Upgrading PC and reusing hard drive with Vista (possible OEM issue)

[DespoticDave]

I'm upgrading my Gateway that I bought from Best Buy two years ago. I plan on upgrading my power supply, graphics card, CPU, and motherboard. I'm keeping everything else the same. There is one problem though, and that possibly being Vista OEM. I keep reading conflicting reports on how it is or is not possible to transfer Vista OEM onto a new motherboard. When I bought my PC two years ago I got it as an open box, so I don't have any disks pertaining to Vista. There is a product key number on the back of my PC but I don't know if that will help. I have done some research on this already and some people say that Vista will prompt you to call Microsoft for a new key or something.

I'm a novice when it comes to this stuff guys, need help. I'm trying to spend little on this upgrade. I do plan on buying Windows 7 and better ram down the line but for right now it's going to have to wait. Although, if there is no way I could get it to work, I guess I would have to suck it up and buy Windows 7. Anyway, for the hell of it, here's what I plan on buying.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103846

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131406

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

 

[lindley010]

I'm not sure with this.

When i upgraded my motherboard for xp i while ago, i had no disks, i just activated it over the phone, and done. I needed a serial key though, which was on a sticker on the case, maybe its the same for vista.

 

[DespoticDave]

From the way you put it, it seems like it should work. If there's anyone else that could shed some light on this, it would be great. I can't wait to play some kick ass mods once I get everything up and running.

 

[DespoticDave]

Best answer selected by DespoticDave.

 

[DespoticDave]

I just finished with all of my upgrades and everything went as smooth as silk. Vista started up without any sort of OEM issues. I even unlocked my X2 555 into a quad.

 

[DespoticDave]

I almost forgot, in order to fully activate Vista, I had to click on "change product key" and type in the product key code found on the sticker located on the back of my PC. Hit Start->Control Panel->System Maintenance->System, and scroll down to find "change product key." Then simply enter the code on the sticker so the OS can be verified.