vista oem

[ep]

I have recently installed Vista Basic Home on my new-built computer and been told by Microsoft that they will not activate it because Vista oem is not for system builders but for somebody like Dell and that I would need another license to be able to use it. Any comment?

[Micky007]

Hi,

I dont understand, you have an activation code so when not just active online?

Thanks

[ep]

I do have an activation code and I DID activate online, but after the NEW hd failed I reinstalled an older one, which again activated, but for the last three days I have been getting requests to activate and then it wont let me, so I rang up the support number and got told the above. I'm not happy.

[Anonymous]

[Removed at the request of the author]

[ep]

I think I might have fixed it with a system restore; crossing all my fingers and toes.

[ep]

No. It's off again.

[coiler]

Ok, here goes the system Vista uses. Vista detects if a new activation after hardware change is neccesary using a point system. Initially, your system has points that depend on the hardware that is in your computer. If you change hardware, points are removed according to the following:

Serial number of hard disk -> 11
BIOS-ID (Mainboard) -> 9
IDE adaptor -> 3
CPU -> 3
Sound device -> 2
Network adaptor -> 2
SCSI adaptor -> 2
CD/DVD-ROM or CD-RW -> 1
GFX Card -> 1
Amount of RAM -> 1

Once Vista reaches less than twenty six (26) points, a new activation is neccesary. The initial points you get depend on your system as it seems, you could for example have a system with 34 points and be able to change your RAM and GFX card without any problem (34-1-1=32). But if you change your mainboard, you would have to reactivate your Vista (34-9=25). After (re)activating, a new initial point amount is calculated.

A harddrive uses a huge amount of points, Microsoft may deem this as too big a change for an OEM copy of Vista. Phoning them and explaining whats happened is the best option

[ep]

I did. This is when the lady explained to me that it is illegal to use oem on a computer that I have made myself. I KNOW she's got it wrong.

They have been leaving me alone for the last 24 hours. I MAY have cracked it. (No, there's the message again.)

[Anonymous]

[Removed at the request of the author]

[ep]

I have given up with it now. The problem may have been that I had my old drive with the back up of my files attached to a usb port. I don't care any longer. I am going to try to get excited about Linux or a MAC. There are 6 of us in this house and I have 8 legal copies of windows, not counting the 95s and 98s. Plus the computers I make for other people which are all kosher. If they haven't made enough money out of me by now, it's their problem.

[ZoneAlert]

You could always try PCLinuxOS www.pclinuxos.com 8) :wink:

[coiler]

ring them back!

cant believe you give in so easy :P

The second you find out a Microsoft agent cant help - hang up and ring back.

Rinse and repeat until resolved :twisted:

[mcwildcard]

[quote:dbc93ae202=\"coiler\"]Ok, here goes the system Vista uses. Vista detects if a new activation after hardware change is neccesary using a point system. Initially, your system has points that depend on the hardware that is in your computer. If you change hardware, points are removed according to the following:

Serial number of hard disk -> 11
BIOS-ID (Mainboard) -> 9
IDE adaptor -> 3
CPU -> 3
Sound device -> 2
Network adaptor -> 2
SCSI adaptor -> 2
CD/DVD-ROM or CD-RW -> 1
GFX Card -> 1
Amount of RAM -> 1

Once Vista reaches less than twenty six (26) points, a new activation is neccesary. The initial points you get depend on your system as it seems, you could for example have a system with 34 points and be able to change your RAM and GFX card without any problem (34-1-1=32). But if you change your mainboard, you would have to reactivate your Vista (34-9=25). After (re)activating, a new initial point amount is calculated.

A harddrive uses a huge amount of points, Microsoft may deem this as too big a change for an OEM copy of Vista. Phoning them and explaining whats happened is the best option[/quote:dbc93ae202]
Wow, I'm glad I saw this before I sorted out my Vista, now I know to install it AFTER I sort out a new HDD. Ta for the info!