Guest Confused Posted July 19, 2007 Posted July 19, 2007 I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard drive nor my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new computer...
Guest Carey Frisch [MVP] Posted July 19, 2007 Posted July 19, 2007 Re: OEM License Question With an OEM Microsoft Windows license, you can upgrade to a different hard drive but not a different motherboard. If you replace the motherboard, it must be the same make, model, and BIOS as the original. -- Carey Frisch Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Confused" <Confused@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:DFD815C2-8820-4E2F-9EAE-3130091FFF0F@microsoft.com... I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard drive nor my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new computer...
Guest DH Posted July 19, 2007 Posted July 19, 2007 Re: OEM License Question "Confused" <Confused@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:DFD815C2-8820-4E2F-9EAE-3130091FFF0F@microsoft.com... >I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard drive >nor > my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide > supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I > cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting > documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new > computer... Just last week, I replaced a motherboard. It was similar (same chipset) but definitely different. I anticipated a call to MS but they accepted it. I have, in the past had to call MS when changing out a motherboard but in all cases, they have activated it. With regards to a hard drive swap, I test and change hard drives regularly (at least once a week) and I have never had a problem. Dave H.
Guest Alias Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question Confused wrote: > I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard drive nor > my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide > supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I > cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting > documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new > computer... What type of OEM are you talking about, a generic one that you bought or a branded version put out by the likes of Dell or HP that came already installed with the computer? Alias
Guest Gordon Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message news:AC671A3D-8351-4778-AC07-C3A513417015@microsoft.com... > With an OEM Microsoft Windows license, you can upgrade > to a different hard drive but not a different motherboard. Carey spouts RUBBISH as usual. there is NOTHING, NOTHING AT ALL in the Eula that says this. Ignore the idiot.
Guest Gordon Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question "Confused" <Confused@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:DFD815C2-8820-4E2F-9EAE-3130091FFF0F@microsoft.com... >I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard drive >nor > my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide > supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I > cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting > documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new > computer... > Ignore the idiot Carey. I don't know why the sycophant keeps spouting this RUBBISH about motherboards.
Guest Alias Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question Gordon wrote: > "Confused" <Confused@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:DFD815C2-8820-4E2F-9EAE-3130091FFF0F@microsoft.com... >> I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard drive >> nor >> my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide >> supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I >> cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting >> documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new >> computer... >> > > > Ignore the idiot Carey. I don't know why the sycophant keeps spouting this > RUBBISH about motherboards. > > With due fairness to Carey, it seems that Carey is assuming the OP is using a branded OEM. Alias
Guest Gordon Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question "Alias" <aka@maskedandanonymous.info> wrote in message news:eg0mQMryHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > Gordon wrote: >> "Confused" <Confused@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:DFD815C2-8820-4E2F-9EAE-3130091FFF0F@microsoft.com... >>> I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard >>> drive nor >>> my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide >>> supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I >>> cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting >>> documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new >>> computer... >>> >> >> >> Ignore the idiot Carey. I don't know why the sycophant keeps spouting >> this RUBBISH about motherboards. > > With due fairness to Carey, it seems that Carey is assuming the OP is > using a branded OEM. > > Alias > But he spouts this all the time.....
Guest Alias Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question Gordon wrote: > "Alias" <aka@maskedandanonymous.info> wrote in message > news:eg0mQMryHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >> Gordon wrote: >>> "Confused" <Confused@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >>> news:DFD815C2-8820-4E2F-9EAE-3130091FFF0F@microsoft.com... >>>> I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard >>>> drive nor >>>> my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide >>>> supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I >>>> cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting >>>> documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new >>>> computer... >>>> >>> >>> Ignore the idiot Carey. I don't know why the sycophant keeps spouting >>> this RUBBISH about motherboards. >> With due fairness to Carey, it seems that Carey is assuming the OP is >> using a branded OEM. >> >> Alias >> > > > But he spouts this all the time..... > > Oh, I know. I have changed the motherboard on all three of my computers, all running a generic OEM version of XP and haven't had one problem activating on line. It's just in this case, he may be correct ;-) Alias
