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☖ Forums → Discussion Forum → How many times can you install Vista OEM?
How many times can you install Vista OEM?
2007-10-19, 8:52 AM #1
I'm tempted to snag it from Newegg...$111 for Home Premium OEM..if I sell this system and build another/etc, can I reinstall it..?
woot!
2007-10-19, 8:56 AM #2
You'll have to deal with registration crap, I don't think you can.
2007-10-19, 9:37 AM #3
Legally no, but technically you can do it many, many times. You just have to do phone activation and talk with a person. They'll ask like "how many computers are you using it on?" and you say "just one" and they'll say "okay" and activate it for you. If that fails, tell them your motherboard died or something.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2007-10-19, 9:38 AM #4
Legally the OEM is tied to the motherboard.
2007-10-19, 9:51 AM #5
I see; thanks guys.
woot!
2007-10-19, 10:18 AM #6
Originally posted by Cool Matty:
Legally the OEM is tied to the motherboard.


I think someone posted that article on the forums when it came was released by microsoft. So if your motherboard fries, you need a new copy of Windows? I bet everyone shells out money when that happens.:rolleyes:
2007-10-19, 11:00 AM #7
Sigh. No, stop reading FUD. Three hardware changes are required, I believe motherboard, maybe CPU and system hard drive?

And like I said, you can just call them to reactivate it. It takes about six minutes.

This is also only for the OEM version, which is meant for system builders.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2007-10-19, 1:18 PM #8
Originally posted by Emon:
Sigh. No, stop reading FUD. Three hardware changes are required, I believe motherboard, maybe CPU and system hard drive?

And like I said, you can just call them to reactivate it. It takes about six minutes.

This is also only for the OEM version, which is meant for system builders.


It is tied to the motherboard. If you switch motherboards and nothing else, it will still trigger it.

However, a large amount of non-motherboard changes can also trigger it, but it's a lot.
2007-10-19, 1:20 PM #9
Originally posted by Emon:
Legally no, but technically you can do it many, many times. You just have to do phone activation and talk with a person. They'll ask like "how many computers are you using it on?" and you say "just one" and they'll say "okay" and activate it for you. If that fails, tell them your motherboard died or something.


When they ask how many you are using it on say zero. If you say one then they ask you more questions.

You are currently using it on zero computers because you haven't gotten it activated yet.
gbk is 50 probably

MB IS FAT
2007-10-19, 1:22 PM #10
Originally posted by Denominator:
I think someone posted that article on the forums when it came was released by microsoft. So if your motherboard fries, you need a new copy of Windows? I bet everyone shells out money when that happens.:rolleyes:


You are KnightRider2000. Only you can make my brain hurt this bad when talking about tech stuff because you obviously know NOTHING about it.
gbk is 50 probably

MB IS FAT
2007-10-19, 3:14 PM #11
I know from experiance that basicly, Once.
I put in a new video card and that made it think i had a new mobo...
2007-10-19, 4:06 PM #12
Originally posted by Emon:
Sigh. No, stop reading FUD. Three hardware changes are required, I believe motherboard, maybe CPU and system hard drive?

And like I said, you can just call them to reactivate it. It takes about six minutes.

This is also only for the OEM version, which is meant for system builders.


No. XP allowed three hardware upgrades before it would no longer activate. Vista will not reactivate if you install it more than once, on any system. You will have to call and they are indeed gigantic dicks about reactivating it for you.
2007-10-19, 4:16 PM #13
Odd, I've installed Vista twice on this machine and it activated...
<Rob> This is internet.
<Rob> Nothing costs money if I don't want it to.
2007-10-19, 4:18 PM #14
Originally posted by Jon`C:
No. XP allowed three hardware upgrades before it would no longer activate. Vista will not reactivate if you install it more than once, on any system.

Oh, my bad then.

Originally posted by Jon`C:
You will have to call and they are indeed gigantic dicks about reactivating it for you.

They weren't dicks to me. They asked me, "How many computers are you using it on?" I said "Just one." and then it was done.
Bassoon, n. A brazen instrument into which a fool blows out his brains.
2007-10-19, 5:24 PM #15
Originally posted by Jon`C:
No. XP allowed three hardware upgrades before it would no longer activate. Vista will not reactivate if you install it more than once, on any system. You will have to call and they are indeed gigantic dicks about reactivating it for you.


Unless it's the same hardware. Reformats don't trigger anything (I know this from experience).

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