After installing and activating Vista Home Premium on my computer, I made some hefty hardware upgrades , in part to run Vista more smoothly. I bought a new CPU, motherboard, video card, as well as a cd-rom. My hard disks didn't change and all of my old settings are still there from the Vista before, only now Vista's telling my that I haven't activated and I only have one day left to complete the process. When I put in my old key it tells me that it's already in use and I need to purchase a new one. What can I do!? I AM NOT going to buy another one as I already paid 200+ dollars for this one. Is this a glitch in the software or what is going on here? I hope someone can help, although I've already contacted Microsoft about this. So I guess this is kind of a warning to people too.

You usually have to reactivate after several hardware changes. Use telephone activation if you are having problems with the web activation. Explain the situation. If you installed the OEM version, changing MOBO is a violation of that agreement, if you have a retail (either full or upgrade) they will walk you thru the reactivation.
"JonR"

Thanks for your reply John. I appreciate your post and will try your advice. Hopefully it will resolve my problem.
Jon
"John Barnes" wrote:

Can you please direct me within the EULA where "changing MOBO is a violation of that agreement".
Woody
"John Barnes"

For OEM you agree to abide by the System Builders Agreement, where it has been adequately covered. As described on one of the vendor sites This OEM software is intended for system builders only and cannot be transferred to another PC once it is installed. The purchaser of this software is required to comply with the terms of the System Builder license, including the responsibility of providing all end user support for the software.
microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/default.mspx
"Woody"

"JonR"

oh it gets better. just a quick browse of this NG will turn up posts from people who have found that just running Windows Update, or installing an updated driver will cause you to have to reactivate. remember, in MS's eyes, you are guilty until -you- prove your innocence. keep that phone # handy - you're gonna need it, a lot.

John Barnes wrote:

If I were to purchase a shrinkwrapped vista oem package from newegg (for example), I become the system builder (as per the terms quoted above) when assembling a machine. I am building the machine for my own use, using the oem package I have legitimately purchased, so I also become the end user. I am, as the system builder( as per the terms quoted above) responsible for support. I am also the end user, subject to the end user eula. If I decide as a system builder that support warrants a new motherboard, or any other individual component or combination of components, where is it stated that I cannot do so under the system builders agreement? As the end user, the eula does not make any statement as to this situation. So, who, other that myself, decides what hat I am wearing in terms of this machine and what can or cannot be done to it?

norm

John,
Nowhere in the EULA or the SB license does it state the OEM software is tied to the original motherboard. Please tell me where to look in the EULA/SBL (or provide a quote) .
Woody
"John Barnes"

There are hundreds of places for you to look, but I am sure nothing will satisfy you. Here is one attempt at explaining it and there are plenty of links for you to look at. michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htm
"Woody"

"norm"

You can replace the mainboard or other components with the SAME components.
If you, as a system builder, decide to give yourself (end user) a new machine in order to keep yourself as a customer then you choose, as a system builder, to eat the cost of a new license.
I raised hell with Gateway once about a machine that gave me nothing but trouble. Mix that with poor customer service I finally got a service manager to replace the machine with a different model (a little better). The new machine came with a new windows license. The old license is trashed with the old machine.

I doubt that the average home computer builder has knowledge about the System Builder license or has read detailed analyses of what the convoluted EULA means in terms of real world practical applications. I've never heard of Microsoft suing any individuals for replacing the motherboard in their OEM computer.
Gary VanderMolen
"John Barnes"

"Gary VanderMolen"

True, however going back to the OP, you can’t complain about it needing to re-activated and you have no recourse if MS tell you NO to re-activating that license. It was never a problem with XP however there seems to be some cases where Vista customers were told to buy another license. If, of course, those people can be trusted.

"John Barnes" wrote in news:OwTa95laHHA.1388 TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:

We don't want to see one person's almost year-old interpretation of what he thinks the EULA states for Windows XP.
So where, on any Microsoft official document, or non-MS help webpage or forum, does it say that the MB is the computer and upgrading it invalidates the current license.
Does it say that in the EULA....I don't think so ?
So what LEGALLY BINDING document says that ? In order for it to be binding, all conditions must be explicity stated, and NOT open to interpretation.

Justin wrote:

Are you stating that ANY component has to be replaced with the same (either/or) make/model component? I hope not. I see nothing in the eula or the system builders agreement that mentions anything of the sort.

I am not giving myself a new machine. I am upgrading. Please cite where either the system builders agreement or oem license mentions anything about an upgrade of the mb. If it is not explicitly stated, then the decision should be mine.

machine vs a new machine (two separate boxes). I am asking about an upgrade to an existing machine. Please don't cloud the issue. Thanks.
norm

norm wrote:

I don't see why MS cares. Most people buy an HP, Dell, Gateway, etc. that doesn't need activation.
Alias

Alias wrote:

or about hp, dell or gateway activations.
norm

"Woody"

