if i have windows vista then well it stay if i change the motherboard?

comradedrago

Honorable
Nov 20, 2013
34
0
10,530
if i have windows vista then well it stay if i change the motherboard? what is the OS tied to ? IM keeping the hard drive then will it keep the OS if i change the motherboard ? once agagin i dont know where the OS is tied to?
 
If the os is retail or upgrade, you can freely transfer to a new pc(AKA motherboard)
If it is oem, the ms license ties it to the motherboard.
MS is surprisingly lenient on this and will usually activate on a new replacement motherboard after a phone call.

That said, Windows 7 is enough better that I suggest buying an upgrade package anyway.
 

comradedrago

Honorable
Nov 20, 2013
34
0
10,530


ok so if i have vista on my computer now and i put in a new motherboard it should all run ok i wont have to buy a new one cause its already installed but it is a old computer i am upgrading so i was not sure if it would keep the OS even with a new motherboard ?
 

Dogsnake

Distinguished
You may get a notice saying you must reactivate the OS. You will need to call MS and explain that your MB failed and this is the same system with a repair. Since Vista is a thing of the past you should have no issue with them giving you a reactivation. MS is usually very understanding about this.
 

no.....
If you put in a new motherboard, it is unlikely to boot since windows will not have installed the necessary drivers.
It is certain to not work if you are changing from intel to amd or vice versa.

If you can boot, then you are better off since installing the drivers that come with your
new motherboard will allow you to avoid a clean install.

Once you have vista installed, you will need to reactivate windows. If your copy of vista is retail or upgrade, you are ok.
If it is oem, then you may need to buy a new copy of windows. Ms may allow you to reactivate if you tell them that you are replacing the motherboard and that your windows will be used nowhere else.

Really, I think it is time to replace vista with a newer os, either 7 or 8.
 

comradedrago

Honorable
Nov 20, 2013
34
0
10,530


ya i would replace it with a new version but i just cant squeeze it in and do u know a number i could call when i might need a recatvate it i live in US
 
When you run the activation wizard if it does fail to activate it will give you the number to call -- just call them and explain that it is the same system but you had to replace the MOBO since the old one no longer functioned and they will usually give you a new response code to enter to activate it.

As far as when you replace the HDD into the new system on the first boot you will want to boot from your install disk and run a repair install (sometimes windows will notice the MOBO change and do this automatically but best to be safe and boot from the install media so it will force the repair install ) -- by doinig this it will get windows to reevaluate the system and remove the old suystem drivers for parts that no longer exist and install the drivers for the new MOBO so it will run properly -- After running the repair install go into device manager and see if everything loks OK (ie. are there any red or yellow signs showing missing or invalid drivers or conflicts) and if there are try to repair those items by installing the appropriate drivers for those items. Once you have that all fixed then run the activation wizard and try to activate the install (chances are the MOBO replacement will deactivate the install and it will tell you that you have 30 days to reactivate)

Just run the activation wizard and see if it activates (chances are it will tell you that it failed and to try the phone activation - do that and enter the key when the computer asks for it and it will either activate or again fail (depends on how many times the OS has already been reinstalled according to their server) - If it activates the computer will give you a code to enter and you are done - if it fails (since you installed on a new MOBO which is technically not allowed) it will then either give you a number to call or will connect you to an activation support person - explain that the old MOBO died and you had to replace it and that the old system is no longer in use and they will normally give you an activation code.