Can I sell my OEM Windows 7 OS with old Mobo?

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dennis555

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I am intending to upgrade my system but keep a lot of parts for my new build (Case, Hard drive, PSU), but I need to get rid of my old stuff that I won't be using such as the Motherboard, CPU, and my question, the Operating System? I have an OEM edition of Windows 7 64bit that I bought when I first built my computer. I have the packaging and CD case w/ Key. I know you can't use OEM editions with different motherboards, but I know that it's tied to my current motherboard. So the question is whether I can sell my motherboard with the OEM Windows 7 disk (not including the hard drive). I've had some experience with a dead hard drive where all I had to do was buy a new one and installed the operating system on it fine. So I hope the same thing applies to the situation now so I don't waste it.
 
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It will require you to go through the activation process again ( changing the MOBO invalidates the activation) but in most cases it will reactivate without problems (if you have not reactivated several times already) - In the cases where the Online activation fails then usually using the telephone activation (enter your product key and the computer response system gives you a response code to enter) will get it activated -- If that fails talking to a rep and telling them that the old...
I don't think there is anything to stop you doing that. As long as it stays on the same hardware and on one computer.

How many times have you seen people selling a DELL or a HP with OEM window on ebay? Countless.

You will be fine.
 

dennis555

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I'm not selling the "whole computer," I'm just selling the motherboard by itself and was wondering if the OEM windows 7 disk could be installed on their hard drive.
 
I have installed OEM Window of different version, including Window 7 on different HDD and SSD (still on the same mobo bind by EULA) and they work.

The most upgrade I have tried with an OEM Window without getting a new mobo is a change of CPU, HDD, RAM, GPU, PSU and an extra DVD drive and it still works.
 

dennis555

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Yeah, I've upgraded my motherboard to just about it's max potential now. I need to get rid of it asap because the highest CPU it supports is a Phenom II x4 945. The parts I'm keeping are the 750 watt psu, 1tb, hard drive, and case. Oh how I wish I would have just bought a retail version of windows 7 so that I wouldn't have to go through all this trouble now.
 
Actually ... selling the OEM OS and motherboard as a package is probably the most legit way to move on -- be sure to include the 'sticker' (I never attach mine for this reason -- yeah, yeah, I know that violates the EULA but I build, t6est, play around and sell ...)

 

dennis555

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Yeah I didn't put the sticker on either :p Good thing I save the packaging for everything I buy.
 
This would be fine and that is acactly what I would do. OEM is tied to the Motherboard (uSoft implies it's also tied to CPU indirectly). But since CPU is tied to the MB most verbage centers around the MB.

There are about 7 parameters that go to making the Up the activation Key. But normally only the MB change invalidates the activation.

Just let the Person who buys it that there is a small possibility that they may need to call mSoft to activate.
 
Personally what I would do is first put together the new system and try installing the OEM version of the OS on the new system with the key (usually will if you have not reloaded it already several times) - even though technically it is tied to the first installed MOBO MS usually gives you some leeway and the Activation Police are not going to come knocking on your door for doing so !! If it will not activate follow the procedure and call and talk to a service rep - explain that your old MOBO died and you can no longer get a new one of that model so are trying to reactivate on a new MOBO since that was the only alternative and they will in most cases provide you with a new key to activate it on the new machine -- That way if it activates you save having to purchase a new OS for the new system and the hassle of selling that one with the MOBO at a loss -- If for some reason they get strict about the EULA and will not let it activate then you can always sell it with the MOBO like you currently planned. (Just don't sell it with the old MOBO and keep it running on the new system !! )
 

nordlead

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According to the license agreement you can sell a Windows OEM with the "computer". Where computer isn't really defined since it is so easy to replace parts. You must include all paperwork, the license sticker (which also should be attached to the case based on the license agreement) and the windows installer disk.
 


Yes but IF you want to get technical about the Legal aspect He and most others are already breaking the EULA by purchasing OEM versions of WIN 7 in the first place since MS changed the EULA with WIN 7 to remove the Home system build from qualifying for OEM status and only left them technically for Systems that were build for RESALE with the OS installed !! :

The specific clause found in prior OEM editions of Windows is as follows:

"OEM system builder software packs are intended for PC and server manufacturers or assemblers ONLY. They are not intended for distribution to end users. Unless the end user is actually assembling his/her own PC, in which case, that end user is considered a system builder as well."

As you can see from the above passage, prior versions clearly made allowance for those that assembled their own system, sadly, this is no longer the case in Windows 7.

FYI : the new Win 7 EULA states :

To distribute the Software or Hardware in this Pack, you must be a System Builder
and accept this license. “System Builder” means an original equipment manufacturer, an assembler, a refurbisher, or a software
pre-installer that sells the Customer System(s) to a third party. You accept this license when you open this Pack. If you choose not
to accept this license, promptly return the unopened Pack to your distributor. You may only distribute unopened Packs within your
territory. For the territory in which you may distribute, see www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/territory. Individual Software or
Hardware units may not be returned after the Pack is opened.
And further diefines Customer System(s) as :
Definitions.
a. “Customer System” means a fully assembled computer system that includes a CPU, a motherboard, a power supply, an
internally mounted NAND or revolving magnetic-based hard drive, and a case. For Server products, a hard drive and separate
power supply are not required. A Customer System must meet the system requirements of the software as posted on
http://www.microsoft.com and must be able to run the Software.

So If you really want to fully follow the EULA the reselling the MOBO with the OS is also "TECHNICALLY NOT LEGAL" so you are also suggesting doing something that would not be "Legal" -- Just goes to show that MS really needs to clarify exactly what they expect users to do with the software as even those that try to follow the EULA wind up not understanding exactly what rights they have purchased with all of the various implementations of the licensing !

EDIT : In case you need to verify the info the OEM EULA can be found HERE
 

dennis555

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I don't know about that. I've done plenty of research about doing that and most people say it's too big of a hardware change. I was thinking about just purchasing the retail version of windows 7 for 150....At least it would work on future builds.
 


It will require you to go through the activation process again ( changing the MOBO invalidates the activation) but in most cases it will reactivate without problems (if you have not reactivated several times already) - In the cases where the Online activation fails then usually using the telephone activation (enter your product key and the computer response system gives you a response code to enter) will get it activated -- If that fails talking to a rep and telling them that the old MOBO was replaced and you had to get a new model since it was no longer available will almost always get them to give you a new response code that activates it. ( in all of the times I have reinstalled I have only once had to actually speak to someone and that was with window 98 and the key was unreadable on the system and they still gave me a new code) I have reused OEM versions several times in the past and they reactivated fine using the phone activation process so I'd suggest giving it a try first before spending $150 you do not need to spend (esp, since most likely by the time you upgrade again you'll be installing Windows 8 !)

Worst case -- you find it does not work (never had that happen !) and at that point you use the 30 days you have without having to activate and during that time you purchase the retail copy and enter that key once you get it to activate - so no lost time even if it does not work out !
 
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dennis555

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JDFan, Your past experience gives me hope of saving a lot of $$$. Though I'm planning on switching from AMD to intel so I hope they don't ask what motherboard you're changing to because it seems like such a drastic change.
 


Do you own a copy of xp, vista, or other windows?
If so, you can buy an upgrade license for about the same as oem, and it is considered retail, so it can be transferred to future builds.

What Microsoft really cares about is stopping piracy and the duplication of the product. As long as you are using only one copy of windows on only one pc, then they are generally good with that. In your case, It seems that reusing your legitimate oem copy on a replacement motherboard is within the bounds of reason, and MS will probably not worry about it.
It is worth a try.
 


In most cases you will not even get as far as having to talk to someone (IIRC it only sends you to a rep if the activation server shows the key has been used more than 6 times in the past year ) The reps that you do talk to if it gets that far normally are very easy to work with and are working for minimum wage so do not really care in most cases as long as that key does not show 100's or 1000's of uses.
 
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