Does changing to a new motherboard affect OS license?

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Phosphonothioic

Phosphonothioic

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As title states. I'm switching to a mITX board from a mATX. All other components will remain the same. Will this require a new copy of Windows 7?

Thanks!
 
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All true SR 71 , except the bit about OEM 8 . There is no OEM 8 . There is a "home User license " and it allows 3 activations on different hardware , one at a time .

But I have been told by other people that a phone activation has been accepted by MS for OEM 7 on a new motherboard .... if you ask nicely and tell them your old mb stopped working .
I cannot confirm this from personal experience
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Phosphonothioic

Phosphonothioic

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Second part of the question...seeing as I've never switched out a board. I've always done a fresh build.

Will I need to reformat? Or can I just change out the board and voila?
 
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RealBeast

RealBeast

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It depends how close the old chipset is to the new chipset with Windows 7 in my experience. I recently upgraded two Z68 to Z87 builds and all I had to do was to uninstall the video drivers and stick the SSD in the new build with all the old programs/data/etc. and it took a couple of minutes to update. Others required a reformat and reinstall, so much depends on the similarity of the builds.
 
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Outlander_04

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If the motherboard chipsets are identical it may boot and run , with a host of possible errors for other mb chips ........like sound, USB 3 , network etc showing in device manager
You would uninstall them there and then run the mb driver disk for the new board .

Generally though its not worth the problems and a clean install is a good idea .
And a clean install on a new hard drive an even better idea , so your drive data remains intact while you get the pc up and running again .
If you have an OEM copy of windows you will not be able to activate it on the new mb , but try calling MS and activating by phone . They might let you
 
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Phosphonothioic

Phosphonothioic

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I'm going from a Z77 to a H77. I don't think I should run into any issues.

Bah. I can't remember if I OEM'd my copy of windows or not. I guess I'll be finding out soon. :??:
 
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Phosphonothioic

Phosphonothioic

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Well, if that ends up being the case...I guess now would be the time to finally spring for that SSD. lol :ange:
 
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Dark Lord of Tech

Dark Lord of Tech

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With windows 7 OEM the license is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.With Windows 8 you can move it to another build when you are done with this one , but only one computer at a time.With Windows 8 0EM you can change all the hardware you want including the motherboard.


Windows7-2.jpg



OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

Microsoft.com ^


OEM vs. Retail

OEM Windows 7 comes preinstalled on computers. This is the cheapest way to buy windows. Large PC manufacturers like Dell, HP etc. (collectively called royalty OEMs) install windows on millions of such PCs. The main characteristics of such systems are:

The license agreement and support agreement is between you and the PC maker, not MS.

Activation by the end user is not required. Windows is preactivated at the factory by the OEM using images and standard SLP keys.

Your copy of windows is locked to that PC. The license is not transferable.

OEM system builder is what you get when you buy from say Newegg or from a local "white box" vendor. It too has the characteristics of Royalty OEM windows. Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy, the license requires that the software be installed using the OPK (OEM preinstall kit) and then resold.

Retail version is what you buy from a retailer like Amazon or Bestbuy. Its a full price version that comes packaged in a retail box with a retail product key. It has to be activated online via MS servers using the key on the box, it is not tied to the PC it was first installed on, though it can only be used on a single computer at a time. And, MS directly provides the support for it. It is also more expensive than OEM copies.

As far as functionality is concerned, theres no difference between any of the versions above, given any specific edition (i.e. between OEM pro and retail pro, or between OEM ultimate and retail ultimate).

sevenforums.com


Windows8-1_zps0f2f36f7.png



Windows 8 OEM is a whole different ballgame.

License agreement for the transfer of a Windows 8 license
http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx
 
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Outlander_04

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All true SR 71 , except the bit about OEM 8 . There is no OEM 8 . There is a "home User license " and it allows 3 activations on different hardware , one at a time .

But I have been told by other people that a phone activation has been accepted by MS for OEM 7 on a new motherboard .... if you ask nicely and tell them your old mb stopped working .
I cannot confirm this from personal experience
 
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