Win7 OEM disks
I have read where OEM WIN7 disks are tied to the original computer and can never be reinstalled to another motherboard. Out of curiosity is this a just "licensing issue" or will the activation key si...
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dryfly wrote:
I have read where OEM WIN7 disks are tied to the original computer and can never be reinstalled to another motherboard. Out of curiosity is this a just "licensing issue" or will the activation key simply not work on a second install.
Will the same thing occur on disks labeled "intended for distribution with a refurbished PC"?
The simple answer is that its not the WIN 7 DVD, with some exceptions, but the WIN OEM Key that's registered to a particular PC hardware. DON'T try to install WIN 7 on a second computer using the same registered OEM Key. Microsoft will invalidate BOTH computers, not just the second install. You will then have to call Microsoft and explain why the same Key was used to validate two different computers.
The exception to the WIN 7 DVD is that some manufactures tie the disc to their OEM Key. So both the WIN 7 disc and Key must be from the same company such as from DELL. But, doesn't mean that it won't install on another brand of computer. Many times will.
Restore discs are different from standalone WIN 7 discs, and generally tied to specific hardware from a particular manufacturer.
Bottom-line, don't use the same OEM Key on more than one computer.
BTW, I use the same WIN 7 DVD to install on multiple desktops and notebooks. Even generating different WIN 7 versions from the same DVD. But use a valid Key for each install only once.
