Hello Gareth Ferguson,
Thank you for visiting the Windows Genuine Advantage program forum. Licensing questions fall outside the WGA Program support scope as well as our expertise.
OEM licenses obtained thru a major manufacturer use a SLP technology. Computers built by large commercial manufacturers that come with Vista Pre-installed come with two (2) Product Keys; SLP and COA Key. SLP stands for System Locked Pre-install. OEM manufacturer’s add an OEM identifier string to the system BIOS during manufacturing. Windows verifies this identifier during the boot process. In this way the end user will not be required to activate Windows. The OEM SLP Key is geared to work with the special instructions found on that Manufacturer’s computer hardware. The Product Key is available on the COA sticker and not installed in the computer. For example all DELL OEM SLP Windows Vista systems use a single product key but the COA sticker on the machine contains the unique COA. The key located on the COA sticker should only be used in limited situations and requires telephone activation. Example should you require to reformate the computer the key from the COA sticker would be used.
What happens if the motherboard becomes defective? Please contact your manufacturer’s technical support for guidance. You are permitted to change it and reinstall your OEM Vista license to it. You should replace it with an identical board or the manufacturer's designated replacement. OEM licenses obtained thru a major manufacturer that uses SLP technology set the recovery or repair CD to look for certain bits in the BIOS of the official manufacturer's motherboards. If such bits are not found, as they would not be if you replaced the defective board with one not from the original computer manufacturer, then the CD will refuse to install Vista. Licensing links are posted below where you can address any concerns and question.
Questions regarding Software Licensing Terms can be found at the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/default.aspx
Volume licensing customers can use the Microsoft Volume Licensing site to find contact information in their locations. See the following link:
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default.mspx
Additional Licensing Information:
For licensing questions, please call 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4), Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (PST) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist.
Antron-
