windows 7 install help

[SXRguyinMA]

ok so I got a second hand computer with 7 ultimate and an OEM key. I did some digging and got the product key in standard format (without the OEM in it). Now If I use that key to install 7 ultimate on a machine with different hardware will that cause an issue?

[blaze15301]

i dont think it will work, the key is linked to that computers motherboard. im not 100% sure on that tho. so take what i say with a grain of salt.

[xr4man]

the prouct key will probably work. but then you have to find a way of overcoming the activation. i suspect that when you go to activate it and the microsoft servers see that there are more than one computer in their database trying to use the same product key that there may be issues.

[blaze15301]

the prouct key will probably work. but then you have to find a way of overcoming the activation. i suspect that when you go to activate it and the microsoft servers see that there are more than one computer in their database trying to use the same product key that there may be issues.

i just did a quick search on this. it should work out fine as long as you only have one key activated per machine. so you might have to call Microsoft and explain what happen. just tell them the board burnt out or something like that. i guess we all learn something new everyday.

[farlo]

i just installed my win 7 home premium(system builder oem) on my new build friday, it didnt give me any issues with activation. I've been using it on my old pc for over a year.

[SXRguyinMA]

ok good, cuz I got it for free with a burnt MB, and the guy I got it from bought another new one, so he gave me this, and I was hoping I could use it. free windwos is free windows :D

I'll try and report back!

[BuzzKillington]

You can call them and play dumb. Tell them your motherboard took a dive and it had to be replaced. I had that problem back in '03-ish except my mobo did actually have to be replaced (blown caps). They gave me a new key without any problems.

[xr4man]

ok good, cuz I got it for free with a burnt MB, and the guy I got it from bought another new one, so he gave me this, and I was hoping I could use it. free windwos is free windows :D

I'll try and report back!

in that case you shouldn't have any real problems. you just may have to call to have it activated rather than being able to do it over the internet. but even then you won't actually talk to anyone, it's just automated.

[x88x]

Like others have said, you'll probably just have to call them to activate it. My standard line is "I had to reinstall." Gives them enough details that they can check the right boxes in their checklist and give me the activation code, but not so many details that they get confused and I have to spend 20 minutes on the phone explaining it to them. :P

[Diamon]

If all else fails:
"***" loader or "***** loader" :D

Censored to avoid legal issues :P

[OvRiDe]

Actually is illegal to use that Win7 code on any other machine then what it was purchased for. This is why they discount the price over a full retail copy in which you are allowed to move from machine to machine. So technically when the machine dies.. the license is supposed to die with it.

[SXRguyinMA]

that's nice and all, but I'm not letting a Win 7 Ultimate license die :D

[artoodeeto]

that's nice and all, but I'm not letting a Win 7 Ultimate license die :D

no, don't. Let it die that is. In my experience with XP years ago, MS would usually allow automatic activation on a new machine (simultaneously deactivating the code on the old one) 2 or 3 times. Once I'd changed machines 2 or 3 times, say the 4th time is when automatic activation wouldn't work anymore and I'd have to call them.

[slaveofconvention]

OvRiDe tried to be subtle and point you in the right direction heh - I'll make it a little more straightforward. An OEM licence is tied to the original machine. While it MAY be possible to transfer it to another machine, doing so is in direct breach of the licence. Discussing ways to get around that is pretty much piracy - you'd be effectively duplicating the software without permission and breaching the licence etc. TBCS does not and can not endorse this, so please, stop talking about it here in our publically accessible forums :)

[SXRguyinMA]

got it :D