Replaced Motherboard: New Windows OEM Licence Needed

General Topics
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Look here:

Rather than purchase completely new PCs, my organization performs in-place upgrades to the hardware on many of our computers. We often times only replace the motherboard, processor, and memory. Since the COA is still on the case and the OS is still installed on the hard drive, this computer is still licensed, right?

ANSWER. Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your computer and maintain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard. An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a “new personal computer.” Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from one computer to another. Therefore, if the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect then a new computer has been created, the original license expires, and a new full operating system license (not upgrade) is required. This is true even if the computer is covered under Software Assurance or other Volume License programs.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/4/e/3/4e3eace0-4c6d-4123-9d0c-c80436181742/OSLicQA.doc

As I know Vista will use even hardware MB replacement detection with newest MB, so I think it will cause a lot of problems with replacing faulty MB’s. :-\

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Therefore, if the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect
I recently replace my motherboard but without a new OEM Liscense. My logic was simple. I needed to upgrade because the old motherboard was to SLOW (1500MG)and therefore considered defective in my estimation. :)
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Now you know why I stopped buying “branded computers” after the last one in 1997. OEM licenses of most any kind are just about worthless to you. >:(

Have your next computer custom built (or do it yourself) at about the same price but with the parts you want/need … plus your very own full version of the OS. :slight_smile: