OEM Serial Key, new motherboard

blibbax · Mar 21, 2009, 12:47 PM

Currentley I'm using the PC listed in my profile with an OEM Vista Basic X86 serial key. The only component I still use from the PC with which I got that key is the motherboard.

In the near future, I plan to upgrade to 64 bit and get a new motherboard.

I've been told that all I need to do to turn my key into a 64 bit one is use a 64 bit Vista DVD and enter my key. Is this the case?

Also, It would make sense for me to minimise hassle by getting the new motherboard at the same time. However, I'm not sure if this would render my serial unusable on this PC. Is this the case?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mac Daddy · Mar 21, 2009, 01:12 PM

You can't use a 32 bit key on a 64 bit install as Liqourice and I were told by Bjorn at Fujitu Siemens when we emailed them a few weeks ago.

Tyrsonswood · Mar 21, 2009, 01:15 PM

Changing mobos with an OEM key will usually void the coa and you need a new copy of windows.... (from what I've read)

blibbax · Mar 21, 2009, 01:21 PM

Hmmm. Looks like I'd need a new installation disk. Worth it do you think? Or better to wait for Windows 7?

Mac Daddy · Mar 21, 2009, 01:24 PM

To be completely honest with the way Windows 7 is looking I would wait.

blibbax · Mar 21, 2009, 03:44 PM

Yeah. Another great year with my friends from VIA... :P

Chaos · Mar 21, 2009, 03:44 PM

Win 7

blibbax · Mar 21, 2009, 03:59 PM

You wouldn't happen to be the same Chaos that runs BFM forums would you? Don't worry if you're not.

In the meantime, I have just discovered Microsoft Dreamspark, which I'm entitled to use. This will allow me to get Server 2008 for free. However, it seems to suggest that the license is only valid for 60 days at a time, and can only be renewed 3 times. Does anyone have any experience of this?

Judas · Mar 21, 2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blibbax

I've been told that all I need to do to turn my key into a 64 bit one is use a 64 bit Vista DVD and enter my key. Is this the case?

Yes it is.... all you do is stick in the 64bit version of the same product (home premium 32bit to home premium 64bit)

Actually with most Microsoft supplied OEM disks and Retail disks, they all contain the basic/premium/ultimate edditions of vista, so even if someone only had the ultimate or basic version of 64bit disk.. you can use that to install home premium 64bit version using your 32bit cd key.

Quite likely you won't even have to phone in to confirm.. it should just activate without issue.

I've confirmed this using dell/compaq/acer laptops/desktops as well as my own machines and whatnot. YOU CANNOT however mix a RETAIL cd key with OEM software install or vice versa.... ONLY OEM to OEM, Retail to Retail.

Quote:

Also, It would make sense for me to minimise hassle by getting the new motherboard at the same time. However, I'm not sure if this would render my serial unusable on this PC. Is this the case?

Generally a OEM CD key can be switched ONCE, and only under specific reasons.

Best way about doing it is to say your old motherboard died.. give them a sob story about it. I geniunely had to replace a motherboard with different components and made the change from 32bit to 64bit using the 32bit oem key and initial activation failed requireing me to call in, let them know the previous board failed and had to be replaced.. they didn't even ask about 64bit, they handed me the new code to punch in with the cd key and haven't had a problem since. Just don't expect to do that again.

Chaos · Mar 21, 2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blibbax

You wouldn't happen to be the same Chaos that runs BFM forums would you? Don't worry if you're not.

Nope not me

blibbax · Mar 21, 2009, 06:00 PM

Thanks Judas.

Well I already use a retail 32 bit Home Premium disk with this OEM Home Basic key, but I have access to a 64 bit Home Preium retail DVD, so I guess there's no new issue there.

For the motherboard, however, is calling in to sort things out going to cost me a lot of money / time?

Mac Daddy · Mar 21, 2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blibbax

Thanks Judas.

Well I already use a retail 32 bit Home Premium disk with this OEM Home Basic key, but I have access to a 64 bit Home Preium retail DVD, so I guess there's no new issue there.

For the motherboard, however, is calling in to sort things out going to cost me a lot of money / time?

I think Judas said OEM to OEM and Retail to Retail.

All these keys are different so Judas running a business may have access to an OEM license for the systems he is building.

I would wait for Win 7 the rest of this sounds like horseshit to me

Al_Vampyre · Mar 22, 2009, 12:54 PM

To the best of my knowledge, an OEM key is tied to the motherboard that its installed on whereas a retail key is not. New mobo means new OEM copy, if you're happy with running a beta copy why don't you try the Windows 7 beta, unless you can get a deal whereby you get a free upgrade to Win 7 if you buy Vista. I've heard deals like that should be appearing in the summer

Mac Daddy · Mar 23, 2009, 02:05 AM

That is a valid point as well if you purchase a 64 bit version of Vista.