Guest Tim Slattery Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question "Gordon" <gbplinux@gmail.com.invalid> wrote: >"Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message >news:AC671A3D-8351-4778-AC07-C3A513417015@microsoft.com... >> With an OEM Microsoft Windows license, you can upgrade >> to a different hard drive but not a different motherboard. > >Carey spouts RUBBISH as usual. there is NOTHING, NOTHING AT ALL in the Eula >that says this. Ignore the idiot. It's up to the OEM to determine what constitutes a "new machine" in this case, not Microsoft. An OEM version of XP that comes with a new computer is usually BIOS-locked to the motherboard (especially if the computer comes from a large manufacturer). A different motherboard, even if identical to the first, will have a different serial number on the BIOS, so the OS won't work with it. If you buy the replacement MB from the OEM, they'll probably provide you with a way to get around this. If you buy the replacement MB from someplace else, the OEM will probably leave you high and dry. -- Tim Slattery MS MVP(DTS) Slattery_T@bls.gov http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
Guest Tim Slattery Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question "DH" <xxxdaveoh@swbell.net(axe the x's)> wrote: >Just last week, I replaced a motherboard. It was similar (same chipset) but >definitely different. I anticipated a call to MS but they accepted it. > >I have, in the past had to call MS when changing out a motherboard but in >all cases, they have activated it. For a retail version of the OS, it should work exactly this way. For an OEM version, you'd have to work with the OEM who sold it to you. -- Tim Slattery MS MVP(DTS) Slattery_T@bls.gov http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
Guest Alias Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question Tim Slattery wrote: > "Gordon" <gbplinux@gmail.com.invalid> wrote: > >> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message >> news:AC671A3D-8351-4778-AC07-C3A513417015@microsoft.com... >>> With an OEM Microsoft Windows license, you can upgrade >>> to a different hard drive but not a different motherboard. >> Carey spouts RUBBISH as usual. there is NOTHING, NOTHING AT ALL in the Eula >> that says this. Ignore the idiot. > > It's up to the OEM to determine what constitutes a "new machine" in > this case, not Microsoft. An OEM version of XP that comes with a new > computer is usually BIOS-locked to the motherboard (especially if the > computer comes from a large manufacturer). A different motherboard, > even if identical to the first, will have a different serial number on > the BIOS, so the OS won't work with it. If you buy the replacement MB > from the OEM, they'll probably provide you with a way to get around > this. If you buy the replacement MB from someplace else, the OEM will > probably leave you high and dry. > True if a branded OEM. False if a generic OEM. Alias
Guest Gordon Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question "Tim Slattery" <Slattery_T@bls.gov> wrote in message news:p9b1a31hvvfkjuheeg9lntfr6ug816aqg1@4ax.com... > "DH" <xxxdaveoh@swbell.net(axe the x's)> wrote: > >>Just last week, I replaced a motherboard. It was similar (same chipset) >>but >>definitely different. I anticipated a call to MS but they accepted it. >> >>I have, in the past had to call MS when changing out a motherboard but in >>all cases, they have activated it. > > For a retail version of the OS, it should work exactly this way. For > an OEM version, you'd have to work with the OEM who sold it to you. > Only if it's BIOS locked.....
Guest Confused Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question You may not have had a problem but that is not what I am wondering about. I am wondering if it is "legal" to do this. It should not matter if this was a branded OEM or not, since the licensing part shoud be the same. "Alias" wrote: > Gordon wrote: > > "Alias" <aka@maskedandanonymous.info> wrote in message > > news:eg0mQMryHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > >> Gordon wrote: > >>> "Confused" <Confused@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >>> news:DFD815C2-8820-4E2F-9EAE-3130091FFF0F@microsoft.com... > >>>> I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard > >>>> drive nor > >>>> my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide > >>>> supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I > >>>> cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting > >>>> documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new > >>>> computer... > >>>> > >>> > >>> Ignore the idiot Carey. I don't know why the sycophant keeps spouting > >>> this RUBBISH about motherboards. > >> With due fairness to Carey, it seems that Carey is assuming the OP is > >> using a branded OEM. > >> > >> Alias > >> > > > > > > But he spouts this all the time..... > > > > > > Oh, I know. I have changed the motherboard on all three of my computers, > all running a generic OEM version of XP and haven't had one problem > activating on line. > > It's just in this case, he may be correct ;-) > > Alias >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question Nothing illegal about it, if it will let you. Just that "branded OEMs" are more persnickety about letting you do so. If you have such a machine, you'll need to deal with the supplier, not MS, if you run into problems. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Confused" <Confused@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:7A65424C-9ACC-4BE4-BCEA-F0F45A1E01DA@microsoft.com... > You may not have had a problem but that is not what I am wondering about. > I > am wondering if it is "legal" to do this. It should not matter if this was > a > branded OEM or not, since the licensing part shoud be the same. > > "Alias" wrote: > >> Gordon wrote: >> > "Alias" <aka@maskedandanonymous.info> wrote in message >> > news:eg0mQMryHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >> >> Gordon wrote: >> >>> "Confused" <Confused@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> >>> news:DFD815C2-8820-4E2F-9EAE-3130091FFF0F@microsoft.com... >> >>>> I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard >> >>>> drive nor >> >>>> my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to >> >>>> provide >> >>>> supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true >> >>>> that I >> >>>> cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any >> >>>> supporting >> >>>> documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a >> >>>> new >> >>>> computer... >> >>>> >> >>> >> >>> Ignore the idiot Carey. I don't know why the sycophant keeps spouting >> >>> this RUBBISH about motherboards. >> >> With due fairness to Carey, it seems that Carey is assuming the OP is >> >> using a branded OEM. >> >> >> >> Alias >> >> >> > >> > >> > But he spouts this all the time..... >> > >> > >> >> Oh, I know. I have changed the motherboard on all three of my computers, >> all running a generic OEM version of XP and haven't had one problem >> activating on line. >> >> It's just in this case, he may be correct ;-) >> >> Alias >>
