[studbagel9]

So I bought Vista Ultimate (OEM, which could be my downfall here) and I installed it. My motherboard got fried recently, so I had to get a new one. Unfortunately, it was an old motherboard so I had to upgrade to a pci-e graphics card, get new ram, some new optical drivers because the new motherboard didn't have four ide channels, and a new processor. I went to activate my copy of vista after the reinstall and it says that my key is already in use. Am I out of luck?

[temeteus82]

OEM license is valid for that first setup where it was activated. So you need new license.

[Zelig]

Originally Posted by studbagel9

Unfortunately, it was an old motherboard so I had to upgrade to a pci-e graphics card, get new ram, some new optical drivers because the new motherboard didn't have four ide channels, and a new processor.

Really?

Phone up MS, tell them your mobo was replaced under warranty by your system builder after it failed. (You bought the OEM version: you're the system builder, you don't need to go into unnecessary details though.)

[t0pD4wG]

I have reactivated mine a dozen or more times now. Ms is pretty good about issuing a new product id over the phone. Don't sweat it your good.

[studbagel9]

Thanks for your help topdawg and zelig. FYI Temeteus, what they said works.

[temeteus82]

Originally Posted by studbagel9

Thanks for your help topdawg and zelig. FYI Temeteus, what they said works.

Yes it works, but that's not fully legal way to get it. You used bended truth when you told MS support that your motherboard was under warranty when it wasn't. Back here that counts as fraud. But hey I'm just splitting hairs here.

[Zelig]

Originally Posted by temeteus82

Yes it works, but that's not fully legal way to get it. You used bended truth when you told MS support that your motherboard was under warranty when it wasn't. Back here that counts as fraud. But hey I'm just splitting hairs here.

How so? If he's the system builder, can't he supply his own warranty contract for himself?

[temeteus82]

Originally Posted by Zelig

How so? If he's the system builder, can't he supply his own warranty contract for himself?

Well first you must define system builder... And then compare it to MS version of system builder. Then you must have warranty in written form...

[studbagel9]

I didn't actually say that it was under warranty. I just said that my motherboard was fried and I had to get a new one. They asked me how many computers I had my copy of Vista on, and I said, Just this one (true), and they gave me a new activation code.

[temeteus82]

Originally Posted by studbagel9

I didn't actually say that it was under warranty. I just said that my motherboard was fried and I had to get a new one. They asked me how many computers I had my copy of Vista on, and I said, Just this one (true), and they gave me a new activation code.

Well they should ask anyways Well if they want to support this type of policy I'm not against it. But in legal terms its in the gray area....

[t0pD4wG]

They asked me what happened I told them my hard drive failed an i had to purchase a new one and I also upgraded my mobo and cpu at same time. It's not fraud it's truth, If you are honest with them they are very nice back too you. It's not a matter of fraud when you paid the money for the OS.

[DudeBoyz]

It's good that you can call them up, talk to a human being and honestly say "Hey, I didn't upgrade on purpose - my equipment fried and I had no choice" and they will re-activate your Vista.

It would be a total drag if they refused to.

[studbagel9]

I hope that more people read this thread, as I searched around the Internet for a little while before posting and it seems like there's a lot of FUD about this issue, especially with regard to Vista OEM editions.