Upgrade CPU in HP Pavilion dv7-4011so

Upgrading the CPU will violate your Windows OEM License, and cause Windows to refuse to load. Windows was sold with a specific configuration, that one that you bought. Upgrading of the Mobo, CPU even the case itself, will violate the terms and Windows will not 'reload', install, nor boot causing you to have to format the drive and BUY a new separate licensed copy of Windows.

Just a question related to what you just said. This is also not sarcastic, it's something I'm genuinely curious about and haven't been able to find many solid answers. Is an individual allowed under the license terms to buy an OEM copy of windows and install on a self made machine? Follow up: if an individual is allowed to buy an OEM copy of windows and install it on their custom box, does that then, by the terms of the license, require the user to keep everything as-is for the life of the machine (not including different replacement parts necessitated by failure of the previous components -- in this hypothetical direct replacements are unavailable).

Also, is there a term of the license or is it limitless?

In the same line of questioning, are the terms of the license violated if a user were to purchase direct upgrade/expansion parts for a pre-built machine such as a dell, the parts being purchased from the original manufacturer in this second hypothetical?

That is called the BUILDER's Edition, which is as you said, if you self make a machine you can apply it. The nice thing about the BUILDER's edition is that you can immediately remove it from the built PC and then use it on another computer, which of course you have to reactivate it on, and usually through the phone method as the automated system will pick up the 'old' system still listed and block you from activating. OEM editions, as I noted and per MS, are ONLY sold with that make / model exclusively and can't be 'moved'.



You can't BUY a OEM copy of Windows, if you did it was sold ILLEGALLY. The OEM copy that comes from a OEM (HP, Dell, etc.) are NOT resellable, AND again ONLY work on the system(s) the OEM has coded into Windows to work on. For example I had Dell laptops, different models, I couldn't use a Dell 640's Windows on a Dell 610 modelm they would only install / function on the model they were sold with.



Microsoft always has had a policy of ONE license, ONE computer. Only way there is 'limitless' was Enterprise Edition, which was sold to large corporations (think CitiCorp and its 100,000+ employees) to make large scale reimaging of mass amount of computers cost effective to deploy. The Corporation bout a bulk number of licenses or did a 'per seat' charge that registered everyday with Microsoft how many computers were 'registered' on the Domain and a charge would be applied to the Corporate account.



Dell, HP, etc. do not sell 'upgrade' parts like the CPU, Mobo or case, because those component MUST be as sold, they CAN send you a REPLACEMENT component for one that is defective, but again that is more rare and is normally the exact same model. As you can see here http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/DellPartsFamily.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&s=dhs&category_id=7566&redirect=1 the only 'parts' you COULD potentially buy are GPU, RAM and HDD, though I do know they did sell DVD, Blu-Ray previously as a upgrade as well.

So there is no way to 'hypothetically' use a OEM in a system that it wasn't designed for. Windows HAS to ask 'what hardware is here' so Windows can TALK to it properly, when it does that part of the code verifies what that hardware is against the authorized edition it is built for BY the OEM (they recoded Windows) . This is now MORE complicated that BIOS was replaced a while ago with UEFI which in itself is coded by the OEM and holds the actual 'key' inside the UEFI, so it doesn't matter anymore what you try to do with Windows, the actual hardware itself now does the check itself.

Yes I am aware of what Microsoft says, as noted HERE (the real mouth of the beast) http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/licensing_faq.aspx that they limit to the Mobo as the mainpiece. BUT I am speaking of the OEMs themselves, they 'normally' have added the EXTRA restriction of CPU AND even the CASE itself (THANKS EMACHINE!) as what their edition restricts to. As many cases a i7 system is listed 'different' then a i3 system (and other parts are usually different as well as each is marketted to a different consumer market segment) and thus they make the mass GOLD OEM image to only work with one series / models and not others. so if you bought the cheap i3 Desktop and wanted a i7 Gaming machine, calling XYZ and asking to pay for upgrade parts makes it a 'different machine' for XYZ and thus a different design for the OEM Windows from their perspective.

Hmm, interesting. I suppose the idea of the OEM (manufacturer) and the OEM windows license distributed by resellers such as Newegg etc are the major areas of confusion for me. I assumed the OEM license issued by the hardware manufacturer was the same as the OEM license one can obtain from a retail reseller.

The builder license is a new one for me, as I've never been able to find a 'deactivate' or something similar option on any copy of windows. Guess I could have saved myself a lot of cash that way.

The 'limitless' term I was questioning before was in terms of time, not seats. As in, the laptop specs seem like it might be older, and potentially past the time frame.

Thank you for the very thorough reply.

One last question while I have your ear (eyes): this is specific to windows, when support is ended for a given OS, does that release the terms of the license? Or do they still hold ownership of every aspect of the license while no longer offering any support? (negligent parent?)

The model specific item you mentioned in terms of potential upgrade is interesting. I do not like the idea of a primary license agreement (microsoft) with addendum items from the hardware manufacturer. The Microsoft method of tying the license to the hardware is much more appreciated and concrete than a paper method.

I also would like to apologize for my sarcastic remarks, I assumed when you did not reply that you were one of the pros on here who swoop in, say something very concrete without additional information and don't reply again.

Thank you again for the very thorough information.

No that one sold on NewEgg is actually the BUILDER's edition (read the description carefully it will mention it) which is outlined at http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/licensing_faq.aspx third link listed at the top " Windows system builder licensing for personal use".



No copy has a 'deactivate', unless your on the backend using SCCM in a Enterprise environment, then there is a tool that is similiar. What happens with Windows for MANY decades now it is 'phones home' and checks it validity, if it finds it is not valid it goes into demo mode for 30 days and turns off some functions (such as Windows Update, reading DVDs, etc.) and keeps popping up telling you it is a invalid copy of Windows and you can link to website to get a proper license.

What normally happens is, I build Computer 1 with Windows, then computer 1 no longer helpful, remove the drive / wipe the drive build computer 2 with Windows, Windows says it can't activate, and offers to let you use the Phone Service, which you put in the numbers and when done provides a special number set to put in your PC which then activates it. Otherwise you would need to speak to a MS Help and they would do the same thing manually with you. Again though this is only possible with the Builder's edition, not HP/Dell/etc. OEM (OEM by the way means Original Equipment Manufactuter, or the original company making the equipment).



The only thing that happens is the software becomes unsupported, which then means you can't get any patches, installation assistance, etc. that is normal with a licensed copy of Windows.



You're confusing at that point License and Patent/Trademark (aka Ownership) with the way you worded the question. Whenever you 'buy' a copy of Microsoft Software, you are paying to 'USE' the software, not 'OWN' the software as you would 'OWN' a Microsoft Mouse (hardware). Hence the terms of the licensing, which upon opening the seal of the software or use it agree to the terms outlined. That license which stated what is and what isn't Microsoft's responsibility ends like all licenses (expiring, hence why you need a new Driver's license, Car License, etc.) at a certain interval. At that point of ending, Microsoft no longer is bound legally by those terms (providing support, fixes, etc.) to the product, and it is all 'On Your Own' at that point if you wish to use the software OUTSIDE of the terms of the license (which now expired). It doesn't relieve OWNERSHIP of the product (that is under Patent/Trademark) because the licensing terms expired, product ownership lays with Microsoft, for what 100 years or more I believe it is for any product made by someone?



Shrugs, then buy the Builder's edition and not from the Hardware manufacturer. The hardware makers can add on whatever terms they wish because it is THEIR products you are buying, Microsoft is the add on to their product, so they can set whatever terms they like. If you don't like it don't buy their product, that simple.