Answered by:
Am I allowed to change my motherboard?

Question
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I have a Gateway system, with Vista OEMACT installed. I've just changed the CPU to a current model, and found the mobo does not recognize it; there is no BIOS update available, and it is running at 1/4 the speed it should.
It would be easy enough to replace the motherboard with one that supports the new processor, but I don't want to buy one and conduct the experiment if it isn't going to work, and/or it isn't legal. I just ran the MGADiag and got
Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
Validation Status: Genuine
Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0xc004f012
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-3RBY2-BGQ2R-DR9M6
Windows Product Key Hash: EYIpz/47G03lWRAOmk3kg+lR7Rc=
Windows Product ID: 89583-OEM-7332157-00141
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.0.6002.2.00010300.2.0.003
ID: {41C900BA-E8C0-432B-9378-433EECE4BF9E}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 6002.vistasp2_gdr.100608-0458
TTS Error:
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A
Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGA Data-->
Office Status: 100 Genuine
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 - 100 Genuine
Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007 - 100 Genuine
Microsoft Office OneNote 2007 - 100 Genuine
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 77F760FE-153-80070002_7E90FEE8-175-80070002_025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3_B4D0AA8B-920-80070057_E2AD56EA-765-d003_E2AD56EA-766-0_E2AD56EA-134-80004005
Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed
File Scan Data-->
Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{41C900BA-E8C0-432B-9378-433EECE4BF9E}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.0.6002.2.00010300.2.0.003</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-DR9M6</PKey><PID>89583-OEM-7332157-00141</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-871402966-123818237-1066985855</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Gateway</Manufacturer><Model>DX4200-09</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>American Megatrends Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>7B3P091G </Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="5"/><Date>20080806000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>7A333507018400FA</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Pacific Standard Time(GMT-08:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>GATEWA</OEMID><OEMTableID>SYSTEM </OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>100</Result><Products><Product GUID="{91120000-002F-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007</Name><Ver>12</Ver><PidType>19</PidType></Product><Product GUID="{91120000-0030-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007</Name><Ver>12</Ver><Val>941F0E0069C771</Val><Hash>vqg9JjYUSveQ+fCElWEmcIvoJBs=</Hash><Pid>81599-952-1776016-65996</Pid><PidType>1</PidType></Product><Product GUID="{91120000-00A1-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft Office OneNote 2007</Name><Ver>12</Ver><Val>6642ED9BF16C5B0</Val><Hash>pmGFeQ7ohIFOBPYedwUHEOmUDJU=</Hash><Pid>81609-OEM-6272812-67790</Pid><PidType>4</PidType></Product></Products><Applications><App Id="15" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="16" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="18" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="19" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="1A" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="1B" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="44" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="A1" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="BA" Version="12" Result="100"/></Applications></Office></Software></GenuineResults>
Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002
Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.0.6002.18005
Name: Windows(TM) Vista, HomePremium edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Vista, OEM_SLP channel
Activation ID: bffdc375-bbd5-499d-8ef1-4f37b61c895f
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 89583-00146-321-500141-02-1033-6001.0000-0822009
Installation ID: 014780265330135443910336320770343744387811901244810452
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43473
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43474
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43476
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43475
Partial Product Key: DR9M6
License Status: Licensed
Windows Activation Technologies-->
N/A
HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: OAAAAAIABAABAAEAAgABAAAAAgABAAEA6GHWd2QupzHA6oKUEDNU8kRKXG+N7/L0gjckc6xWji4=
OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A
OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
Windows marker version: 0x20000
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information:
ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value
APIC GATEWA APIC0929
FACP GATEWA FACP0929
HPET GATEWA OEMHPET
MCFG GATEWA OEMMCFG
SLIC GATEWA SYSTEM
OEMB GATEWA OEMB0929
ASF! AMD SB600ASF
SSDT A M I POWERNOW
If it won't work and be legal, the next question is whether it would work and be proper to (a) buy a W7 OEM system builder and upgrade this system, then change the mobo; or (b) change the mobo and then run the upgrade.
I'd really like to not have to do a scratch install and have to migrate all my game installs etc that way.
Thank you.
Friday, December 31, 2010 5:27 AM
Answers
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I Think I understand the confusion between TrevorB's question and Carey's answer and I will try to connect the dots.
a) TrevorB want to know (From a Licensing Standpoint) if he can upgrade from a Genuine Vista OEM to a Genuine Windows 7 Retail and then change the PC's Motherboard. The answer is Yes. After upgrading (using a retail licensed upgrade) the licensing that would be in effect would be Retail and that would allow you to change the Motherboard without invalidating the License.
b) Carey's answer was coming from a Technical (non-Licensing) point of view that changing the motherboard may cause technical problems that would keep Windows from running correctly (which is very likely correct, but I have never tried it to be sure)
Hope this helps,
Darin MS- Proposed as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, January 6, 2011 11:01 PM
- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, January 6, 2011 11:02 PM
Thursday, January 6, 2011 10:58 PM
All replies
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You cannot change the Gateway motherboard to a non-Gateway motherboard with the Gateway OEM Windows Vista license. If you do, you'll need to perform a "clean install" of a Windows 7 "Full Version" edition. Your Gateway OEM Windows Vista license will not validate on a non-Gateway motherboard and cannot be upgraded to Windows 7 since it will become invalid and thus ineligible for a Windows 7 upgrade license.
