Topic: Question about Vista

[coolsebas]

I have a question about Vista Terms of Use.

If my hard drive breaks, able I able to use the same key on a different hard drive or will I be breaking the rules?
Am I going to have to buy another key just for that new hard drive?
Am I not going to get updates anymore because my old hard drive broke?

Becuase I know you can only use one key per computer? But I am a little confuse as if that will count as a different computer just because it has a different hard drive.

THANKS ^_^!

[segagamer12]

I doubt it I have replaced my HD plenty of times and reinstalled XP all those times and have had no issues. MS should know replacing a HD is standard procedure by now. If not I am sure you could just call them up and explain it to them.  

[Smoke39]

I'm pretty sure your mother board is what constitutes your computer's "identity" to MS.  So you can mess with any of your hardware, as long as it's with the same mother board.

[ShyGuy]

Actually, this can be a bit of a gray area. Since you affix an OEM sticker to the case, some say the case is the system. XP can bark at you during activation, but if you tell the nice thick-accented Indian on the phone that you are replacing the motherboard due to hardware failure, they will give you the numbers.

[Shift Key]

Quote
Originally posted by: coolsebas
I have a question about Vista Terms of Use.

Becuase I know you can only use one key per computer? But I am a little confuse as if that will count as a different computer just because it has a different hard drive.

THANKS ^_^!

http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/11/02/news-revision-to-windows-vista-retail-licensing-terms.aspx

"You may uninstall the software and install it on another device for your use.  You may not do so to share this license between devices."

This applies only to the "off-the-shelf" versions of Vista. So if you change the hard drive, then you can install it on the new hard drive. But its the same "one device per license key" that its always been. The OEM version (the one that comes with new computers) has different rules.

[Ceric]

Quote
Originally posted by: Shift Key

Quote
Originally posted by: coolsebas
I have a question about Vista Terms of Use.

Becuase I know you can only use one key per computer? But I am a little confuse as if that will count as a different computer just because it has a different hard drive.

THANKS ^_^!

http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/11/02/news-revision-to-windows-vista-retail-licensing-terms.aspx

"You may uninstall the software and install it on another device for your use.  You may not do so to share this license between devices."

This applies only to the "off-the-shelf" versions of Vista. So if you change the hard drive, then you can install it on the new hard drive. But its the same "one device per license key" that its always been. The OEM version (the one that comes with new computers) has different rules.

Actually with those terms of use I could transfer Vista from my Dead machine, it happens to me a lot, to my new machine without any problem legally.