Windows Vista Activation, Problem

[unrealhacker12]

I recently bought and built a new computer and I wanted to use the old Vista home Premium key I have on my old Dell PC. But when I type it in and attempt to activate it it comes up with:

[Infinite]

Errr oem dell keys wont work on anything that isnt dell, i think, any else clarify?

edit: your also in the wrong subforum

[unrealhacker12]

Damn looks ill crack it then ****ing Dell *shakes fist*. I mean i paid for the OS as well as the computer surely ffs.

[Paul Boy]

Technically you cant use the dell key, as its OEM licence. You could try the phone route, its an automated service and if you choose the options carefully, it will give you a authorisation code, but this is wrong, and you should buy a OEM licence for your new build. OEM licenses are cheap from scan.co.uk

[Paul Boy]

Damn looks ill crack it then ****ing Dell *shakes fist*. I mean i paid for the OS as well as the computer surely ffs.

no you haven't you've brought a PC with a pre-installed OS.

[Agent]

Damn looks ill crack it then ****ing Dell *shakes fist*. I mean i paid for the OS as well as the computer surely ffs.

No - you paid for an OEM licence. The restriction of that licence was that you can only use it on that machine (hence why you got it for peanuts).

If you want a licence that's unrestricted, buy a retail one.

Please do not talk about cracks here. If the software is good enough to use, it's good enough to buy.

[FatalSaviour]

No - you paid for an OEM licence. The restriction of that licence was that you can only use it on that machine (hence why you got it for peanuts).

If you want a licence that's unrestricted, buy a retail one.

Please do not talk about cracks here. If the software is good enough to use, it's good enough to buy.

As Agent says I'm afraid mate, hence the difference between 86.62 and 252.99 for the Home Premium edition for instance.

[tonpal]

No - you paid for an OEM licence. The restriction of that licence was that you can only use it on that machine.

Within the terms of the XP OEM licence, Microsoft will allow components to be changed with the exception of the motherboard. Once you change the motherboard (other than a direct replacement with an equivalent motherboard) Microsoft define that as a different computer and will then not permit you to reuse the OEM version. I assume the same applies to Vista.

You could ebay the old Dell with its OEM licence and use the proceeds to pay for a new OEM copy of Vista.

[Will404]

Within the terms of the XP OEM licence, Microsoft will allow components to be changed with the exception of the motherboard. Once you change the motherboard (other than a direct replacement with an equivalent motherboard) Microsoft define that as a different computer and will then not permit you to reuse the OEM version. I assume the same applies to Vista.

You could ebay the old Dell with its OEM licence and use the proceeds to pay for a new OEM copy of Vista.

This tecnicality has always p'd me off. If you build a computer, and the mobo breaks, and you replace it with a different one, then you are effectivally stealing if you went for an OEM version of Windows??

Or are there eceptions?

[Agent]

Within the terms of the XP OEM licence, Microsoft will allow components to be changed with the exception of the motherboard. Once you change the motherboard (other than a direct replacement with an equivalent motherboard) Microsoft define that as a different computer and will then not permit you to reuse the OEM version. I assume the same applies to Vista.

Yep, the same does apply to Vista.

They did plan to change it, but it hit all the major news sites and they backed down.

Will - you are not stealing. A faulty motherboard is an acceptable reason for them to allow the licence to be transfered. I've only ever needed to get it done once, but they defo do allow it.

[shaithis]

This tecnicality has always p'd me off. If you build a computer, and the mobo breaks, and you replace it with a different one, then you are effectivally stealing if you went for an OEM version of Windows??

Or are there exceptions?

You can call them on the freephone number that appears in the activation window and play ignorant about having your PC repaired. Has worked for me a couple of times now, including a swap to a board with a different chipset.....and that's if it doesn't just re-activate automatically.