I've heard it's a matter if calling MS and getting an activation for a faulty motherboard. You ask me? Onboard video or LAN controller - and that's worthy of junking - ESPECIALLY the lan. yes, you could buy a card - but I bought it onboard for a reason.
In theory, anything goes - and it's fair game. With XP I think it's like 5 or 6 potential activations...so don't waste them. this is not piracy or subverting the license - this is absolutely in the realm of fair use. An OS is an inherent cost that you're considering and applying your money towards purchasing an OEM machine. So upgrades are a natural progression - as are the activations you are entitled to.
My original rig back in 05 started at Cyberpower with their OEM copy of xp x64, and I got an activation with my new motherboard. Keeping that install for HTPC and moving it all downstairs...but it's left it's exoshell of a case...like these Dells, eMachines etc.
Comes down to what the true definition of what you consider a computer is. Logan's on point that MS is currently interpretting motherboards as "a computer". That's the only person it matters to in this discussion - it's MS's software and they make the rules. At least from my experience as of last fall (08) when I put the new motherboard in.
So be thrifty with your activations. It is a 1 time install technically on a machine..but again you revert back to the question of what is a computer...CPU, motherboard - would anyone really argue the case(I mean the literal case here - not the funny pun, no pun intended)?? You buy one and you inevitably need to get other pieces...and off we go onto OCN...These people bought these OEM system - and admit OCN'ers...that's the majority of the populations here in the states at least.
A certain brand beginning in D machines fail faster than a ..well anyways - I can see these OEM's constantly getting new motherboards (like their lovely hdd's - I've seen more fail personally than I ever imagine any brand failing)..But should they buy everything new and need to pay for a new OS? Not necessarily - toss a new motherboard in, and for the majority of folks - that would do it for them. (laptop owners and their hdd's are a second biggie - who are never subject to this activation)
The motherboard really is the essence of the systems, on both Intel and AMD sides of things..chipsets..sockets..so activations based on motherboards seems very fair to me.
I have triple boot, XP x64, Vista x64 and Ubuntu x64 (edit - not true - I actually have pentabootastic ability. I have my microSD keychain with an instance of Ubuntu (live). I also have another instance on my external drive of Ubuntu in case of emergencies - but that probably wouldn't boot if I plugged it into any machine besides my own - we'll see at new motherboard upgrade). 5 OS's? No macs allowed!
I bought retail Vista last year to avoid all this, and intend on doing the same with 7. I figure I can always have one instance of whatever OS and not have to ever worry about this activation nonsense.
And my poor xp is forever exiled to the 780G chipset on my Asus mobo...it will be arcane and un-needed by the time the motherboard fails hopefully and would need it's 3rd activation. (
I miss my old ME
- and I still technically have an image of what it looked like...but it would never boot on today's machine I think..,that's what I mean XP will be irrelevant when it comes to fore.)
Other thing to consider all you heed MS's - "upgrade" process. This is kind of like an activation. In most cases - you will need a new OEM copy or will need a retail copy. It IS eligible for OEM to OEM on that same motherboard I believe though (and hdd). So if you go Vista to 7 - you lose the right to that instance of your Vista. And I think that's considered an activation (need new info here)...so here we go back the the motherboard equation. (definitely need more info here - MS's and ALL the retailers sites are useless on details).
Alternate is that OEM Vista to 7 I think that's the last upgrade - or XP to Vista I think. I'm pretty sure you can't jump straight from XP to 7 OEM to OEM.
Point is, don't scrap your old Dell of eMachine and expect your old recovery disk entitles you to a new copy of Windows. If you can reuse the case and motherboard - do so.
If you're subject to motherboard change - follow the above.
And remember what an instance is, versus a computer, versus what MS considers a "computer" is...what are you trying to do? Fix or buy, build a second computer, - it's simple folks..hope that helps.
Great guides Logan, I came across this from your AMD general area... +1
Oh yeah... and the above basically is how I came to why I want retail 7 if you're wondering. If you go OEM (obviously it's cheaper)....READ THE FINE PRINT FOR ACTIVATIONS ALLOWED - etc...I don't want to worry about it 5 years from now when I'm 3 plus motherboards deep (in theory). Retail is much more expensive, but I work in software too..it's worth it to me - it is the OS after all. Love Ubuntu as well so no calling me a fan....just don't ask me about Mac.