Microsoft: Upgraded Motherboard = New Windows Licence

[NICEGUY]

Microsoft recently made a change to the licence agreement saying that a new motherboard is equal to a new computer, hence you need to purchase a new Windows licence.

Here is what Microsoft has to say:

“An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a “new personal computer” to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.”

The reason Microsoft gave for this term is that “Microsoft needed to have one base component “left standing” that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the “heart and soul” of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created.”

Microsoft sent a memo to its OEM partners asking them to enforce this new policy, every time they upgrade a computer for a client.

http://www.aviransplace.com/index.ph...d-new-licence/



Dang, well, its no surprise to me. Question is, will this result in higher revenue for them or more piracey

[VTMercutio]

You know, how come we can't just buy a copy with a computer and the copy actually be "ours". I mean seriously, I bought a copy of XP with my dell a few years back only to find out that it was good for that computer and that computer only. Seriously, when i got rid of the computer I could have still used the OS on my new computer, but instead I had to buy a whole new copy of the very same program. ANNOYING and EXPENSIVE!!!

[JuniorZ]

microsoft is crazy, thats a good reason for use copies of windows instead original

[raghu_mv]

Mine is an OEM Edition...
how does it affect me?

[whipcrackin_guy]

man, this is crazy.

next it will be a new version if i change my floppy drive

ALl the same, i dunno if it affects me much - i always change the PC, not just the motherboard - i do 2-3 year cycles, with a video card change in between.

[areamike]

OH MY GAWD!

I am about sick of it.
However, I find this a little hard to believe. I recently change my motherboard out and all I had to do was reactivate my copy of WinXP. It was not because of a failed MB, I simply wanted a faster one and new processor.
Maybe this hasn't taken affect yet?

[dungeonfrog]

Laughable, really.

If you have an (old) graphics card that broke down and you want it replaced...

All is well until you hear then the new card only fits on a "new" motherboard (which, of coarse, you don't have).

This means that you are forced to replace most computer parts

And now this

[eligh-3121]

yer they also say you need a motherboard at least 2ghz or summin(not sure) to run windows vista so if some1 upgrades thair mother board they might as well get windows vista so really it is a scam

[whomung]

Originally Posted by eligh-3121

yer they also say you need a motherboard at least 2ghz or summin(not sure) to run windows vista so if some1 upgrades thair mother board they might as well get windows vista so really it is a scam

A SCAM!!!!

By Bill --"I'm Honest as the day is long, and certainly not the greedy, ruthless, manipulative slimeball monopolist/extortionist most people (even my stockholders) think I am"-- Gates?

Hard to believe....

I don't care how much money that guy gives to charity.... He's no different than any other robber baron in history (Rockefeller, Carnagie)....He steals billions from millions, then gives half away so history will think he's a "nice guy"

Or maybe it will help Melinda to stop puking while boinking him.... one of the two.... He sure wasn't ever interested in doing anything good for ANYONE before she married him.

Anyway.... when you call in, tell them your mobo blew out.... replacement is a neccessary repair, not an optional upgrade --you can't even buy your old Mobo anymore --out of production --you HAD to buy a new one..... see if it makes a difference to the nice MS folks working "tech support/Customer Satisfaction" in Bangladore, India.

You're still going to be tying the OS to one (1) machine.... and it's the same one.... it just works now that you fixed it, and you shouldn't be doubly penalized for a hardware failure.... Doesn't mean the argument will work, but it's worth yelling it at someone.

BTW: In all my dealings with Microsloth.... Tech support is completely useless, and they make you wait so long on hold (for me --8 hours total in one (1) day once --simply trying to move an MS Office License to a new machine), unless you're making less than minimum wage, it probably is more cost effective and far less frustrating for *you* to just take the financial hit and buy new....

Which I'm sure is a key part of the "MS marketing plan" --squeeze the customer for every dime, and give them a load of crap.

[Drakoz]

I waited to upgrade to XP for a long time because I just didn't want to waste my time figuring out all the BS about how, what, when, and why my Windows XP license would need to be re-authorized, or re-purchased. What I learned is I will never buy an OEM version of XP if I have anything to say about it because of the reasons stated at the start of this thread.

On the other hand, the portion of the cost of an OEM version of Windows on that new PC is pretty small. So, in a way, you are getting what you pay for - basically a time limited license that expires when your machine is no longer of any use to you. The worst part is, most people have no idea this is the case until they upgrade the PC and try to use that old OEM version of Windows XP on their new machine. Sorry - don't work! If you buy a regular Windows XP copy, however, you can transfer it from machine to machine.

So disappointing.