vista OEM - activation

[zawer612]

found this in pcmag.com, heres the most interesting parts;

'As for activation, Brown said users could expect a return to the familiar activation scenario. Windows Vista, like XP, contains an electronic list of the components within the PC, which it turns into a code, or hash. If a user adds or subtracts too many components, the hash will change enough that it will signal the need for another activation, which can be done either online or via telephone.'

and in particular this;
'Vista, however, will apparently be a bit more tolerant of the DIY community: "Windows Vista is more intelligent and a bit more lenient than Windows XP around hardware tolerance,"'

Seems all the fuss about tougher activation rules might be overblown and if the article is correct then the activation system of vista should be at least very similar to XP.

You can read the full article here http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2087792,00.asp

[this_is_gav]

It's lies. I believe there's one member here already has had to reactivate because they updated, reset or changed the BIOS settings - IIRC it was actually disabling one of the onboard LAN controllers...

No leniency there.

[hippo]

I'm interested to hear an actual answer to all of this re-activation business myself.

I'm looking to by Vista in the not too distant future but I'm trying to decide which version to go for as I'd heard that the cheaper ones do not allow you to upgrade as many times before having to re-activate as the ultimate edition does? I know they changed the EULA a while ago but I never really found out how things currently stand.

Also I assume re-activation is free, just a bit of a hassle?

I appreciate any light people can shed on this.

[directhex]

i've never understood why people have such a problem with activation.

there is NO LIMIT ON ACTIVATIONS IN THE EULA. you could reactivate daily, if you reinstalled daily, as long as other license terms were followed (no swapping of motherboards on the oem version)

yes, typing a 45-digit number into the phone is a mild pain, but honestly, is it a problem?

[charleski]

you could reactivate daily
...
typing a 45-digit number into the phone is a mild pain, but honestly, is it a problem?

Doing it every day?

[teachmech]

The problem is that some of us update the contents of our pc's more than once a year and object to buying a new copy of xp/vista every time we update to a new motherboard.

[hippo]

So you can swap over any components you like apart from the motherboard for which you'd actually have to purchase a new license of Vista? And this applies to whichever oem version you buy; be it home, premier, business or Ultimate?

I prolly change motherboards every 1.5-2.5years so I would actually see that as being really lame considering the costs

[directhex]

So you can swap over any components you like apart from the motherboard for which you'd actually have to purchase a new license of Vista? And this applies to whichever oem version you buy; be it home, premier, business or Ultimate?

correct

I prolly change motherboards every 1.5-2.5years so I would actually see that as being really lame considering the costs

so buy retail, which doesn't have that licensing limitation

[directhex]

The problem is that some of us update the contents of our pc's more than once a year and object to buying a new copy of xp/vista every time we update to a new motherboard.

so buy retail, which doesn't have that licensing limitation

[zawer612]

I think the issue was mainly from the enthusiasts community, the fear that vista would be alot stricter in upholding the motherboard/hard drive restriction.
How would microsoft deal with motherboard changes within warranty or even hard drive warranty? with some drives coming with 5years warranty now (raptor for example) would they seriously lock me out of my oem re-activation if my raptor went after two years?
Or if i buy a motherboard that was utter pants and not stable? i would be allowed to return the mobo to my retailer for a replacement but would microsoft allow me to re-activate vista with the new mobo?

This article helps alleviate some of those fears but i guess we'll have to wait and see if thats the case.

[charleski]

How would microsoft deal with motherboard changes within warranty or even hard drive warranty?
...
Or if i buy a motherboard that was utter pants and not stable?

I think in all fairness you must remember that the OEM licence model was designed for OEM machines, in which none of these problems apply because the OEM has to handle the support and sort it out.

The real hole in the market is for a OS version that allows freely-transferable activation for upgrades yet doesn't come with any technical support. Of course you'd then have idiots buying the 'no support' version because they're cheap and then moaning that MS won't help them get it installed.

[directhex]

I think the issue was mainly from the enthusiasts community, the fear that vista would be alot stricter in upholding the motherboard/hard drive restriction.
How would microsoft deal with motherboard changes within warranty or even hard drive warranty? with some drives coming with 5years warranty now (raptor for example) would they seriously lock me out of my oem re-activation if my raptor went after two years?

no, because hard drives aren't motherboards, and the oem license restriction applies only to motherboards - not only that, but there's explicit permission given for *direct* replacements for *failed* hardware (i.e. you can replace a s754 board with a 754 board, but not a 754 board with a new core2duo rig)

Or if i buy a motherboard that was utter pants and not stable? i would be allowed to return the mobo to my retailer for a replacement but would microsoft allow me to re-activate vista with the new mobo?

if the board could be considered "failed", then yes, a direct replacement is explicitly permitted

[sschiess]

I wish I were one that could be satisfied for a year or two, but it seems like I am constantly upgrading something. So buy the retail version? Not a chance. Past experience with Microsoft "Home" versions tells me not to trust them so for me we're talking Vista Ultimate. The retail version costs more than I am normally willing to spend on any single component in my PC. Even the OEM cost seems excessive for an OS, just my opinion. Is making a phone call to reauthorize really that big of deal? Yes, mostly because it doesn't have to be that way. There are other ways to enforce licensing restrictions. Obey the license restrictions, absolutely. Follow the authorization procedure, do I have a choice? Deem it acceptable, no. It wasn't acceptable in XP it isn't acceptable in Vista. If only there was a real alternative.

[this_is_gav]

I here Linux is pretty good value

[Clunk]

Win ME ftw.

[directhex]

I wish I were one that could be satisfied for a year or two, but it seems like I am constantly upgrading something. So buy the retail version? Not a chance. Past experience with Microsoft "Home" versions tells me not to trust them so for me we're talking Vista Ultimate.

vista includes a facility to upgrade from one version to another without reinstalling, by paying the difference

you can start off with home premium, and upgrade to ultimate only if you feel neccessary

seems smart to me