Windows 7 OEM and Regular?

[Mellon Head]

The crazy thing is, I've done a motherboard swap twice on an OEM version, and it activated just fine by calling the automated system both times. I've only ever had to talk to a rep once with an OEM copy of XP and a bad board. I explained my situation to the rep nicely, and respectfully, and there was no problem.

There are some circumstances where the transfer of an OEM license seems to be permitted, even though the EULA says it isn't. I've never moved the license from the actual machine it was installed on, but I have replaced what MS calls "Key components" which will invalidate the license with no problems. I will, however not illegally move my copy to a totally different PC and try to have it activated. That just isn't right. All of my software is legal, or open source, and that's the way it should be. OEM copies are cheap, and if you choose to use one, then pony up the money for a new copy if you upgrade the whole machine.

 

[gregrocker]

Does anyone know for sure that the mobo is still the "deal killer" on OEM reactivation? Maybe it's a more extensive change of hardware required to fail activation, one which assumes a change of machine rather than just a hardware change-out.

I've never seen in the OEM EULA if mobo is specified as deal killer, only had techs tell me they have to change to same exact mobo on factory OEM or use an unspecified "workaround."

 

[Mellon Head]

I think I read it in the EULA. It also used to be on the MS website. XP was the one that was the most restrictive, from my experience. The two that I've repaired and then activated automatically were board replacements with Vista. Maybe Vista looks at more of the machine's components as part of it's signature - especially since the hard disk and RAM serial numbers didn't change...