Vista System Builder??

[chromarog]

I bought a hard drive bundle. It's a legitimate purchase from a reputable vendor. What I THOUGHT I was getting was just a vista ultimate oem disk, what I GOT was vista ultimate system builders edition. I haven't opened the shrink wrap yet so I can still send it back, but if I don't need to that's fine. I've tried reading the license gibberish and it's pretty greek to me.

Here's what I understand please correct me if I'm wrong:
- I get no support (that's fine, I build machines all the time and support all the xp boxes at my job. And I have plenty of support from the web).
- I can only install on the ONE machine and it's forever tied to that machine (motherboard).
- If I sell the computer, I still should offer support for the computer as a system builder for the machine. (not a problem there, most of my computers go to my kids or family)
- That's pretty much all I can tell you...

My questions:
- This whole key/license being tied to one machine thing. What if the hard drive goes bad and I need to reinstall, doesn't that constitute installing on a new machine?
- What if the motherboard goes out and I found a better one, or I flat want different motherboard, still the same computer, just not the motherboard?
- If I do get rid of my computer and I want to keep the Vista license, can't I just install linux or xp on the computer to shove it out the door and keep the vista license? (this is the legal scenario, feel free to supply the 'creative' scenarios).

Thanks,
Rog...

 

[aich69]

1. If the HD goes you shouldn't have too much trouble reinstalling on a new HD. The activation side of things relies on 7 (I think) components from the mobo, NIC etc. Change too many and you may get quizzed when you have to call the MS people to activate over the phone. Change the HD and you should be fine. These days you are sometimes asked (during the automated telephone activation) if you have changed the HD or MOBO.

2. You will have trouble here, this could (most likely) constitute changing too many components. Again if you install you may be ok with the activation over the phone, it's completely feasible that your mobo died and you are chaning it for a valid reason, not just for the fun of it.

3. The Vista license (as you quite rightly stated) lives and dies with that machine. It is not transferrable to another machine. If you do that you will fall foul of the activation process and will most likely be unable to activate the machine.

I don't qwork for MS, the above is from my experience. Hope it helps.

I used to have a handle on life... but it broke. Cpt. Red Bull

 

[chromarog]

Thanks for the quick response. I appreciate it. I guess another question I have is, what's the difference between the system builder license/key and a oem license/key? Is it really the support issue?

 

[aich69]

OEM is media and license, no support.

System Builder usually comes with additional disk for prep work, again no MS support.

I used to have a handle on life... but it broke. Cpt. Red Bull

 

[chromarog]

Sounds like that's what I've been working with ever since I've had a microsoft product. lol.

Thanks again,
Rog...

 

[dilettante]

These licenses are meant to be used by mom and pop whitebox makers. If you don't want the restrictions buy a retail licensed (boxed) copy.