Chaos · Mar 23, 2009, 03:41 AM

OEM can be re activated but it requires a call to M$ to tell them you had a hardware failure that required replacement of the motherboard

Judas · Mar 24, 2009, 08:00 PM

retail can be moved any number of times.. i've already moved a 32bit retail copy of windows from one machine to another.. then changed to 64bit.... then moved that key to another machine.. and then from that machine to yet another...

blibbax · Mar 24, 2009, 08:32 PM

Thanks all.

Another option I've been given is from a mate's Dad who's PC I recentley fixed. He runs a business wtih a number of spare licenses and may be able to reward me with one.

It would have to be Server 08 or Vista Business, 64 bit either way. Is there anything I should know about these? Is, for example, Server 08 a hassle to run games and Geforce drivers with?

El Kapitano · Mar 24, 2009, 09:51 PM

you don't want to be trying to use a server OS as a desktop, believe me it's not as much fun as you might think.

Google this - SLIC + BIOS

blibbax · Mar 24, 2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Kapitano

you don't want to be trying to use a server OS as a desktop, believe me it's not as much fun as you might think.

Google this - SLIC + BIOS

Ok, I've done that, most of it seems to relate to issues with desktp Vista on server motherboards. Are you saying that this issue works both ways? If so, please explain, thanks.

Mac Daddy · Mar 24, 2009, 11:06 PM

On server OS's they are meant for just that ... servers. So drivers come into play as well as a matter of other things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

retail can be moved any number of times.. i've already moved a 32bit retail copy of windows from one machine to another.. then changed to 64bit.... then moved that key to another machine.. and then from that machine to yet another...

Just curious Bro how you move a 32 bit retail copy of Windows from one machine too another and then change it to 64 bit when you have to reformat the drive to do so?

Judas · Mar 24, 2009, 11:46 PM

sorry yes... of course i formatted

just saying that not only has a 32bit copy been pushed and shoved around.. but the same key used to convert to 64bit on even a different machine and then that used and abused and moved around with no issues.

I've only ever been able to move a OEM copy of vista ONCE reguardless of being 32bit/64bit.... you can swap back and forth between 64bit/32bit on the same machine all you want... Even dual booting them doesn't bother them

Mac Daddy · Mar 25, 2009, 12:09 AM

So you can go buy a 32 bit version of Vista and plug that key into an installation of 64 bit with a different DVD?

blibbax · Mar 25, 2009, 07:47 AM

Yes, I think that's what he's saying.

Does anyone here have any experience of gaming on Server 08? I know a few people who gamed on Server 03, so I'm suprised to hear that it wouldn't work out.

Mac Daddy · Mar 25, 2009, 11:18 AM

On the keys I haven't tried it so that's your call but I would call MS first .. they are 2 different pieces of software.

On Server OS's I haven't used Server 08 but you MAY run into video, sound and gaming device compatibility issues as the driver software isn't in most cases written specifically for these OS's. I would check the sites for your hardware first but Business might be fine for you ... although I haven't used it myself.

Judas · Mar 25, 2009, 03:36 PM

There is no difference between 32bit and 64bit..

I go out... i buy a retail copy of Windows vista 32bit (because some idiot marketing department asshat in MS decided canada doesn't need retail copies of 64bit in stores)...

I then ended up getting a copy of 64bit Vista Retail from someone that happened to come up from the states with a 64bit retail copy.... i borrow his 64bit disk. (made a duplicate for my work)

I plug in the 64bit disk.... wipe the system OR create a dual boot senario. Install 64bit windows using the retail 32bit cd key.... volla..

theres nothing to worry about.

seriously

I take a dell OEM vista 32bit home basic cd key, and i wipe the system, using a OEM 64bit home premium dvd, i plug in the 32bit home basic key and volla, i'm installing 64bit home basic.

Mac Daddy · Mar 26, 2009, 12:06 AM

Interesting since MS is always so picky about keys I remember different versions of XP (Home, Pro, etc) would not accept keys from other versions.

So Vista 32 bit keys will work on 64 bit installs it looks like someone in MS security dropped the ball ...

Wonder why the guy at Fujitu Siemens told Liqourice and I differently?

Judas · Mar 26, 2009, 04:17 PM

not sure

but Home and Pro are completely different version of windows..

Every disc of windows has all the versions there..

it's a unified OS setup... it's something i'm quite happy with...

Next time you have a chance.... don't punch in a CD key, uncheck activate automatically.... click next... hit no.. then you can select from a list of Vista Oses.

the orginal OEM non SP1 discs give you everything from starter to N style to business in one package deal.

The SP1 discs however only give you basic/premium/ultimate/and starter i beleive.

Mac Daddy · Mar 27, 2009, 12:48 AM

Interesting ...

