Vista install definitive answer needed

[5cupa]

Right i bought a version of Vista Ultimate OEM. it was used to install/activated on a machine. and then wiped within a day.

can the key be used to reinstall it on a completely different machine. as it isent being used?

the internet seems to spit up a yes and a no answer



thanks

[dangel]

Technically no, because an OEM licence is tied to specific hardware.

Morally you have a decision to make - because if it fails to activate you can always call MS and they'll probably let you do it regardless.

Lots of people on here will preach about that - but it's really your choice.

[CaptainCrash]

You'll probably have to activate by telephone, but provided you give the correct answer when asked if the OS will be installed on more than one machine, you should have no problems. I've done it myself many times, and never even had to speak to a human being (just followed the prompts using the phone keypad).

OEM Vista is tied to the PC motherboard so, in the unlikely event that you actually have to speak to one of MS's operatives, the need to replace a failed mobo is a good enough reason for them to give you a new key.

As a general point, you don't have to activate Vista at the same time as you install the OS - you have a 30-day grace period which can be used for testing, getting the driver installations right, reinstalling the OS if something screws up and as a general shakedown (particularly useful for a new system and you're unfamiliar with the hardware's quirks). You can then enter the key and activate it when, and only when, you're completely happy with the setup, which should avoid any potential hassle with repeat activations within a short space of time.

[Jay]

OEM activation thing is more to stop people using it on more than 1 PC at a time, Microsoft are normally quite good in the fact that they let you move your OEM license from one PC to a new PC and reactivate even though their T&C say this isn't possible.

You can't knock them on that, its a pretty decent thing to do when you think about it.

[5cupa]

thanks for the much needed info.

[vickybran]

yeah i did the same just tell em you fried the board

btw can you believe apple doesnt even go through any activation for osx??

[handscombmp]

btw can you believe apple doesnt even go through any activation for osx??

Suppose it's due to the fact that it only runs on apple hardware and that comes with it anyway.

[Steve B]

Suppose it's due to the fact that it only runs on apple hardware and that comes with it anyway.

<dons fire-retardant suit>
or maybe it's because it's actually worth what Apple are asking, so people buy it anyway