Hi Woody,
You might want to read the previous forum discussion on this topic at: forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?s=299c49401fdae94476f1d42224fe00e9&t=690352
Also, I am going to repost one of my previous posts. There seemed to be no interest at the time, but I would still like an answer: I was reviewing the OEM license again and remembered that there is a 'PREINSTALLATION REQUIREMENT' clause, item six, that requires the 'system builder' to use the OEM Preinstallation Kit ("OPK"). While this makes no sense whatsoever that I can see for someone installing the OEM version on their own 'device', it is required per the EULA.
Does this OPK software come with the OEM version or do you have to sign up for the Microsoft Partner Program at microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/OPK/default.mspx in order to download it?
Have any retail OEM customers out there actually used this OPK? If so, how does it work? Does it install a EULA on the device that you, the end user, must accept that is any different from this one at oem.microsoft.com/downloads/P...B_License.pdf?
Does anyone besides me really care? :-) And this is another post that I wanted to make to that original thread, but didn't when the interest waned: Sorry for opening up this can of worms again, but one of the worms crawled out! :-)
The OEM EULA also says in clause 6 that the 'system builder' cannot distribute the OPK software or instructions to the 'end user'. If I am the 'system builder' and 'end user', I can't distribute the software or instructions to myself even though I am required to use it?? Huh? [Insert Scooby Doo sound track here.]
How are we expected to read, understand and follow these EULA's when they make no sense?
They need two OEM EULA's, one for 'system builders and resellers' and one for 'end user system builders'.
Microsoft needs to go back to the drawing board on this one. It's a real mess, even downright embarrassing.
BTW Ken, tell your boss for me that you deserve a promotion. ;-) Alan Norton Reviews Including ABIT AN8 SLI, ECS P965T-A & Foxconn 975X7AB-8EKRS2H Motherboards Guide to Choosing the Right Version Of Vista For You - Vista Confusion Article Arizona Pics No Spam - Just a gratuitous plea for more hardware to test :-) mindspring.com/~anorton1/

ok by default the motherboard is the one basic part that they consider to be consistent in order for a PC to be what it is.
You can upgrade the CPU, HD, Video, etc all you want, but the fact remains that changing the motherboard is changing the PC.
What you are saying is similar to customizing a car with an entirely new engine and drive-train and saying it's the same car.
Sure the outside looks the same but I can tell you right now, it's not the same car.
"norm"

The link provided is one interpretation of the EULA at best. Nowhere does it specifically state that I cannot change the MB. I do not need to look in hundreds of places. I only need to read the OEM EULA. To tell the OP he needs to aquire another license is bogus. Again, where are you getting your info from the EULA?
Thanks,
Woody
"John Barnes"

Lets be honest, you don't care about anything but justifying theft. microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/sysbuild/05_0222_sb.mspx discuss.pcmag.com/forums/thread/1004364651.aspx

"DanS"

Lets be honest, you don't care about anything but justifying theft. microsoft.com/technet/community/chats/trans/sysbuild/05_0222_sb.mspx discuss.pcmag.com/forums/thread/1004364651.aspx
"woody"

Shane Nokes wrote:

"default" is, then let "them" spell it out in unambiguous terms and language. Please cite a source where such a default is stated in unambiguous terms and language.

have a differing opinion, but nothing is proven one way or another. If it remains unsettled and unproven, then one interpretation is as valid as the next.

When I owned a 1968 roadrunner (purchased new), I had the engine balanced and blueprinted ,added a high performance cam, headers, carburetor, heavy duty clutch, different rear end ratio and other extras. Had I blown the engine while racing, and decided that I needed a 426 hemi rather than the original 383 that came with the car, I would have still had a roadrunner. Are you going to state that the changes I made or even a complete engine change would have made it a different car?

described above stated that it was, before and after all the alterations, the same car, and was sold as a used 1968 roadrunner.

norm

So now you're implying that changing my MB and using my licensed copy of Vista is theft? Where are you getting your information? It was a simple question. You made the statement; "If you installed the OEM version, changing MOBO is a violation of that agreement". I was just looking for proof.
Woody
"John Barnes"

"Pecos"

Very interseting reading. It is apparent the EULA and the SB license are unclear and open to much interpretation. I certainly agree MS needs to revisit their agreements.
Thanks,
Woody

Norm
I have no ideas about the EULA issue but do you still have the RoadRunner? :-)
Have a great day, Thor
norm wrote:

I was making an analogy but obviously english is not your native language or, if it is, you have a sorry command of it's usage.
For your own personal education an analogy is a resemblance in some particulars between things that are otherwise dissimilar.
I do some side work for MS and I can tell you right now that it's not unclear if you read the SBL.
Read this very carefully, this is part of the SBL attached to all OEM copies. 4.1 We grant you a nonexclusive right to distribute an individual software license only with a fully assembled computer system. A "fully assembled computer system" means a computer system consisting of at least a central processing unit, a motherboard, a hard drive, a power supply, and a case.
As stated before if you are replacing or upgrading parts within the same "generation" of parts then you are well within your rights to do so.
However let's say that you decide to move from a socket AM2 based AMD system to a socket AM3 based system to take advantage of the newer processor features then indeed you are creating a new computer which would require a new license. Even more drastic, moving from AMD to Intel, would also be considered building a new machine.
"norm"

Re: John Barnes wrote: You usually have to reactivate after several hardware changes. Use telephone activation if you are having problems with the web activation. Explain the situation. If you installed the OEM version, changing MOBO is a violation of that agreement, if you have a retail (either full or upgrade) they will walk you thru the reactivation.
I used the telephone activation and the rep took me through it and helped me to reactivate without any troubles. Thanks for the advice John.
Jon

thor wrote:

I wish. :( It ran in the high twelves against a g stock record of 12.36, if I remember correctly. It was just too heavy for the class it was in, but it was great fun. All good things have to come to an end, and as marriage and kids appeared, the toys disappeared. I doubt I will ever have another fast car like that, but in 03, I finally bought another motorcycle. Of course, it will never match the kawasaki 750 three banger I had after the roadrunner, which also disappeared as marriage and kids appeared. But power and speed don't hold the appeal they once did, either, so I am content. ;)