Microsoft Vista Question

[kuyenmotdivad]

Hi,

I just purchased Microsoft Vista Home Premium (OEM Version) but I am not sure if this is true as I have seen an article in a magazine that says it only allows you to do 3 fresh installs.

Does this mean if I format my PC and install it 3 times then it will not work again or is the magazine talking a load of ballony and it lets you install as many times as you want?

As if it only lets you install only 3 times its not worth it as if someone gets a virus on there PC and cannot remove it they would have to format and re-install.

[Caiman]

I believe it is linked to your motherboard and PC components, so if you try to install that OEM version on a different PC, it's not going to let you, but you can reinstall on the same PC as much as you like so long as... it's the same PC.

[Joe Gronlund]

From Microsoft

How many times can i install Windows Vista on my Computer before i have to activate Windows again?


You can reinstall Windows on the same computer as many times as you want because activation pairs the Windows product key with information about your computer’s hardware. If you make a significant hardware change, you might have to activate Windows again.

Will I ever need to activate my current copy of Windows again?

Maybe. You might have to activate Windows again if:
•You uninstall Windows on one computer and install it on another. During installation, enter the product key that came with your copy of Windows. If automatic activation fails, follow the instructions that walk you through activating Windows by phone. You will have 30 days to activate your copy of Windows.
•You make a significant hardware change to your computer, such as upgrading the hard disk and memory at the same time. If a major hardware change requires activating Windows again, you will be notified and will have three days to activate your copy of Windows.
•You reformat your hard disk. Reformatting erases your activation status. In this case, you’ll have 30 days to activate Windows again.
•A virus infects your computer and deletes your activation status.
If you have to activate Windows again, you don't need to buy a new product key.

[WurkAnimal]

So that mag was talking bull.

[Caiman]

Ah, I thought it was different for the OEM version.

[Neal-UK]

I've seen on the OEM packaging that Windows XP Pro can only be re-installed about 20+ times on any computer, is that true?

[Joe Gronlund]

I've seen on the OEM packaging that Windows XP Pro can only be re-installed about 20+ times on any computer, is that true?

You can install it on the same system as many times as you want using "automatic activation" as the key binds to hardware parts such as the motherboard.
Or transfer it to another system "phone activation" as long as the Product key is not in use on another system, however with the OEM version you will need to do phone activation, as seen below..

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid...e=expert&pid=4

[Neal-UK]

Thanks for that Joe.

[kuyenmotdivad]

Thanks for the infomation guys now the OEM (cheap skate) version is much clearer now.