Mar 21, 2009, 12:47 PM	#1
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,230 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	OEM Serial Key, new motherboard Currentley I'm using the PC listed in my profile with an OEM Vista Basic X86 serial key. The only component I still use from the PC with which I got that key is the motherboard. In the near future, I plan to upgrade to 64 bit and get a new motherboard. I've been told that all I need to do to turn my key into a 64 bit one is use a 64 bit Vista DVD and enter my key. Is this the case? Also, It would make sense for me to minimise hassle by getting the new motherboard at the same time. However, I'm not sure if this would render my serial unusable on this PC. Is this the case? Thanks in advance for your help. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 21, 2009, 01:12 PM	#2
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard You can't use a 32 bit key on a 64 bit install as Liqourice and I were told by Bjorn at Fujitu Siemens when we emailed them a few weeks ago. __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Mar 21, 2009, 01:21 PM	Thread Starter #4
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,230 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard Hmmm. Looks like I'd need a new installation disk. Worth it do you think? Or better to wait for Windows 7? __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 21, 2009, 01:24 PM	#5
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard To be completely honest with the way Windows 7 is looking I would wait. __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Mar 21, 2009, 03:44 PM	Thread Starter #6
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,230 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard Yeah. Another great year with my friends from VIA... :P __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 21, 2009, 03:44 PM	#7
Chaos Number Nine Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 5,268 Rep Power: 167 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard Win 7

Mar 21, 2009, 03:59 PM	Thread Starter #8
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,230 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard You wouldn't happen to be the same Chaos that runs BFM forums would you? Don't worry if you're not. In the meantime, I have just discovered Microsoft Dreamspark, which I'm entitled to use. This will allow me to get Server 2008 for free. However, it seems to suggest that the license is only valid for 60 days at a time, and can only be renewed 3 times. Does anyone have any experience of this? __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 21, 2009, 06:00 PM	Thread Starter #11
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,230 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard Thanks Judas. Well I already use a retail 32 bit Home Premium disk with this OEM Home Basic key, but I have access to a 64 bit Home Preium retail DVD, so I guess there's no new issue there. For the motherboard, however, is calling in to sort things out going to cost me a lot of money / time? __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 22, 2009, 12:54 PM	#13
Al_Vampyre HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,532 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard To the best of my knowledge, an OEM key is tied to the motherboard that its installed on whereas a retail key is not. New mobo means new OEM copy, if you're happy with running a beta copy why don't you try the Windows 7 beta, unless you can get a deal whereby you get a free upgrade to Win 7 if you buy Vista. I've heard deals like that should be appearing in the summer __________________ "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad" - Brian O'Driscoll - Ireland Rugby Team 2009 Grand Slam winning Captain.

Mar 23, 2009, 02:05 AM	#14
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard That is a valid point as well if you purchase a 64 bit version of Vista. __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Mar 23, 2009, 03:41 AM	#15
Chaos Number Nine Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 5,268 Rep Power: 167 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard OEM can be re activated but it requires a call to M$ to tell them you had a hardware failure that required replacement of the motherboard

Mar 24, 2009, 08:32 PM	Thread Starter #17
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,230 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard Thanks all. Another option I've been given is from a mate's Dad who's PC I recentley fixed. He runs a business wtih a number of spare licenses and may be able to reward me with one. It would have to be Server 08 or Vista Business, 64 bit either way. Is there anything I should know about these? Is, for example, Server 08 a hassle to run games and Geforce drivers with? __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 24, 2009, 09:51 PM	#18
El Kapitano Most of the 7 dwarfs in 1 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rochdale, Lancashire Posts: 947 Rep Power: 0	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard you don't want to be trying to use a server OS as a desktop, believe me it's not as much fun as you might think. Google this - SLIC + BIOS

Mar 25, 2009, 12:09 AM	#22
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard So you can go buy a 32 bit version of Vista and plug that key into an installation of 64 bit with a different DVD? __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Mar 25, 2009, 07:47 AM	Thread Starter #23
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,230 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard Yes, I think that's what he's saying. Does anyone here have any experience of gaming on Server 08? I know a few people who gamed on Server 03, so I'm suprised to hear that it wouldn't work out. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Mar 25, 2009, 11:18 AM	#24
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard On the keys I haven't tried it so that's your call but I would call MS first .. they are 2 different pieces of software. On Server OS's I haven't used Server 08 but you MAY run into video, sound and gaming device compatibility issues as the driver software isn't in most cases written specifically for these OS's. I would check the sites for your hardware first but Business might be fine for you ... although I haven't used it myself. __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Mar 26, 2009, 12:06 AM	#26
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard Interesting since MS is always so picky about keys I remember different versions of XP (Home, Pro, etc) would not accept keys from other versions. So Vista 32 bit keys will work on 64 bit installs it looks like someone in MS security dropped the ball ... Wonder why the guy at Fujitu Siemens told Liqourice and I differently? __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Mar 27, 2009, 12:48 AM	#28
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: OEM Serial Key, new motherboard Interesting ... __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen