upgrading pc, reinstalling OS question

[cinek]

Next month, I'm planning to upgrade my pc. I'll be replacing the motherboard, CPU, RAM. I also want to get a new HDD to install windows on (I know I can use the current installation). My question is, if I get a new HDD, do I need to get a new copy of windows or can I use the same one I currently have?

[redrooster303]

depends if your copy of windows is oem or retail. oem versions are locked to the motherboard but retail aren't.:)

[cinek]

I have an OEM version :(

[redrooster303]

i think there are ways around using an oem version again but i'm not sure how. someone will be along soon who knows:)

[NickCPC]

Changing the HDD wouldn't mean needing another license of Win7, but mobo/CPU usually will. There are different "points" associated with various components - upgrade too many and hence go above a certain number of points, and Windows can refuse to activate. You might be OK, but chances are it might not activate, in which case you'd need to buy another copy.

If you can see yourself upgrading again before Windows 8 comes out (supposedly less than 2 years away), might be worth buying a Retail copy; otherwise just stick with another OEM one.

[michaelkenward]

Congratulations on being perhaps the first person to ask this question this week.

It comes up so often, though, that the regulars probably get sick of saying the same thing over and over again.

So, to get a more complete set of answers, why not spend a bit of time wandering doen memory lane and searchiong through the archive?

It contains some seriously well informed advice on this topic.

[Burn-IT]

You might get away with re-activating it with MS.
If it gives you the option of ringing, MS will normally allow a faulty motherboard to be changed and give you a code.