FYI: A Windows 7 OEM system builder license cannot be used for upgrading...clean installs only.
Carey FrischFriday, December 31, 2010 5:47 AMModerator -
Got that; but can I do an upgrade (with an upgrade W7) with the current mobo, and be off the OEM license, then change the mobo?
It's having to to the fresh install that it distasteful, because you never get it the way you had it before
thank you
Friday, December 31, 2010 6:02 AM -
Unless you install a motherboard that has virtually the same chipset as the original motherboard, you will not be able to boot. You would need to tell us what chipset the Gateway motherboard has and what chipset the new motherboard will have.
Carey FrischFriday, December 31, 2010 6:27 AMModerator -
I think we just talked past each other and didn't understand each other. The current mobo works, just slowly. So can I do a W7 upgrade with it as is, then change the mobo? Maybe you are thinking the system would not boot after the mobo change b/c of drivers and chipset? Is Vista/W7 more sensitive to this than XP was? No one I know ever had problems with booting after swaps like this with XP, so that may be why I'm not sensitive to the complexities. Is the situation any different with a full-retail used to upgrade?
thank you
Friday, December 31, 2010 6:35 AM -
"TrevorB" wrote in message news:ec93bf9b-974e-4788-bb28-8d115641555d...
I think we just talked past each other and didn't understand each other. The current mobo works, just slowly. So can I do a W7 upgrade with it as is, then change the mobo? Maybe you are thinking the system would not boot after the mobo change b/c of drivers and chipset? Is Vista/W7 more sensitive to this than XP was? No one I know ever had problems with booting after swaps like this with XP, so that may be why I'm not sensitive to the complexities. Is the situation any different with a full-retail used to upgrade?
thank you
The OEM license is invalidated when you replace the motherboard with a retail one - since the OEM license is used as the basis of your Upgrade license if installed at the time of the upgrade, it would also invalidate the upgrade license, and the whole install.You would therefore end up with an invalid install.You need a Full license to be able to upgrade the motherboard - if you use a Retail license you can do a repair install after the upgrade. If you use an OEM System Builder pack, then you will have to do a clean install.
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed SlothFriday, December 31, 2010 8:56 AMModerator -
I Think I understand the confusion between TrevorB's question and Carey's answer and I will try to connect the dots.
a) TrevorB want to know (From a Licensing Standpoint) if he can upgrade from a Genuine Vista OEM to a Genuine Windows 7 Retail and then change the PC's Motherboard. The answer is Yes. After upgrading (using a retail licensed upgrade) the licensing that would be in effect would be Retail and that would allow you to change the Motherboard without invalidating the License.
b) Carey's answer was coming from a Technical (non-Licensing) point of view that changing the motherboard may cause technical problems that would keep Windows from running correctly (which is very likely correct, but I have never tried it to be sure)
Hope this helps,
Darin MS- Proposed as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, January 6, 2011 11:01 PM
- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, January 6, 2011 11:02 PM
Thursday, January 6, 2011 10:58 PM -
"Darin Smith MS" wrote in message news:d32b3944-b764-4f5d-b8d0-48559d576aa3...
I Think I understand the confusion between TrevorB's question and Carey's answer and I will try to connect the dots.
a) TrevorB want to know (From a Licensing Standpoint) if he can upgrade from a Genuine Vista OEM to a Genuine Windows 7 Retail and then change the PC's Motherboard. The answer is Yes. After upgrading (using a retail licensed upgrade) the licensing that would be in effect would be Retail and that would allow you to change the Motherboard without invalidating the License.
b) Carey's answer was coming from a Technical (non-Licensing) point of view that changing the motherboard may cause technical problems that would keep Windows from running correctly (which is very likely correct, but I have never tried it to be sure)
Hope this helps,
Darin MS
That's interesting, Darin - I've always been led to believe that since the OEM license forms the basis of the Upgrade license, if the OEM license is no longer valid, then the Upgrade has no basis on which to be validated, and can therefore no longer be used. This may be a change from earlier versions of Windows (the 9x series), or it may be a long-standing misapprehension on a lot of people's parts.Any chance of a cite? - or an MS legal beagle jumping in?
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed SlothFriday, January 7, 2011 10:41 AMModerator -
Hi,
Thanks Darin, that's exactly what I want to do. I have an oldish system that is really struggling to run vista due to low memory. However I feel that the rest of the hardware should be up to running windows 7. Main issue is the motherboard won't take any more than 1gb RAM.
Hence this is the perfect route for me:
- Upgrade to Windows 7
- If performance is still an issue upgrade the system wholesale
As the family pack Windows 7 upgrade is on sale here in the UK I'll update my XP based netbook while I'm at it!
Thanks,
Olly
Monday, February 28, 2011 11:42 AM