Guest Alias Posted July 20, 2007 Posted July 20, 2007 Re: OEM License Question Confused wrote: > You may not have had a problem but that is not what I am wondering about. I > am wondering if it is "legal" to do this. It should not matter if this was a > branded OEM or not, since the licensing part shoud be the same. It's legal to do it with a generic OEM. It's technically not possible to do it with a branded OEM. Alias > > "Alias" wrote: > >> Gordon wrote: >>> "Alias" <aka@maskedandanonymous.info> wrote in message >>> news:eg0mQMryHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >>>> Gordon wrote: >>>>> "Confused" <Confused@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >>>>> news:DFD815C2-8820-4E2F-9EAE-3130091FFF0F@microsoft.com... >>>>>> I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard >>>>>> drive nor >>>>>> my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide >>>>>> supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I >>>>>> cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting >>>>>> documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new >>>>>> computer... >>>>>> >>>>> Ignore the idiot Carey. I don't know why the sycophant keeps spouting >>>>> this RUBBISH about motherboards. >>>> With due fairness to Carey, it seems that Carey is assuming the OP is >>>> using a branded OEM. >>>> >>>> Alias >>>> >>> >>> But he spouts this all the time..... >>> >>> >> Oh, I know. I have changed the motherboard on all three of my computers, >> all running a generic OEM version of XP and haven't had one problem >> activating on line. >> >> It's just in this case, he may be correct ;-) >> >> Alias >>
Guest Plato Posted July 21, 2007 Posted July 21, 2007 Re: OEM License Question =?Utf-8?B?Q29uZnVzZWQ=?= wrote: > > I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard drive nor > my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide > supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I > cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting > documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new > computer... Yes you can change your motherboard and hard drive. If you have problems activitating then just call MS and they will walk you through it. -- http://www.bootdisk.com/
Guest dobey Posted July 21, 2007 Posted July 21, 2007 Re: OEM License Question "Plato" <|@|.|> wrote in message news:46a1584d$1$232$bb4e3ad8@newscene.com... > =?Utf-8?B?Q29uZnVzZWQ=?= wrote: >> >> I was told by Microsoft that I was unable to change neither my hard drive >> nor >> my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide >> supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I >> cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting >> documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new >> computer... > > Yes you can change your motherboard and hard drive. If you have problems > activitating then just call MS and they will walk you through it. > There's a chance if he changes his motherboard, he will be changing his network card also, and maybe VGA card. This combination is probably enough to trigger a re-activation. (you can google for the "point" tally of each device XP counts) I though OEM versions were restrictive in this regard, i.e. one this occurs it can't be done.
Guest Bruce Chambers Posted July 21, 2007 Posted July 21, 2007 Re: OEM License Question Confused wrote: > I was told by Microsoft .... Who, specifically, at Microsoft told you this? It's a rather large company, and not all of its employees are attorneys specializing in contract law. > ....that I was unable to change neither my hard drive nor > my motherboard (for upgrade purposes) but they were only able to provide > supporting documentation regarding the motherboard... Is it true that I > cannot change my hard drive? If so does anyone know of any supporting > documentation on a Microsoft website? They claim this is making a new > computer... According to its End User License Agreement (EULA), an OEM license may not be transferred from one distinct PC to another PC. Nothing is said about prohibiting one from repairing or upgrading the PC on which an OEM license is installed. Some people mistakenly believe that the motherboard is the key component that defines the "original computer," but the OEM EULA does not make any such distinction. Others have said (tongue in cheek) that one could successfully argue that it's the PC's case that is the deciding component, as that is where one is instructed to affix the OEM CoA label w/Product Key. Again, the EULA does *not* specifically define any single component as the computer. Licensed Microsoft Systems Builders, who are allowed to distribute OEM licenses with computers they build and sell, are _contractually_ obligated to "define" the computer as the motherboard, but this limitation/definition can't be applied to the end user until the EULA is re-written. As you well know, Microsoft has, to date, been very careful _not_ to *publicly* define when an incrementally upgraded computer ceases to be the original computer. The closest I've ever seen a Microsoft employee come to this definition (in a public forum) is to tell the person making the inquiry to consult the PC's manufacturer. As the OEM license's support is solely the responsibility of said manufacturer, they should determine what sort of hardware changes to allow before the warranty and support agreements are voided. To paraphrase: An incrementally upgraded computer ceases to be the original computer, as pertains to the OEM EULA, only when the *OEM* says it's a different computer. If you've built the system yourself, and used a generic OEM CD, then _you_ are the "OEM," and _you_ get to decide when you'll no longer support your product. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
Recommended Posts