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Activating Windows Vista on a different machine.

SonarSonar Registered User regular
edited September 2011 in Moe's Stupid Technology Tavern
Awhile ago I got a full version of Windows 7 from my brother, I installed it, threw Vista in a corner and went on my merry way.

Recently I got an old machine and decided I didn't want to mess around with the XP install and so I put on my copy of Vista. It won't activate.

I can't find a clear answer to this on the microsoft site so can I ask here: If I call them and explain that it's just moved to a different machine, are they going to activate it? Or am I sol? (At least until I get Chrome OS running)

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Posts

  • EgoEgo Registered User regular
    Is it giving you the option when you try to activate to call MS? Because if it's doing that, you just end up talking with a robot. It asks you if you're running it on more than one computer, you say no, and it spits out a code for you to punch in.

    Erik
  • rockmonkeyrockmonkey Little RockRegistered User regular
    The thing is, if the vista license you are trying to install on another system came preloaded on a different system then you legally can't transfer the license. If it is a retail box vista license that you bought then the license is transferrable between your machines as long as you only load it on one machine at a time. If it IS a retail copy then just call MS and they will fix it for you pretty easily.

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  • godmodegodmode Southeast JapanRegistered User regular
    Related question on this: I bought an OEM copy of Windows 7 Professional for my last build, and it's time to upgrade the machine. I was thinking of replacing my current HDD boot drive to an SSD to boot faster, but will that alter the system enough to invalidate the license? I'd rather not have to buy a new copy of Windows 7 for such a small (and kind of unecessary) upgrade.
    Any help would be appreciated!

  • DjeetDjeet Registered User regular
    I won't get into the particulars of installing an OEM (System Builder) copy of Windows on a machine for personal use, but you should be able to upgrade everything except the motherboard without creating a new "system". If you image the drive I don't think you'll need to re-activate. If you're installing from scratch you'll have to activate it. If it fails activation, call Microsoft.

  • TefTef Registered User regular
    edited September 2011
    @godmode here's a link to a guide I used to do the transfer.

    Djeet had the right of it when he said unless you replace the mobo, you should be golden

    Tef on
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  • godmodegodmode Southeast JapanRegistered User regular
    Awesome! Thank you both. I'll let you all know how it goes - probably going to purchase the new drive next week.

  • SonarSonar Registered User regular
    Ill give it a go. Fortunately I build my own computers so no worries about preloads here.

    I'm building a real pirate ship. Really. Wanna help? Click here!
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    caffron said: "and cat pee is not a laughing matter"
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