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    Question about Vista licenses.

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Dodoman, Jul 20, 2007.

  1. Dodoman

    Dodoman Notebook Consultant

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    I'm a bit confused. I don't know whether the OEM liscense can be reused on the same PC repeatedly. Can it? I know that for a normal purchase[from the shops that is], you can use it only once before you have to call MS. But does the same apply to the OEM license as well?
     
    Dodoman, Jul 20, 2007
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  2. vespoli

    vespoli 402 NBR Reviewer

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    Yes, it is legal to reinstall the one copy of OEM software on the SAME computer repeatedly.
     
    vespoli, Jul 20, 2007
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  3. Dodoman

    Dodoman Notebook Consultant

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    But will I have to call Microsoft to tell them that I'm doing so?
     
    Dodoman, Jul 20, 2007
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  4. j0hn00

    j0hn00 Notebook Evangelist

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    no... i've reinstalled vista at least 5 times in the past few weeks and every time it's been authenticated online without a hitch.
     
    j0hn00, Jul 20, 2007
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  5. Ethyriel

    Ethyriel Notebook Deity

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    If you make a major change to the system you'll have to reactivate, and possibly call if that fails. That usually means a change of motherboard, but I flashed my BIOS and had to reactivate. It was handled automatically, but still not cool.

    I don't know for sure yet if they'll be pushovers with Vista, but with XP I've called at least 5 times on one particular license at work and just keep telling them I had a motherboard go out and had to reinstall.
     
    Ethyriel, Jul 20, 2007
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  6. Dodoman

    Dodoman Notebook Consultant

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    Alright. Thanks guys.
     
    Dodoman, Jul 21, 2007
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  7. PhoenixFx

    PhoenixFx Notebook Virtuoso

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    If online activation fails, just call them. I have so far installed Vista twice on my notebook; first time online activation worked, but second time I had to call them. They gave out the activation code without asking why I reinstalled (they only asked whether I have the same copy running in more than one computer).

    As others have said, it is perfectly legal to reinstall on the same PC.
     
    PhoenixFx, Jul 21, 2007
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