difinity Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 We are looking to upgrade a couple of our IT suites. We have volume licensing here and the computer cases have XP oem license stickers on them. Can we remove the old motherboards and hardrives and upgrade them to something faster without buying a new license, or do we need to buy new licenses for each machine. cheers Michael
FN-GM Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 The OEM License is attached to the motherboard. So you will be unable to do that.
difinity Posted May 13, 2011 Author Posted May 13, 2011 The key on the PC case has never been used or registered, does this still apply ?
FN-GM Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 (edited) pretty sure you cant as it is base licence for your volume licencing. Edited May 13, 2011 by FN-GM
Steve21 Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 The key on the PC case has never been used or registered, does this still apply ? 11. 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 aka, You can't no Steve
sparkeh Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 Hang on, so if your Motherboard goes up in smoke and its replaced you can't and carry on as before?
Hightower Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 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. So if our 4 year old out of warranty machine fails, and we send it to the county where hold an SLA for repairs, and they fit another motherboard but of a different model/spec how would we stand? What about if the motherboard they fit had an OEM licence (because it was from another machine) - does that licence transfer with the board?
Steve21 Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 Hang on, so if your Motherboard goes up in smoke and its replaced you can't and carry on as before? replaced for reasons other than a defect So you can So if our 4 year old out of warranty machine fails, and we send it to the county where hold an SLA for repairs, and they fit another motherboard but of a different model/spec how would we stand? What about if the motherboard they fit had an OEM licence (because it was from another machine) - does that licence transfer with the board? For the first point again replaced for reasons other than a defect . If it's broke you're allowed to change. And if they fit a OEM licensed motherboard "I'd assume" your license is ok, as it's a "replacement for defect" their license would be void as it's a "transfer". Steve
mjs_mjs Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 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. so if I accidentally break my mobo I can upgrade it as it is now defective?
Hightower Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 So the OP can basically do what he wants to in terms of upgrading the motherboards and when asked he can just say "they all went up in smoke, had to replace them" and nobody is going to be none the wiser?
Steve21 Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 so if I accidentally break my mobo I can upgrade it as it is now defective? So the OP can basically do what he wants to in terms of upgrading the motherboards and when asked he can just say "they all went up in smoke, had to replace them" and nobody is going to be none the wiser? I have no idea what you are all talking about! If a MB happens to fly under a bus, it's defective so can be replaced! yarrrr At least that's how that document seems to explain it Steve
dhicks Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 Can we remove the old motherboards and hardrives and upgrade them to something faster without buying a new license, or do we need to buy new licenses for each machine. I could have sworn there was a thread a few months back where someone had managed to get permission from Microsoft to transfer the OEM license for something like half the price of buying new OEM licenses. I can't remember who it was said that or what the thread was titled, though.
wesleyw Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 Depends sometimes it's attached to the case (yes I know its sutck to the case anyway lol) you would probably be okay tbh as if the motherboard fails and u have it swapped out the machine is still licensed (last time I checked). If not EES is so cheap you probably won't have a problem anyway. Wes
sparkeh Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 replaced for reasons other than a defect So you can Whoops reading fail. Good to know though
Chris_in_notts Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 If the motherboards are old and a couple have already died you could replace them all on the grounds they where failing so you replaced them all now to save on random machines failing in the near future maybe?
Hightower Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 If not EES is so cheap you probably won't have a problem anyway. Think you need to read your EES agreement - EES only provides upgrade licences. So let's say you buy 30 machines, and because you have EES you think you can buy them without an OS/licence to save money. Well, that's illegal. You need to have a licence on that machine for EES - so we can upgrade to Win 7 because we hold OEM licences of Win XP on all our clients. If I'd bought them without a licence I wouldn't be able to put XP, Win 7, or even Win 98 on them until I bought some kind of licence covered under the agreement.
difinity Posted May 13, 2011 Author Posted May 13, 2011 Thanks for all the input everyone, whilst i'd be happy to replace the "defective" internals due to leaky capacitors, vandalism, power surges and water damage, i don't think the powers that be here would be to happy. At least i've done my bit to try and save some money.
wesleyw Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 Would a linux install count though? I.e. there is an existing OS on there I dont think MS states it must be a windows install does it?
wesleyw Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 Anyway according to MS a motherboard can be replaced if faulty so either way thats what will have happened however that fault occurred, Wes
K.C.Leblanc Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 Would a linux install count though? I.e. there is an existing OS on there I dont think MS states it must be a windows install does it? No there needs to be a windows licence in place.
Hightower Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 Would a linux install count though? Was that a genuine question? lol
FN-GM Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 No there needs to be a windows licence in place. Or Mac OSX Surprisingly 1
wesleyw Posted May 13, 2011 Posted May 13, 2011 Yeah they want you to pay for something, maybe MS are gonna buy Apple (Maybe they already have and are just messing with us Steve Jobs is a clone from Redmond) Wes
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