Microsoft: Upgraded Motherboard = New Windows Licence

Necrosis · Feb 19, 2006, 10:38 PM

I originally seen this over @ Warp2Search.

Quote:

“An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a “new personal computer” to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.”

The reason Microsoft gave for this term is that “Microsoft needed to have one base component “left standing” that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the “heart and soul” of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created.”

http://www.aviransplace.com/index.ph...d-new-licence/

Iria · Feb 20, 2006, 01:32 AM

I've heard this before as well.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Feb 20, 2006, 03:35 AM

thats a pool of bullss***

EcPercy · Feb 21, 2006, 01:28 PM

Old news. This ONLY applies to an OEM version of windows.

Moral of the story, don't buy the OEM version of windows if you are a hardcore tweaker or oc'er!

For systems that I build. I purchase the OEM version. I have not had to replace any hardware on the systems that I have built for other people and by the time those people upgrade a new OS will be out.

I am sure that Microsoft would work with me if I needed to replace a motherboard considering I am part of the OEM System Builder site, Microsoft Partner, and MSDN. I do give the people an original OS CD and COA, but maybe I should start doing what the other OEM's do and just make a recovery cd.

EcPercy · Feb 21, 2006, 02:22 PM

Here is the article on the system builders site that this OLD story is referring to:

What is a used PC?
A used PC is a computer system that has had few or no hardware changes. The license for OEM software on a used PC may not be transferred to a new or different PC. However, the entire used PC, including the software media, manuals, and Certificate of Authenticity, may be transferred to another end user along with the software license rights.

What is a Refurbished PC?
A refurbished PC is a computer system that has had substantial hardware modifications that may require a new operating system license — because the modifications have essentially created a "new" PC.
Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your customer's computer and the end user may maintain the license for the original Microsoft® OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard.

An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer" to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.
Note that while Software Assurance can be transferred from one PC to another, the bootable operating system may not be transferred from one PC to another, regardless of whether the PC has Software Assurance.

If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC.
The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the end-user license agreement (EULA) and the support of the software covered by that EULA. The EULA is a set of usage rights granted to the end-user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights for that software as installed on that particular PC. The System Builder is required to support the software on that individual PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PC with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The original System Builder, therefore, can not be expected to support this new PC that they in effect, did not manufacture.

g35x · Feb 21, 2006, 02:59 PM

that's stupid

Necrosis · Feb 21, 2006, 11:19 PM

Hmm I've used my OEM copy of XP Home numerous times on my PC. Which includes changing MB. One time I upgraded my motherboard, and had to do the call in thing. I told them what I did, and they gave me a new key. I haven't used it for awhile so the original key worked when I built this computer in May of last year.

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · Feb 22, 2006, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g35x

that's stupid

eh at least you admit it

Rasta Monsta · Feb 22, 2006, 01:58 AM

Yo, ixnay on the arezway, if you please.

:|

rasta

swimtech · Feb 25, 2006, 07:32 PM

Yes, I've read in many places that Microsoft is pretty easy to deal with on the call in thing...

Feb 20, 2006, 03:35 AM	#3
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	thats a pool of bullss*** __________________

Feb 21, 2006, 01:28 PM	#4
EcPercy HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Iraq Posts: 1,535 Rep Power: 0	Old news. This ONLY applies to an OEM version of windows. Moral of the story, don't buy the OEM version of windows if you are a hardcore tweaker or oc'er! For systems that I build. I purchase the OEM version. I have not had to replace any hardware on the systems that I have built for other people and by the time those people upgrade a new OS will be out. I am sure that Microsoft would work with me if I needed to replace a motherboard considering I am part of the OEM System Builder site, Microsoft Partner, and MSDN. I do give the people an original OS CD and COA, but maybe I should start doing what the other OEM's do and just make a recovery cd. Last edited by EcPercy; Feb 21, 2006 at 01:36 PM.

Feb 21, 2006, 02:59 PM	#6
g35x Hellhound Pilot Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deptford, New Jersey Posts: 1,100 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	that's stupid __________________ Last edited by Rasta Monsta; Feb 22, 2006 at 01:58 AM.

Feb 25, 2006, 07:32 PM	#10
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 124 System Specs	Yes, I've read in many places that Microsoft is pretty easy to deal with on the call in thing... __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

Feb 20, 2006, 01:32 AM	#2
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	I've heard this before as well.

Feb 21, 2006, 02:22 PM	#5
EcPercy HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Iraq Posts: 1,535 Rep Power: 0	Here is the article on the system builders site that this OLD story is referring to: What is a used PC? A used PC is a computer system that has had few or no hardware changes. The license for OEM software on a used PC may not be transferred to a new or different PC. However, the entire used PC, including the software media, manuals, and Certificate of Authenticity, may be transferred to another end user along with the software license rights. What is a Refurbished PC? A refurbished PC is a computer system that has had substantial hardware modifications that *may* require a new operating system license — because the modifications have essentially created a "new" PC. Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your customer's computer and the end user may maintain the license for the original Microsoft® OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer" to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required. Note that while Software Assurance can be transferred from one PC to another, the bootable operating system may not be transferred from one PC to another, regardless of whether the PC has Software Assurance. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC. The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the end-user license agreement (EULA) and the support of the software covered by that EULA. The EULA is a set of usage rights granted to the end-user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights for that software as installed on that particular PC. The System Builder is required to support the software on that individual PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PC with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The original System Builder, therefore, can not be expected to support this new PC that they in effect, did not manufacture.

Feb 21, 2006, 11:19 PM	Thread Starter #7
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Hmm I've used my OEM copy of XP Home numerous times on my PC. Which includes changing MB. One time I upgraded my motherboard, and had to do the call in thing. I told them what I did, and they gave me a new key. I haven't used it for awhile so the original key worked when I built this computer in May of last year.