far as retail is concerned Ms are quite lenient if you use the activate by phone method and are a bit good with gift of the gab or as some of my Irish friends would say - use a bit of the blarney!!).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[fireberd]

As it turns out, I didn't need the upgrade. I replaced my motherboard and had no problems activating the Win 7 OEM. I just clicked on Activate and it immediately activated.
I went from a Gigabyte Z77 Motherboard to an ASRock Z77 motherboard.

Funny thing, the Win 8 Pro install, which is a full version, required a telephone call and reading the activation numbers and getting new ones to activate the Win 8 (dual boot system).

The only problem, I have Microsoft Streets and Trips 2013 and it required re-entering the Product key to activate. Nothing else, such as MS Office required reactivation

 

[3D Jed]

new motherboard
new cpu
new HDDs

I'd call that a new computer. I could understand MS not activating the OEM license on a different computer.

Here in the UK, there's a well-known joke from a TV sitcom - a guy claims he's had the same sweeping brush for 20 years. He says 'of course in that time, I've had 4 new heads and 3 handles'. (Only Fools and Horses)

 

[NoelDP]

MS's definition of a new computer for licensing purposes is simply the motherboard - other changes can cause demands for re-activation(most notably the MAC address of a network connection) but will almost always be allowed.

 

[tjg79]

FYI

I upgraded my motherboard & processor from Intel DX58SO/i7-930 to Intel DX58SO2/i7-980x and activated via telephone without any issues. After I read the installation ID, the automated system asked, "on how many computers is this OS installed?" I answered one and the automated system indicated everything was OK.

So, upgrading the motherboard and processor with an installed OEM Win 7 is not an issue as long as it's only installed on one computer. They likely keep track of how many times this is done and if it gets excessive, I'm sure you'd have to speak with a live MS representative and explain.

I didn't do a clean OS install. It took too much time just to swap the hardware and clean-up all the dust that had accumulated since I last cleaned the system case last year.

Regards

 

[tjg79]

I have heard several reports of MS activating for people on the phone after mobo change.

I did it and it worked out fine without any hassles. Although, if you're trying to run the same product key on multiple machines, then I don't think you'd be able to do it.

Regards