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Which version of Vista doesnt require activating a new key for hardware upgrades?

post #1 of 15
7/3/07 at 3:41pm
Thread Starter 
I want to make sure I buy the right version of MS Vista. Which one doesnt require the activation of a key every time you add/change hardware. I do this on a monthly basis. I never had this problem with XP.
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post #2 of 15
7/3/07 at 4:01pm
all of them are the same, i've changed my hardware in and out a few times and i haven't gotten a re-activate yet..


i'v chagned out

Optical drivers
video cards
sound cards
and even went from a single to dual core CPU all on teh same installation..

much of the re-activation i hear about is on Motherboard changes (even a bios update will sometimes trigger a re-activation)..

although its not bad, its only a 5 minute call to re-activate your copy of windows if you need to..
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post #3 of 15
7/3/07 at 4:34pm
Hard drives seem to be the big issue for reactivation. You can add another, but if you copy your boot drive directly to the new one, or reinstall (of course) you will need to reactivate. Anything that could hint at trying to circumvent the copy protections.
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post #4 of 15
7/3/07 at 4:41pm
I have personally added and removed video cards, sound cards and hard drives without having to re-activate.
I have formatted my main vista drive and reinstalled and the only activiation is the one you do online after the first install.
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post #5 of 15
7/3/07 at 4:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by archer75 View Post

I have personally added and removed video cards, sound cards and hard drives without having to re-activate.
I have formatted my main vista drive and reinstalled and the only activiation is the one you do online after the first install.

I don't have all the details on the re-activation but I believe 4 or more major hardware changes must be made before re-activation is required. This way you can change one ore two components without the need to re-activate. Changing a system board does not count as one change though since there are many I/O hardware devices on one system board. If you order a computer from a manufacture like Dell or HP with the OS then you will never need to worry about activation since their OS CD's have a BIOS check and will install without activation.
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post #6 of 15
7/3/07 at 5:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dinoroger View Post

I don't have all the details on the re-activation but I believe 4 or more major hardware changes must be made before re-activation is required. This way you can change one ore two components without the need to re-activate. Changing a system board does not count as one change though since there are many I/O hardware devices on one system board. If you order a computer from a manufacture like Dell or HP with the OS then you will never need to worry about activation since their OS CD's have a BIOS check and will install without activation.

From what I understand a motherboard change does require reactivation. And if you have an OEM copy you can't change the motherboard at all.
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post #7 of 15
7/3/07 at 5:31pm
Yet another annoyance that will specifically target only those with authentic copies of Vista. Pirates will not be affected.

Genius plan MS.
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post #8 of 15
7/3/07 at 6:55pm
Same as XP, only corporate editions are immune to my understanding. If it doesn't let you activate it you get a number to call. I have never had anything close to a problem with reactivating either automatically or by phone on any of my replacements. If your above board with this (no pirating) imo there is nothing to fear at all, so don't fear it.
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post #9 of 15
7/3/07 at 7:26pm
I did knotice that my OEM from dell does not require any activation. Just what I knoticed
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post #10 of 15
7/3/07 at 7:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HorrorScope View Post

Same as XP, only corporate editions are immune to my understanding. If it doesn't let you activate it you get a number to call. I have never had anything close to a problem with reactivating either automatically or by phone on any of my replacements. If your above board with this (no pirating) imo there is nothing to fear at all, so don't fear it.

I just updated the video drivers (NOTHING else) on my XP home & had to reactivate. This is the 2nd time I've had to do so w/only a driver change, at least this time I didn't have sit on the phone for 15 minutes painstakingly exchanging 47 groups of letters with someone in Calcutta. Whether or not this has any effect on pirating I don't know, but it's an intrusive, privacy-invading PITA in my opinion. I did run the BETA's of both 32 & 64 bit Vista for a time, but this never came up.

Dan
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post #11 of 15
7/3/07 at 7:35pm
Thread Starter 
Will I have any advantages / disadvantages using the Dell OEM version (not necessarily on a Dell machine) verses the full retail version. That would be so lame if the Dell OEM version has no restrictions but the $400 one Id buy at the store does. My main worry is support from MS to download SP1 and other hotfixes in the future. I already have a Dell disk sitting right here. But, I'm not sure what problems one might have using a Dell OEM disk on a non-Dell. What makes the Dell version different than the retail version?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clob View Post

I did knotice that my OEM from dell does not require any activation. Just what I knoticed
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post #12 of 15
7/3/07 at 7:41pm
I've had to phone in a couple times already. both were on hard drive changes. amazingly, it didn't make me call when I changed processor, video card, and sound card all at the same time.
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post #13 of 15
7/3/07 at 7:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkanet View Post

But, I'm not sure what problems one might have using a Dell OEM disk on a non-Dell. What makes the Dell version different than the retail version?

The Dell version does not require activation if a specific BIOS key is found. Since your non Dell system does not have this key the Dell OS CD will either not function at all or act like a normal OS CD.
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post #14 of 15
7/3/07 at 7:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dinoroger View Post

The Dell version does not require activation if a specific BIOS key is found. Since your non Dell system does not have this key the Dell OS CD will either not function at all or act like a normal OS CD.

the Dell OS disks won't install on a non-dell. it does some sort of bios check. I've tried it on non-dells just to see what would happen. You've basically got a coaster without a dell mobo.
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post #15 of 15
7/3/07 at 8:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by archer75 View Post

From what I understand a motherboard change does require reactivation. And if you have an OEM copy you can't change the motherboard at all.

OEM copies purchased from newegg will reactivate no problem. I had to replace a motherboard recently and online activation doesn't work, but making the call and getting a human being reactivates no sweat. They'll ask how many copies you have installed on the key. You say 1 and you will get activated in a jiffy.
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