Windows - limited installs ?

What is this I'm hearing about windows having limited installs allowed per license ? Is this true ? I've never really "bought" windows till date but now I'm getting Windows Vista x64 legit with my new laptop. And I'm the very rough sort of user. I probably have to format every few months for some or the other reason. So how many times can I install Vista totally ? And after that I'm not allowed to ? ie. license expires or something ?

 

You can install Vista one Machine per CD Key or License.

But you can format and reinstall Vista on the same Machine endless amounts of time!

U have to ACTIVATE each time yu format but that's done in seconds online! If you change your hardware by any chance, you won't be able to activate online anymore but can easily call Microsoft on their FREE numbers

 

Then that's fine How exactly do we define a "machine". What identifies different systems ? As in, two computers with the same config are the same "machine" ?

 

No, there is no limit, I have reloaded Vista so many times it would have been triggered by now. OEM copies won't activate on a different motherboard (that includes if its the same model), so as long as you don't replace the motherboard you should be fine. Anyhow, most brand name PCs come pre-activated, so when you reload there is no activation.

Edit: The motherboard serial number identifies the PC, so if the motherboard is replaced under warranty, you have to call up M$ and activate over the phone the first time.

 

Cool. So there's no limit on number of activations either (from the same machine) ? I heard it was 10 times max, maybe that's just false info.

 

That's a load of bull. You might have to ring up if you re-activate on a regular basis (> once a week for a month, or something like that), but I doubt that it affects anybody, you'd be pretty nuts to reload that often.

 

if you change your motherboard for example, it is considered to be a new machine, and you will lose the abilityh to activate online. you will have to call Miscorosft. as a motherboard is a whole new device. RAM is ok, but Video cards also and major hardware will void your ability to activate online.

 

I have activated XP over 200 times over the phone each time on a different system. All you have to do is answer on 1 machine when they ask you "on how many computers is this version of Windows currently running?"

 

Video cards don't stop activation, there are a certain number of hardware changes that will require you to re-activate without reloading (I think the number is 7, but I'm not sure). Motherboard changes affect OEM copies and require phone activation, but retail versions aren't affected by motherboard changes.

I have installed my retail XP Pro on about 30 different machines (none at the same time) and never had to phone microsoft, yet a friends PC had the motherboard replaced under warranty (same make, model, and revision) and had to phone activate their OEM copy of Windows.

 

So just out of curiosity (I have only one system anyway) - Is it possible then to run Vista on 2 systems and then claim the hardware is changed and get it activated ?

 

Technically, Yes.

Legally. No.

 

What about w/an upgrade disk?
Do the same rules apply?

 

So if they found out, they'd disable my license ? I'm asking because I might tend to want to share the license with my dad. Since I'll be taking the laptop with me to college and he'll use the home PC.

Should be.

 

My brother just redid his pc new mother board new ram new chipset and new video card kept the same hard drive. he didnt have to reinstall windows or reactivate. i twas the weirdest thing. the parts werent even that same brand and it still worked. i thought vist had that thing where if too many parts were changed it wouldnt work but, i guess not

 

No, unless you distribute itto ALL your friends they won't find out

 

You should take a look at the forum rules.

 

I'm just telling him the truth of how the licenses of MS works bro...

 

Even OEM copies can be activated through the phone on different motherboards.

 

true that.

 

Alright--truth of the matter is that it's one license per computer. Whether nor not you can install on multiple units is a moot point; it's illegal.

I think this thread has exhausted its usefulness.