Vista OEM & Changing Components

[jillsy]

I currently have the following system in a Thermaltake Shark case:

Intel D955XBK mobo
Intel P4 EE w/HTT 3.73 GHz CPU
Hitachi Deskstar T7K250 SATA II 250 GB Hard Drive running Windows XP Pro w/SP2
Seagate 320 GB Sata II HD (ST3320620AS) running Windows Vista Ultimate
Sony DRU835A IDE DVD Burner
Plextor 716 SA/SW SATA DVD Burner
eVGA e-GeForce 6800 GT 512 MB DDR3 PCI-E Graphics Card
4x1GB Patriot PC2 5300 667MHz DDR2 Memory
Ultra Floppy Drive/Card Reader
Enermax Noisetaker 600-W PSU

I am considering upgrading my mobo and processor (and RAM if necessary). Both versions of Windows are OEM. They're authentic - not Dell, HP, etc., and they have the sticker/COA. I will likely do a reformat of both my hard drives at the same time as I like to reformat once every year or so. I've reformatted a couple of times and re-installed XP with no problems, but I haven't reformatted since I installed the second HD and Vista last year.

How will changing my mobo and processor affect my Windows activations, especially since I intend to reformat/reinstall? I have seen it mentioned on these forums that OEM versions of Windows can be installed on a computer other than the original if you call Microsoft, but I think all the posts I saw involved XP. I know Vista is a little different because when I first had it, I activated it without a problem and it was fine. A short while later, I disabled the second set of SATA connectors on my mobo, and I was forced to call Microsoft to re-activate. XP gave me no problems.

Should I be able to re-activate both versions of Windows, or will I be forced to buy new of one or both?

Thanks,
Jill

[RJTech]

Originally Posted by jillsy I currently have the following system in a Thermaltake Shark case: Intel D955XBK mobo Intel P4 EE w/HTT 3.73 GHz CPU Hitachi Deskstar T7K250 SATA II 250 GB Hard Drive running Windows XP Pro w/SP2 Seagate 320 GB Sata II HD (ST3320620AS) running Windows Vista Ultimate Sony DRU835A IDE DVD Burner Plextor 716 SA/SW SATA DVD Burner eVGA e-GeForce 6800 GT 512 MB DDR3 PCI-E Graphics Card 4x1GB Patriot PC2 5300 667MHz DDR2 Memory Ultra Floppy Drive/Card Reader Enermax Noisetaker 600-W PSU I am considering upgrading my mobo and processor (and RAM if necessary). Both versions of Windows are OEM. They're authentic - not Dell, HP, etc., and they have the sticker/COA. I will likely do a reformat of both my hard drives at the same time as I like to reformat once every year or so. I've reformatted a couple of times and re-installed XP with no problems, but I haven't reformatted since I installed the second HD and Vista last year. How will changing my mobo and processor affect my Windows activations, especially since I intend to reformat/reinstall? I have seen it mentioned on these forums that OEM versions of Windows can be installed on a computer other than the original if you call Microsoft, but I think all the posts I saw involved XP. I know Vista is a little different because when I first had it, I activated it without a problem and it was fine. A short while later, I disabled the second set of SATA connectors on my mobo, and I was forced to call Microsoft to re-activate. XP gave me no problems. Should I be able to re-activate both versions of Windows, or will I be forced to buy new of one or both? Thanks, Jill

I dont think that you will have to buy a new verison of vista or XP when changing the hardware and reformating both HD's...

[jillsy]

Thanks, RJTech. I think I'll just go for it.

I don't recall where, but I thought I'd read somewhere that the XP activation is tied to the mobo. However, I also read that a person can call to re-activate.

I also found this Microsoft Forums thread that describes my situation. A moderator answered that Vista OEM can be activated by phone in the case of a changed mobo.

Jill

[doubledragon5]

If you do a major upgrade like mb, swap you will have to reactivate it. And it might have to be by phone this time..

[jillsy]

Thanks, doubledragon5. I don't mind having to do the activation via telephone. I'm just hoping they don't tell me I can't re-activate and have to buy all over again. From that forum thread I found, I'm thinking Vista shouldn't be a problem. That's the most expensive of the two anyway. Hopefully XP will be OK as well, but I suppose it wouldn't break me to spend another $140 on a new XP OEM pack.

Jill