Question about OEM Vista License

[Roosh]

I know that the OEM license for activating Vista is tied to the motherboard. Is it tied by serial number or by brand and model or something else?

I had to RMA my motherboard last week and I'm replacing it with the exact same kind. I would test it myself but I'm also still waiting on a new power supply.

Just curious.

Thanks,

Rooshy

[srpeters18]

Believe its by chipset. But I'm not exactly sure how it works. Cause I activated Vista online on my 680i, and then activated again a month later when I upgraded to a 780i with no issues.

[coxmaster]

You should be fine.. I have a 680i LT that i had to RMA. I thought i was going to have to talk to M$ when i got the replacement, but i didnt even have to do a repair or anything. If its basically the same mobo you will be fine.

[werty316]

If I am not mistaken its tied to the chipset.

[Kougar]

I've experienced this myself, was forced to activate again with a different, very similar motherboard but oddly my OEM copy didn't seem to care.

From what I had read it should have, however. XP can make note of motherboard specific things such as the MAC address for the ethernet port, this address is as specific as the mainboard serial number. The chipset, number of CPU sockets, and other things are also looked at. I'll have to see what I can find out about this...

[darkorb]

I dont think it should matter.

My friend has a ASUS M2N SLI motherboard, and my other friend jacked his KEY and installed it (i no its bad) on his EVGA 680i motherboard and it validated fine.

If it doesnt validate, you can just call it to microsoft and tell them ur reinstalling because you had a virus or something and it will work.

[srpeters18]

But was that a retail version or an OEM version? Because I had an OEM version and when I upgraded mobo's M$ wouldn't activate it on a different mobo because it was OEM. The guy on the phone told me no.

[darkorb]

yea it was OEM.

this one from NCIX

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=22438&vpn=66I%2D00788&manufacture=Microsoft

[tyle6]

I dont even ever bother activating vista, I just end up formating before the 30 days is up anyways! lol

[Arctic88]

Windows Product Activation checks eight different categories of hardware:

* Display Adapter
* SCSI Adapter
* IDE Adapter
* Network Adapter (including the MAC Address)
* RAM Amount Range (e.g. 0-512 MB)
* Processor Type and Serial Number
* Hard Drive Device and Volume Serial Number
* Optical Drive (e.g. CD-ROM)

It then calculates and records a number based on the first device of each type that was found during setup, and stores this number on your hard drive. This is then sent to Microsoft, together with the Product ID number derived from the 25-character unique Product Key used in setting up Windows. If Service Pack 1 is pre-installed, the entire Product Key is also transmitted so that can then be checked against a list of known pirated keys.

[foxmobouser]

Anyways if you look hard enough you can activate any 32 bit Vista version with one of those pre-installed by manufacturer activation codes and you dont have to call anybody again ever.

[huynhc]

although this may sound kinda in the gray area of legality, if you are HONESTLY just changing mobo's and the WPA pops up to validate. call the microsoft number and tell them the message just all of the suddenly popped up and they will give you a new activation right away. I don't see how this is 100% illegal as you do own the copy and are simply upgrading your comp. if you tell the truth about upgrading, they may be reluctant to give you a key and you'll just get a run around with (no offense) non-native english speaking reps who are somewhat difficult to understand at times.

I did this when I swapped boards and it asked me to re-validate. the rep gave me a new activation code no questions asked when i told him it just suddenly appeared (didnt tell him i changed anything on the system).

NOTE to MODS: if this is in any way "illegal" feel free to delete my post and please PM me and set me straight regarding how the rules for indows activation works. I am just trying to pass on info that I see is legit and worked for me. Thanks in advance....