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Will my computer store's shotgun repair strategy today cost me a new licence next year? RRS feed

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    I'm having the broken motherboard of my 7 months old turkey replaced under warranty. The problem is that the store has already replaced the CPU a few months ago to fix the same issue, to no avail (insert rant about incompetent computer repairmen), and I also had to return the system a week after I bought it because they forgot to install the requested memory. This equals three hardware changes in 7 months.

    Worse, neither the CPU nor the motherboard has been replaced with the same type. I am using Vista Home Premium OEM; ten to one I'll be on the phone with Microsoft next week.

    Now I was wondering if this will have consequences down the road. Can one 'use up' reactivations or hardware changes and lose them permanently? I plan on adding another 2 GB and a quad core next year. Is there a chance that I'll be unable to do so because I replaced too much hardware this year? Should I demand a new licence under warranty?

    Thanks,
    M.C.
    Friday, October 12, 2007 8:25 PM

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    Your OEM license for Windows will remain valid forever as long as you keep the same motherboard.  That is the only hardware component you cannot change to a different make or model.  [Darin Smith] There is an exception to this rul, please see the next post down, for details

     

    Friday, October 12, 2007 8:33 PM
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    Hi BrotherLaz,

     

     Very good question.

     

       Normally, Carey would be correct, as far as licensing is concerned, the motherboard IS the computer. Everything else can be changed out and you will still be licensed to run the OEM Windows. But if the motherboard is replaced, the computer is then defined as a "new" computer and since OEM license are only valid on the computer they came with, that OEM copy of Windows would not be licensed to run on the “new” computer.

     

      That being said, there is an exception to the rule.  If the Original Manufacturer of the computer, replaces the motherboard during repair, then your OEM Windows is still licensed to run on that computer.

     

      So for the scenario you described, your copy of Windows will still be licensed to run on your computer

     

      Also, Carey is correct that you are not limited to the number of reactivations, but at a point, you will no longer be able to activate online and will be required to active by phone.

     

    Hope this helps,

    Darin Smith
    WGA Forum Manager

     

     

    Friday, October 12, 2007 9:24 PM

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    Your OEM license for Windows will remain valid forever as long as you keep the same motherboard.  That is the only hardware component you cannot change to a different make or model.  [Darin Smith] There is an exception to this rul, please see the next post down, for details

     

    Friday, October 12, 2007 8:33 PM
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    Hi BrotherLaz,

     

     Very good question.

     

       Normally, Carey would be correct, as far as licensing is concerned, the motherboard IS the computer. Everything else can be changed out and you will still be licensed to run the OEM Windows. But if the motherboard is replaced, the computer is then defined as a "new" computer and since OEM license are only valid on the computer they came with, that OEM copy of Windows would not be licensed to run on the “new” computer.

     

      That being said, there is an exception to the rule.  If the Original Manufacturer of the computer, replaces the motherboard during repair, then your OEM Windows is still licensed to run on that computer.

     

      So for the scenario you described, your copy of Windows will still be licensed to run on your computer

     

      Also, Carey is correct that you are not limited to the number of reactivations, but at a point, you will no longer be able to activate online and will be required to active by phone.

     

    Hope this helps,

    Darin Smith
    WGA Forum Manager

     

     

    Friday, October 12, 2007 9:24 PM
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    Thanks for the reply. This means that at least I won't end up implicitly having to pay for a repair under warranty.

    About the original manufacturer part, is a store that pieces together computers from parts also considered the 'original manufacturer', or does this only apply to Dell and other suppliers of 'readymade' systems?
    Friday, October 12, 2007 10:39 PM
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    Hi BrotherLaz,

     

    "About the original manufacturer part, is a store that pieces together computers from parts also considered the 'original manufacturer', or does this only apply to Dell and other suppliers of 'readymade' systems?"

     

    Yes, if the store put the pieces togeather and sold it to you as a "computer", then they are the Original Manufacturer. Companies like Dell and HP have special versions of pre-installed Windows (specificly Vista) that will only work in Reduced Functionality mode, if the motherboard is replaced by anyone other then that company.

     

    Thanks,

    Darin


    Friday, October 12, 2007 10:54 PM